Opinion ID: 2232729
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: The Instruction on Lying in Wait

Text: Taylor argues that the trial court erred in Instruction 17 by instructing the jury, assertedly over defense objection, that lying in wait can be proof of a defendant's specific intent to commit murder. Specifically, the court instructed the jury that [l]ying in wait with a deadly weapon can be proof of a defendant's specific intent to commit the crime of murder, lying in wait includes the elements of waiting, watching, and concealment in order to take the victim by surprise with the intent to kill the victim. Taylor contends this instruction was an incorrect statement of law as it applies to the facts of this case and that it was not supported by the evidence. The State contends that Taylor failed to object to the jury instruction at trial and has waived the issue. The State also argues that the instruction is a correct statement of law. Taylor asserts he objected to Instruction 17, but as supporting record evidence he cites only to a copy of the instruction as tendered by the State which contains an anonymous handwritten annotation, given over [Defendant's] obj. The record discloses no other reference to a defense objection to this instruction. Indiana Criminal Rule 8(B) provides that no error regarding the giving of instructions is available on appeal unless specifically stated at trial, or submitted in writing to the court, prior to argument: All instructions given or refused, and all written objections submitted thereto, shall be filed in open court and become a part of the record in the cause.... Objections made orally shall be taken by the reporter and may be made a part of the record by a ... bill of exceptions. Ind.Crim. Rule 8(C). In Ford v. State, 555 N.E.2d 829, 831 (Ind.1990), we found that an alleged error regarding the giving of an instruction was waived because the appellant had not provided a sufficient record of the arguments to the trial court regarding the challenged instruction. Thus, regardless of whether objection was made at trial, the absence of a record reflecting the specific objections precludes our consideration of the alleged error. Second, since the evidence demonstrated that Taylor placed a gun against his victim's head and fired, there can be little issue over his intent to kill. As a result, even if not waived, the instruction would not constitute reversible error. Third, the instruction cannot be the basis of reversible error because it is at best circular. It permits the inference of intent to kill from the fact that the perpetrator lay in wait with intent to kill. If the jury found the elements required by this instruction, there is no need to infer anything more with respect to defendant's intentions in the parking lot of Dorthea's apartment. Because Holly testified to Taylor's threats to kill Dorthea shortly before the event, the jury had evidence from which it could find the lying in wait to have been for that purpose.