Opinion ID: 1772836
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: exclusion of instructions on lesser-included offenses

Text: Mills argues that, based on the evidence, he was entitled to instructions to lesser-included offenses of complicity to second-degree manslaughter and complicity to reckless homicide. We disagree. Instructions on the lesser-included offenses of complicity to second-degree manslaughter and complicity to reckless homicide could only be given as a complicity to the result instruction under KRS 502.020(2). Harper v. Commonwealth, Ky., 43 S.W.3d 261, 266 (2001). Id. at 266. As we explained in Tharp v. Commonwealth, Ky., 40 S.W.3d 356, 361 (2000): [A] defendant can be found guilty of complicity to an unintentional homicide under KRS 502.020(2) if there is evidence that he/she either actively participated in the actions of the principal, or failed in a legal duty to prevent those actions, without the intent that those actions would result in the victim's death, but with recklessness, i.e., failure to perceive a substantial and unjustifiable risk that death would result, KRS 501.020(4), supporting a conviction of reckless homicide by complicity, KRS 507.050; wantonness, i.e., an awareness of and conscious disregard of a substantial and unjustifiable risk of that result, KRS 501.020(3), supporting a conviction of manslaughter in the second degree by complicity, KRS 507.040; or aggravated wantonness, i.e., wantonness creating a grave risk of death under circumstances manifesting an extreme indifference to human life, supporting a conviction of wanton murder by complicity, KRS 507.020(1)(b). Id. at 361. As previously stated, there were two versions of Ratliff's murder. According to Bowen, Mills plotted to rob Ratliff. And, Mills directed her to stab Ratliff prior to Mills setting the truck on fire, with Ratliff inside, and she followed those directions. This version of events would only support a finding of either complicity to intentional murder under KRS 502.020(1), or complicity to wanton murder under KRS 502.020(2). According to Mills, after he took the gun away from Bowen, she produced a knife and stabbed Ratliff in the neck and there was nothing he could do to stop her. Under Mills' version of events, there was no plan to rob Ratliff. And, it was Bowen who knew Ratliff, asked him for help, and brought him to the disabled car. His version does not support instructing on any lesser-included offenses because it does not show that Mills either solicited or engaged in a conspiracy with Bowen to stab Ratliff or aided, counseled, or attempted to aid Bowen in planning, or engaging in the stabbing of Ratliff. See KRS 502.020(2).