Opinion ID: 1435297
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Henry's Contention

Text: Henry concedes that the combination of his testimony, the autopsy evidence and the circumstantial evidence regarding the turbulent relationship of the couple and the financial benefit he received from her death supports the State's theory of an intentional murder having occurred. According to Henry, [t]hat much is not in issue. Nevertheless, Henry argues that he was entitled to have the jury instructed on the lesser included offense of Murder in the Second Degree. The basis for that argument is Henry's testimony at trial that he did not intentionally cause Canty's death, but that his actions were reckless due to his firing the gun at close range under the circumstances described in his testimony. This Court reviews de novo Henry's claim that there was a rational basis for instructing the jury on the lesser included offense of Murder in the Second Degree. [8]