State v. Kelsey Rose Hopkins ( 2015 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF IDAHO
Docket No. 41824
STATE OF IDAHO, ) 2015 Opinion No. 12S
)
Plaintiff-Respondent, ) Filed: March 13, 2015
)
v. ) Stephen W. Kenyon, Clerk
)
KELSEY ROSE HOPKINS, ) SUBSTITUTE OPINION
) THE COURT’S PRIOR OPINION
Defendant-Appellant. ) DATED MARCH 12, 2015
) IS HEREBY WITHDRAWN
Appeal from the District Court of the Fourth Judicial District, State of Idaho, Ada
County. Hon. Michael R. McLaughlin, District Judge; Hon. Theresa Gardunia,
Magistrate.
Order of the district court, on intermediate appeal, affirming magistrate’s
judgment of conviction, reversed, and case remanded.
Alan E. Trimming, Ada County Public Defender; Heidi M. Johnson, Deputy
Public Defender, Boise, for appellant. Heidi M. Johnson argued.
Hon. Lawrence G. Wasden, Attorney General; Jessica M. Lorello, Deputy
Attorney General, Boise, for respondent. Jessica M. Lorello argued.
SCHROEDER, Judge Pro Tem
Kelsey Rose Hopkins was charged with malicious injury to property for her conduct
resulting in damage to a courtroom wall. She admits that she angrily left the courtroom and
forcefully pushed a door, but has continuously argued that she did not intend to damage the door
or wall. At trial she requested a jury instruction stating that accidentally damaging property
would not amount to malicious injury. The court denied her request and she was convicted. She
appealed to the district court which affirmed the conviction. She then filed this appeal from the
decision of the district court.
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I.
BACKGROUND
Hopkins was charged with malicious injury to property in violation of Idaho Code § 18-
7001, for conduct she engaged in during her younger brother’s juvenile court proceeding. The
State presented evidence that Hopkins became very upset after her brother was sentenced. She
yelled an expletive and walked out of the courtroom. 1 On her way out, she pushed a courtroom
door so forcefully that the doorstop struck the wall, going through the drywall and creating a
soccer-ball-sized hole in the wall.
A law enforcement officer interviewed Hopkins at her home and testified that Hopkins
apologized for “what she did.” She explained that she was upset because she had misunderstood
the proceedings and did not intend to put a hole in the wall.
At the close of the State’s case-in-chief, Hopkins requested a ruling on a proposed jury
instruction, explaining that the instruction was consistent with her theory of the case. She
intended to argue that she neither intended any injury to the wall, nor intended any wrongful act.
The proposed jury instruction explained that a person cannot be held criminally liable for a
mistake or accident. 2 The State objected, maintaining that the damage was not caused by a
mistake, because Hopkins’ forceful opening of the door was intentional. The magistrate court
ruled that there was insufficient evidence to require giving the instruction at that time and
reserved the right to reconsider the ruling after Hopkins’ case.
Hopkins testified at the trial and admitted that she caused the damage. She testified that
she did not intend to cause any damage to the courtroom, stating that she was very upset and was
trying to leave the courtroom because she was going to cry and does “not like crying in front of
people.” She asserted that she was unaware that there was a hole in the wall until after the
officer interviewed her at her home. She apologized to the officer and asked what could be done
to ameliorate the situation.
1
Some witnesses contend that Hopkins proclaimed her intention to break her brother out
of jail, but Hopkins disputes that contention.
2
Idaho Code section 18-201 states: “Persons who committed the act or made the omission
charged, through misfortune or by accident, when it appears that there was not evil design,
intention or culpable negligence” are not “persons . . . capable of committing crimes.”
2
After the defense rested, the trial court denied the request to give the accident instruction.
As to the mental element of the offense, the court instructed the jury that in order to convict it
would have to find that Hopkins acted “maliciously” and explained that “maliciously was
defined as ‘the desire to annoy or injure another, or the intent to do a wrongful act.’”
The State argued to the jury that the act was done maliciously for two reasons. First, it
argued that Hopkins acted with the intent to annoy certain court officials: “[s]he was making a
statement. She wanted to make clear that she did not approve; that she didn’t like what was
happening to her brother.” Second, it argued that Hopkins intended a wrongful act when she
angrily “opened the door, and it struck the wall.” The State further contended that the damage
was not the result of an accident because it was the foreseeable result of forcefully opening the
door.
Hopkins conceded that she opened the door angrily, but denied any intent to cause
damage to the wall. She also argued that her actions could not have been undertaken with the
intent to annoy because the sentencing judge, the person with whom she was upset, had left the
room before she opened the door.
The jury returned a guilty verdict. The court explained its view of the case at sentencing:
I don’t believe that you purposely put a hole in the wall of the courthouse. You
purposely hit the door and perhaps didn’t realize how hard you hit it, but after
hearing the evidence at the trial I don’t believe that that was what you intended to
come out of it.
Thereafter, the court ordered Hopkins to attend anger management, complete forty hours of
community service, and pay restitution and fees.
Hopkins appealed to the district court. She argued that the trial court erred by failing to
instruct the jury regarding a mistake or accident defense and that the jury’s verdict was not
supported by sufficient evidence. The district court rejected both of the arguments. As to the
jury instruction, the court held that Hopkins did not present any facts that would support a
finding of accident or mistake because her contact with the door was intentional. As to the
sufficiency claim, the court ruled that a reasonable jury could infer malicious intent from
Hopkins’ statements and conduct. Hopkins appeals the district court decision.
Hopkins reiterates her arguments that there was not substantial evidence that she acted
maliciously and that the court erred by failing to give a requested jury instruction. She contends
that the requested instruction was required because the issue was not adequately addressed by
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other jury instructions. In her view the accident defense amounts to an argument that Hopkins
“acted without forming the mental state necessary to commit the crime.” She concedes that the
court defined “maliciously,” but argues that “there was no instruction given with regards to the
required intent.”
As to the sufficiency of the evidence, Hopkins cites State v. Nastoff, 124 Idaho 667, 668,
862 P.2d 1089, 1090 (Ct. App. 1993), for the proposition that the State was required to prove that
she intended to injure the property and contends that there is insufficient evidence of that intent.
II.
ANALYSIS
When reviewing the decision of a district court sitting in its appellate capacity, the
standard of review is the same as expressed by the Idaho Supreme Court:
The Supreme Court reviews the trial court (magistrate) record to determine
whether there is substantial and competent evidence to support the magistrate’s
findings of fact and whether the magistrate’s conclusions of law follow from
those findings. If those findings are so supported and the conclusions follow
therefrom and if the district court affirmed the magistrate’s decision, we affirm
the district court’s decision as a matter of procedure.
Pelayo v. Pelayo, 154 Idaho 855, 858, 303 P.3d 214, 217 (2013) (quoting Bailey v. Bailey, 153
Idaho 526, 529, 284 P.3d 970, 973 (2012)). Thus, the appellate courts do not review the decision
of the magistrate court. Bailey, 153 Idaho at 529, 284 P.3d at 973. Rather, we are procedurally
bound to affirm or reverse the decisions of the district court. State v. Korn, 148 Idaho 413, 415
n.1, 224 P.3d 480, 482 n.1 (2009).
Hopkins raises two claims of error. She claims that the court erred by not giving an
instruction excluding conviction for an accident or mistake. She maintains that such an
instruction was necessary because the State failed to prove that she intended to damage or
destroy state property.
A. The Jury’s Verdict Is Supported by Substantial Evidence
Appellate review of the sufficiency of the evidence is limited in scope. A finding of guilt
will not be overturned on appeal where there is substantial evidence upon which a reasonable
trier of fact could have found that the prosecution sustained its burden of proving the essential
elements of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Herrera-Brito, 131 Idaho 383, 385, 957
P.2d 1099, 1101 (Ct. App. 1998); State v. Knutson, 121 Idaho 101, 104, 822 P.2d 998, 1001 (Ct.
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Ohio App. 1991). This Court will not substitute our view for that of the trier of fact as to the
credibility of the witnesses, the weight to be given to the testimony, and the reasonable
inferences to be drawn from the evidence. Knutson, 121 Idaho at 104, 822 P.2d at 1001; State v.
Decker, 108 Idaho 683, 684, 701 P.2d 303, 304 (Ct. App. 1985). The Court will consider the
evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution. Herrera-Brito, 131 Idaho at 385, 957
P.2d at 1101; Knutson, 121 Idaho at 104, 822 P.2d at 1001. Moreover, “direct evidence of intent
is not required.” State v. Mitchell, 146 Idaho 378, 384, 195 P.3d 737, 743 (Ct. App. 2008).
Intent may be inferred from “circumstantial evidence” including “the defendant’s acts and
conduct.” Id.
The State showed that Hopkins was very upset, and Hopkins admitted that fact.
Consistent with that emotional state, the State adduced evidence that Hopkins yelled an expletive
in court and then forcefully maneuvered the door. Considering the evidence in the light most
favorable to prosecution, a reasonable jury could have inferred that Hopkins did intend to put a
hole in the wall.
B. The District Court Erred by Failing to Require the Trial Court to Give the
Requested Instruction
Whether the jury has been properly instructed is a question of law over which this Court
exercises free review. State v. Severson, 147 Idaho 694, 710, 215 P.3d 414, 430 (2009).
Each party is entitled to request the delivery of specific instructions.
However, such instructions will only be given if they are “correct and pertinent.”
A proposed instruction is not “correct and pertinent” if it is: (1) an erroneous
statement of the law; (2) adequately covered by other instructions; or (3) “not
supported by the facts of the case.”
Id. (internal citations omitted).
An error in jury instructions only constitutes reversible error when the instruction misled
the jury or prejudiced the party challenging the instruction. Id.; State v. Row, 131 Idaho 303,
310, 955 P.2d 1082, 1089 (1998). Accordingly, the question is whether the instructions as a
whole, and not individually, fairly and accurately reflect applicable law. State v. Bowman, 124
Idaho 936, 942, 866 P.2d 193, 199 (Ct. App. 1993).
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1. Idaho Code section 18-201 codifies the mistake or accident defense, but the
corresponding instruction need only be given when mistake or accident is a
defense to the charged conduct and that defense is not adequately covered by
other instructions
Idaho Code section 18-201 codifies the defense of mistake or accident. State v. Dolsby,
143 Idaho 352, 353, 145 P.3d 917, 918 (Ct. App. 2006). In relevant portion, the statute provides:
Persons who committed the act or made the omission charged, through misfortune
or by accident, when it appears that there was not evil design, intention or
culpable negligence.
I.C. § 18-201. Generally, proof of mistake or accident need not be raised as a separate defense
because it usually amounts to nothing more than a challenge to the State’s proof of the mens rea
element of the offense. Dolsby, 143 Idaho at 354, 145 P.3d at 919; see also State v. Ortega, 157
Idaho 782, 789, 339 P.3d 1186, 1193 (Ct. App. 2014) (holding that a separate jury instruction
was not required where a “reasonable parenting defense” amounted to no more than an argument
that the State had failed to prove the mens rea element of the injury to a child charge). Because a
defendant may challenge the State’s ability to prove the elements of an offense without a
specialized jury instruction, the specialized instruction frequently need not be given. Ortega,
157 Idaho at 789, 339 P.3d at 1193; State v. Macias, 142 Idaho 509, 511, 129 P.3d 1258, 1260
(Ct. App. 2005).
For example, in Macias, the defendant was charged with aggravated battery. He
requested a jury instruction stating that one is not criminally liable for accidents or misfortune.
This Court ruled that “it would have been appropriate for the trial court to give the instruction
that Macias requested” because Macias presented evidence that “although he made physical
contact with the victim, believing it necessary in order to block a blow coming from the victim,
he did not do so with the purpose of using force or violence on the victim or with the intent to
strike or cause bodily harm to that individual.” Id. at 511, 129 P.3d at 1260. However, the court
also ruled that the failure to give the instruction did not amount to reversible error. In Macias,
the court gave an instruction describing the mental element of aggravated battery. This Court
ruled that the general mens rea instruction “sufficiently covered the issue” because a mistake or
accident did not amount to the offense of aggravated battery, which requires willful or
intentional conduct.
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2. Mistake or accident is a defense to a malicious injury to property charge
The Idaho Supreme Court recently construed the malicious injury to property statute in
State v. Skunkcap, 157 Idaho 221, 335 P.3d 561 (2014). In relevant portion, the statute states:
[E]very person who maliciously injures or destroys any real or personal property
not his own . . . is guilty of a misdemeanor
I.C. § 18-7001(1). Because the term “maliciously” is not defined in the statute, the Court first
considered the general definition of “maliciously” contained in I.C. § 18-101(4). 3 Skunkcap, 157
Idaho at 228-30, 335 P.3d at 568-70. The Supreme Court rejected that definition. The general
definitions do not apply when a different meaning is “otherwise apparent from the context,” and
a contrary meaning was apparent. In the Court’s view the term “maliciously,” as used in the
malicious injury to property statute, “indicates that [the statute] is not intended to protect against
the merely negligent or accidental injury to property. It obviously requires a different state of
mind.” Id. at 229, 335 P.3d at 569.
Instead of applying the general definition, the Court concluded that “the word
‘maliciously’ in Idaho Code section 18-7001(1) means an intent to damage the property without
a lawful excuse for doing so.” Skunkcap, 157 Idaho at 229-30, 335 P.3d at 569-70. The Court
concluded that the trial court erred by instructing the jury on the general definition of
“maliciously” because it would have permitted the jury to convict the defendant where his
intention was to elude police (a wrongful act), but he did not act with the intent of injuring the
property of another. Id. at 230, 335 P.3d at 570. 4
3
Idaho Code section 18-101(4) states:
The words “malice,” and “maliciously,” import a wish to vex, annoy, or injure
another person, or an intent to do a wrongful act, established either by proof or
presumption of law.
4
In State v. Skunkcap, 157 Idaho 221, 230, 335 P.3d 561, 570 (2014), the error was not
reversible given the specific facts of that case. There, the jury provided a written annotation on
the verdict form indicating the specific act they found to be in violation of the statute, and
excluding two other acts that were alleged as violations of the statute. As to the specified act,
and only as to the specified act, the Court concluded that the defendant could not have had the
intent to elude police because escape was no longer possible. Accordingly, the Court reasoned
that because the “Defendant was not attempting to escape when he rammed the detective’s
vehicle the second time. His intent was simply to cause further damage to the car.”
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3. The other jury instructions did not adequately cover the issue
The jury in this case was given the general definition of “malicious” contained in I.C.
§ 18-101(4). The Skunkcap decision, which issued after the instructions were given in this case,
shows that the mens rea instruction is erroneous. Moreover, prior decisions from this Court
show that the instructions were erroneous when given.
In 1993, this Court decided Nastoff, 124 Idaho at 668, 862 P.2d at 1090, in which the
State presented evidence that the defendant had caused a fire by using an improperly modified
chainsaw. The State presented no evidence that the defendant purposefully caused the fire, but
did present evidence that he had intentionally committed a “wrongful act” by knowingly and
intentionally using a modified chainsaw. As in Skunkcap, the State relied upon the default
definition in I.C. § 18-101. This Court rejected the argument that “the intent to do any wrongful
act will constitute the ‘malice’ supporting a conviction for malicious injury to property.” Nastoff,
124 Idaho at 669-71, 862 P.2d at 1091-93. This Court held that a malicious injury to property
conviction requires the intent to injure the property. 5 Therefore, the mens rea jury instruction is
not only erroneous under Skunkcap, it was erroneous when given. 6
The instruction given in this case precluded the defense Hopkins wished to advance--a
defense codified in I.C. § 18-201. In both Skunkcap and Nastoff, the defendants essentially
conceded that they had acted intentionally, but they denied that their intent was to damage
property. The preclusion of this defense amounted to error. Skunkcap, 157 Idaho at 230, 335
P.3d at 570; Nastoff, 124 Idaho at 670, 862 P.2d at 1092. Conversely, in Macias, this Court held
that the instruction based upon I.C. § 18-201 could be given to the jury on a closely analogous
defense: the defendant intentionally moved his arm but did not intend to strike or injure the
victim. Macias, 142 Idaho at 511, 129 P.3d at 1260. Accordingly, the Court concludes that
(1) accident is a defense to a malicious injury to property charge, because a person is not guilty
of the offense if he or she damages property without the intent to do so; (2) this defense was not
5
We held that, as an alternative, the State could have shown that the defendant was
motivated by a wish to vex or annoy.
6
The model jury instruction, Idaho Criminal Jury Instruction 1302, cites two cases
interpreting the statute and construing the mens rea element of the offense. Those citations
provided some indication that the general definition of “maliciously” should not be applied,
without further clarification, in every case. The model jury instruction, at the time of the
issuance of this opinion has not been amended to reflect the holding in Skunkcap.
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adequately explained by the jury instructions that were given in this case; and (3) the requested
jury instruction would have informed the jury of this defense. Therefore, the trial court erred by
denying Hopkins’ request to give the accident instruction, and the district court erred in
affirming that decision.
The error was not harmless. The defense presented evidence that Hopkins did not intend
damage to the door. Although this evidence was not so overwhelming that it requires reversal on
sufficiency grounds, it was enough that the trial court indicated a belief that Hopkins did not
intend to damage the wall. Accordingly, this Court cannot say that the error was harmless.
III.
CONCLUSION
There was sufficient evidence that a jury could conclude that Hopkins intentionally
damaged the wall under proper instructions. However, under the facts of this case Hopkins was
entitled to a jury instruction explaining that accidentally damaging the wall would not amount to
malicious injury to property. Accordingly, the order of the district court, on intermediate appeal,
affirming the magistrate’s judgment of conviction is reversed. The case is remanded for further
proceedings consistent with this opinion.
Chief Judge MELANSON and Judge GUTIERREZ CONCUR.
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