Is a defendant entitled to be instructed as to any recognized defense for which there exists evidence sufficient for a reasonable jury to find in his favor?

MultiRegion, United States of America

The following excerpt is from U.S. v. Goldson, 954 F.2d 51 (2nd Cir. 1992):

"[A] defendant is entitled to an instruction as to any recognized defense for which there exists evidence sufficient for a reasonable jury to find in his favor." Mathews v. United States, 485 U.S. 58, 63[, 108 S.Ct. 883, 887, 99 L.Ed.2d 54] (1988); see also United States v. LaMorte, 950 F.2d 80, 84 (2 Cir.1991) ("It is well settled that 'a criminal defendant is entitled to have instructions presented relating to any theory of defense for which there is any foundation in evidence, no matter how weak or incredible that evidence may be.' ") (quoting United States v. Durham, 825 F.2d 716, 718-19 (2 Cir.1987)); United States v. Pedroza, 750 F.2d 187, 205 (2 Cir.1984) (same).

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