State v. Bell
State v. Bell
Opinion of the Court
Defendant was charged with assault in the second degree, ORS 163.175, hindering prosecution, ORS 162.325, and escape in the first degree, ORS 162.165, in three counts of one indictment. The court granted a directed verdict of acquittal of assault in the second degree and escape in the first degree, but submitted to the jury assault in the third degree as a lesser included offense under assault in the second degree. It also submitted the hindering prosecution count. The jury found the defendant guilty of both crimes thus submitted.
Defendant has appealed, asserting (1) that it was error to submit the lesser included offense, and (2) that evidence in the form of Ritalin, a dangerous
“* ® * I was holding Mr. Bell on and, on two occasions, she attempted to reach into his right-hand pants pocket.”
In this pocket the Ritalin was found.
Assault in the third degree occurs if one “[i] ntentionally, knowingly or recklessly causes physical injury to another.” ORS 163.165 (l)(a). One commits assault in the second degree if he “[i] ntentionally or knowingly causes serious physical injury to another,” or “ [i] ntentionally or knowingly causes physical injury to another by means of a * * * dangerous weapon.” ORS 163.175 (1) (a), (b). Assault in the third degree is a Class A misdemeanor and assault in the second degree is a Class C felony. We hold that in the context of this case assault in the third degree is a lesser included offense of assault in the second degree. There is no merit to defendant’s contention that the directed verdict of acquittal of the more serious offense upon completion of the state’s evidence precluded the submission to the jury of the lesser offense. All of the prosecution was in the same ease, and jeopardy attached only once. ORS 136.660 provides :
“In all cases, the defendant may be found guilty of any crime the commission of which is necessarily included in that with which he is charged * * ' (Emphasis supplied.)
Affirmed.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.