second degree murder instruction in Virginia

7 Virginia opinions name it 2 courts 1981–2018 0 in the last five years

The cases below were cited by Virginia courts in a sentence that names this issue. Sides come from how each citing opinion treated the case (Syfertize flag on that citation), so a case can appear on both: that is where the law is contested. A red or yellow chip is the case's own overall treatment.

Followed or applied (10)

Case	Followed	Cited
Justus v. Commonwealthgreen va · 1981 · cited in 3 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 1989–2008 2 sentences 2001A second degree murder instruction is only appropriate where evidence supports it, and that evidence 231 “must amount to more than a scintilla.” Justus v. Commonwealth, 222 Va. 667, 678 , 283 S.E.2d 905, 911 (1981) (citing Hatcher v. Commonwealth, 218 Va. 811, 814 , 241 S.E.2d 756, 758 (1978)). 2001A second degree murder instruction is only appropriate where evidence supports it, and that evidence 231 “must amount to more than a scintilla.” Justus v. Commonwealth, 222 Va. 667, 678 , 283 S.E.2d 905, 911 (1981) (citing Hatcher v. Commonwealth, 218 Va. 811, 814 , 241 S.E.2d 756, 758 (1978)).	3	3
Buchanan v. Commonwealthgreen va · 1989 · cited in 2 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 1995–2008 2 sentences 2008Not only does Porter's recited evidence fail to "amount to more than a scintilla" in support of a second-degree murder instruction, but this is a case where the evidence of premeditation is "`so clear and uncontroverted that a trial court could properly refuse to instruct on the lesser included offenses.'" Buchanan, 238 Va. at 409 , 384 S.E.2d at 769 (citation omitted). 2008Not only does Porter's recited evidence fail to "amount to more than a scintilla" in support of a second-degree murder instruction, but this is a case where the evidence of premeditation is "`so clear and uncontroverted that a trial court could properly refuse to instruct on the lesser included offenses.'" Buchanan, 238 Va. at 409 , 384 S.E.2d at 769 (citation omitted).	2	2
Hatcher v. Commonwealthgreen va · 1978 · cited in 2 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 1981–2001 2 sentences 2001A second degree murder instruction is only appropriate where evidence supports it, and that evidence 231 “must amount to more than a scintilla.” Justus v. Commonwealth, 222 Va. 667, 678 , 283 S.E.2d 905, 911 (1981) (citing Hatcher v. Commonwealth, 218 Va. 811, 814 , 241 S.E.2d 756, 758 (1978)). 2001A second degree murder instruction is only appropriate where evidence supports it, and that evidence 231 “must amount to more than a scintilla.” Justus v. Commonwealth, 222 Va. 667, 678 , 283 S.E.2d 905, 911 (1981) (citing Hatcher v. Commonwealth, 218 Va. 811, 814 , 241 S.E.2d 756, 758 (1978)).	2	2
Painter v. Commonwealthgreen va · 1969 · cited in 2 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 1981–1989 2 sentences 1981The rule followed in Ball is that a second-degree-murder instruction is appropriate only where there is evidence to support it, Painter v. Commonwealth, 210 Va. 360, 367 , 171 S.E.2d 166, 171 (1969), Wooden v. Commonwealth, 208 Va. 629, 634 , 159 S.E.2d 623, 627 (1968), and the evidence must amount to more than a scintilla, Hatcher v. Commonwealth, 218 Va. 811, 814 , 241 S.E.2d 756, 758 (1978). 1981The rule followed in Ball is that a second-degree-murder instruction is appropriate only where there is evidence to support it, Painter v. Commonwealth, 210 Va. 360, 367 , 171 S.E.2d 166, 171 (1969), Wooden v. Commonwealth, 208 Va. 629, 634 , 159 S.E.2d 623, 627 (1968), and the evidence must amount to more than a scintilla, Hatcher v. Commonwealth, 218 Va. 811, 814 , 241 S.E.2d 756, 758 (1978).	1	2
Commonwealth v. Vaughngreen va · 2002 · cited in 1 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2018–2018 2 sentences 2018Standard of Review “When reviewing a trial court’s refusal to give a proffered jury instruction, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the proponent of the instruction.” King v. Commonwealth, 64 Va. App. 580, 583 , 770 S.E.2d 214 , 216 (2015) (quoting Commonwealth v. Vaughn, 263 Va. 31, 33 , 557 S.E.2d 220, 221 (2002)). 2018Standard of Review “When reviewing a trial court’s refusal to give a proffered jury instruction, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the proponent of the instruction.” King v. Commonwealth, 64 Va. App. 580, 583 , 770 S.E.2d 214 , 216 (2015) (quoting Commonwealth v. Vaughn, 263 Va. 31, 33 , 557 S.E.2d 220, 221 (2002)).	1	1
Schlimmer v. Poverty Hunt Clubgreen va · 2004 · cited in 1 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 2008–2008 2 sentences 2008Porter failed to offer evidence "in support of a particular instruction [that] `must amount to more than a scintilla.'" Schlimmer v. Poverty Hunt Club, 268 Va. 74 , 78, 597 S.E.2d 43 , 45 (2004) (quoting Justus v. Commonwealth, 222 Va. 667 , 678, 283 S.E.2d 905 , 911 (1981)). 2008Porter failed to offer evidence "in support of a particular instruction [that] `must amount to more than a scintilla.'" Schlimmer v. Poverty Hunt Club, 268 Va. 74 , 78, 597 S.E.2d 43 , 45 (2004) (quoting Justus v. Commonwealth, 222 Va. 667 , 678, 283 S.E.2d 905 , 911 (1981)).	1	1
Martin v. Commonwealthgreen vactapp · 1992 · cited in 1 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 1995–1995 2 sentences 1995Martin v. Commonwealth, 13 Va. App. 524, 526 , 414 S.E.2d 401, 401 (1992) (en banc) (citing Blondel v. Hays, 241 Va. 467, 469 , 403 S.E.2d 340, 341 (1991)). 1995Martin v. Commonwealth, 13 Va. App. 524, 526 , 414 S.E.2d 401, 401 (1992) (en banc) (citing Blondel v. Hays, 241 Va. 467, 469 , 403 S.E.2d 340, 341 (1991)).	1	1
Blondel v. Haysgreen va · 1991 · cited in 1 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 1995–1995 2 sentences 1995Martin v. Commonwealth, 13 Va. App. 524, 526 , 414 S.E.2d 401, 401 (1992) (en banc) (citing Blondel v. Hays, 241 Va. 467, 469 , 403 S.E.2d 340, 341 (1991)). 1995Martin v. Commonwealth, 13 Va. App. 524, 526 , 414 S.E.2d 401, 401 (1992) (en banc) (citing Blondel v. Hays, 241 Va. 467, 469 , 403 S.E.2d 340, 341 (1991)).	1	1
Briley v. Commonwealthgreen va · 1980 · cited in 1 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 1981–1981 2 sentences 1981These principles apply in both capital and non-capital cases. 2 Linwood Earl Briley v. Commonwealth, 221 Va. 532, 541 , 273 S.E.2d 48, 54 (1980). 679 Here, the only real issue before the jury was whether Justus was guilty of capital murder or first-degree murder. 1981These principles apply in both capital and non-capital cases. 2 Linwood Earl Briley v. Commonwealth, 221 Va. 532, 541 , 273 S.E.2d 48, 54 (1980). 679 Here, the only real issue before the jury was whether Justus was guilty of capital murder or first-degree murder.	1	1
Wooden v. Commonwealthgreen va · 1968 · cited in 1 Virginia opinions naming this issue, 1981–1981 2 sentences 1981The rule followed in Ball is that a second-degree-murder instruction is appropriate only where there is evidence to support it, Painter v. Commonwealth, 210 Va. 360, 367 , 171 S.E.2d 166, 171 (1969), Wooden v. Commonwealth, 208 Va. 629, 634 , 159 S.E.2d 623, 627 (1968), and the evidence must amount to more than a scintilla, Hatcher v. Commonwealth, 218 Va. 811, 814 , 241 S.E.2d 756, 758 (1978). 1981The rule followed in Ball is that a second-degree-murder instruction is appropriate only where there is evidence to support it, Painter v. Commonwealth, 210 Va. 360, 367 , 171 S.E.2d 166, 171 (1969), Wooden v. Commonwealth, 208 Va. 629, 634 , 159 S.E.2d 623, 627 (1968), and the evidence must amount to more than a scintilla, Hatcher v. Commonwealth, 218 Va. 811, 814 , 241 S.E.2d 756, 758 (1978).	1	1

Distinguished, questioned or overruled (0)

Case	Negative	Cited
No negative-treatment citations attached to this issue in Virginia. Read the followed side critically anyway.

Also cited on this issue (4)

Case	Cited	Years
LaDawn Shrieves King v. Commonwealth of Virginia green vactapp · 2015 1 sentence 2018Standard of Review “When reviewing a trial court’s refusal to give a proffered jury instruction, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the proponent of the instruction.” King v. Commonwealth, 64 Va. App. 580, 583 , 770 S.E.2d 214 , 216 (2015) (quoting Commonwealth v. Vaughn, 263 Va. 31, 33 , 557 S.E.2d 220, 221 (2002)).	1	2018–2018
Childress v. United States green scotus · 1984 2 sentences 1996The decision in LeVasseur v. Commonwealth, 225 Va. 564 , 304 S.E.2d 644 (1983), cert. denied, 464 U.S. 1063 , 104 S.Ct. 744 , 79 L.Ed.2d 202 (1984), is not controlling on the facts of this case. “[I]n the circumstances of [that] case,” the Supreme Court found that the refusal of a second degree murder instruction was harmless error. 1996The decision in LeVasseur v. Commonwealth, 225 Va. 564 , 304 S.E.2d 644 (1983), cert. denied, 464 U.S. 1063 , 104 S.Ct. 744 , 79 L.Ed.2d 202 (1984), is not controlling on the facts of this case. “[I]n the circumstances of [that] case,” the Supreme Court found that the refusal of a second degree murder instruction was harmless error.	1	1996–1996
LeVasseur v. Commonwealth green va · 1983 2 sentences 1996The decision in LeVasseur v. Commonwealth, 225 Va. 564 , 304 S.E.2d 644 (1983), cert. denied, 464 U.S. 1063 , 104 S.Ct. 744 , 79 L.Ed.2d 202 (1984), is not controlling on the facts of this case. “[I]n the circumstances of [that] case,” the Supreme Court found that the refusal of a second degree murder instruction was harmless error. 1996The decision in LeVasseur v. Commonwealth, 225 Va. 564 , 304 S.E.2d 644 (1983), cert. denied, 464 U.S. 1063 , 104 S.Ct. 744 , 79 L.Ed.2d 202 (1984), is not controlling on the facts of this case. “[I]n the circumstances of [that] case,” the Supreme Court found that the refusal of a second degree murder instruction was harmless error.	1	1996–1996
Ball v. Commonwealth green va · 1981 2 sentences 1981Although he did not proffer a second-degree-murder instruction, citing Ball v. Commonwealth, 221 Va. 754 , 273 S.E.2d 790 (1981), he urges this court to consider the issue to “attain the ends of justice.” Rule 5:21. 1981Although he did not proffer a second-degree-murder instruction, citing Ball v. Commonwealth, 221 Va. 754 , 273 S.E.2d 790 (1981), he urges this court to consider the issue to “attain the ends of justice.” Rule 5:21.	1	1981–1981

Statutes the citing opinions construe

VA § Va. Code Ann. § 18.2-31 (4)

Counted by distinct opinions that both name this issue and are annotated to the section; sections every opinion cites regardless of issue are not filtered here, so read the counts against the total above.

Where else courts name it

IL 142 (1990–2026) MO 54 (1973–2025) CA 27 (1965–2021) AZ 17 (1984–2025) MI 15 (1976–2024) NC 13 (1983–2023) KS 13 (2001–2022) DC 12 (1987–2014) RI 9 (1983–2024) NM 8 (1987–2013) TN 7 (2005–2019) AR 7 (2005–2026) VA 7 (1981–2018) OK 6 (1984–2005) NE 4 (1994–2018) MS 3 (2019–2026) WA 3 (1978–2010) MD 3 (1997–2003) NV 2 (2000–2007) FL 2 (1987–2010)

Opinions by the citing court's state. A doctrine retained in one state and abandoned in another shows up here as a year span that stalls.

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