Opinion ID: 2458490
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: causation instruction for felony murder

Text: At trial, Berry argued there should be an additional jury instruction regarding the causal relationship between the murder and the underlying possession of cocaine felony. But Berry's trial counsel did not offer alternative language. He simply argued that a causal connection between the commission of the crime and the death required more detailed instruction rather than simply establishing that the two events occurred at the same time. The district court denied the request. It followed PIK Crim.3d 56.02, stating: To establish [the felony-murder] charge, each of the following claims must be proved: 1. That the defendant killed Vicki K. Brown; 2. That such killing was done while in the commission of possession of cocaine with intent to sell or possession of cocaine 3. That this act occurred on or about the 25th day of November, 2004, in Sedgwick County, Kansas. (Emphasis added.) On appeal, Berry argues additional instructions would have better explained causation to the jury. He also argues additional instruction would have clarified the prosecutor's alleged mischaracterization of the elements of the crimes alleged, which is discussed below. But Berry does not articulate in his appeal brief what instruction should have been given, arguing simply that something else should have been done.