CASE PREVIEW · Michigan Court of Appeals
People v Lawrence
Self-Defense Expert Exclusion and Excessive-Brutality Scoring After Fatal Beating
Decided
The citation
People v Lawrence, unpublished opinion of the Court of Appeals, issued November 10, 2026 (Docket No. 374115)
From the case summary
Smith came to Lawrence’s home, where he beat her to death. Lawrence admitted the killing but testified that Smith pointed a gun at him and still held it as he struck her. The prosecution’s theory was that Lawrence plotted against Smith and disarmed her before…
Read the full Keypoint summary for the facts, ruling and practitioner takeaway.