Legal Memorandum
To: Senior Attorney
From: Garrett Wedemire
Date: February 14, 2019
Re: Jeffrey Bing Matter
Question Presented
Can our client Jeffrey Bing claim self-defense as defined in the relevant statue, which
states that (1) a person is justified in the use of force against another when and to the extent that
he reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to defend himself or another against such
other’s immanent use of unlawful force, or (2) a person is justified in the use of force which is
intended or likely to cause death or great bodily harm to himself or another, or the commission of
a forcible felony based on the facts presented that Mr. Bing shot Mr. Geller at close range,
following Mr. Geller’s attack on him during which he threatened to kill Mr. Bing while holding a
knife?
Short Answer
Yes, Mr. Bing can claim self-defense based on the definitions presented in the relevant
statute. It is conclusive that Mr. Bing was justified in using force that was likely to cause death
because he was trying to protect himself from what Mr. Geller threatened would be imminent
death.
Statement of Facts
On August 2 20xx, Mr. Bing was on a camping trip along with his friends Mr. Newton
nd,
and Mr. Geller. After completing the day long hike Mr. Bing stated that he “wanted to take a rest
break” because he felt “winded”, even though they were approximately five minutes from the
lodge they were staying at. While resting, Mr. Newton began to taunt Mr. Bing about a recent
weekend, he had spent in New York with Mr. Geller’s former girlfriend Jill Jacoby, who Mr.
Geller had not been aware that Mr. Bing was seeing. After hearing this information Mr. Geller
“went berserk” starting an altercation with Mr. Bing. Mr. Geller began to pound on Mr. Bing,
throwing him on his back, beginning to beat Mr. Bing’s face with his fists. Mr. Bing apologized
to Mr. Geller during this altercation, to no avail. According to the senior memorandum under
irrelevant facts Mr. Bing is 5’11” and weighs 175 pounds, while Mr. Geller was 6’ weighing 190
