Opinion ID: 2333029
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Instructions Guilt Phase

Text: Neal argues that the trial judge committed reversible error by failing to give proper instructions in the guilt phase. He raises several issues related to this claim which we will address separately. a) The complicity instruction did not deny Neal a unanimous verdict. The robbery instruction regarding complicity did not contain alternative theories that were not supported by the evidence. Any rational jury could have construed the evidence to show a command and a conspiracy. Complicity was defined in an instruction, 4(A), as follows: ComplicityMeans that a person is guilty of an offense committed by another person when, with the intention of promoting or facilitating the commission of the offense, he solicits, commands, or engages in a conspiracy with such other person to commit the offense, or aids, counsels, or attempts to aid such person in planning or committing the offense. Neal had given Strong a .25 caliber gun the day before the robbery and murder occurred. Strong testified that Neal had come to his apartment and asked him to help in the robbery. The evidence indicates that Neal instructed Strong during the robbery. When Strong was questioned about why he followed Neal, he replied that Neal was his friend and that they did everything together. The jury could reasonably infer that Neal had put pressure on Strong so as to dominate and control him. Strong testified that he did not even know the victim, but that he was very close to Neal. Clearly, the jury could believe that Strong felt compelled to do whatever Neal asked. Conspiracy, as envisioned by the statute governing complicity, does not necessarily require detailed planning and a concomitant lengthy passage of time. All that is required is that the defendants agreed to act in concert to achieve a particular objective and that at least one of them committed that objective. Commonwealth v. Wolford, Ky., 4 S.W.3d 534 (1999). There was sufficient evidence of a conspiracy which would lead to a reasonable interpretation that Neal and Strong shot the victim so they could rob him. The instructions were not prejudicial and Neal received a unanimous verdict. b) The evidence did not justify an instruction on first-degree manslaughter with a mitigating instruction regarding extreme emotional disturbance. Neal alleges that because Strong testified that the victim had come on to Neal in a sexual way, that Neal was entitled to the instructions. After this alleged occurrence, Neal left, planned the robbery, and returned to carry it out. It is incredible to believe that Neal was so enraged and disturbed as to act uncontrollably and then came back sometime later to rob the victim. There was no substantive evidence that this robbery and murder were perpetrated as a result of EED. The trial judge properly denied the requested instruction. c) The evidence did not justify jury instructions on facilitation of murder and facilitation of robbery. Although a trial judge has a duty to prepare and give instructions on the whole law of the case, including any lesser included offenses which are supported by the evidence, ... that duty does not require an instruction on a theory with no evidentiary foundation.... An instruction on a lesser included offense is required only if, considering the totality of the evidence, the jury might have a reasonable doubt as to the defendant's guilt of the greater offense, and yet believe beyond a reasonable doubt that he is guilty of the lesser offense. Gabow v. Commonwealth, Ky., 34 S.W.3d 63 (2000) citing Houston v. Commonwealth, Ky., 975 S.W.2d 925 (1998). Criminal facilitation occurs when a defendant, with no intent to promote or commit the crime himself, provides the means or opportunity for another to do so. KRS 506.080; Gabow, supra . Neal did not testify at trial. The evidence at trial clearly established that Neal planned and directed Strong in the robbery. Neal has failed to offer any credible evidence that would allow the inference that he knowingly assisted the robbery and murder but was indifferent to its success. The trial judge correctly declined to instruct the jury on the offense of criminal facilitation as a lesser included offense of murder and robbery. d) The evidence did not justify an instruction on reckless homicide. Neal fails to offer any credible evidence which would have entitled him to such an instruction. Armed with weapons, Neal and Strong went to the apartment of the victim and shot him at close range approximately six times. The trial judge properly denied the requested instruction.