James D. Trehan v. State Missouri

Patrick L. Beck appeals the judgment of his conviction, after a jury trial in the Circuit Court of Morgan County, of assault in the second degree, section 565.060, for which he was sentenced to three years in the Missouri Department of Corrections. He was charged with assault in the first degree, section 565.050, but was acquitted of that offense. He was charged with stabbing the victim with a knife, causing serious physical injury. At trial, he admitted to the stabbing, but claimed self-defense, in accordance with section 563.031. Specifically, he claimed that he was justified in stabbing the victim in that the victim held him from behind while two of the victims friends approached him brandishing a baseball bat and a metal pipe in a threatening manner.