Opinion ID: 2342716
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Aggravated Assault While Armed (AAWA) and Assault With Intent To Kill While Armed (AWIKWA)

Text: Nixon's contention that his AAWA and AWIKWA convictions merge now pertains only to Mr. Spencer since we conclude that his convictions for aggravated assault of Mr. Jones and Mr. Ball while armed must be reversed. We find no merit to the argument that AAWA and AWIKWA convictions merge under the reasoning of Blockburger v. United States, 284 U.S. 299, 304, 52 S.Ct. 180, 76 L.Ed. 306 (1932). Blockburger held that: [W]here the same act or transaction constitutes a violation of two distinct statutory provisions, the test to be applied to determine whether there are two offenses or only one, is whether each provision requires proof of a fact which the other does not. 284 U.S. at 304, 52 S.Ct. 180. The elements of proof and the underlying facts are not the same for AAWA and AWIKWA. Unlike AWIKWA, AAWA requires a showing of facts that prove serious bodily injury. Similarly, AWIKWA requires proof of facts showing specific intent whereas there is no specific intent requirement for AAWA. Hence, the two crimes do not merge under the Blockburger test.