Opinion ID: 2543059
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Additional Element

Text: Smith finally alleges that the circuit court erred in allowing the State to reopen the case, put on evidence of his age, and amend the criminal information to correctly assert the elements of the capital-murder charge. The criminal information charged Smith with capital murder and stated Under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, he knowingly caused the death of LB, who was fourteen (14) years of age or younger ... Apparently, whoever prepared the criminal information failed to include the final phrase, at the time the murder was committed if the defendant was eighteen (18) years of age or older at the time the murder was committed. Thus, Smith was accused of committing capital murder by causing the death of a person under fourteen years of age, but he was not asserted to be eighteen or older. We note that the criminal information cover sheet includes Smith's date of birth as 1988. The reason for requiring a specific directed-verdict motion such as Smith made in this case, is to pinpoint absent proof, allowing the circuit court the option of either granting the motion, or, if justice requires, allowing the State to reopen its case to supply the missing proof. Gillard v. State, 372 Ark. 98, 101, 270 S.W.3d 836, 838-39 (2008). A trial court's decision to reopen a case will not be reversed absent an abuse of that discretion. Holloway v. State, 312 Ark. 306, 312, 849 S.W.2d 473, 476 (1993). We find no abuse of discretion. Doubtless, Smith was aware that he was over the age of eighteen. There was no surprise or + prejudice in allowing the State to reopen its case. See Hill v. State, 370 Ark. 102, 105, 257 S.W.3d 534, 537 (2007) (The State is entitled to amend an information at any time prior to the case being submitted to the jury so long as the amendment does not change the nature or degree of the offense charged or create unfair surprise.).