Armenia v. State, 84-1723

• Court: Florida District Court of Appeals
• Writing for the Court: UPCHURCH; In Baker, the defendant argued that the absence of a requirement of some nexus between the intoxication of the defendant and the death of the victim rendered the DWI manslaughter statute unconstitutional. The majority rejected this argument
• Citation: Armenia v. State, 479 So.2d 260, 10 Fla. L. Weekly 2676 (Fla. App. 1985)
• Decision Date: 05 December 1985
• Docket Number: No. 84-1723,84-1723
• Parties: 10 Fla. L. Weekly 2676 Frank ARMENIA, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.

Page 260

479 So.2d 260

10 Fla. L. Weekly 2676

Frank ARMENIA, Appellant, v. STATE of Florida, Appellee.

No. 84-1723.

District Court of Appeal of Florida Fifth District.

Dec. 5, 1985.

James B. Gibson, Public Defender, and Lucinda H. Young, Asst. Public Defender, Daytona Beach, for appellant.

Jim Smith, Atty. Gen., Tallahassee, and Gary W. Tinsley, and Kevin Kitpatrick Carson, Asst. Attys. Gen., Daytona Beach, for appellee.

UPCHURCH, Judge.

Frank Armenia appeals from a judgment and sentence for manslaughter by driving while intoxicated. Armenia raises several questions on appeal, two of which involve the application of Baker v. State, 377 So.2d 17 (Fla.1979). We will discuss only these two points as we conclude that the other issues lack merit.

The facts are as follows. In December, 1983, a collision occurred between Armenia's automobile and a vehicle in which Jennings Overstreet was a passenger. Overstreet later died from injuries sustained in the accident. A blood sample taken from Armenia immediately following the accident revealed a blood alcohol level of .21.

Armenia was charged with manslaughter by driving while intoxicated. Prior to trial, Armenia filed a motion to dismiss the information on the grounds that all of the evidence showed that the driver of the Overstreet vehicle was solely at fault in causing the accident. Relying on Baker v. State, 377 So.2d 17 (Fla.1979), the state argued that causation was not required to sustain a conviction for DWI manslaughter. The motion to dismiss was denied.

At trial, William Hart, who narrowly avoided being hit himself, testified that the Overstreet vehicle made a left-hand turn directly into Armenia's vehicle. This observation was consistent with the testimony from an accident reconstruction expert who further stated that in his opinion Armenia did not have time to avoid the accident. However, another witness, who had been following Armenia, testified that Armenia cut in front of him, was weaving in and out of traffic and refused to allow him to pass. The homicide investigator at the scene testified that he smelled alcohol on Armenia's breath and ordered that a blood sample be taken because of the serious injuries involved.

At the conclusion of the case, the trial court instructed the jury on manslaughter using the standard jury instructions. Over Armenia's objection, the trial court also gave the following instructions requested by the state:

The term "caused by the operation of a motor vehicle by any person while intoxicated" is defined as the equivalent of stating that death resulted from the misconduct which had its inception at the time said person took control of the car and continued to operate it while not in possession of his faculties.

Proof of negligence in the operation of an automobile is not necessary to establish the offense of manslaughter by operation of an automobile while intoxicated.

The jury found Armenia guilty as charged. He was adjudicated guilty and sentenced to twelve years imprisonment.

On appeal, Armenia argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion to dismiss the information and in giving the instructions requested by the state. Armenia was charged with violating section 316.1931, Florida Statutes (1983), which provides in part as follows:

Driving automobile while intoxicated; punishment.--

(1) It is unlawful for any person, while in an intoxicated condition or under the influence of alcoholic beverages, any chemical substance set forth in s. 877.111, or any substance controlled under chapter 893 to such extent as to deprive him of full possession of his normal faculties, to drive, be in actual physical control of, or operate over the highways, streets, or thoroughfares of this state any automobile, truck, motorcycle, or other vehicle. Any person convicted of a violation of this section shall be punished as provided in s. 316.193 ...

* * *

* * * (2) If, however, damage to the property or person of another, other than damage resulting in the death of any person, is done by such intoxicated person under the influence of alcoholic beverages, model glue, or any substance controlled under chapter 893, to such extent as to deprive him of full possession of his normal faculties, by reason of the operation of any of the vehicles mentioned herein, he is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083, but the penalty imposed for a violation of this subsection shall be not less than the penalty provided under s. 316.193; and if the death of any human being is caused by the operation of a motor vehicle by any person while so intoxicated, such person shall be deemed guilty of manslaughter and on conviction shall be punished as provided by existing law relating to manslaughter. (emphasis added)

Armenia contends that this charge should have been dismissed because the evidence established that the Overstreet vehicle was solely at fault and that his intoxication did not cause the accident. Armenia recognizes that in Baker v. State, 377 So.2d 17 (Fla.1979), the Florida supreme court held that neither negligence nor proximate cause is an element of DWI manslaughter. However, Armenia points out that the Florida supreme court in its standard jury instructions, which were adopted after Baker, has listed vehicular homicide (which requires causation between the defendant's recklessness and the victim's death) as a necessarily lesser included offense of manslaughter and has approved causation language in the DWI manslaughter instruction. Based on these developments, Armenia urges that his conviction be set aside and the question of the continuing viability of Baker be certified to the Florida supreme court.

In Baker, the defendant argued that the absence of a requirement of some nexus between the intoxication of the defendant and the death of the victim rendered the DWI...