*1
rising
grаde
not
a third
led to
those findings
permanent
above
level
of
partial impair-
ment
Spencer’s prognosis
conclusively
its conclusion that
establish
legitimacy
Spencer’s impairment.
of
competitive-level employment
found to
negative.
presented
be
That information
physical
When there has been a
ac
sufficient
to the Commission that
evidence
cident or trauma and
disability
a claimant’s
previous
might
award
have been inade-
prolonged
is increased or
by traumatic neu
quate, and it should have exercised its con-
rosis,
hysteria,
hysterical pa
conversion
tinuing jurisdiction
granted
a new ralysis, it is
uniformly
now
held that the
hearing. That information also constitutes
disability including
full
the effects of the
prima
Spencer
facie evidence that
can no
compensable.
Larson,
neurosis is
1B A.
longer
required
perform the duties
in his
42.22(a) (1986);
supra,
Racz v. Chen
occupation
nault,
Inc.,
and thus he cannot
(Fla.App.1982);
be rehabili-
ties he would end his artificial sei- completely
zures. The record is of devoid Instead,
any implication malingering. of harmony, reports
read all of the in the Spencer file indicate that suffers from a Utah, STATE of Plaintiff post-traumatic vary- stress disorder that is Respondent, ingly labeled “factitious1 seizure disor- der,” reaction,” “hysterical “conversion symptoms.”2
conversion RUSSELL, Dick R. Defendant Appellant. fide absence bona seizures noted by panel simply the medical refers to the No. 18591. organic, structural causes of the absence Supreme Court of Utah. seizures, as manifested absence 9, 1987. Feb. sphincter rhythmic loss of control and shaking medical re- noted various panel’s findings and
ports. The medical judge’s adoption
the administrative law artificial; anxiety. A not natural. Factitial: condition in which the cause of Factitious: means; unintentionally produced anxiety symptoms artificial is converted into functional produced. deafness, Medical Dictio- Dorland’s Illustrated paral- include blindness or 1981). (26th nary ed. Schmidt, ysis, Attorneys’ Dictionary etc. 1 J.E. (1986). Hysteria may Medicine mimic psychoneurosis hysteria in which 2. A form disease. Id. physical signs symptoms are substituted for *2 de- Hansen, City, Lake Salt
Phil L. appellant. fendant Gen., Earl Wilkinson, Atty. L. David Thompson, Asst. B. Dorius and David F. Gen., plaintiff City, for Attys. Salt Lake respondent. HOWE, Justice: appeals from his convic- Defendant in the second of murder two counts tion of not convict- contending that was degree, jury verdict and unanimous ed him to convict insufficient the evidenсe was charged. family his were Defendant Russell Rowley, LaRue neighbors Floyd A occasionally whose son tended Russell given similar instruction was II Count Floyd charged children. were shot to which and LaRue LaRue Row- ley. during home Russell their death discussion in which he that their requested Defendant son had taken indecent liberties with his they instructed that had to choose which of
five-year-old daughter. b, (a, c) the three alternatives listed *3 paragraph under 2 of those instructions case, At jury the of defendant’s the close formed basis for any they might the verdict given general form on verdict both requested return. His instruction to that counts and instructed on murder in the rejected. objected effect was He to In- second as follows:
struction No. 14 on ground gave the that it paragraph alternatives, under 2 “three Instruction No. 14 telling jury they without the must be defendant, you can the Before convict in one unanimous or the other of those Roundy Russell, Dick of the crime of three jury alternatives.” The returned Degree, Murder in the Second a lesser guilty verdict both counts. Over the charged included offense of the crime in objection State, of the defendant then I, you Count must believe from all the jury asked the polled as to which beyond evidence and a reasonable doubt they alternative had to chosen convict de- every following each and one of the ele- request granted, fendant. This and ments of that offense. jurors they the answered that had chosen 1. on or day That about the 16th of paragraph different alternatives in 2 to ar- May, in County, Salt Lake State of guilty rive at their verdicts. Utah, killed; Floyd Rowley was Before we address defendant’s person That defendant the is who appeal, two contentions on we note the Floyd caused the death of Rowley and objection State’s to polling the of the did so one following under of the circum- point on which it us. A has briefed defend stances: ant may poll jury to determine whether a. intentionally Defendant or know- U.C.A., verdict unanimous. ingly Floyd caused the Rowley; death of 35—21(f). purpose polling is to § 77— signed by determine that the verdict b. Defendant intended to cause seri- jurors foreman is that the individual bodily injury ous Floyd Rowley by not one that has been coerced or caused an act clearly dangerous committed Agtucа, mistake. 12 Wash.App. human life that caused the death of 529 1159 P.2d Evidence that Floyd Rowley; or was confused or that it misunder c. Defendant acted under circum- disregarded stood or the facts or appli which evidenced in- stance[s] cable law is inadmissible as violative of the engaged difference human life and long-standing policy against attempts to grave conduct which created a risk of the integrity undermine of the verdict. thereby death to another and caused the Tri-O-Inc., (Utah P.2d Groen v. Floyd Rowley. death of 1983). inquiries pro All into mental improper. cesses of the are See State hand, Couch, (Utah If you 1981). on the other are convinced v. properly polled the truth element number above Defendant the individual one three to determine if the verdict on each circumstance[s] beyond element number above count was theirs. The court then contin doubt, you requested you then must find the ued: “It also reasonable has polled guilty the Second be of Murder as which subdivision under the homicide, offense of Degree included section of murder in a lesser criminal you your I. second degree, you crime Count found reached squarely had instant case has never been decid- verdict at.” Inasmuch general verdict been instructed under a ed this Court. it could find
form had been told that Many jurisdictions have considered the of the three guilty “any one scope of requirement the constitutional circumstances,” point polling at that unanimous verdict criminal cases. attempt thought their became an to reach virtually The decisions are unanimous that processes impermissible. and was Conse- a defendant is not entitled to a unanimous poll play result of will no quently, the precise verdict on the manner in which the part in our decision on the two issues be- committed, crime was of sever- which fore us. modes, al methods or or under alternative interpretation of so the evidence I. long as there is substantial evidence contends that Defendant first modes, methods, each of the statute, U.C.A., degree murder *4 charged. manners One the earliest of 76-5-203, separate 1953, defines three Appeals cases is a decision of the of Court jury the upon theories which and distinct 1903, Sullivan, New People of York v. Consequently, him. could conviсted have case, 122, N.Y. 65 N.E. In that 173 right deprived his a argues, he was of to premedi- the defendant was Const., I, verdict, jury Utah art. unanimous during tated murder or murder committed 10, give trial refused when the court felony. the commission of a In answer jury that the requested his instruction had jury the unanimously agree upon one of the three the defendant’s contention that upon theory as the basis for its verdict. He it theories had to be unanimous Utah we refers to three cases where were him, follow- convicted the court stated the decide, with, a but did not similar faced quoted upon ing, which has been and relied Rasmussen, 92 question. In v. State Utah many subsequent cases: 357, (1937), P.2d 176 the defendant was 68 single charged in There a crime was but manslaughter, involuntary charged with defendant,— against the the indictment act consisting either unlawful not of degree; in the that of murder first hand, amounting felony, the one on by the the issue to be determined performed unlawful act in an man- lawful had the defendant jury was whether ner, A of this plurality the other. Court on our guilty of that crime. Under been In any found error harmless. State v. 183, Pen.Code), (section so far as statute 538, (1945), Roedl, P.2d 741 107 Utah 155 us, proof applicable to the case before assigned the dealt with an instruction error killed the de- either that the defendant Again, degree. on murder first premeditat- deliberate and ceased with a any found error in the instruction Court death, the effect his or while design ed 110 Thompson, In harmless. State v. engaged in the commis- defendant was 113, (1946), 153 a unanimous 170 P.2d felony, attempt of or an to commit sion charge first verdict on a design to though without felony, “depraved regard- on a mind based either life, guilt of the his take established life” less human or “malice afore- of necessary charged. “It not crime theory appeal thought” was attacked as verdict, to find should jury, in order preclud- containing two different theories single of transaction concur in a view the ing unanimity. Thompson The Court If the conclu- by the evidence. disclosed unnecessary the issue it to address found upon justified of two may be either sion had disputed instruction the evidence, interpretations the ver- limiting language “all contained showing impeached dict cannot be to either one or must concur as upon jury proceeded part that a of the of murder above kinds other tо_” part upon the oth- added.) Thus, interpretation one (Emphasis referred er.” presented by defendant question 166 (citation omitted). case,
(a) of LaRue Recklessly death occurred moments later after de- causes the of an- other; or fendant out the had run back door and around the house front where
(b) Causes death of another under the through took aim and then at LaRue shot influence of emotional dis- the extreme evidence, window. rea- for which there is a reasonable Given the turbance sonably rejected explanation or could have defendant’s excuse.... theory “recklessly that he caused the death argues he had a reasonable Defendant of another” that he “caused the death daughter five-year-old his had belief that another under the influence extreme abused, angry that he and had been emotional disturbance for which there is a afternoon, drinking all that he told been explanation reasonable excuse.” On the Rowleys that he did not want to discuss hand, supports other find- the evidence morning, matter further until that the ing that killed his now, victims with urged Rowleys him to come that he one of mens rea and under the circum- to resolve the matter and became went degree specious stances our second murder stat- infuriated at remark made ute, pulled gun point- section Floyd, that he his out 76-5-203. Floyd impress him with the
ed it at af- and sentence are conviction matter, and that in his seriousness firmed. by accident, Floyd He anger or was shot. through recklessly afterwards shot HALL, C.J., concurs. unintentionally room front window and LaRue. killed (con- STEWART, Associate Chief Justice Assuming sup- that the evidence would curring separately): manslaughter, port a conviction of join affirming I convic- defendant’s facts, judges are the sole did who I Although degree tions of murder. second way. conflicting evidence that not view preferable have submit that it would agree do not defendant that the We give judge an instruction trial does not his evidence also rea, I to the defendant’s mens He convictions. was seated principle of do not believe the fundamental neighbors’ front room his home I jury unanimity violated in this case. problem discussing a had arisen con- however, emphasize separately, write cerning Apparently their children. when context, a different when acknowledgement no from he received Rowleys incident on the basis of alterna- had oc- allowed convict curred, juror permits requiring the inference without evidence tive mental states pointed in pulled gun might out his it unanimity, that he a constitutional violation Floyd’s face an effort to force confes- occur. well Rowley acknowledgement.
sion testified no time was there children that at I. *8 Rowley fami- any any comment from case, jury given in this instruction light or made of the situation was ly that U.C.A., 1953, 76-5-203 which tracked designed provoke Defendant defendant. ed.), (1978 degree murder stat- the second remarked, getting “If I don’t start some ute, permittеd jury to return a verdict answers, blowing I am start going to not guilty though of were even everybody away.” that he had He testified mental state of he unanimous as to the previously gun fired aware Thus, instruction de- fendant’s defendant.1 mental state as a of determinant mental possible scribed three alternative culpability under the Utah Criminal Code guilty states would suffice for which principles and traditional of criminal re- states are verdict. Because those mental statutes, sponsibility. The par- homicide similar, point of highly so from the of view ticular, culpability make the of a defendant functioning culpability, I think mental turn on his mental state at the time of the for essential constitutional killing. purposes unanimous on the mens rea ele- Subtle, important, but distinctions exist ment. between mental states that lie side side Nevertheless, applica- I fear that a broad along the continuum of various mental the Sullivan rule, of Court tion which the unanimity states. If as ato mental state is in a violation of the Utah adopts, will result required, jurors may forego thorough not requirement unanimi- constitutional analysis of the defendant’s mental state ty if a criminal conviction is allowed on possible and of lesser included offenses. proof of alternative mental states which depraved The difference between indiffer- essentially are not the same either na- murder, ence is one form of which degree culpability.2 To hold that ture or murder, degree manslaughter, and reckless only agree the act commit- need on crime, is a which lesser is so subtle that agree men- ted but need not on the actor’s facts, ignores importance tal state of a de- under different I would think it 1. Instruction number fourteen read as follows: in the next instruction. under this instruction then not er the elements of beyond gree, a lesser included the truth of one of the three circumstance not elements, evidence in this case to human life and that caused the death of created a thereby mitted bodily injury the death of one of the 2. That following caused the death of [sic] Floyd Rowley was reasonable doubt each and the crime Second Roundy lieve from all the evidence and 1. That on or about the 16th 1981, If, If, after careful consideration of all of the c. Defendant acted b. Defendant a. Dеfendant Before guilty guilty which evidenced on the in Salt Lake an act a reasonable doubt of the in Count I. If Degree, Russell, caused the death of you grave then elements of Murder in charged of Murder in the Second following element number other Floyd clearly dangerous can convict the you risk of death to another Floyd Rowely of the crime of Murder a lesser included offense of intentionally intended, hand, engaged Manslaughter Rowley in Count killed; must find the Floyd Rowley; County, circumstances: you you that offense: you offense under Floyd Rowely person you are not convinced find the defendant to cause serious in conduct and did so under are Segond every I, defendant, [sic] State of Floyd above should consid- [sic] you of the crime circumstance convinced of day May, indifference who caused as set forth human life in element one of the knowingly beyond foregoing and com- must be- [sic] Rowley. Degree Utah, [sic]; Dick De- 2. State v. when it was opposed sult. Jurors could have sufficient for a conviction senting). human unanimity as to opinion risk of the theories to the acted with extreme indifference Alaska Stat. added). presented victed of first utory a conviction for the crime ensured elements of the crime. The defendant was con- example (cited der of LaRue manifesting extreme indifference to the value injury of human life. performs ry ry instrument; James, [1] A similar instruction was then ed offense of the crime Murder in the Second number 2 above to another theories. At by majority opinion), presents with intent to cause serious you life, any to another by merely requiring jury agreement to serious correctly of a situation where Justice Rabinowitz 698 P.2d at James, committed an act that results in serious jurors agreeing must find the defendant person by but that Rowley. [or 2] person, degree one 11.41.200(a)(1), (3) (emphasis first a third noted that person physical beyond or the other runs a serious without under two alternative stat- degree as only physical ... time, assault. The case was ... causes means of a distinguished Degree thought that that was of first under circumstances [if] charged (Rabinowitz, a reasonable injury, given assault if a that a defendant presenting requirement statute allowed to the value of a lesser includ- assault. his degree (Alaska 1985) physical physical intеntionally for the mur- was the re- in Count I. dangerous dissenting injury, from the guilty physical assault J., a clear person doubt, is not both inju- inju- dis- *9 y¡\ dentiary point, required, my a instruc- it is in give but error not to would be view, degree unanimity second on the as to both the ultimate criminal act tion on charge. committed and the defendant’s state of murder
mind.
II.
in
essentially
this case
verdict
protects the ac-
Process Clause
Due
of the mental
unanimous because all
states
upon
“except
against
cused
conviction
in
76-5-2033 which were submitted to
§
every
of
a
doubt
proof beyond
reasonable
of
malice
are forms
common law
necessary to constitute the crime with
fact
because, given
aforethought and
the facts
Winship,
charged.” In re
which he is
case,
suppose
it is
to
of
unreasonable
1073,
364,
1068,
358,
U.S.
S.Ct.
the defendant acted with
lesser mental
Stronger
proof is re-
L.Ed.2d 368
state.
than in civil cases
quired
criminal cases
in
convicting
of
the defendant
second
margin of
reduce the inevitable
order to
degree murder under
either
76-5-
§
363,
fact-finding.
Id. at
90 S.Ct. at
error
(b),
(c),
juror
203(l)(a),
or
each
found be-
jury requirement,
1072. The unanimous
yond a reasonable doubt
the defendаnt
standard, also
doubt
like
reasonable
(1) intentionally
either
caused the death of
of fact the necessi-
“impresses on
trier
(2)
victims;
intended
cause serious
of
reaching
subjective
state
certi-
ty of
bodily injury to the victims and committed
364,
on
facts in issue.” Id. at
tude
life;
clearly dangerous
act
to human
or
I, section 10 of the
at 1072. Article
S.Ct.
(3)
depraved
acted with
indifference
Constitution,
states,
crim-
which
Utah
“[I]n
human life and knew that his conduct cre-
unanimous
the verdict shall be
inal cases
death.
grave
ated a
risk of
civil cases three-fourths
[but] [i]n
degree
definitions of second
mur-
These
verdict,” suggests
find a
jurors may
der
the definitions
the Model Penal
verdicts in
the certitude
unanimous
(from which the Utah Code’s murder
Code
fundamentally impor-
criminal cases
part)
provision
derived in substantial
are
tant to our Constitution’s framers.
mental
statutory definitions of
various
requires
process
that each
Because due
at
constituted
states which
common law
proved
crime
be-
of a
essential element
aforethought. Model Penal Code
malice
doubt,
fair-
fundamental
yond reasonable
210,
comments
Commentary, art.
210.2
§
unani-
requires jurors
agree
ness also
2,
(1980)(“MPC Commentary”);
&
13-19
element, including
mously on each essential
1953,
(1978 ed.);
U.C.A.,
76-5-203
§
requisite type mens rea. The critical
(1953 ed.)
1953, 76-30-1, -2,
U.C.A.,
-3
is,
up
“How
trunk and
question
far
1973).
(repealed
tree must
branches of
evidence
1973,
was de-
Prior to
murder
Rasmussen,
v.
unanimity extend?” State
killing
fined
“the
human
(1937)
unlawful
92 Utah
U.C.A.,
aforethought.”
being
malice
result).
(Wolfe, J., concurring in the
Clear-
ed.)
1973).
(1953
(repealed
each
76-30-1
required
is not
evi-
ly,
thereby
[see
causes the death
another
read as follows:
Section 76-5-203
1984) ];
Fontana,
(Utah
or
degree.
(1) Criminal
in the second
Murder
—
commission,
(d)While
attempted
com-
in the second
constitutes
homicide
mission,
flight
from the com-
the actor:
or immediate
if
(a) Intentionally
knowingly
aggrava-
causes the
or
attempted
commission
mission
another; sodomy,
death of
robbery, rape,
robbery,
forcible
ted
(b) Intending
bodily injury to
serious
cause
assault, aggravated
aggravated
ar-
sexual
another,
clearly dangerous
commits an act
he
arson,
burglary,
son,
aggravated burglary,
ag-
of anoth-
life that causes
death
to human
kidnapping,
gravated kidnapping, or
causes
er; or
person other than a
death of another
the
party.
[objectively]
(c) Acting under circumstances
evidencing
life,
to human
indifference
(2)
felony
degree is a
Murder
[knowingly] engages
in conduct
degree.
the first
grave
death
another and
creates a
risk of
*10
Russell,
provocation,
In
146 P.2d
which case the
crime was
(1944), the
the intent
Court defined
manslaughter. A
species
of mur-
to constitute
afore-
necessary
malice
der
grievous
involved intent
to cause
thought:
Again,
bodily
knowledge
harm.
necessary
order to have
malice to
conduct
bodily inju-
would cause serious
(not necessarily
commit murder
ry
generally
was
assimilated to intent
degree),
killing
in the first
must be
deemed
sufficient for murder if
unlawful,
it must
result
from or be
actually
death
A
of another
resulted.
caused
an act or omission to act com-
category
third
of murder was sometimes
following
one of the
inten-
mitted with
depraved-heart
called
murder. This la-
(1)
design previous-
an intention or
tions:
bel derived from decisions and statutes
ly
great bodily
kill
formed to
or cause
condemning as murder unintentional
(2)
injury;
design pre-
or
an intention or
homicide under
eyincing
circumstances
or
formed to do an act
omit to do
viously
“depraved mind” or an “abandonеd and
act, knowing
the reasonable and
malignant
heart.” Older authorities
consequences
natural
thereof would be
have described such circumstances as
likely
great bodily inju-
death or
to cause
giving
“implied”
“pre-
rise to an
(3)
ry;
previously thought
out inten-
kill
injure,
sumed” intent to
but
designed perpetration
tional or
or at-
concept
essential
one of
extreme
tempt
perpetrate
one of certain kinds
regarding
recklessness
homicidal risk.
of felonies.
Thus,
person might
for mur-
liable
(emphasis
Id. at
der absent
actual intent to kill or
original). Similarly,
Commentary
the MPC
injure if he caused the death of another
concept
summarizes the common
law
exhibiting
in a manner
a “wanton and
aforethought
malice
as follows:
disregard
wilful
of an unreasonable hu-
law,
At common
murder was defined
or,
confusing elaboration,
man
risk”
killing
as the unlawful
of another human
disposition,
“wickedness of
hardness of
being
aforethought.”
“malice
heart, cruelty,
recklessness of conse-
original meaning
Whatever
quences,
regardless
a mind
of social
phrase,
“arbitrary
it
time an
became over
duty.” The fourth kind of murder was
symbol”
by judges
signify any
used
felony.
based on intent to commit a
This
a number of mental states deemed suffi-
rule,
origin
felony-murder
is the
liability
cient
for murder.
assigns
liability
strict
homicide
generations
Successive
added
con-
new
during
committed
the commission of a
aforethought”
tent to “malice
until it en-
felony. These four states of mind ex-
compassed
variety
of mental attitudes
meaning
hausted the
of a “malice afore-
bearing
predictable
no
relation to the or-
thought”;
phrase
had no residual
dinary sense of the two words....
content.
given
Various authorities have
differ-
meanings
ent summaries of the several
Commentary,
MPC
Art.
210.2 com-
aforethought.” Generally,
of “malice
(1980) (emphasis added)
ment
at 13-15
converge
these definitions
on four con-
(footnotes omitted).
stituent states mind. First and fore-
attempted
clarify, modify,
The MPC
most, there was intent
Com-
to kill.
codify
the mental states and circum-
mon-law authorities included
the no-
under
stances
which homicide is considered
tion of
kill
intent to
awareness that the
defines
murder.
MPC
murder as fol-
death of another
result from one’s
would
lows:
actions,
particu-
if
even
the actor had no
210.2 Murder
consequence.
lar desire to aсhieve such a
(1)
Thus,
Except
provided
210.-
knowing
Section
intentional or
homicide
3(l)(b),
homicide
was murder
killed in the
criminal
constitutes
unless the actor
passion engendered by adequate
heat of
murder when:
Second,
Legislature departed
(a)
or know-
from
purposely
it is committed
the MPC’s formulation of
indif-
ingly; or
*11
ference murder. The MPC formulation im-
(b)
recklessly under cir-
it is committed
poses
liability if the
murder
actor reckless-
manifesting
indif-
extreme
cumstances
ly causes death under circumstances evi-
life.
ference
of human
value
dencing extreme indifference to human life.
are
and indifference
Such recklessness
210.2(l)(b).
76-5-203(l)(c)
MPC
Section
§
engaged or is
presumed if
actor is
depraved
originally defined
indifference
of,
accomplice in the commission
or
an
murder as a homicide committed when the
commit,
flight
or
after
attempt
an
engaged in
“recklessly
conduct
to commit
committing
attempting
grave
which created a
risk of death to
robbery, rape or deviate sexual inter-
evidencing
circumstances
another” under
force,
threat of
ar-
course
force or
depraved indifference tо human life.
76—§
son,
kidnapping or felonious
burglary,
ed.)
5-203(l)(c) (1978
added).
(emphasis
In
escape.
1979,
Legislature deleted the
word
degree
(2)
felony of the first
Murder is a
76-5-203,
“recklessly” from
and this
§
person convicted of
[but
held that mere reckless conduct was
Court
death,
provided in
as
sentenced
be
prove
not sufficient to
the offense of sec-
Section 210.6].
Bindrup,
ond
murder. State v.
omitted.)
(Footnote
(Utah 1982).
674,
P.2d
State v.
(Utah 1984),
Fontana,
lessly and that
(b), (c)
essentially
76-5-203(l)(a),
are
in §
human life that
the value of
callous to
aforethought.
law malice
forms of common
during
of one
the commission
death caused
design
“an intention or
is at least
Each
extreme indifference
of those felonies
or omit to
formed to do an act
previously
manslaughter or
murder,
opposed
act, knowing that the reasonable
do an
MPC
homicide. See
type of
some other
would be
consequences thereof
natural
29-42
at
210.2 comment
Commentary,
bodily inju-
§
great
likely
cause death
change).
for this
(outlining the reasons
Russell,
consistent with
malice afore-
of malice
form of common law
commentary’s discussion
statute a
and the
to a
also аmounts
significant
thought, but each one
clearly contains
aforethought, it
mur-
depraved
indifference
retains
form of
First,
statute
varied
departures.
causing
intentionally
death
bodily
Certainly,
der.
serious
to cause
law “intent
common
indifference
depraved
mental
demonstrates
separate
as a
mental state
injury”
of the life taken.
murder.
value
indifference
state from
significance
ference,
of purpose or knowl-
present
problem
jurors.
still
edge
culpabili-
as a standard of
76-2-103(3),
Under
[murder]
a defendant acts
that,
ty
provocation
cases
or other
“recklessly ...
he is
when
aware
but
mitigation
purposeful
knowing
apart,
consciously disregards a substantial and
in-
precisely
homicide demonstrates
such
unjustifiable risk that
the circumstances
difference to the value of human life.
exist or that
the result will occur.” In
words,
other
engaging in conduct while
Commentary,
MPC
210.2
comment
aware
Therefore,
that the conduct creates a
juror
substan
who finds that
unjustifiable
tial
intentionally or
com-
risk is a
knowingly
reckless act
mitted
necessarily
a homicide must
find
would
a conviction for reck
*12
depraved
manslaughter.
indifference because a defendant
less
76-5-205(l)(a). This
§
intends to kill is
that
con-
who
aware
his
Court reduced a second
murder con
grave
a
risk
duct creates
of death.
manslaughter
viction to
in State v. Bindr
(Utah 1982),
up,
In
require unanimity
(1937),
a court should
92 Utah
the
jury
to the mental state when
charged
could State
the defendant with involun-
tary manslaughter;
information,
base a conviction on two or more mental
in the
it
alleged
and a
is
constituting
states
lesser-included offense
several acts
reckless
possible
depending driving, any
alternative conviсtion
sup-
one of which would have
by
jury.
ported
on the mens rea found
charged.
Care-
a conviction on the offense
paid
jury
ful attention should also
in cases The
was instructed that in order to
involving
perhaps
defendant,
other crimes
beyond
where
even convict the
it had to find
more subtle distinctions exist between the
a reasonable
that he had
doubt
committed
alternative
alleged
mental states and other lesser
“one or more of the acts”
included
plurality opinion
mental states. Because of the
information. The
found
prejudicial
essential nature of a defendant’s mental
that this instruction constituted
finding
culpability,
permitted
state to a
juror
be-
error because it
“each
cause of the
separate
subtle distinctions between
choose
one or more of the five
states,
which,
various mental
fundamental
fair-
if
unlawful acts ...
the minds of the
clearly requires unanimity
screened,
ness
might
on the is-
could be
disclose at
sue of the defendant’s mental state.
separate
upon
sepa-
least five
verdicts
five
grounds.”
rate and distinct
92 Utah at
DURHAM,
(concurring in
Justice
the re- 371,
majority
A
[holding
jury unanimity
prosecution
...
in a
on the elements of an
that]
involuntary manslaughter
important
offense is
safeguard
wherein sever-
in crimi-
al
alleged
... acts .
nal proceedings.
-.. were
to have been
death,
resulting
committed
jurisdictions
Cases from other
have de-
unanimously agree
must
on one or more
veloped principles establishing specific ex-
specified
they
unlawful acts and
ceptions
general
requirement
may not combine their conclusions on unanimity.
exceptions may
Those
be sum-
specified
different
converge
acts so as to
(1)
marized as
single
follows:
crime has
on an
guilty.
ultimate
verdict
charged,
though may
even
it
be com-
Roedl,
The cases cited alternatives returning guilty above indicate that a before ver- unanimity requirement (In regard, is not an dict. Gipson aberration this seems to be in Utah instructions and in consistent early fact has cases dis- upheld Thus, above.) when used. Comment, instructions cussed See also Case Thompson, ever, 2. questioned In mandatory Court the con- treat the issue of instructions given requiring jury struction unanimity Rasmussen in the deci- Roedl because it found that 118-19, Thompson, given sion. 110 Utah at P.2d required 170 instruction in that case una- not, Thompson nimity. decision did how-
177
ever,
actions,
Material
Right
Jury Unanimity
may
statutes
also refer to
states,
Gipson,
opposed
to mental
Fact
v.
which are
Issues: United States
also
virtually
(1977).3
indistinguishable in terms of their
Harv.L.Rev. 499
legal import, although factually distinct.
Finally,
exception to the una
the third
U.C.A.,
example
1953,
76-6-302,
An
is
nimity rule,
requires
that the State
which includes in the
aggrava-
definition of
produce
sup
on each
substantial evidence
robbery
ted
the use of “a firearm or a
porting
committing a
alternative method of
firearm,
facsimile of a
knife or a facsimile
crime,
origin
its
case of
v.
has
State
deadly weapon.”
of a knife or a
Just as no
Arndt,
248,
Wash.App.
the other single
whether is a of- the crime
fense that can be committed more than or, instead, offenses; way multiple
one sec-
ond, single charged, if a offense is whether methods of are alternative commission
significantly distinct from one another in legal content;
terms of their or factual
third, whether there is evidence on each of agree I alternatives. the three
sections of Utah’s second
statute, under charged, single
case was define a offense separate be committed in three
ways. agree I further that the three alter- meaningfully not
natives are distinct from they merely
one another because address rea, any
different forms of mens or all of properly
which could be inferred from the any proper
evidence and or all of which are
predicates guilt charged. of the offense
Finally, agree I adequate that there was permit
evidence to conviction based on
of the three alternative mental states at Therefore, killing.
the time of the I concur result, majority’s object overly scope opinion broad of the
its adequately failure to refine the stan- for appropriate application
dards rule other cases..
ZIMMERMAN, J., concurs in the
result.
RICHFIELD CARE CENTER Fund, Plaintiffs, Insurance
Lydia J. TORGERSON Utah State Commission,
Industrial Defendants.
No. 20412.
Supreme Court Utah.
Feb. Silvester,
Fred R. City, Salt Lake plaintiffs.
