J.A. v. State

This is an appeal by the juvenile respondent J.A. from an adjudication of delinquency for manslaughter by culpable negligence [§ 782.07, Fla.Stat. (1989)] which was entered below after a non-jury trial. We conclude that the trial court erred in denying J.A.’s motion for an adjudication of non-delinquency because the state failed to establish that the respondent was guilty, as charged, of “culpable negligence” in this tragic homicide — that is, that J.A.’s conduct in shooting the deceased was of “such a gross and flagrant character that it evidence[d] a reckless disregard for human life or…