Opinion ID: 2634857
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Summary of Aiwohi's argument

Text: On appeal, Aiwohi argues that her manslaughter prosecution contravenes the plain meaning of HRS § 707-702(1)(a). First, Aiwohi contends that her alleged prenatal conduct was directed at her fetus, which is not a person as required by the statute. For support, Aiwohi points to a decision of the Intermediate Court of Appeals (hereinafter ICA) in State v. Jardine, 101 Hawai`i 3, 61 P.3d 514 (App.2002), in which the ICA evaluated a defendant's invocation of the defense of others with respect to an unborn child. The ICA stated that unborn children are not `natural persons' who can be victims of a crime unless the legislature expressly included them within the applicable definition. Jardine, 101 Hawai`i at 9-10, 61 P.3d at 519-520. Second, Aiwohi contends that both the proscribed conduct and the proscribed result of conduct must occur when the object of that conduct and its result is presently a person. Aiwohi argues that the circuit court improperly focused solely on the result of conduct element, thereby ensnar[ing] conduct that is not perpetrated on a person.  For support, Aiwohi cites to Collins v. State, 890 S.W.2d 893 (Tex.Ct.App.1994), a decision by the Texas Court of Appeals. The Collins court stated that the Penal Code does not proscribe any conduct with respect to a fetus, and the Legislature, by its definitions of `child,' `person,' and `individual,' has specifically limited the application of [Texas'] penal laws to conduct committed against a human being who has been born and is alive. Id. at 897-898 (emphasis in original). Third, Aiwohi contends that the HPC emphasizes the principles of strict statutory construction and the rule of lenity. Aiwohi contends that her prosecution for and conviction of manslaughter amounts to the creation of new criminal offenses perpetrated against the unborn. In light of the foregoing, Aiwohi urges us to vacate the Amended Judgment Guilty Conviction and Probation Sentence filed on October 4, 2004, vacate the circuit court's decision and order denying Aiwohi's motions, and remand for dismissal of the indictment.