Opinion ID: 1943965
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Attempted Murder Requires Action

Text: To prove the elements of Attempted First Degree Intentional Murder the State had to prove, first, that Gronenthal intended to kill Smith [11] and, second, that in furtherance of this intent he [i]ntentionally d[id] or omit[ted] to do anything which, under the circumstance as [he] believe[d] them to be, [was] a substantial step in a course of conduct planned to culminate in [his] commission of the crime. [12] A substantial step is defined as an act or omission leaving no reasonable doubt as to the defendant's intention to commit the charged offense. [13] The record reflects that Gronenthal expressed an intention to kill Smith. She testified that he told her several times during the sexual assault that he would have to kill her. Gronenthal acknowledges that this testimonial evidence from Smith is sufficient to establish an intent to commit murder. [14] Nevertheless, he argues the evidence of his statements that he had to kill Smith, while sufficient to establish the mens rea to commit murder, is insufficient to establish the corpus delicti of attempted murder. According to Gronenthal, he did not commit an act that constitutes a substantial step under Section 532. [15]