First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety - Dismissed 3 days before trial
This case involved a client of ours who was referred from a family member. The client had gotten into an altercation at his residence which led to him stabbing someone in the stomach with a knife.
The client was arrested and charged with First Degree Recklessly Endangering Safety. Once we got the discovery, we noticed huge holes in the case. At the time of the incident, approximately five (5) other people were present in the residence. We learned that police made zero effort to speak to anyone other than the complaining witness and the client. So, we had our investigator locate the witnesses to the stabbing who provided statements which helped the case. We also filed a jury instruction on the "castle doctrine" which was front and center in the case.
The best part about the case was the state offered a disorderly conduct charge, a huge reduction from the original charge. We went back to the DA and rejected that offer. To his credit, the DA knew the difficulties with the case and only 3 days before trial, he dismissed the entire case.