Court Opinion

ID: 9681789
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 07:56:34.768073+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:17:35.895011
License: Public Domain

SEILER, Judge
(dissenting).
I fully concur in the dissenting opinion of Judge Bardgett, but add this comment. Although the majority opinion does not so identify it, the instruction in question is that proposed for use in second degree murder cases by the committee of the Missouri Bar on pattern criminal instructions [for further identification see State v. Smart, 485 S.W.2d 90, (Mo.1972)]. As discussed by Judge Bardgett, I think that instruction is insufficient to instruct the jury on the crime charged in this case.
This is even more apparent when we examine what the state must prove, under the proposed pattern instructions, to establish second degree murder as compared to assault with malice aforethought, Sec. 559.-180, RSMo 1969, V.A.M.S. Both crimes require proof of malice aforethought, but only the instruction on the less serious offense requires that finding by the jury. The proposed instruction on assault with malice aforethought requires the jury to find the defendant acted with intent to kill and “ . . . with malice aforethought —that is, intentionally and without just cause of excuse and after thinking about it beforehand for any length of time . ” I do not see how the words “defendant intended to take the life of Annie Dale” can mean the act was done with malice aforethought in second degree murder, when the words “defendant acted with intent to kill” are insufficient to do so in the assault with malice aforethought instruction.
I realize and commend the utilization of uniform and pattern instructions which simplify and clarify the necessary elements for finding guilt or innocence by avoiding legalese which needs substantial explanation, but I am unable to grasp why a necessary element is omitted from a more se*8rious offense and retained in a lesser offense. It cannot be because the jury is unable to understand it in one but not the other. I feel that the above, or substantially similar language, is necessary for both crimes and should be included in both instructions.