Client, a 32-year-old father of two small children, stopped at a local restaurant after midnight to order take-out. While in the parking lot after picking up his food, the client’s car was struck by an individual backing out of a parking space. As the two began exchanging information, another individual in the car began belittling the client and threw a punch at him. The client blocked a second punch and struck the individual in his face with an open hand causing the individual to fall backward, hitting his head. The individual suffered severe brain trauma when striking his head and died several days later. The client was charged with murder.

At trial, Marein and Bradley focused on the client’s intent and the individual’s violent and unreasonable behavior in the parking lot. The client was found NOT GUILTY of murder by the jury.