Abstract
First, this Note explores the criminal justice system's ineffective response to wife abuse, the law of self-defense, and the impact of battered woman syndrome on the doctrine of self-defense. Then, the Note evaluates the Kansas court's denial of self-defense instructions in view of its previous holdings on quantity of evidence and imminent danger. The remainder of the Note analyzes the unfounded fear that the battered woman syndrome could become an independent form of self-defense and sanction unnecessary self-help. The Note concludes that successful use of battered woman syndrome testimony ensures the woman's right to act in self-defense and restricts only her husband's license to kill.
Recommended Citation
Venesy, Barbara A.
(1990)
"State v. Stewart: Self-Defense and Battered Women: Reasonable Perception of Danger or License to Kill,"
Akron Law Review: Vol. 23:
Iss.
1, Article 6.
Available at:
https://ideaexchange.uakron.edu/akronlawreview/vol23/iss1/6