Opinion ID: 853626
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Instruction on Neglect of a Dependent

Text: Cline last contends the trial court erred by refusing her instruction on the lesser offense of neglect of a dependent. Cline concedes that neglect of a dependent is neither an inherently included nor a factually included lesser offense of murder. See Wright v. State, 658 N.E.2d 563 (Ind. 1995) (establishing three part test for determining whether an instruction on a lesser included offense should be given). However, pointing to evidence that she left her child alone with Jenkins thereby putting her at substantial risk for serious bodily injury, [4] Cline argues that neglect of a dependent was her defense at trial. As such, the argument continues, she was entitled to have the jury instructed on that theory of defense. See Clemens v. State, 610 N.E.2d 236, 241 (Ind.1993) (a defendant is entitled to an instruction on any defense which has some foundation in the evidence). First, we reject Cline's contention that she was entitled to an instruction on neglect of a dependent as a theory of defense. Neglect of a dependent is not a defense to murder. Rather, a defendant may be tried on charges of both murder and neglect of a dependent. See, e.g., Pendergrass v. State, 702 N.E.2d 716 (Ind. 1998); Clemens v. State, 610 N.E.2d 236 (Ind.1993); Jones v. State, 701 N.E.2d 863 (Ind.Ct.App.1998); Baker v. State, 569 N.E.2d 369 (Ind.Ct.App.1991). On this ground alone, the trial court properly rejected Cline's tendered instruction. Second, the manner of instructing a jury lies largely within the sound discretion of the trial court, and we review the trial court's decision only for abuse of that discretion. Edgecomb v. State, 673 N.E.2d 1185, 1196 (Ind. 1996). The test for reviewing the propriety of the trial court's decision to refuse a tendered instruction is: (1) whether the instruction correctly states the law; (2) whether there was evidence in the record to support the giving of the instruction; and (3) whether the substance of the instruction is covered by other instructions given by the court. Hartman v. State, 669 N.E.2d 959, 961 (Ind.1996). Our examination of Cline's proposed instruction shows that it fails the first prong of the test. Specifically, the first sentence of the instruction reads: Included in the charge of murder in this case is the crime of neglect of a dependent. R. at 321. As Cline now concedes neglect of a dependent is not an inherently included lesser offense of murder nor, as charged in this case, is it a factually included lesser offense of murder. [5] Cline's tendered instruction is an incorrect statement of the law. On this additional ground the trial court properly refused to give the instruction.