Opinion ID: 1166413
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: killing an unborn child

Text: Our conclusions, pertaining to the voluntary-intoxication instruction, apply only to the charge of first-degree murder. They are in no way intended to apply to the charge of killing an unborn child. In Gustavenson v. State, supra , this court emphasized that the fact of intoxication is material when a showing of premeditation, or other specific intent, is required. We hasten to point out that no premeditation is required for the crime of killing an unborn child. The applicable statute, § 6-71, W.S. 1957, 1975 Cum.Supp., provides in pertinent part: Whoever unlawfully kills an unborn child, ... by any assault or assault and battery wilfully committed upon a pregnant woman, knowing her condition, is guilty of a felony... . There is no requirement that an assailant purposely and with premeditated malice kill an unborn child; nor is any other requirement of specific intent disclosed. There must only be a willful assault, or assault and battery, upon a pregnant woman, with knowledge of her condition.