D.C. Court of Appeals ordered new trial for woman convicted in death of husband after determining trial judge failed to instruct jurors on effects of what was once called battered wife syndrome.
Diana Lalchan was convicted of fatally shooting her husband in 2013. The D.C. appeals court ordered a new trial, ruling that the trial judge failed to instruct jurors of the long-term effects of what was once called battered wife syndrome.A former Walter Reed pharmacist who in 2019 was found guilty of fatally shooting her husband in the back of the head was freed from prison after the D.C.
The D.C. Court of Appeals ruled that Judge Ronna L. Beck failed to thoroughly instruct jurors before deliberations about the lingering effects of spousal abuse and how those effects could lead a person during an act of violence to believe they were acting in self-defense. The three-judge panel agreed with Lalchan’s public defendersthat they could “consider the effects of battery in assessing whether Ms. Lalchan’s perception of danger was objectively reasonable.
Beck wrongfully denied that request, the three-judge panel determined, concluding that evidence Lalchan suffered from prior battery could be considered in determining whether she perceived danger, but had no bearing on whether her perception was “objectively reasonable.” “People have a hard time understanding self-defense when it comes to abusive relationships,” Riley said. “They want to fault the abused for not leaving the relationship or seeking help from police as soon as the abuse began. But that would be rational thinking. This instruction would have reminded jurors that individuals who have had years of abuse, may not have been thinking rationally when they assault or kill.
Authorities said there was no sign of a struggle, and no 911 call from Lalchan pleading for help before the shooting. Prosecutors argued Lalchan did not fit the profile of an abused spouse, an argument the defense vehemently countered was based on “stereotypes.” The prosecutors stressed at trial that Lalchan had an advanced degree and was the breadwinner of her household, making more than $100,000 as a pharmacist — suggesting she had the resources to leave the relationship.
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