Opinion ID: 3008595
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Second-Degree Manslaughter

Text: Hall also claims that he was entitled to a jury instruction on seconddegree manslaughter. At trial, Hall tendered a proposed instruction on seconddegree manslaughter, based in part on the proposed murder instruction which allowed a finding of guilty on either intentional or wanton murder. The trial judge denied the motion, finding no reasonable basis for the instruction because she believed the evidence showed at least a clear intent to injure, and thus the only possible lesser-included offense was first-degree manslaughter. The Penal Code commentary illustrates the difference between wanton murder and second-degree manslaughter : The two offenses described by these provisions, [wanton] murder by KRS 507.020(1)(b) and manslaughter in the second degree by KRS 507.040, have three elements in common: the conduct in question must have involved a substantial and unjustifiable risk of death to human life; the defendant, in causing the death in question, must have consciously disregarded that risk, and his disregard must have constituted a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable person would [have observed] in the situation . Taken together, these three elements constitute the culpable mental state defined in KRS 501 .020 as wantonness, and without more, will suffice for a conviction ofd manslaughter in the second degree . If accompanied by a fourth element, i.e., circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to human life, they are sufficient for a conviction of [wanton] murder . KRS 507.020 cmt. 1 An instruction on a lesser-included offense is required only if, considering the totality of the evidence, the jury could have a reasonable doubt as to the defendant's guilt of the greater offense, and yet believe beyond a reasonable doubt. that. he is guilty of the lesser offense. Baker v. Commonwealth , 130 S .W.3d 90, 94 (Ky. 2003) (citing Clifford v. Commonwealth , 7 S.W.3d 371, 377-78 (Ky. 1999) ; Bills v. Commonwealth , 851 S.W.2d 466 (Ky. 1993)) . In most cases involving wanton killings, the evidence is such that. a jury could reasonably find wantonness with or without extreme indifference, and a. wanton murder instruction should be accompanied by an second-degree 1 . . .-tL.f-.... inst.il.lctior manslaug-lll.G1 ' -.-. .~~ : .~ . Jcc, C