Opinion ID: 1903505
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Did the trial court err in failing to instruct the jury on the lesser offenses of aggravated assault and simple assault?

Text: ¶ 7. Hughes gives several arguments for his assertion that he should have been charged with lesser crimes. First, he argues that since his sister was the one who took the money, he did not actually rob Brown. Secondly, he states that he was only defending his sister from Brown and he believed that Brown owed his sister the $20.00. Third, he argues that since Brown did not receive medical treatment, there is no proof that his injuries were serious enough to support the crime of armed robbery. There is no support in the record for Hughes's assertion that the trial court erred by failing to give him an instruction on simple assault. Hughes hit Brown on the head with a gun and threatened Brown with the specific intent to put Brown in fear and take his money. However, there is evidence in the record that would support an instruction on aggravated assault. The trial court and the State acknowledged that an instruction on aggravated assault would be appropriate, but Hughes's counsel stated, Your Honor, we don't seek an instruction on aggravated assault. Therefore, Hughes effectively waived the instruction on aggravated assault.