Opinion ID: 1656179
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The failure to instruct the jury on simple assault

Text: ¶ 19. The proposed instruction on simple assault stated that: [t]he Court instructs the jury that if Jamarcus Shumpert knowingly, recklessly or purposefully caused bodily harm to the decedent, then Jamarcus Shumpert is guilty of a simple assault. The trial judge refused to allow the jury instruction on simple assault, saying: I think we are faced with a unique set of facts in this case because this defendant admitted from the stand that he threw the punch or threw a punch. But to give this instruction, I've got to believe that simple assault is a lesser crime of manslaughter and that simple assault is a lesser crime or of murder, and in this instance, there is a death. And I'm going to deny the instruction. ¶ 20. Shumpert gives three reasons why this instruction should have been given. He argues that simple assault is a lesser-included offense of murder, and therefore the jury should have been instructed on its elements. He cites Clark, 693 So.2d at 932, for the rule that a lesser-included offense instruction is required unless, considering the evidence in the light most favorable to the accused, no rational jury could have found the defendant guilty of the lesser-included offense, or not guilty of the greater offense. While Shumpert correctly cites the Clark rule, he makes an incorrect assumption that assault is a lesser-included offense of murder. In Wolfe v. State, 743 So.2d 380, 387 (Miss.1999), this Court reiterated the longstanding rule in Mississippi that assault is not a lesser-included offense of murder. Further, the jury was instructed on manslaughter, which is a lesser-included offense of murder. See Shaw, 880 So.2d at 304-05. Therefore, this argument is without merit. ¶ 21. Second, Shumpert argues that a defendant is entitled to an instruction embodying his theory of the case if that instruction is supported by the evidence and is a correct statement of law, citing Montana v. State, 822 So.2d 954, 962 (Miss.2002). He claims there is sufficient evidence in the record to support a jury instruction on simple assault. From the record, it appears that Shumpert's theory of the case was that although he assaulted Collier, Judon actually caused Collier's death by kicking or stomping him when he was on the ground. In his opening statement, Shumpert's attorney laid out this theory: You will hear the evidence of how [Shumpert] hit a man once. Somebody else came along and kicked him. And I'll ask you not to find him responsible, Jamarcus here, I'll ask you not to find Jamarcus responsible for the actions of some other individual, and I'll ask you to find him not guilty. Shumpert testified at trial that he hit Collier once, and denied kicking Collier along with Judon. Morris testified he saw Shumpert take part in stomping on Collier's head. The trial judge heard all the evidence and made the determination that the record did not justify an instruction on simple assault. ¶ 22. Assuming arguendo that Shumpert did not stomp or kick Collier along with Judon, there is still credible evidence that he aided and abetted in bringing about the death of Collier, making him guilty for Collier's death. See Doss v. State, 882 So.2d 176, 196 (Miss.2004) (The law is well settled in this State that any person who is present, aiding and abetting another in the commission of a crime, is equally guilty with the principal offender). ¶ 23. Shumpert admitted to hitting Collier in the face, and there is evidence this blow knocked Collier to the ground, where he was left without medical attention. The evidence shows that Shumpert did shout at Middlebrooks to hit Collier, and Middlebrooks subsequently exerted a blow to Collier's head or neck. There is testimony that Shumpert and Judon kicked Collier in the head. Shumpert was later seen running with Judon after the beating, and when asked why they ran, Judon said he and Shumpert knew we done did something bad. ¶ 24. Lesser offense instructions should not be granted indiscriminately, and only where there is an evidentiary basis in the record. Gangl v. State, 539 So.2d 132, 136 (Miss.1989). Further, [u]nwarranted submission of a lesser offense [instruction] is an invitation to the jury to disregard the law. Stewart v. State, 909 So.2d 52, 55 (Miss.2005). We do not find the trial judge abused her discretion by refusing to instruct the jury on simple assault because the record does not support a charge of simple assault.