"Upon the trial of an indictment for murder where the defense is self-defense, the character of the deceased as to peace and quiet frequently becomes a material subject for investigation. If the evidence, as in this case, is conflicting upon the question as to who began the difficulty, or whether the deceased's conduct or actions just prior to the encounter reasonably justified …

Character is distinct from reputation, the latter being merely evidence of the former; but reputation is merely what is recorded or understood from report to be the community's estimate of the person's character.

There is no doubt that the credibility of a witness can be attacked by proof that his reputation for truth and veracity in the community is bad.

When the affirmative defense of self defense is raised by the defendant, testimony which established the victim's reputation for violence is relevant to show the reasonableness of the defendant's reaction to the victim's conduct.

"The 1978 legislature deleted this sentence. See Chapter 78-361, § 7, Laws of Fla. Yet the commentary to the 1978 amendment observes that" striking this language should not change the existing law which allows inquiry into whether the witness has heard that the defendant [victim] committed certain acts.

"The court did not instruct the jury as to the definition of murder in the third degree, which, under the facts in this case, was not necessary. The definitions of murder in the first and second degree and manslaughter were given, and the forms of such verdicts were embodied in the instructions."

Through subsequent applications of the rule in Garner's case, the purpose for which evidence of violent character could be used was expanded so that such evidence, when offered in support of a claim of self-defense, could be used not only to prove the reasonableness of the defendant's belief that at the time of the slaying he was in imminent danger of death or serious …

One legitimate basis for the admission of such evidence is for the purpose of showing that the victim was the first aggressor.

Evidence of a deceased's violent character is admissible when self defense is asserted if there is an issue as to either the conduct of the deceased or the reasonableness of the defendant's belief as to imminent danger from the deceased.

In a case involving the issue of who was the aggressor, the court held that it was irrelevant that the defendant was not aware of his adversary's reputation.

[CITATION] Florida Evidence