RENDERED: MARCH 3, 2023; 10:00 A.M. NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
Commonwealth of Kentucky Court of Appeals
NO. 2022-CA-0288-MR
DANILO FERNANDEZ DAVILA APPELLANT
APPEAL FROM MUHLENBERG CIRCUIT COURT v. HONORABLE BRIAN WIGGINS, JUDGE ACTION NO. 20-CR-00135
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY APPELLEE
OPINION AFFIRMING
** ** ** ** **
BEFORE: CETRULO, DIXON, AND EASTON, JUDGES.
EASTON, JUDGE: A circuit court jury convicted Appellant Danilo Fernandez
Davila (“Davila”) of first-degree bail jumping. Because Davila was also
determined by the jury to be a persistent felony offender in the first degree, he
received a sentence of fifteen years. Davila’s sole claim of error is the refusal of
the circuit court to give a “choice of evils” jury instruction. Finding no error, we
affirm. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On January 30, 2020, Davila was required to appear before the
Muhlenberg Circuit Court for a jury trial on a charge of promoting contraband in
the first degree. Davila was ordered to appear at 8:45 a.m. for his trial. At 8:40
a.m., Davila called his trial attorney Steve Lamb (“Lamb”).
Davila told Lamb that he was in Indiana but on his way to court, but
he was experiencing some concerning medical symptoms. Davila never appeared
in court that day, and he did not contact the Muhlenberg Circuit Clerk’s office
about missing the trial. Davila was eventually served with the bench warrant
issued after his failure to appear. He was found in Louisville on June 6, 2021,
almost a year and a half later.
During Davila’s long absence, a Muhlenberg County Grand Jury
indicted Davila for first-degree bail jumping and being a persistent felony offender
in the first degree. The circuit court conducted a jury trial on those charges on
February 1, 2022.
Davila testified in his own defense. Davila said that, on the morning
of his January 30, 2020, trial, he started the two-hour drive from his home in
Louisville to the Muhlenberg Circuit Court in Greenville. Davila’s mother
confirmed Davila had left her home that morning. When Davila was about thirty
minutes from the courthouse, Davila stopped his car because he was sweating,
-2- nauseated, and believed he was having a heart attack. Inexplicably, Davila then
drove an hour and a half back to Louisville for medical care.
Davila says he went to the University of Louisville emergency room
for medical attention. He says he informed the hospital staff he was having a heart
attack. He had his blood pressure checked. Apparently not in danger, Davila was
informed by the hospital staff there was a four to six hour wait. He left. Davila
never provided any documentation of this contact with the hospital.
Davila further testified he visited a friend, Carlos Vera (“Vera”), at a
dental lab just after he left the hospital. Vera had formerly been a physician in
Cuba, of which Davila is also a native. But now Vera was working as a dental
technician. Vera examined Davila. Vera testified Davila was pale and had chest
pains, high blood pressure, and a rapid pulse. Vera testified it appeared Davila was
not having a heart attack because the pains were not radiating down Davila’s back,
shoulder, or arm. Vera concluded Davila was experiencing symptoms of a panic
attack. They talked for a while. Davila calmed down and left.
Lamb testified about his preparation for Davila’s trial for promoting
contraband. Lamb confirmed Davila called him about 8:40 a.m. the day of the
trial. Davila told Lamb he was headed to court but was having chest pains and
would be seeking medical attention. Lamb received no further evidence from
Davila. Lamb explained that, had he heard from Davila, he could have resolved
-3- the situation with the Commonwealth and possibly prevented the bail-jumping
indictment.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
The decision to give an instruction on the justification of choice of evils
depends on the evidence presented and is measured by an abuse of discretion
standard. Hunt v. Commonwealth, 304 S.W.3d 15, 31 (Ky. 2009). “The test for
abuse of discretion is whether the trial judge’s decision was arbitrary,
unreasonable, unfair, or unsupported by sound legal principles.” Commonwealth v.
English, 993 S.W.2d 941, 945 (Ky. 1999).
ANALYSIS
Davila argues the circuit court erred by not giving and thus allowing
him to argue a “choice of evils” instruction to the jury. The choice of evils
defense, which has its roots in the common law doctrine of necessity, has long
been recognized as a defense to a charge predicated upon an act which otherwise
would be criminal. Senay v. Commonwealth, 650 S.W.2d 259, 260 (Ky. 1983).
The court in Senay noted “the danger presented to the defendant must be
compelling and imminent, constituting a set of circumstances which afford[] him
little or no alternative other than the commission of the act which otherwise would
be unlawful.” Id.
-4- The choice of evils defense has been codified as KRS1 503.030, which
provides, in part:
Unless inconsistent with the ensuing sections of this code defining justifiable use of physical force or with some other provisions of law, conduct which would otherwise constitute an offense is justifiable when the defendant believes it to be necessary to avoid an imminent public or private injury greater than the injury which is sought to be prevented by the statute defining the offense charged, except that no justification can exist under this section for an intentional homicide.
It is the defendant’s initial burden to produce evidence to support a
choice of evils defense. LaPradd v. Commonwealth, 334 S.W.3d 88, 91 (Ky.
2011). “Once such evidence is proffered, the burden of proof is then on the
Commonwealth to disprove the defense beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id. If no
such evidence is proffered, the trial court is not required to instruct the jury on the
choice of evils defense. Senay, supra, at 260-61.
A choice of evils instruction is only proper if the
following requirements are met:
(1) that the person believes the necessity of his action is mandated by his subjective value judgment (this must be weighed by the reasonableness standard);
(2) that such action must be contemporaneous with the danger of injury sought to be avoided;
1 Kentucky Revised Statutes.
-5- (3) that the injury is imminent, requiring an immediate choice if to be avoided; and
(4) that the danger or injury sought to be avoided must be greater than the penalty or offending charge occasioned by the action chosen by the party.
Beasley v. Commonwealth, 618 S.W.2d 179, 180 (Ky. App. 1981), overruled on
other grounds by LaPradd, supra (citation omitted).
In the current case, Davila’s subjective belief in the necessity of his
actions to skip the trial was not reasonable when the evidence is fully considered.
Davila testified he was about 30 minutes away from the Muhlenberg Circuit
courthouse when his symptoms started. Davila pulled off the side of the road for
twenty minutes. Instead of calling 911 or using his GPS (which he had with him
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RENDERED: MARCH 3, 2023; 10:00 A.M. NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
Commonwealth of Kentucky Court of Appeals
NO. 2022-CA-0288-MR
DANILO FERNANDEZ DAVILA APPELLANT
APPEAL FROM MUHLENBERG CIRCUIT COURT v. HONORABLE BRIAN WIGGINS, JUDGE ACTION NO. 20-CR-00135
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY APPELLEE
OPINION AFFIRMING
** ** ** ** **
BEFORE: CETRULO, DIXON, AND EASTON, JUDGES.
EASTON, JUDGE: A circuit court jury convicted Appellant Danilo Fernandez
Davila (“Davila”) of first-degree bail jumping. Because Davila was also
determined by the jury to be a persistent felony offender in the first degree, he
received a sentence of fifteen years. Davila’s sole claim of error is the refusal of
the circuit court to give a “choice of evils” jury instruction. Finding no error, we
affirm. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On January 30, 2020, Davila was required to appear before the
Muhlenberg Circuit Court for a jury trial on a charge of promoting contraband in
the first degree. Davila was ordered to appear at 8:45 a.m. for his trial. At 8:40
a.m., Davila called his trial attorney Steve Lamb (“Lamb”).
Davila told Lamb that he was in Indiana but on his way to court, but
he was experiencing some concerning medical symptoms. Davila never appeared
in court that day, and he did not contact the Muhlenberg Circuit Clerk’s office
about missing the trial. Davila was eventually served with the bench warrant
issued after his failure to appear. He was found in Louisville on June 6, 2021,
almost a year and a half later.
During Davila’s long absence, a Muhlenberg County Grand Jury
indicted Davila for first-degree bail jumping and being a persistent felony offender
in the first degree. The circuit court conducted a jury trial on those charges on
February 1, 2022.
Davila testified in his own defense. Davila said that, on the morning
of his January 30, 2020, trial, he started the two-hour drive from his home in
Louisville to the Muhlenberg Circuit Court in Greenville. Davila’s mother
confirmed Davila had left her home that morning. When Davila was about thirty
minutes from the courthouse, Davila stopped his car because he was sweating,
-2- nauseated, and believed he was having a heart attack. Inexplicably, Davila then
drove an hour and a half back to Louisville for medical care.
Davila says he went to the University of Louisville emergency room
for medical attention. He says he informed the hospital staff he was having a heart
attack. He had his blood pressure checked. Apparently not in danger, Davila was
informed by the hospital staff there was a four to six hour wait. He left. Davila
never provided any documentation of this contact with the hospital.
Davila further testified he visited a friend, Carlos Vera (“Vera”), at a
dental lab just after he left the hospital. Vera had formerly been a physician in
Cuba, of which Davila is also a native. But now Vera was working as a dental
technician. Vera examined Davila. Vera testified Davila was pale and had chest
pains, high blood pressure, and a rapid pulse. Vera testified it appeared Davila was
not having a heart attack because the pains were not radiating down Davila’s back,
shoulder, or arm. Vera concluded Davila was experiencing symptoms of a panic
attack. They talked for a while. Davila calmed down and left.
Lamb testified about his preparation for Davila’s trial for promoting
contraband. Lamb confirmed Davila called him about 8:40 a.m. the day of the
trial. Davila told Lamb he was headed to court but was having chest pains and
would be seeking medical attention. Lamb received no further evidence from
Davila. Lamb explained that, had he heard from Davila, he could have resolved
-3- the situation with the Commonwealth and possibly prevented the bail-jumping
indictment.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
The decision to give an instruction on the justification of choice of evils
depends on the evidence presented and is measured by an abuse of discretion
standard. Hunt v. Commonwealth, 304 S.W.3d 15, 31 (Ky. 2009). “The test for
abuse of discretion is whether the trial judge’s decision was arbitrary,
unreasonable, unfair, or unsupported by sound legal principles.” Commonwealth v.
English, 993 S.W.2d 941, 945 (Ky. 1999).
ANALYSIS
Davila argues the circuit court erred by not giving and thus allowing
him to argue a “choice of evils” instruction to the jury. The choice of evils
defense, which has its roots in the common law doctrine of necessity, has long
been recognized as a defense to a charge predicated upon an act which otherwise
would be criminal. Senay v. Commonwealth, 650 S.W.2d 259, 260 (Ky. 1983).
The court in Senay noted “the danger presented to the defendant must be
compelling and imminent, constituting a set of circumstances which afford[] him
little or no alternative other than the commission of the act which otherwise would
be unlawful.” Id.
-4- The choice of evils defense has been codified as KRS1 503.030, which
provides, in part:
Unless inconsistent with the ensuing sections of this code defining justifiable use of physical force or with some other provisions of law, conduct which would otherwise constitute an offense is justifiable when the defendant believes it to be necessary to avoid an imminent public or private injury greater than the injury which is sought to be prevented by the statute defining the offense charged, except that no justification can exist under this section for an intentional homicide.
It is the defendant’s initial burden to produce evidence to support a
choice of evils defense. LaPradd v. Commonwealth, 334 S.W.3d 88, 91 (Ky.
2011). “Once such evidence is proffered, the burden of proof is then on the
Commonwealth to disprove the defense beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id. If no
such evidence is proffered, the trial court is not required to instruct the jury on the
choice of evils defense. Senay, supra, at 260-61.
A choice of evils instruction is only proper if the
following requirements are met:
(1) that the person believes the necessity of his action is mandated by his subjective value judgment (this must be weighed by the reasonableness standard);
(2) that such action must be contemporaneous with the danger of injury sought to be avoided;
1 Kentucky Revised Statutes.
-5- (3) that the injury is imminent, requiring an immediate choice if to be avoided; and
(4) that the danger or injury sought to be avoided must be greater than the penalty or offending charge occasioned by the action chosen by the party.
Beasley v. Commonwealth, 618 S.W.2d 179, 180 (Ky. App. 1981), overruled on
other grounds by LaPradd, supra (citation omitted).
In the current case, Davila’s subjective belief in the necessity of his
actions to skip the trial was not reasonable when the evidence is fully considered.
Davila testified he was about 30 minutes away from the Muhlenberg Circuit
courthouse when his symptoms started. Davila pulled off the side of the road for
twenty minutes. Instead of calling 911 or using his GPS (which he had with him
and had used) to research where to find a local hospital, Davila drove an hour and a
half back to Louisville for medical attention. Davila says he checked into an
emergency room and told the hospital staff he was having a heart attack. Despite
this, Davila was not immediately admitted. Further, Vera opined to Davila that he
had simply had a panic attack.
Davila’s actions after that day were not reasonable either and
seriously weaken any legitimate claim of actual immediacy of Davila’s claim of a
threat of death as compared with the consequences of missing the trial and thus
-6- committing bail jumping. Davila never provided medical proof to his attorney or
the circuit court. Further, Davila absconded for over a year before being arrested.
We have found no Kentucky case like this one. But our courts have
held no choice of evils instruction should be given in an escape case when the
defendant claimed chest pains and other medical concerns supporting his claim of
a fear of death as the reason for his escape. See Damron v. Commonwealth, 687
S.W.2d 138 (Ky. 1985). Given the evidence before the circuit court, we do not
believe the circuit court abused its discretion in refusing a choice of evils
instruction.
Even if the refusal to give the requested instruction had been error, the
error would have been harmless. RCr2 9.24. Bail jumping contains its own
defense, which was in the instructions given in this case. Davila would not be
guilty if the jury believed his failure to appear was “unavoidable and due to
circumstances beyond his control.” KRS 520.070(2). All the evidence Davila
offered for his choice of evils argument was presented to the jury in the context of
this bail jumping defense. The jury did not agree with that defense. The choice of
evils defense would not have made a difference with this evidence.
2 Kentucky Rules of Criminal Procedure.
-7- CONCLUSION
The circuit court did not err when denying Davila’s request for a
choice of evils instruction. Therefore, the judgment of the Muhlenberg Circuit
Court is AFFIRMED.
ALL CONCUR.
BRIEFS FOR APPELLANT: BRIEF FOR APPELLEE:
Sarah D. Dailey Daniel Cameron Frankfort, Kentucky Attorney General of Kentucky
Melissa A. Pile Assistant Attorney General Frankfort, Kentucky
-8-