Opinion ID: 2032404
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Requested Instruction was Improperly Refused

Text: I agree with the majority's conclusion that the defendant correctly categorizes assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder as a cognate lesser included offense to the principal charged offense of second-degree murder. Further, I agree with the majority's recitation of the rule explaining when cognate lesser included offense instructions are required to be given. However, I do not agree with the majority's conclusion that, in this case, the trial court properly refused the requested instruction regarding the assault offense. Ora Jones and its progeny have conclusively provided when a cognate lesser included offense instruction must be given: The duty of the trial judge to instruct on lesser included offenses is determined by the evidence. If evidence has been presented which would support a conviction of a lesser included offense, refusal to give a requested instruction is reversible error.