Opinion ID: 1310695
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Pointing and Presenting a Firearm

Text: We asked the parties to brief whether pointing and presenting a firearm is a lesser included offense of assault with intent to kill so that the trial court had subject matter jurisdiction to convict and sentence Burton for the offense. We hold that pointing and presenting a firearm is not a lesser included offense of assault with intent to kill and therefore the conviction must be vacated. In a criminal case, the trial court's subject matter jurisdiction is limited to those crimes charged in the indictment and all lesser included offenses. State v. Watson, 349 S.C. 372, 563 S.E.2d 336 (2002). An offense is a lesser included offense of another if the greater of the two offenses includes all the elements of the lesser offense. State v. Elliott, 346 S.C. 603, 606, 552 S.E.2d 727, 728 (2001). However, when an offense has traditionally been considered a lesser included offense of the greater offense charged, [this Court] will continue to construe it as a lesser included, despite the failure to strictly satisfy the elements test. Watson, 563 S.E.2d at 338. The elements of pointing and presenting a firearm are (1) pointing or presenting; (2) a loaded or unloaded firearm; (3) at another. S.C.Code Ann. § 16-23-410 (2003). The elements of assault with intent to kill are (1) an unlawful attempt; (2) to commit a violent injury; (3) to the person of another; (4) with malicious intent; and (5) accompanied by the present ability to complete the act. State v. Walsh, 300 S.C. 427, 429, 388 S.E.2d 777, 779 (1988) (overruled on other grounds). In State v. Walsh , this Court applied the Blockburger test and found that the offenses of pointing and presenting a firearm and assault with intent to kill constituted separate and distinct offenses in a double jeopardy case. Walsh, 388 S.E.2d at 779. Assault with intent to kill does not require the use of a firearm. Therefore, strict application of the elements test leads to the conclusion that pointing and presenting a firearm is not a lesser included offense of assault with intent to kill. See e.g. Watson, 563 S.E.2d at 336 (Reckless homicide requires operation of an automobile while murder does not. Therefore, under the strict elements test, reckless homicide is not a lesser included offense of murder.) Also, pointing and presenting a firearm has not traditionally been considered a lesser included offense of assault with intent to kill. Walsh, 388 S.E.2d at 779. Pointing and presenting a firearm is not a lesser included offense of assault with intent to kill. Therefore, Burton's conviction is vacated because the trial court lacked subject matter jurisdiction.