Opinion ID: 1935963
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: did the trial court err in failing to grant d-10, the requested instruction on accident?

Text: This issue confronts the legal significance of Gollott's attempted suicide as a mitigating factor in this case. Gollott argues error in that the trial court denied his instruction on accident. Gollott argues that their theory of the case was that Gollott accidentally killed Diane while Gollott attempted suicide. Gollott further asserts that denial here was reversible error. See Murphy v. State, 566 So.2d 1201, 1206 (Miss. 1990). The State counters that excusable homicide arises only when committed by accident and misfortune in doing any lawful act by lawful means. Miss. Code Ann. § 97-3-17 (1994). The State argues that suicide is unlawful at common law. See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Mink, 123 Mass. 422, 25 Am.Rep. 109, 114-15 (1877). Mississippi codified common law crimes as punishable offenses. See Miss. Code Ann. § 99-1-3 (1994). Suicide is a common law offense. [2] Attempted suicide is also unlawful, under the statute making criminal attempts unlawful. Miss. Code Ann. § 97-1-7 (1994). The State argues the statutes read together eliminate the excuse of defense for an attempted suicide. Gollott presented much evidence to demonstrate his motivation for attempting suicide: Gollott stated that he was despondent to the point of suicide on the night in question; he asked Diane to shoot him with his pistol; he had recently lost a good friend, and had significant financial and physical troubles. That night, Diane refused to allow Gollott to move in with her and Gollott claimed Diane told him that she would not take care of him. Nevertheless, Gollott's admission that Diane was shot in his attempt to commit suicide constitutes an unlawful act. [3] The defense of accident is not applicable, since Gollott was attempting an unlawful act, resulting in the death of Diane. Consequently, Gollott's instruction is an incorrect statement of the law, which the trial court was under no obligation to grant. Murphy v. State, 566 So.2d 1201, 1206 (Miss. 1990). This issue is without merit.