Opinion ID: 2378907
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Verdict Director

Text: Instruction 6, the verdict director, stated: As to Count I, if you find and believe from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt: First, that on or about July 6, 1987, in the County of St. Louis, State of Missouri, the defendant and/or William Weaver caused the death of Charles Taylor by shooting him, and Second, that it was the defendant's purpose to cause the death of Charles Taylor, and Third, that defendant did so after deliberation, which means cool reflection upon the matter for any length of time no matter how brief, then you are instructed that the offense of murder in the first degree has occurred, and if you further find and believe from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt: Fourth, that with the purpose of promoting or furthering the commission of that murder in the first degree, the defendant acted together with or aided William Weaver in committing that offense, then you will find the defendant guilty under Count I of murder in the first degree. However, unless you find and believe from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt each and all of these propositions, you must find the defendant not guilty of murder in the first degree. Arguing that this instruction was erroneous, Shurn points to Note on Use 7(a) to MAICR 3d 304.04: Where the evidence shows the conduct of the offense was committed entirely by someone other than the defendant and the sole basis for defendant's liability is his aiding the other person or persons ... then all the elements of the offense should be ascribed to the other person or persons and not to the defendant. (emphasis added) Contrary to Shurn's claim, the evidence is not clear that Weaver alone murdered Taylor. Both Shurn and Weaver chased Taylor behind the apartment complex; one witness testified that she saw both Shurn and Weaver running with their hands up as if both were carrying guns; persons living in the complex heard gunshots; Shurn and Weaver returned to the car; Weaver then went behind the complex again; witnesses heard more shots; Weaver returned to the car, which left the complex. Because it was unclear whether Shurn or Weaver, or both, shot Taylor, the trial court correctly refused to use Note on Use 7(a).