Opinion ID: 2396245
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Justification Defense Instruction Properly Denied

Text: Prior to opening statements by each party's counsel, Mills' attorney advised the Superior Court that he might request a jury instruction on justification-choice of evils. [2] The Superior Court ruled that any determination with regard to that jury instruction was premature because the evidence to support such a request had not been presented. Nevertheless, the opening remarks to the jury by Mills' attorney suggested that a choice of evils defense would be presented. During opening statement, defense counsel made the following representation to the jury: My client apparently was with a couple of friends and at some point got out of his vehicle ... What occurred subsequently to this is almost immediately when he's getting around the car he realized that this particular item is next to his car. He picks up the item, has it in his possession for probably a very, very short period, realizes what this gun is, knows that it is not something that he should have in his possession and then puts it to the ground and walks away. Although Mills subsequently presented no evidence at all on any issue, during the prayer conference, his defense attorney requested a jury instruction on justification-choice of evils. [3] The Superior Court denied the requested instruction on the basis that it was not supported by the record. We agree. The justification-choice of evils defense codified in 11 Del.C. § 463 applies to situations where someone must decide in an emergency situation to commit what is otherwise a crime to avoid an imminent public or private injury which was not the result of the defendant's own conduct. Mills did not present any evidence in his own defense. Mills also failed to elicit any testimonial evidence to support a choice of evils instruction during the cross-examination of the State's witnesses. [4] Therefore, the Superior Court correctly refused to charge the jury on that issue. [5]