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Supreme Court orders new trial in warden confrontation

By: Associated Press//June 13, 2017//

Supreme Court orders new trial in warden confrontation

By: Associated Press//June 13, 2017//

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The state Supreme Court says a man who got into an armed standoff with conservation wardens deserves a new trial.

According to court documents, Robert Steitz confronted two wardens on his land Lafayette County in 2012. Steitz claims the men never clearly identified themselves and wrestled his rifle away. He drew his handgun and trained it on them, resulting in a standoff.

A jury found Steitz guilty of resisting and pointing a gun at officers. Steitz argued on appeal that the trial judge never instructed the jury in self-defense law, robbing him of his right to present a defense.

The Supreme Court ruled 4-2 Tuesday that there’s enough evidence to support arguments that Steitz was seeking to defend himself and granted Steitz a new trial.

A state Justice Department spokesman didn’t immediately respond to a message.

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