Schwindling v. State

Frank Holt, Justice. The appellant was charged with burglary and theft of property arising out of the theft of a quantity of controlled drugs. See Ark. Stat. Ann. §§ 41-2002 and 41-2203 (Repl. 1977). He was convicted of both offenses and sentenced to concurrent terms of 20 years and 10 years, respectively. His only contention for reversal, through present counsel, is that the court erred in failing to instruct the jury on the sole issue raised by the evidence; i.e., the existence of the ordinary defense of self-induced intoxication. Appellant presents a three-fold argument: (1) the existence of the defense of self-induced intoxication was the sole issue in the trial of the case; (2) self-induced intoxication is a “simple defense” to the crimes charged and the provisions of Ark. Stat. Ann. § 41-110 (1) (a) and (3) (c) require that such an instruction be given; and (3) the reasons supporting the “absent request” prohibition against raising the issue on appeal are strongly outweighed by fair trial considerations. Even assuming arguendo that the defense was sufficiently raised by the evidence, the court is not required to give a specific instruction when, as here, none was requested. Ark. Stat. Ann. § 43-2134 (Repl. 1977); Tyler v. State, 265 Ark. 822, 581 S.W. 2d 328 (1979); and Roberts and Charles v. State, 254 Ark. 39, 491 S.W. 2d 390 (1973). We do not construe § 41-110 (1) (a) and (3) (c) to require the trial court, sua sponte, give an instruction on an ordinary defense, as asserted here. The court instructed the jury that to sustain a burglary charge, the state must prove the appellant “entered . . . with the purpose of committing therein a theft of property,” arid that to sustain a theft charge, the state must prove the appellant “knowingly took . . . unauthorized control over the property of another person with the purpose of depriving the owner thereof.” The jury was clearly instructed on the statutory definitions of the terms “purpose” and “knowingly,” and that the burden was on the state to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the elements of each offense. Affirmed.