Opinion ID: 2576140
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Use of a Firearm and Second Degree Attempted Murder

Text: The elements of murder in the second degree are: (1) causing the death of another person; and (2) doing so intentionally or knowingly. HRS § 707-701.5. The elements of attempt are: (1) engaging in conduct which would constitute the crime if the attendant circumstances were as the person believed them to be; or (2) engaging in conduct which, under the circumstances as the person believes them to be, constitutes a substantial step in a course of conduct intended to culminate in the person's commission of the crime; and (3) engaging in either element (1) or (2) intentionally. HRS § 705-500. Use of a firearm has the following elements: (1) carrying, having within the person's immediate control, using, or threatening to use a firearm; (2) while committing a separate felony; and (3) engaging in elements (1) and (2) knowingly. HRS § 134-6(a). Use of a firearm requires proof of fact that second degree attempted murder does not  that the person use a firearm. A person can commit second degree attempted murder with or without the use of a firearm. Attempted murder requires that the person intended to cause the death of another person  an element not present in the use of a firearm. Each offense has an element which the other does not, and thus is a separate offense for double jeopardy purposes. Attempted murder is, however, an included offense of use of a firearm. As we discussed in Jumila, HRS § 701-109 prohibits convictions for both an offense and an offense included therein. However, in Brantley, 99 Hawai`i at 469, 56 P.3d at 1258, after examination of the legislative history of the use of a firearm statute (HRS § 134-6(a)), we held that: (1) the legislature intended to permit convictions of both HRS § 134-6(a) and the separate felony; and (2) HRS § 134-6(a) was a statutory exception to the prohibition against convicting for both an offense and an included offense set forth in HRS § 701-109. Therefore, per our holding in Brantley, Feliciano can be convicted of both attempted murder and of use of a firearm.