🔍 Opinion Exhibit 2 Analysis: Behavior & Self-Defense Context

🎥 Behavioral Timeline of Jacob Cronick

• 0–10 sec: Calm but assertive demeanor. Jacob speaks first. No visible signs of fear or distress.
• 10–20 sec: Slight agitation emerges. Leans forward during conversation—possible sign of asserting dominance.
• 20–30 sec: Verbal escalation. Tone increases. No physical aggression but hands gesture assertively.
• 30–40 sec: Emotional state rises. No weapon visible. Opposing party shows no threatening behavior.
• 40–50 sec: Space closes. Jacob takes lead in conversation. Still no attempt to step back or defuse tension.
• 50–60 sec: Abrupt body movement—could be interpreted as a warning gesture or light contact.
• 60–70 sec: Jacob scans environment. Appears calculating rather than defensive.
• 70–80 sec: Tone briefly softens, but body remains tight. Possible moment of reflection.
• 80–90 sec: Gestures resume. Arms briefly crossed (defensiveness), then drop. Stance stays aggressive.
• 90–100 sec: Dismissive gestures. Jacob appears controlling the conversation.
• 100–108 sec: Disengagement without violence. Ends interaction but leaves tension unresolved.

Summary: Jacob maintains control throughout, escalates tone, and uses dominant body language. No visible justification for fear of imminent danger.

⚖️ Michigan Self-Defense & Stand Your Ground Law

• MCL 780.972: Deadly force is only justified when a person:
• Reasonably believes they face imminent death, great bodily harm, or sexual assault.
• Is not the aggressor or provoking the conflict.
• Is not committing a crime at the time.
• Is in a place they legally have a right to be.
• Stand Your Ground: There is no duty to retreat, but only if all the above criteria are met.

Relevant Case Law

• People v. Riddle (2002): No right to self-defense if you provoke the confrontation or use excessive force.
• People v. Guajardo (2013): Leaving, retrieving a weapon, and returning to the scene negates self-defense.

📉 Legal Application to Exhibit 2

Legal Standard	Jacob's Behavior	Legal Outcome
Imminent threat of death or great bodily harm	No weapon shown. Opponent non-aggressive throughout.	❌ No valid threat
Reasonable belief in necessity of force	Verbal dominance only. Could have disengaged at any time.	❌ Not reasonable under law
Not the aggressor	Jacob initiates escalation and keeps control	❌ Appears to be the aggressor
Not committing a crime	No weapon used here, but dominant, potentially harassing tone	⚠️ Possible issue depending on context

Final Conclusion: Under Michigan self-defense law, Jacob Cronick’s behavior in Exhibit 2 does not meet the threshold for justified force. He had the opportunity to de-escalate, retreat, or disengage entirely but chose sustained verbal and positional aggression instead.