Case Title: In Re: Amendments To Standard Jury Instructions In Criminal Cases – Instruction 7.7

Citation: 

Docket Number: 

State: florida

Court: Florida Supreme Court

Date: 2011-10-13T00:00:00Z

Document:
Supreme Court of Florida 
 
 
____________ 
 
No. SC10-113 
____________ 
 
 
IN RE:  AMENDMENTS TO STANDARD JURY INSTRUCTIONS IN 
CRIMINAL CASES—INSTRUCTION 7.7. 
 
[October 13, 2011] 
 
PER CURIAM. 
 
On the Court’s own motion, we previously amended instruction 7.7 
(Manslaughter) of the Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases on an interim 
basis and then published the amended instruction for public comment.  In re 
Amends. to Std. Jury Instrs., 41 So. 3d 853 (Fla. 2010).  Having reviewed the 
comment and response from the Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury 
Instructions in Criminal Cases (Committee), as well as the comments filed by 
individual members of The Florida Bar, and having heard oral argument, we now 
further amend the language of the instruction to clarify that it requires an 
intentional act not constituting negligence. 
 
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Accordingly, we authorize for publication and use instruction 7.7 as set forth 
in the appendix to this opinion.1  The instruction is effective immediately.  New 
language is indicated by underlining, and deleted language is struck through.  In 
authorizing the publication and use of the instruction, we express no opinion on its 
correctness and remind all interested parties that this authorization forecloses 
neither requesting additional or alternative instructions nor contesting the legal 
correctness of the instruction.2  We further caution all interested parties that any 
comments associated with the instruction reflect only the opinion of the Committee 
and are not necessarily indicative of the views of this Court as to their correctness 
or applicability. 
 
It is so ordered. 
CANADY, C.J., and PARIENTE, LEWIS, QUINCE, POLSTON, LABARGA, 
and PERRY, JJ., concur. 
 
 
THE FILING OF A MOTION FOR REHEARING SHALL NOT ALTER THE 
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THESE AMENDMENTS. 
 
 
                                          
 
 
1.  We have jurisdiction.  See art. V, § 2(a), Fla. Const. 
 
 
2.  The amendments as reflected in the appendix are to the instructions as 
they appear on the Court’s website at www.floridasupremecourt.org/jury_ 
instructions/instructions.shtml.  We recognize that there may be minor 
discrepancies between the instructions as they appear on the website and the 
published versions of the instructions.  Any discrepancies as to instructions 
authorized for publication and use after October 25, 2007, should be resolved by 
reference to the published opinion of this Court authorizing the instruction. 
 
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Original Proceeding – Standard Jury Instructions in Criminal Cases 
 
Judge Lisa T. Munyon, Chair, Supreme Court Committee on Standard Jury 
Instructions in Criminal Cases Committee, Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orlando, Florida, 
 
 
for Petitioner 
 
Bart Schneider, Lake Mary, Florida; Richard M. Summa, Assistant Public 
Defender, Second Judicial Circuit, Tallahassee, Florida; Charmaine M. Millsaps, 
Tallahassee, Florida; and Michael T. Kennett, Tallahassee, Florida, 
 
 
Responding with comments 
 
 
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APPENDIX 
7.7 MANSLAUGHTER 
§ 782.07, Fla. Stat. 
 
To prove the crime of Manslaughter, the State must prove the following 
two elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 
 
 
1. 
(Victim) is dead. 
 
 
Give 2a, 2b, or 2c depending upon allegations and proof. 
2. 
a. 
(Defendant’s) intentionally committed an act(s) or acts that  
 
 
caused the death of (victim). 
 
 
 
b. 
(Defendant) intentionally procured an act that caused 
 
 
 
the death of (victim). 
 
c. 
The death of (victim) was caused by the culpable negligence 
of (defendant). 
 
The defendant cannot be guilty of manslaughter by committing a 
merely negligent act or if the killing was either justifiable or excusable 
homicide:  
 
Negligence: 
Each of us has a duty to act reasonably toward others.  If there is a 
violation of that duty, without any conscious intention to harm, that violation 
is negligence. 
 
Justifiable Homicide: 
The killing of a human being is justifiable homicide and lawful if 
necessarily done while resisting an attempt to murder or commit a felony 
upon the defendant, or to commit a felony in any dwelling house in which the 
defendant was at the time of the killing.  § 782.02, Fla. Stat. 
 
Excusable Homicide: 
          The killing of a human being is excusable, and therefore lawful, under 
any one of the following three circumstances: 
 
 
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1. 
When the killing is committed by accident and misfortune in 
doing any lawful act by lawful means with usual ordinary caution 
and without any unlawful intent, or 
 
2. 
When the killing occurs by accident and misfortune in the heat of 
passion, upon any sudden and sufficient provocation, or 
 
3. 
When the killing is committed by accident and misfortune 
resulting from a sudden combat, if a dangerous weapon is not 
used and the killing is not done in a cruel or unusual manner. 
§ 782.03, Fla. Stat. 
 
Give only if 2a alleged and proved, and manslaughter is being defined as a 
lesser included offense of first degree premeditated murder. 
In order to convict of manslaughter by act, it is not necessary for the 
State to prove that the defendant had an intent to cause death, only an intent 
to commit an act that was not merely negligent, justified, or excusable and 
which caused death.   
 
Give only if 2b alleged and proved. 
To “procure” means to persuade, induce, prevail upon or cause a 
person to do something. 
 
Give only if 2c alleged and proved. 
I will now define “culpable negligence” for you.  Each of us has a duty 
to act reasonably toward others.  If there is a violation of that duty, without 
any conscious intention to harm, that violation is negligence.  But culpable 
negligence is more than a failure to use ordinary care toward others.  In order 
for negligence to be culpable, it must be gross and flagrant.  Culpable 
negligence is a course of conduct showing reckless disregard of human life, or 
of the safety of persons exposed to its dangerous effects, or such an entire 
want of care as to raise a presumption of a conscious indifference to 
consequences, or which shows wantonness or recklessness, or a grossly 
careless disregard for the safety and welfare of the public, or such an 
indifference to the rights of others as is equivalent to an intentional violation 
of such rights. 
 
The negligent act or omission must have been committed with an utter 
disregard for the safety of others.  Culpable negligence is consciously doing an 
act or following a course of conduct that the defendant must have known, or 
 
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reasonably should have known, was likely to cause death or great bodily 
injury. 
 
§ 782.07(2)-(4), Fla. Stat.  Enhanced penalty if 2c alleged and proved.  Give 
a, b, or c, as applicable. 
If you find the defendant guilty of manslaughter, you must then 
determine whether the State has further proved beyond a reasonable doubt 
that: 
 
a. 
(Victim) was at the time [an elderly person] [a disabled adult] 
whose death was caused by the neglect of (defendant), a caregiver.  
 
b. 
(Victim) was a child whose death was caused by the neglect of 
(defendant), a caregiver. 
 
c. 
(Victim) was at the time [an officer] [a firefighter] [an emergency 
medical technician] [a paramedic] who was at the time 
performing duties that were within the course of [his] [her] 
employment.  The court now instructs you that (official title of 
victim) is [an officer] [a firefighter] [an emergency medical 
technician] [a paramedic]. 
 
Definitions.  Give if applicable. 
 “Child” means any person under the age of 18 years. 
 
§782.03, Fla. Stat. 
“Dangerous weapon” is any weapon that, taking into account the 
manner in which it was used, is likely to produce death or great bodily harm. 
 
“Elderly person” means a person 60 years of age or older who is 
suffering from the infirmities of aging as manifested by advanced age, organic 
brain damage, or physical, mental, or emotional dysfunctioning, to the extent 
that the ability of the person to provide adequately for the person=s own care 
or protection is impaired. 
 
“Disabled adult” means a person 18 years of age or older who suffers 
from a condition of physical or mental incapacitation due to developmental 
disability, organic brain damage, or mental illness, or who has one or more 
physical or mental limitations that restrict the person=s ability to perform the 
normal activities of daily living. 
 
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“Facility” means any location providing day or residential care or 
treatment for elderly persons or disabled adults.  The term “facility” may 
include, but is not limited to, any hospital, training center, state institution, 
nursing home, assisted living facility, adult family-care home, adult day care 
center, group home, mental health treatment center, or continuing care 
community. 
 
As applied to an Elderly Person or a Disabled Adult. 
“Caregiver” means a person who has been entrusted with or has 
assumed responsibility for the care or the property of an elderly person or a 
disabled adult.  “Caregiver” includes, but is not limited to, relatives, court-
appointed or voluntary guardians, adult household members, neighbors, 
health care providers, and employees and volunteers of facilities. 
 
As applied to a Child. 
“Caregiver” means a parent, adult household member, or other person 
responsible for a child’s welfare. 
 
§ 825.102(3)(a) or § 827.03(3)(a), Fla. Stat.  Give 1 or 2 as applicable. 
“Neglect of [a child”] [an elderly person”] [a disabled adult”] means: 
 
1. 
A caregiver’s failure or omission to provide [a child] [an elderly 
person] [a disabled adult] with the care, supervision, and services 
necessary to maintain [a child’s] [an elderly person’s] [a disabled 
adult’s] physical and mental health, including, but not limited to, 
food, nutrition, clothing, shelter, supervision, medicine, and 
medical services that a prudent person would consider essential 
for the well-being of the [child] [elderly person] [disabled adult]; 
 
 
 
 
or  
 
 
2. 
A caregiver’s failure to make reasonable effort to protect [a child] 
 
[an elderly person] [a disabled adult] from abuse, neglect or 
exploitation by another person. 
 
 
Repeated conduct or a single incident or omission by a caregiver that 
results in, or could reasonably be expected to result in, a substantial risk of 
death of [a child] [an elderly person] [a disabled adult] may be considered in 
determining neglect. 
 
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Definitions.  As applied to Designated Personnel. 
 
§ 112.191 and § 633.35, Fla. Stat. 
“Firefighter” means any full-time duly employed uniformed firefighter 
employed by an employer, whose primary duty is the prevention and 
extinguishing of fires, the protection of life and property therefrom, the 
enforcement of municipal, county, and state fire prevention codes, as well as 
the enforcement of any law pertaining to the prevention and control of fires, 
who is certified by the Division of State Fire Marshal of the Department of 
Financial Services, who is a member of a duly constituted fire department of 
such employer or who is a volunteer firefighter. 
 
§ 943.10(14), Fla. Stat. 
“Officer” means any person employed or appointed as a full-time, part-
time, or auxiliary law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional 
probation officer. 
 
 
§ 401.23, Fla. Stat. 
“Emergency Medical Technician” means a person who is certified by 
the Department of Health to perform basic life support.  
 
§ 401.23, Fla. Stat. 
“Paramedic” means a person who is certified by the Department of 
Health to perform basic and advanced life support.  
 
Lesser Included Offenses 
 
MANSLAUGHTER - 782.07 
CATEGORY ONE 
CATEGORY TWO 
FLA. STAT. 
INS. NO. 
None 
 
 
 
 
Vehicular homicide 
782.071 
7.9 
 
Vessel homicide 
782.072 
7.9 
 
(Nonhomicide lessers) 
Attempt 
777.04(1) 
5.1 
 
Aggravated assault 
784.021 
8.2 
 
Battery 
 
784.03 
8.3 
 
Assault 
784.011 
8.1 
 
Culpable negligence 
784.05 
8.9 
 
 
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Comment 
 
In the event of any reinstruction on manslaughter, the instructions on 
justifiable and excusable homicide as previously given should be given at the same 
time.  Hedges v. State, 172 So.2d 824 (Fla. 1965). 
 
In appropriate cases, an instruction on transferred intent should be given. 
 
Trial judges should carefully study Eversley v. State, 748 So.2d 963 (Fla. 
1999), in any manslaughter case in which causation is an issue to determine if a 
special jury instruction on causation is needed. 
 
To be found guilty of Aggravated Manslaughter, there is no statutory 
requirement that the defendant have knowledge of the classification of the victim; 
therefore, the schedule of lesser included offenses does not include Aggravated 
Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement 
Officer, Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer, or Assault on a Law Enforcement 
Officer.  Those offenses have a different definition of officer.  Additionally, the 
excluded lesser included offenses require proof of knowing that the commission of 
the offense was on an officer who was engaged in the lawful performance of a 
legal duty. 
 
 
This instruction was adopted in 1981 and amended in 1985 [477 So.2d 985], 
1992 [603 So.2d 1175], 1994 [636 So.2d 502], 2005 [911 So.2d 1220], 2006 [946 
So.2d 1061], 2008 [997 So. 2d 403], and 2010 [41 So.3d  853], and 2011.