Opinion ID: 2621100
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Unanimous VerdictsAggravated Indecent Solicitation

Text: Hill argues that the district court erred by not instructing the jury that it was required to agree on the same underlying crime to convict Hill of aggravated indecent solicitation of a child. The Court of Appeals did not address this issue, although it was argued in Hill's brief. No specific unanimity instruction was requested or given regarding the aggravated indecent solicitation charge. As previously mentioned, the district court gave a general unanimity instruction. The district court instructed the jury on aggravated indecent solicitation of a child and on the elements of the two different crimes, rape or indecent liberties with a child, that would support a conviction for aggravated indecent solicitation. Generally, when no request or objection is made, we reverse only if the failure to give an instruction was clearly erroneous. State v. DePriest, 258 Kan. 596, 605, 907 P.2d 868 (1995). Hill argues in his petition for review that the analysis of this issue is identical to that presented in the first issue, i.e., which of the two acts of digital penetration constituted the rape. The implication is that rape and indecent liberties with a child were multiple acts, where each could have been a crime supporting an aggravated indecent solicitation theory. The State argues that here, rape and aggravated indecent liberties were alternative means. We agree. The jury was asked whether the crime occurred as a result of (1) enticing or soliciting B.M. to commit or submit to the act of rape or (2) taking aggravated indecent liberties with a child. We have said: `In an alternative means case, where a single offense may be committed in more than one way, there must be jury unanimity as to guilt for the single crime charged. Unanimity is not required, however, as to the means by which the crime was committed so long as substantial evidence supports each alternative means.' [Citations omitted.] State v. Timley, 255 Kan. 286, 289, 875 P.2d 242 (1994). Substantial evidence was presented here to support each alternative means. Affirmed.