Opinion ID: 2621923
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Manslaughter Jury Instructions in Low's Case

Text: ¶30 Having laid out the standards for when a court may properly instruct a jury regarding an affirmative defense over a defendant's objection, we now apply the standards to the facts of Low's case.
¶31 We first consider whether the district court properly included the imperfect self-defense jury instruction over Low's objection. We conclude that the imperfect self-defense jury instruction was proper. ¶32 As previously noted, the prosecution is entitled to a jury instruction regarding an affirmative defense if the defendant has presented evidence supporting that defense. And when a defendant presents evidence of perfect self-defense, he necessarily presents evidence of imperfect self-defense because for both perfect and imperfect self-defense, `the same basic facts [are] at issue.' Spillers, 2007 UT 13, ¶ 23 (quoting State v. Howell, 649 P.2d 91, 95 (Utah 1982)) (alteration in original). Indeed, perfect self-defense and imperfect self-defense require the defendant to present the same evidence: that the defendant was justified in . . . using force against another . . . to the extent that he or she reasonably believe[d] that force [was] necessary to defend himself . . . against such other's imminent use of unlawful force. Utah Code Ann. § 76-2-402(1) (2003). ¶33 The difference between perfect self-defense and imperfect self-defense is the fact-finder's determination of whether the defendant's conduct was, in fact, legally justifiable or excusable under the existing circumstances. Id. § 76-5-203(4)(a)(ii) (Supp. 2007). If the fact-finder determines that the defendant subjectively believed that his actions were necessary to defend himself and that a reasonable person would have considered the actions necessary, it is perfect self-defense. If, however, the fact-finder concludes that the defendant subjectively believed that his actions were necessary to defend himself, but that a reasonable person would not have considered the actions necessary, it is imperfect self-defense. Perfect self-defense requires not only that the killer subjectively believed that his actions were necessary for his safety but, objectively, that a reasonable [person] would so consider them. Imperfect self-defense, however, requires no more than a subjective honest belief on the part of the killer that his actions were necessary for his safety, even though, on an objective appraisal by a reasonable [person], they would not be found so. Burch v. State, 696 A.2d 443, 458 (Md. 1997) (internal quotation marks omitted) (alteration in original); see also State v. Gomaz, 414 N.W.2d 626, 630 (Wis. 1987) ([P]erfect self-defense and imperfect self-defense differ only in regard to the factual determination of `reasonableness'. . . . ). ¶34 In sum, when a defendant presents evidence of perfect self-defense, he necessarily presents evidence of imperfect self-defense, and the prosecution is entitled to a jury instruction on imperfect self-defense, even over the defendant's objection. Were it otherwise, a defendant could tactically raise the issue of self-defense so that a jury could not find beyond a reasonable doubt that he had committed murder, but could then prevent that same jury from convicting him of imperfect self-defense manslaughter simply by objecting to an imperfect self-defense instruction. We are unwilling to interpret the Utah Criminal Code in a manner that would give defendants such an unfair tactical advantage. ¶35 In this case, the district court properly instructed the jury on imperfect self-defense manslaughter because Low introduced evidence, including his own testimony, that he shot Hirschey in self-defense. Low testified that he fired the gun only after Hirschey charged him and that he was in fear for his life when he fired the gun. Because Low presented evidence of self-defense, we find that there was a reasonable basis for the district court to instruct the jury regarding imperfect self-defense.
¶36 We next consider whether the district court properly included the extreme emotional distress manslaughter instruction over Low's objection. We conclude that it was error for the court to include the instruction. ¶37 The State argues that the jury instruction was proper because there was evidence that defendant may have killed Hirschey while suffering extreme emotional distress. The State points to testimony from Low, McCall, and Touchette that Hirschey had teased, manhandled, and assaulted Low. This evidence, the State argues, raises the question of whether Low was suffering from extreme emotional distress when he shot Hirschey. We disagree. ¶38 Although there was evidence presented by both the prosecution and by Low that Hirschey had mistreated Low throughout the evening of the shooting, there was no evidence that Low was experiencing extreme emotional distress as a result of the mistreatment. Low never testified that he was angered or upset by the mistreatment. And the other witnesses testified that Hirschey's mistreatment did not cause Low to become angry or emotionally distressed. Touchette testified that Low took the mistreatment in stride and was not angry. McCall testified that Low just kind of shrugged it off and that, mere seconds before the shooting happened, Low did not appear mad at Hirschey. ¶39 By including the instruction over Low's objection, the district court foisted upon Low the affirmative defense of extreme emotional distress, which Low did not wish to assert. Because Low did not introduce any evidence of extreme emotional distress, it was error for the district court to include a jury instruction for extreme emotional distress manslaughter. ¶40 We find support for our decision in the case of People v. Bradley, 669 N.E.2d 815 (N.Y. 1996). In Bradley, a defendant charged with second degree murder asserted the affirmative defense of not responsible by reason of a mental disease or defect. Id. at 816. The State asked the trial court to provide a first degree manslaughter instruction based on extreme emotional disturbance, and the court included the instruction over the defendant's objection. Id. The jury found the defendant guilty of manslaughter. Id. The Court of Appeals of New York held that it was error for the trial court to include the manslaughter instruction because the defendant's position at trial was that he suffered from a progressive mental illness that prevented him from appreciating the moral and legal import of his actions, not that he suffered a temporary loss of control. Id. The appellate court concluded that the defendant's right to chart his own defense had been infringed when the trial court instructed the jury regarding the affirmative defense of extreme emotional disturbance over the defendant's objection and reversed the conviction. Id. ¶41 In this case, Low's consistent position at trial was that he acted out of self-defense. Low did not present any evidence that his actions were due to a temporary loss of control caused by extreme emotional distress. It was therefore error for the district court to submit a jury instruction regarding extreme emotional distress, an affirmative defense that Low did not raise. This error satisfies the first prong of the plain error standard.