Opinion ID: 2507588
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Request to Charge ABHAN

Text: At the conclusion of the State's case, Green requested the judge charge the lesser-included offense of attempted ABHAN. The trial judge denied Green's request on the ground there was no evidence [or] conduct that could have been construed as an ABHAN. On appeal, Green asserts the trial judge erred in denying his request to charge as the evidence warranted a charge on attempted ABHAN. Because he believed Mandy was actually a woman in her twenties, based on the online profile picture, and that he did not intend to engage in sexual activity once he met Mandy, [8] Green claims he was entitled to a charge on the lesser-included offense of attempted ABHAN. The law to be charged must be determined from the evidence presented at trial. State v. Knoten, 347 S.C. 296, 302, 555 S.E.2d 391, 394 (2001). A trial judge is required to charge the jury on a lesser-included offense if there is evidence from which it could be inferred the lesser, rather than the greater, offense was committed. State v. Drayton, 293 S.C. 417, 428, 361 S.E.2d 329, 335 (1987). ABHAN is a lesser included offense of ACSC, notwithstanding that technically ACSC does not contain all of the elements of ABHAN. State v. Geiger, 370 S.C. 600, 606, 635 S.E.2d 669, 672 (Ct.App.2006); see 3 S.C. Jur. Assault and Battery § 26 (Supp.2012) (discussing cases involving a jury instruction for ABHAN as a lesser-included offense). ABHAN is the unlawful act of violent injury to another accompanied by circumstances of aggravation. State v. Fennell, 340 S.C. 266, 274, 531 S.E.2d 512, 516 (2000). Circumstances of aggravation include the use of a deadly weapon, the intent to commit a felony, infliction of serious bodily injury, great disparity in the ages or physical conditions of the parties, a difference in gender, the purposeful infliction of shame and disgrace, taking indecent liberties or familiarities with a female, and resistance to lawful authority. Id. at 274, 531 S.E.2d at 516-17. [9] As previously stated, a person is guilty of CSC with a minor in the second-degree if the actor engages in sexual battery with a victim who is fourteen years of age or less but who is at least eleven years of age. S.C.Code Ann. § 16-3-655(B)(1) (Supp.2011). We find the trial judge properly declined to charge attempted ABHAN. As evidenced by the text of the online chat, Green's clear intent was to engage in sexual activity with Mandy, who he believed to be fourteen years old. After Mandy responded that she was fourteen years old, the conversation turned sexual in nature with Green asking Mandy about her previous sexual experiences, whether she would have sex with him, and sending her the explicit pictures. Moreover, when Mandy asked Green, u aint like gonna kill me or kidnap me r u?, Green responded lol hell no. Thus, Green intended only to engage in sexual battery with a victim who is fourteen years of age or less. Accordingly, there was no evidence demonstrating that Green was guilty of the lesser-included offense of attempted ABHAN rather than the crime of attempted CSC with a minor in the second-degree.