Opinion ID: 2330386
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: issues

Text: [¶ 44] Mr. Counts asserts that the jury instructions failed to inform the jury of what was required to constitute kidnapping. Because the instructions were not objected to at trial, we review for plain error. To demonstrate plain error, an appellant must show: 1) the record clearly reflects the incident urged as error; 2) a violation of a clear and unequivocal rule of law; and 3) that the appellant was materially prejudiced by the denial of a substantial right. Causey v. State, 2009 WY 111, ¶ 18, 215 P.3d 287, 293 (Wyo.2009). Jones v. State, 2011 WY 114, ¶ 15, 256 P.3d 527, 533 (Wyo.2011). [¶ 45] The instruction given to the jury in Mr. Counts' case provided as follows: The elements of the crime of Kidnapping, as charged in Count III in this case, are: 1. On or about the 15th day of July, 2010; 2. In Natrona County, Wyoming; 3. The Defendant, CHRISTOPHER RAY COUNTS; 4. Unlawfully removed another person from the vicinity where the person was at the time of the removal or unlawfully confined another person; 5. With the intent to inflict bodily injury on that person or to terrorize that person. If you find from your consideration of all the evidence that each of these elements has been proved beyond a reasonable doubt, then you should find the Defendant guilty. If, on the other hand, you find from your consideration of all the evidence that any of these elements has not been proved beyond a reasonable doubt, then you should find the Defendant not guilty. Mr. Counts' argument may be fairly summarized as an objection that this instruction failed to define the terms removed, vicinity, confined, and terrorize. [¶ 46] Words in jury instructions are to be given their plain and ordinary meaning unless otherwise indicated. Keene v. State, 812 P.2d 147, 150 (Wyo.1991). When terms in a jury instruction are to be given their plain and ordinary meaning, there is no need to supply a definition. In Alcalde v. State, 2003 WY 99, ¶ 15, 74 P.3d 1253, 1260 (Wyo.2003), we considered the same kidnapping statute at issue here, and said that the terms vicinity and confined should be interpreted in accordance with their ordinary usage: The ordinary meanings of the words are: Vicinity1. the quality or state of being near: proximity 2: a surrounding area or district: neighborhood Confine1. a: to hold within a location b: imprison 2: to keep within limits Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary 1316 and 242 (10th ed.1998). (Emphasis in original.) Given the ordinary meanings of these relatively common words, we rejected Mr. Alcalde's claim that the kidnapping statute was unconstitutionally vague. On the same basis, we reject Mr. Counts' claim that these terms had to be defined for the jury in his case. [¶ 47] Similarly, we conclude that a definition of the term remove was not required. The State's brief quotes this definition from the American Heritage College Dictionary 1177 (4th ed.2002): 1. To move from a place or position occupied: 2. To transfer or convey from one place to another. Given the plain meaning of this ordinary word, the jury did not need a special definition of the term remove. [¶ 48] We have some doubt about the term terrorize. Mr. Counts points out that we have never offered a definition in any of our decisions. He quotes definitions found in cases from other jurisdictions and sources to the effect that to terrorize means to frighten in the extreme, and that terror is a high degree of fear or an intense fright or apprehension. [¶ 49] However, the Legislature provided no indication in the statute that the term terrorize is to be given any but its ordinary meaning. The State's brief notes this definition of the term terrorize, also taken from the American Heritage College Dictionary at 1425: 1. To fill or overpower with terror; terrify: 2. To coerce by intimidation or fear. This common meaning is consistent with the definitions provided by Mr. Counts. Given this common meaning, we also conclude that the district court did not commit plain error when it failed to define the term terrorize.