Opinion ID: 2337217
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Attempted-Battery Assault

Text: As to the attempted-battery theory, we hold that the evidence was sufficient to sustain the first and second elements of simple assaultnamely, an act by the defendant and the defendant's apparent present ability to either frighten or injure the victim at the time the act was committed for the reasons stated in Part II. D, supra. With regard to the third element, an intent to perform the act which constitutes the assault, we agree with the essence of the trial court's ruling, that the government produced sufficient evidence from which a reasonable jury could find an attempt by appellant to cause an actual physical injury. See Robinson, supra, 506 A.2d at 574. A reasonable jury could infer that appellant was in the process of committing an actual battery when, with his gaze fixed on Sergeant Van Buren: appellant started the car and put it in gear in one continuous motion with his right hand; reached straight down his leg to the floor; retrieved a pistol from under the seat and brought it back up in his hand; and leaned to his right while raising the pistol up as far as his knee. The jury could also infer that had it not been for Sergeant Waddy's intervention by yelling, Stop! and shooting at appellant, appellant intended to commit a battery by shooting Sergeant Van Buren. [7] It was irrelevant at that point whether Sergeant Van Buren actually experienced fear or apprehension, or, indeed, knew what was happening. See Robinson, supra, 506 A.2d at 575 (citing Anthony, supra, 361 A.2d at 206). Accordingly, we hold that there also was sufficient evidence adduced at trial to sustain appellant's conviction of assault on a police officer with a dangerous weapon, a pistol, on an attempted-battery theory.