Opinion ID: 1328530
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Law of Accident

Text: Appellant argues the trial judge should have charged the law of accident to the jury. We disagree. A homicide will be excusable on the ground of accident when (1) the killing was unintentional, (2) the defendant was acting lawfully, and (3) due care was exercised in the handling of the weapon. State v. Goodson, 312 S.C. 278, 440 S.E.2d 370 (1994). Here, even if there was some evidence the first shot was unintentional, Appellant was acting unlawfully. See Arnette v. State, 306 S.C. 556, 413 S.E.2d 803 (1992). Additionally, the second shot, as discussed above, was intentional in any event.