CR22-362 04/08/25

FIRST DEGREE AGGRAVATED DOMESTIC ASSAULT (ATTEMPTED TO USE DEADLY WEAPON) – 13 V.S.A. § 1043(a)(2)

The State has charged (Def)_______________ with first degree aggravated domestic assault, as follows:

[Read the charge.]

Every crime is made up of essential elements. Before (Def)_______________ can be found guilty of the charge, the State must have proven each of the essential elements beyond a reasonable doubt. In this case, the essential elements are that on the date and at the place alleged,

(1) (Def)_______________;

(2) attempted to use a deadly weapon on (victim)_______________, by (specific acts)_______________; and

(3) the other person, (victim)_______________, was a [family] [household] member.

The first essential element is that (Def)_______________ is the person who committed the alleged acts.

The second essential element is that (Def)_______________ attempted to use a deadly weapon on (victim)_______________. An attempt requires an open, physical act by (Def)_______________, coupled with an intent to commit the offense.  Threatening words are not enough.  You must distinguish between mere preparation and the actual start of the criminal conduct.  Merely planning the offense, or doing some act which might be innocent in itself, is not enough.  An act is sufficient to be an attempt to commit an offense, if it is intentional, and if it progresses far enough to be the beginning of the crime. A person acts intentionally if he or she acts purposely, and not inadvertently, because of mistake, or by accident. You may find that (Def)_______________ acted intentionally if it was [his] [her] conscious objective to use the weapon on (victim)_______________ in a manner that was capable of causing death or serious bodily injury. In determining (Def)_______________’s intent, you should consider all of the surrounding facts and circumstances established by the evidence.

The term deadly weapon means any firearm, or other weapon, device, instrument, material or substance, which in the manner it is used or is intended to be used is known to be capable of producing death or serious bodily injury. Serious bodily injury means bodily injury which creates a substantial risk of death or which causes substantial loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ or substantial impairment of health, or substantial disfigurement. The term bodily injury means physical pain, illness or any impairment of physical condition. The State must have proven that the weapon was capable of causing serious bodily injury, not that (Def)_______________ actually caused serious bodily injury. [You may find that a firearm is a deadly weapon, whether or not the gun is loaded or capable of being fired.]

Here the State alleges that (Def)_______________ attempted to use a deadly weapon on (victim)_______________ by (specific acts)_________________________.

The last essential element is that (victim)_______________ was a [family] [household] member. [A family member means a person related to (Def)_______________ by blood, marriage, civil union, or adoption.] [A household member is a person who either lives with, or has lived together with (Def)_______________, or a person who shares occupancy or has shared occupancy of a dwelling with (Def)_______________, or a person who is engaged in or has engaged in a sexual relationship with (Def)_______________. The definition also includes minors or adults who are dating or who have dated. Dating means a social relationship of a romantic nature. Factors that you may consider when determining whether a dating relationship exists or existed include the nature of the relationship, the length of time the relationship has existed, the frequency of interaction between the parties, and the length of time since the relationship was terminated, if applicable.]

All of the elements of the offense must have been present at the same time. If the State has not proven each of the essential elements of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt, then you must find (Def)_______________ not guilty. However, if the State has proven all of the essential elements beyond a reasonable doubt, you must return a verdict of guilty.