Court Opinion

ID: 9848135
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 04:13:24.357691+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:18:03.329272
License: Public Domain

McCORMICK, Justice
(dissenting).
I am unable to agree with division II and the result. The trial court’s instructions authorized the jury to find the defendant *269guilty of first-degree murder based on finding defendant committed murder in the perpetration of a burglary. The court did not define burglary or tell the jury only first-degree burglary would enhance the offense to first-degree murder, despite a timely defense objection pointing out the error.
This court’s holding is the equivalent of a directed verdict for the State on an issue the State was obliged to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. I do not believe the evidence was sufficient to overcome the presumption of prejudice that arises from the erroneous instruction. I would reverse and remand for new trial.