Opinion ID: 2417534
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Motion to quash amended felony informations

Text: The original felony information filed by the state on October 22, 1993, charged appellant with capital murder by premeditated and deliberated purpose. Section 5-10-101(a)(4). The information was amended three times: first, on March 18, 1994, to charge appellant with capital murder by felony murder, section 5-10-101(a)(1); second, on March 21, 1994, to charge appellant with capital murder by premeditated and deliberated purpose, or, in the alternative, by felony murder; and, third, on March 23, 1994, to charge appellant, as an habitual offender, with capital murder by premeditated and deliberated purpose, or, in the alternative, by felony murder. On March 28, 1994, appellant filed a motion to quash all felony informations filed against him. On March 29, 1994, prior to the commencement of trial, the trial court conducted a hearing wherein several motions were heard, including appellant's motion to quash the felony informations, and denied the motion. Appellant next argues that the amended informations violated Ark.Code Ann. § 16-85-407(b) (1987), which forbids amendment of an indictment or bill of particulars so as to change the nature of the crime charged. This argument is without merit. We have recently ruled that pretrial amendment of an information that charged capital murder on the basis of felony murder to add, as an alternative, the charge of capital murder on the basis of premeditated and deliberated purpose, does not change the nature of the crime charged in violation of section 16-85-407(b). Rucker, 320 Ark. 643, 899 S.W.2d 447. We have also held that amendment of an information that adds an allegation of habitual offender does not change the nature or degree of the crime. Baumgarner v. State, 316 Ark. 373, 872 S.W.2d 380 (1994). Appellant next argues that the affidavit legally required to accompany the amended information sufficient for the issuance of a new arrest warrant on the new charge was never filed. We have held that Arkansas Code Annotated XX-XX-XXX (1987) does not require that an information be accompanied by an affidavit. Jacobs v. State, 317 Ark. 454, 878 S.W.2d 734 (1994). Appellant cites no authority to support his argument, thus there is no reason to address it further. Id. Appellant next argues that there was no judicial review or leave of the trial court to amend the information, nor did the state file a bill of particulars as required by Ark.Code Ann. § 16-85-407(a) (1987). This argument is without merit. Section 16-85-407(a) provides that the state, with leave of court, may amend an indictment as to matters of form or may file a bill of particulars. We have held that an information that stated the accused was charged with murder committed in the course of kidnapping constituted a specific charge that was in itself a bill of particulars. Harmon v. State, 277 Ark. 265, 641 S.W.2d 21 (1982); see also Perkins v. State, 217 Ark. 252, 230 S.W.2d 1 (1950) (stating that an information may be sufficiently specific that a bill of particulars is not required). Applying that standard to the facts of the present case, we find that the information, as amended, was in itself a bill of particulars. The third amended information read: I, DAN HARMON, PROSECUTING ATTORNEY WITHIN AND FOR THE SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS, of which Hot Spring County is a part, in the name and by the authority of the State of Arkansas, do hereby amend the information and charge ERIC RANDALL NANCE with the crime of CAPITAL MURDER, A.C.A. 5-10-101, and Habitual Offender A.C.A. 5-4-501 committed as follows, to wit: The said defendant, Eric Randall Nance, on or about the 11th day of October, 1993 in Hot Spring County, Arkansas did commit or attempt to commit rape and/or kidnapping and in the course of and in furtherance of the felony, or in the immediate flight therefrom, he caused the death of Julie Heath under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life or with the premeditated and deliberated purpose of causing the death of Julie Heath, he caused the death of Julie Heath, against the peace and dignity of the State of Arkansas. The State of Arkansas also alleges that Eric Randall Nance is an Habitual Offender, A.C.A. 5-4-501, in that he has been found guilty of, or plead guilty to, four or more felonies, against the peace and dignity of the State of Arkansas. On this record, as a result of the state's filing of a sufficiently specific amended information, appellant demonstrates no prejudice. Appellant next argues that it was error to deny his motion to quash the amended informations because, pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 16-85-410 (1987), a subsequent indictment suspends the prior indictment and quashes it. This argument is without merit. This court has previously considered section 16-85-410, as formerly codified at Ark.Stat. Ann. 43-1031, and stated that it simply declares the effect of the pendency of another prosecution. State v. Dimler, 251 Ark. 753, 756, 475 S.W.2d 152, 154 (1972) (quoting State v. Barkman, 7 Ark. 387, 388 (1846)). Section 16-85-410 is, therefore, inapplicable on the facts of this case, which involves a single prosecution. Cf. Patterson v. State, 267 Ark. 436, 591 S.W.2d 356 (1979), cert. denied, 447 U.S. 923, 100 S.Ct. 3014, 65 L.Ed.2d 1115 (1980) (holding the trial court erred by failing to quash two prior jury indictments, pursuant to Ark. Stat.Ann. § 43-1031, thereby forcing the accused to trial on a twenty-two count information that was identical to the pending grand jury indictments).