People v. Samson CA2/7

INTRODUCTION

Ronald Wesley Samson was convicted of the murder of Kenny Combs. Samson asserted at trial that he killed Combs in self-defense. Samson argues the trial court misstated several jury instructions, including those relating to justifiable homicide. He also argues the court erroneously admitted unduly prejudicial evidence of Samson’s prior threats and violence against an eyewitness to the murder. Samson further contends he is indigent, and the court violated due process by imposing fines and fees despite his inability to pay. We directed the trial court to conduct a hearing to determine whether the reporter’s transcript from Samson’s trial contained any errors and, if so, to correct them. The trial court did so. Although the reporter introduced additional errors in the corrected transcript, we are persuaded under the circumstances that the trial court did not misstate the jury instructions at Samson’s trial. We further conclude the court did not abuse its discretion by admitting evidence relating to Samson’s prior threats and violence. We remand, however, to have the trial court conduct a hearing on Samson’s ability to pay the fines and fees it imposed at…