Opinion ID: 1768154
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: delay in dismissal of charges.

Text: Michael also asserts that the trial court erred in not dismissing the first-degree assault charges or the theft charges before the indictment was read to the jury. In essence, Michael states that there was no evidence to prove either theft or first-degree assault and that the reading of those charges to the jury prejudiced him by creating the false impression that enough evidence existed to convict him of the remaining charges. Grand juries, not prosecutors, indict felony defendants, RCr 5.20; and the rule in Kentucky has long been that summary judgment does not exist in criminal cases. Commonwealth v. Hayden, Ky., 489 S.W.2d 513, 516 (1972); Commonwealth v. Hamilton, Ky.App., 905 S.W.2d 83, 84 (1995) The Commonwealth is entitled to present its evidence to a jury before a trial court can dismiss a charge by directed verdict of acquittal. Michael also claims it was error to instruct the jury on second-degree assault, since the evidence supporting that instruction conflicted with the indictment for first-degree assault. This argument seems to be that second-degree assault was not a lesser included offense of first-degree assault under the facts of this case. If so, we disagree. Furthermore, this claimed error is unpreserved and does not amount to manifest injustice. RCr. 10.26. Accordingly, the judgment of conviction and the sentences imposed by the Nelson Circuit Court against Appellant Michael David Barth are affirmed, and the judgment and sentences imposed against Appellant Peter John Barth, IV, are reversed and his case is remanded to the Nelson Circuit Court for a new trial consistent with this opinion. LAMBERT, C.J.; GRAVES and KELLER, JJ., concur. JOHNSTONE, J., concurs by separate opinion, in which STUMBO, J., joins. WINTERSHEIMER, J., concurs as to the affirmance of the conviction, but dissents without opinion as to the remand.