Court Opinion

ID: 9640782
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 17:15:15.496925+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:10:32.781589
License: Public Domain

VAN der VOORT, Judge,
concurring:
I join in the Majority Opinion authored by PRICE, J., and add the following analysis. The decedent, David Konz, 34 (a diabetic) in this charge of involuntary manslaughter made a statement in church that he was going to ask God to heal his diabetes and that he would no longer need to take insulin. The President of the Wesleyan Bible College at which the decedent taught reminded the decedent that Christianity approves of normal healing practices by physicians to which reminder decedent said that he would do nothing foolish and that he would resume insulin injections if his blood sugar went up. Nineteen days later upon returning to his home he found that his insulin had been removed from his refrigerator. The record shows that his wife, Mrs. Konz, had hidden it. The decedent said he was thirsty, walked to the sink to get water and said he wanted his insulin and attempted to leave his house but the defendant Erikson, a 25 year old, blocked the doorway. The decedent tried to exit through his living room but Erikson blocked the hallway and forced the decedent into his bedroom where defendants Erikson and *580Mrs. Konz (wife of the decedent) remained for half an hour. During this time when the decedent said he was going to call the police the telephone connection was broken. The decedent was seized with ketoacidosis resulting from lack of insulin and he died at 6:00 A.M., on March 25, 1974.
I believe the facts and circumstances of this case clearly prove guilt of involuntary manslaughter by defendant-appellees. I agree that the Order of the lower court should be reversed, the verdicts finding appellees guilty should be reinstated, and the case be remanded to the court below for its consideration of the motion for a new trial.