Opinion ID: 2170937
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Refusal to Instruct Jury

Text: For his second point on appeal, Martin argues that the trial court erred in denying his request to instruct the jurors not to consider the act of sexual intercourse that occurred on February 17, 2001, on the charge of statutory rape. Martin argued that the instruction was necessary, because the victim was over the age of fourteen at that time and there was no evidence that he used force on her. The trial court denied the request on the ground that the jury would be instructed as to the elements necessary to prove each of the offenses. We find no error in this ruling. The State initially argues that this point is procedurally barred because Martin failed to proffer a proposed instruction to the trial court and also failed to include any proffered instruction in the record on appeal. We disagree with this argument, as we view Martin's request as one for an admonishment to the jury, not one for a formal jury instruction. Notwithstanding, we affirm the trial court's ruling for two reasons. In the first place, Martin has failed to present any convincing argument or citation to legal authority that would show that such an admonition was warranted. This court has made it clear that it will not consider an argument when the appellant presents no citation to authority or convincing argument in its support, and it is not apparent without further research that the argument is well taken. See, e.g., Mills, 351 Ark. 523, 95 S.W.3d 796; Ward v. State, 350 Ark. 69, 84 S.W.3d 863 (2002); Hollis v. State, 346 Ark. 175, 55 S.W.3d 756 (2001). In the second place, the jury was properly instructed on the elements of the crime of rape. Specifically, the jury was instructed that the State had to prove two elements: (1) that Martin engaged in sexual intercourse or deviate sexual activity with the victim, and (2) the victim was less then fourteen years of age at the time of the alleged offense. Thus, the jury was correctly instructed that only those acts of sexual intercourse occurring before Cassy's fourteenth birthday were evidence of rape. Martin has failed to demonstrate that he was prejudiced by the trial court's refusal to admonish the jury as requested, and we will not reverse such a ruling absent a showing of prejudice. See Hamm v. State, 304 Ark. 214, 800 S.W.2d 711 (1990); Burnett v. State, 287 Ark. 158, 697 S.W.2d 95 (1985), overruled on other grounds, Midgett v. State, 292 Ark. 278, 729 S.W.2d 410 (1987). Accordingly, we affirm the trial court's ruling on this point.