The DC Court of Appeals in Graves v. U.S., decided on February 25, 2021, addressed and analyzed the constitutional requirements of asserting a self-defense claim and the right to testify unhindered. Graves was arrested for theft and assault on a police officer as he attempted to leave a liquor store with a bottle unpaid.  Defendant argued at trial that the officer had used excessive force in putting him on a choke hold and his fighting back was justified as self-defense to the excessive use of force. During trial, after reviewing the video footage, the trial Judge sue sponte: Foreclosed any
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