PEOPLE v. CHARLES (2006)

The Court is presented with an issue of first impression, namely whether the affirmative defense of extreme emotional disturbance (“EED”) ought to be applicable to a charge of Assault in the First Degree.

FACTS

On or about November 22, 2005, defendant is alleged to have stabbed his wife numerous times with a knife causing massive blood loss.   The injuries incurred required surgery.

The defendant, both in the context of his Clayton motion (CPL § 210.40) and in this instant motion, seeks to have the defense of EED pertaining to Murder in the Second and First Degrees under PL §§ 125.25[1][a], 125.27[2][a] apply to Assault in the First Degree (PL § 120.10).   After considering the defendant's motion and the People's answering papers, as well as the memoranda of law submitted, the application is denied for the reasons discussed below.

DISCUSSION

The statutory affirmative defense of EED is available to a defendant charged with Murder in the Second or First Degree (see, PL §§ 125.25[1][a], 125.27[2] [a], 25.00[2] ).   The Courts have extended the mitigation available by way of the affirmative defense of EED to attempted murder (see, People v. White, 125 A.D.2d 932, 510 N.Y.S.2d 329 [1986], appeal denied, 69 N.Y.2d 956, 516 N.Y.S.2d 1041, 509 N.E.2d 376;  People v. Tabarez, 113 A.D.2d 461, 497 N.Y.S.2d 80 [1985];  People v. Lanzot, 67 A.D.2d 864, 413 N.Y.S.2d 399 [1979], appeal dismissed, 49 N.Y.2d 796, 426 N.Y.S.2d 732, 403 N.E.2d 455).   Had a defendant been successful in his attempt to murder, he would be able to avail himself of this defense.   The courts have found that a defendant who attempts to kill, but is unsuccessful, should not be denied such mitigation if EED is established.   In essence, the courts have extended the affirmative defense of EED to attempted murder as the intent (and essential elements) are identical to murder, only the result is different.¹  While it is true that “based upon rules of construction applicable to the Penal Law, it is not to be strictly construed, but rather construed according to the fair import of its terms to promote justice and effect the objects of the law” (PL § 5.00;  see also, People v. Tabarez, 113 A.D.2d 461, 463, 497 N.Y.S.2d 80 [1985];  People v. Teicher, 52 N.Y.2d 638, 647, 439 N.Y.S.2d 846, 422 N.E.2d 506 [1981] ), here such an extension would be improvident and would constitute the usurping of both the function and prerogative of the legislature.

EED is an affirmative defense created by statute (see, PL §§ 125.25[1][a], 125.27[2][a] ).   The affirmative defense of EED is available only when the defendant acts “with the intent to cause the death” of another person, not when he acts “with the intent to cause serious physical injury with a dangerous instrument” to another person (PL § 120.10).²

The mere fact that the legislature in 1996 has elevated the crime of Assault in the First Degree to a class B Violent Felony from a class C Violent Felony is of no moment.   The defense applies to the intent to cause the death of another person.   The fact that the punishment and classification for Attempted Murder in the Second Degree and Assault in the First Degree are the same does not render the affirmative defense of EED available to one accused of Assault in the First Degree.   In extending the applicability of the affirmative defense of EED to attempted murder, the courts did so as a matter of fundamental fairness in comporting with the legislature's intent of having EED apply to only the elements relating to murder and not even to manslaughter in the first degree.³

Thus, it is clear that the affirmative defense of EED is only available to a defendant charged with Murder in the First and Second Degrees or Attempted Murder.

CONCLUSION

Accordingly, defendant's application to have extreme emotional disturbance be available as a possible affirmative defense to the charge of Assault in the First Degree is denied as a matter of law.   Should the defendant be able to demonstrate to this Court that the defendant suffered from EED, then the Court may factor that in considering the defendant's Clayton motion (see, CPL § 210.40[1][a] and [d] ).

This shall constitute the decision and order of the Court.

FOOTNOTES

1.   If the jury were to find that a defendant, who was charged with Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, acted under the influence of extreme emotional disturbance, then the conviction is mitigated to one of Attempted Manslaughter in the First Degree (see, People v. White, 125 A.D.2d 932, 510 N.Y.S.2d 329 [1986] ).

2.   If this Court were to adopt defendant's argument in this regard, one may then argue that EED should be extended to all assaults, even misdemeanors assaults (see, P.L. § 120.00 subd. 1 [“intent to cause physical injury.”] ).   This clearly is not what the legislature intended.

3.   See, P.L. §§ 125.25[1][a] and 125.07[2][a]:  “Nothing contained in this paragraph shall constitute a defense to a prosecution for, or preclude a conviction of Manslaughter in the First Degree or any other crime.”   Manslaughter in the First Degree and Assault in the First Degree are both Class B Violent Felonies (see, P.L. § 70.00[2] ).

JOHN M. LEVENTHAL, J.