Opinion ID: 1169778
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Attempted Second-Degree Murder and Attempted Voluntary Manslaughter of Shine

Text: Clark first argues that the evidence supported a jury instruction on attempted second-degree murder of Shine. K.S.A. 21-3301(a) defines attempt as any overt act toward the perpetration of a crime done by a person who intends to commit such crime but fails in the perpetration thereof or is prevented or intercepted in executing such crime. K.S.A. 21-3402(a) provides that second-degree murder is the malicious killing of a human intentionally without deliberation or premeditation. Second-degree murder is a lesser ineluded offense of first-degree murder. State v. Seelke, 221 Kan. 672, 675, 561 P.2d 869 (1977). In closing defense counsel argued that Clark's actions were not premeditated. The key element of second-degree murder is the lack of premeditation. Here, the uncontroverted evidence showed that Clark was angry at Shine after the incident at Acapulco Joe's and told Jeff Peebles he had a gun and could take care of things that way. Later, at the apartment, Clark obtained a pistol and stated, This is what you get if you mess with me, as he pointed the gun at Shine in the bedroom. Clark also chased Shine with the gun, yelling, [Y]ou are a dead black motherfucker. Based on Clark's actions and these statements, the evidence at trial was not sufficient to support an instruction on attempted second-degree murder. Clark also argues that the evidence required a jury instruction on the attempted voluntary manslaughter of Shine or the attempted intentional killing of a human being upon a sudden quarrel or in the heat of passion. K.S.A. 21-3403(a). Voluntary manslaughter is a lesser included offense of first-degree murder. State v. Arteaga, 257 Kan. 874, 890, 896 P.2d 1035 (1995). In closing, defense counsel argued that Clark's acts were the result of physical provocation by Shine. The key elements of voluntary manslaughter are whether the killing was intentional and whether there was legally sufficient provocation. State v. McClanahan, 254 Kan. 104, 113, 865 P.2d 1021 (1993). Whether a provocation is legally sufficient is an objective, rather than a subjective, determination. To be legally sufficient to intentionally kill an individual, a provocation must consist of more than mere words or gestures, and if assault or battery is involved the defendant must have a reasonable belief that he or she is in danger of great bodily harm or at risk of death. Mc-Clanahan, 254 Kan. at 114. A provocation is legally sufficient if it is calculated to deprive a reasonable person of self-control and to cause the person to act out of passion rather than reason. State v. Guebara, 236 Kan. 791, 796, 696 P.2d 381 (1985). Here, although there was evidence that Shine physically confronted Clark both in Lynette's apartment and on the apartment grounds, there was no evidence these confrontations were sufficient to cause Clark to believe he was in danger of great bodily harm or to deprive him of self-control. Earlier that evening, Clark had exhibited and expressed an intent to use the gun. The altercation at the apartment ended with Shine and Clark sitting on the couch and letting go of each other. It was after this fracas ended that Shine heard Clark loading the gun. As Shine fled the apartment, Clark followed and fired a shot. After the second confrontation on the apartment grounds, Clark fired another shot. Clark's acts against Shine were deliberate and previously expressed. Under these facts, the court did not err in failing to instruct on attempted second-degree murder and attempted voluntary manslaughter.