State v. Fanning

LOWENSTEIN, Judge.

Fanning appeals the convictions and concurrent life sentences imposed as a persistent offender for murder in the second degree and armed criminal action. Fanning raises four issues on appeal, one of wMch is a constitutional challenge to the court’s submission of an mstruction patterned after MAI-CR3d 310.50, wMch told the jury, “You are mstructed that an mtoxicated condition from alcohol will not relieve a person of responsibility for Ms conduct.” State v. Erwin, 848 S.W.2d 476 (Mo. banc 1993), cert. denied, — U.S. —, 114 S.Ct. 88, 126 L.Ed.2d 56 (1993), held this instruction was no longer to be given, and gave prospective relief on “cases now subject to direct appeal ...” wMch properly preserve the error. Id. at 484.

The facts favorable to the verdict are as follows: On New Years Eve, Fanning and two compamons were drinkmg heavily and ran out of refreshment just before midmght. They drove for more liquor and stopped in the lot of another establishment when Fanning got into a shouting match with some strangers. While Fanning cursed and yelled, a second group thought Fanning was speaking to them. Fannrng began cursing the second group, and took a swing at a smaller man who ducked and then Mt Fanning in the nose. Fanning reached M a coat pocket and withdrew his knife and stabbed the victim six times. Fanrnng threw the knife away; but, later returned, retrieved it and tossed it mto the Missouri River.

Erwin, based on Sandstrom v. Montana, 442 U.S. 510, 99 S.Ct. 2450, 61 L.Ed.2d 39 (1979), held 310.50 did not misstate the law, but rather created a reasonable likelihood,

“... that the jury understands the mstruction to relieve the state of its burden of proof as to a statutory element. The instruction here creates a reasonable likelihood that the jury would believe that if defendant was mtoxicated he was criminally responsible, regardless of Ms state of mind. That reading has the effect of excusing the state from proving the defendant’s mental state beyond a reasonable doubt and violates due process under Sandstrom.” Erwin, 848 S.W.2d at 483.

The Court said tMs ruling was applicable only in cases "... now subject to direct appeal where the issue is preserved that MAI-CR3d 310.50 violated due process because it relieved the state of its burden of proof as to the reqmsite mental state.” Id. at 484.

The sole question on this pomt is whether Fanning made the proper objection m the trial court to get the benefit of Erwin. Erwin, at the time the objection in tMs case was made, had been transferred to the Supreme Court for reexamination of the law with respect to whether the instruction negated the state’s duty to prove specific intent. Fanning told the trial judge the instruction was unconstitutional and the Supreme Court was going to examine the instruction regardmg the issue of whether it relieved the state of its burden of proof on an essential element. The trial court demed the motion and used the jury instruction, but allowed the defendant to present evidence and argue the level of intoxication. Fan-Mug’s new trial motion said the relief did not alleviate the error. Had the instruction not been given, he contended he “... would have been allowed ... to present a much stronger case for lack of mental elements (sic) being present due to intoxication.” The court considers whether the defendant’s objections are sufficient to preserve the constitutional objection. State v. Smoot, 860 S.W.2d 799, 801 (Mo.App.1993). Smoot held this type of instructional error could not be deemed harmless because, where a “mental element is required for conviction, we cannot say that the instruction was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Smce the given instruction has been held to unfairly relieve the state from proving this element, Erwin, is not distinguishable here.” Id.

Fanning’s actions here differ from this court’s recent case of, State v. Dillon, 869 S.W.2d 67 (Mo.App.,1993), where the appeal rested solely on the argument that the instruction was a “misstatement of the law.” At page 69. In Dillon this court held the Erwin case did not apply because: 1) it was not a misstatement of the law; 2) they did not make the requisite due process argument to preserve the error on appeal; and 3) it was not plain error in that case.

Since Fanning made the proper objection at trial, that his due process rights were denied, the court holds Erwin applies. Having decided that Erwin applies to the case at bar, and a new trial is given as relief, the three remaining points will be addressed as they will arise on retrial.

Fanning gave his first statement pri- or to receiving his Miranda warning. Less than two hours later, the police gave the Miranda warning to Fanning. Fanning gave his second statement followed by two more statements after signing separate waivers. There was no evidence of actual coercion or other facts which undermined his ability to make a subsequent voluntary and knowing waiver. Oregon v. Elstad, 470 U.S. 298, 105 S.Ct. 1285, 84 L.Ed.2d 222 (1985); State v. Klimpt, 744 S.W.2d 499, 502 (Mo.App.1988). This point is denied and the evidence was properly admitted.

Denied out of hand are: 1) the point dealing with introduction of some of the photos of the deceased as being prejudicial with the point reviewed under plain error; and, 2) the oft-raised point attacking the reasonable doubt instruction contained in MAI-CR3d 302.04.

The judgment is reversed and the case remanded for new trial.

All concur.