Court Opinion

ID: 9587707
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 23:25:28.441243+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:45:14.483431
License: Public Domain

LUMPKIN, Presiding Judge,
concurring in part/dissenting in part.
I respectfully dissent to the reversal of this case and disagree with the conclusion that a jury instruction on flight can only be given in cases where the evidence is controverted by the defendant. Reading the quotations cited by the majority, it is easy to understand how this conclusion was reached. But in reading the cases in their entirety, the underlying principle of law is truly identified. That principle is an instruction on flight is to be given whenever the State introduces evidence that the defendant has fled the scene. Further, if the defendant offers an explanation for his conduct, that explanation must also be considered by the jury.
In early cases reviewed by this Court, the jury was given instructions informing them that the defendant had fled the scene of the crime and this was evidence of guilt. See Bruner v. State, 31 Okl.Cr. 351, 238 P. 1000 (1925); Sprouse v. State, 52 Okl.Cr. 184, 3 P.2d 918 (1931); Lunsford v. State, 53 Okl.Cr. 305, 11 P.2d 539 (1932). This Court struck down those instructions, finding they assumed the defendant’s guilt. We stated flight meant not merely leaving the scene but leaving the scene with consciousness of guilt, and whether or not the defendant’s conduct constituted flight was a question of fact for the jury. We further stated if the defendant offered an explanation for his leaving the scene, that evidence should be considered by the jury upon the question of flight. These principles were set down in a comprehensive manner in Wilson v. State, 96 Okl.Cr. 137, 250 P.2d 72 (1952). In the suggested instruction provided in that case, the jury was informed that evidence had been introduced concerning the defendant’s departure from the scene. In determining whether this conduct constituted flight, the jury was told to consider any explanation the defendant may have offered, and if after consideration of the evidence, the jury was convinced the defendant fled the scene with a consciousness of guilt, then such flight was a circumstance to be considered in determining guilt or innocence. Wilson did not premise the giving of the flight instruction upon the defendant controverting that evidence. The giving of the flight instruction was based upon the State’s introduction of any evidence tending to show flight. This principle is reflected in the flight instruction provided in' the Oklahoma Uniform Jury Instructions — Criminal number 806. That instruction follows the guidelines of Wilson and includes an optional paragraph to give to the jury if the defendant offers an explanation for his departure. This Court has upheld the giving of OUJI-CR 806 whenever evidence relevant to flight has been introduced by the State, regardless of whether the evidence was controverted. In Farrar v. State, 505 P.2d 1355, 1360-1361 (Okl.Cr.1973) we stated:
*687... the standard governing jury instructions relative to flight is not whether other explanations may be explicable of the circumstances surrounding the apprehension, but whether, viewed in the context of other evidence, it tends to establish guilt or innocence.
In McDonald v. State, 764 P.2d 202, 204 (Okl.Cr.1988) the defendant complained the flight instruction given was not proper as it did not contain the third paragraph of OUJI-CR 806. This Court held that it was not necessary to give that third paragraph where the defendant failed to offer evidence explaining his departure from the scene of the crime. See also Potter v. State, 511 P.2d 1120, 1125 (Okl.Cr.1973) (giving of flight instruction upheld despite failure of defendant to explain leaving the scene).
I find the above cases represent the appropriate interpretation of the law governing the flight instruction. To limit the giving of an instruction on flight to the existence of controverting evidence presented by the defense as the Court opinion suggests would unfairly allow evidence of flight to be incorrectly interpreted and applied by a jury. This instruction must be given each time evidence of flight is presented, whether explained or not, to properly channel the jury’s decision making process to ensure that evidence is not given greater weight than it should receive. Without the guidance of the instructions, the jury could jump to the conclusion just because a defendant left the scene, he or she was ipso facto guilty. Through the holding in this decision, the Court determines, with a “consciousness” of result, it will be allowing the State to argue the issue of flight in closing argument in any case where evidence of flight is admitted during trial without the narrowing instruction being submitted to the jury.
The majority does not contest the well established rule that flight can be a circumstance tending to show guilt. Therefore, when any evidence tending to show guilt, whether it be relevant to the commission of the offense or departure from the scene, is introduced, the jury is to be instructed on the consideration to be given that evidence. The only time in which this Court has held the defendant’s presentation of evidence is a prerequisite for an instruction is on the issue of his theory of defense.
In the present case, the State presented evidence of Appellant’s departure from the scene of the crime. Whether the conduct constituted flight was a question properly left to the jury under appropriate instructions. OUJI-CR 806 is a correct statement of the law and should be given to the jury whenever the State has presented evidence tending to show flight. However, I do concur in the amendment to the last portion of the instruction changing the phrase “determining the question of the defendant’s guilt or innocence” to “determining the question of the defendant’s guilt” per our decision in Vuletich v. State, 735 P.2d 568, 569 (Okl.Cr.1987).
I am authorized to state Judge LANE joins in this separate vote.