Opinion ID: 1454435
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: InstructionSecond-Degree Murder

Text: The State proposed the following instruction: The defendant is charged with the crime of murder in the second degree. The defendant pleads not guilty. To establish this charge each of the following claims must be proved: 1. That the defendant killed JOHN C. HUFFMAN; 2. That such killing was done maliciously; and 3. That this act was done on or about the 16th day of October, 1988, in Cherokee County, Kansas. The trial court instructed on second-degree murder from PIK Crim.2d 56.03. The State objected. The trial court overruled the objection. The State reserved the issue for appeal. The State argues that PIK Crim.2d 56.03 fails to adequately instruct the jurors in the application of K.S.A. 21-3402, second-degree murder. The State contends that K.S.A. 21-3402 does not require specific intent to kill the particular victim. Leonard asserts that this issue should not be entertained because it lacks statewide interest, citing State v. Kopf, 211 Kan. 848, 508 P.2d 847. We agree. Kopf involved the trial court's refusal to submit requested instructions. In the case at bar, the jury instruction given mirrored the charge set forth in the amended information; thus, resolution of this issue depends upon the facts of this case. Therefore, we do not believe the question should be entertained for appellate review. The trial court is affirmed on the felony-murder issue. The appeal is dismissed as to the other issues. HOLMES, C.J., and HERD, J., dissenting on the felony murder issue.