Opinion ID: 1845868
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Was the indictment for attempted rape fatally defective?

Text: The offense of attempted rape is defined under our law by a combined reading of Miss. Code Ann. § 97-3-65(2) (Supp. 1986) and Miss. Code Ann. § 97-1-7 (1972). Harden v. State, 465 So.2d 321, 323 (Miss. 1985). A person is guilty of attempted rape if he: [S]hall design and endeavor to commit [a rape], and shall do any overt act toward the commission thereof, but shall fail therein, or shall be prevented from committing the same... . Id. Prior to the trial of the present case, appellant filed a demurrer to the attempted rape indictment, but the trial court overruled. In both his demurrer and his post-trial motions, appellant argued the attempted rape indictment was fatally defective because it failed to allege that appellant possessed the requisite intent to commit the offense. The indictment in question alleged that appellant unlawfully, wilfully, feloniously, and forcibly did attempt to rape and ravish Tammy Rhodes ... against the will and without the consent of Tammy Rhodes... . All questions regarding the sufficiency of indictments are determinable by reference to Rule 2.05, Uniform Criminal Rules of Circuit Court Practice. Harden, 465 So.2d at 324. The rule articulates seven elements to be included in any indictment, none of which are at issue in this case, and directs: The indictment upon which the defendant is to be tried shall be a plain, concise and definite written statement of the essential facts constituting the offense charged and shall fully notify the defendant of the nature and cause of the accusation against him. Formal or technical words are not necessary in an indictment, if the offense can be substantially described without them. Rule 2.05 requires notification in fact of the nature of the charge against the defendant and out of what transaction or occurrence arose. If an indictment reasonably provides the accused actual notice and includes the seven specific enumerated items, it is sufficient. Perkins v. State, 487 So.2d 791, 792 (Miss. 1986); State v. Peoples, 481 So.2d 1069, 1070 (Miss. 1986); Harbin v. State, 478 So.2d 796, 799 (Miss. 1985); Hines v. State, 472 So.2d 386, 390 (Miss. 1985); Harden v. State, 465 So.2d 321, 324 (Miss. 1985). Although the present indictment did not include the term intent, it did charge appellant with wilfully and feloniously attempting a rape. This Court holds the indictment was sufficient to fully notify the defendant of the nature and cause of the accusation against him and that the trial court committed no error on this point.