Court Opinion

ID: 9576916
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 21:29:59.269155+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:19:43.509519
License: Public Domain

ROONEY, Chief Justice,
specially concurring.
I do not agree with the trial judge’s assertion that “there was no evidence of intent to assault.” A jury could make a finding from all of the evidence that there was no intent to assault when the breaking and entering occurred. However, in doing so it would have to evaluate the fact that appellant armed himself with a hammer immediately after the entrance, and that he actually used it. Such is evidence to be considered in determining whether or not appellant had the intent at the time he entered to obtain a weapon within the house and to use it if he were discovered.
The trial court took this consideration from the jury and, thus, it is not pertinent to the issues here presented. The decision in this case should not be taken as a determination by all of this court that these facts are not evidence of such intent, and, thus, used as a precedent of a united court.
I also note that appellant was found guilty of a second count of aggravated assault and battery. He was not sentenced on it and the appeal is not from that conviction. The trial court need not retry that count. It can now sentence him under it.