No. 95-357

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF MONTANA

1997

STATE OF MONTANA,

Plaintiff and Respondent,

v.

FREDDIE JOE LAWRENCE,

Defendant and Appellant.

APPEAL FROM: District Court of the First Judicial District,

In and for the County of Lewis and Clark,

The Honorable Dorothy McCarter, Judge presiding.

COUNSEL OF RECORD:

For Appellant:

Leo J. Gallagher, Helena, Montana

For Respondent:

Joseph P. Mazurek, Attorney General, Patricia J. Jordan, Assistant Attorney

General, Helena, Montana; Mike McGrath, Lewis and Clark County Attorney,

Carolyn Clemens, Deputy Lewis and Clark County Attorney, Helena,

Montana

Filed:

Submitted on Briefs: May 1, 1997

Decided: October 21, 1997
Justice William E. Hunt, Sr. delivered the Opinion of the Court.

Defendant-Appellant Freddie Joe Lawrence (Appellant) and co-defendant Paul

Kenneth Jenkins (Jenkins) were charged with deliberate homicide, aggravated kidnaping, and

robbery. Defendants were tried simultaneously but with separate juries in the First Judicial

District Court, Lewis & Clark County. Each jury found its respective defendant guilty on

all counts and judgments of conviction were entered. (See companion case of State v.

Jenkins, No. ADC 94-216, Lewis and Clark County; Mont. No. 95-352). Defendants

appealed their convictions and we consider each appeal separately. Appellant appeals the

jury verdict and judgment of conviction of the First Judicial District Court, Lewis & Clark

County. We affirm.

We address the following issues on appeal:

1. Did the District Court err in denying Appellant’s motion to suppress incriminating

statements he made to authorities on the ground that the statements were obtained

involuntarily and in violation of Miranda?

2. Did the District Court err in admitting Mary Jenkins’ prior inconsistent statements

and Officer McCormack’s testimony concerning Jimmy Lee Amos?

3 . Did the District Court err in refusing to grant Appellant’s motion for a new trial

on the basis of newly discovered evidence?

4. Did the District Court err in refusing to grant Appellant’s motion to dismiss the

case for insufficient evidence?

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BACKGROUND

On the morning of January 12, 1994, the body of Donna Meagher (Meagher) was

discovered in a ditch west of Helena. Meagher had been working the night before at the

Jackson Creek Saloon in Montana City and had failed to come home as scheduled. After her

last customer left sometime aher midnight, Meagher, working alone, closed the bar. Shortly

thereafter, Meagher was confronted by her assailants, who forced her to reopen the bar. The

assailants robbed the cash register and poker machines, taking approximately $3,300. Aside

from the missing money, the bar was largely undisturbed. Meagher’s truck was moved from

the bar’s parking lot to a location behind a building across the street. Meagher was then

transported through Helena to a location west of town, where she was bludgeoned to death.

Her body was found at that location the next day.

Meagher’s murder generated extensive publicity in the Helena area and a substantial

reward was offered to anyone providing information leading to the arrest and conviction of

the perpetrators. Authorities were subsequently contacted by Dan Knipshield (Knipshield),

Appellant’s father-in-law, who implicated Appellant and Jenkins in the crime.

On August 31, 1994, three law enforcement officers traveled to West Yellowstone to

talk to Appellant, who was incarcerated in the Park County jail on an unrelated offense.

During the interview, Appellant denied any involvement in the crime but implicated Jenkins

and another man, Jimmy Lee Amos (Amos), as being responsible. Appellant asked if he

could be moved to the Jefferson County jail in Boulder to be closer to his family in exchange

3
for cooperating further. The officers obliged and on September 1, 1994, moved Appellant

to the jail in Boulder. The officers subsequently interviewed him two more times; once on

September 1, and again on September 2, 1994.

Based on the information obtained from tiipshield and Appellant, law enforcement

officers traveled from Montana to Oklahoma to interview Jenkins, his wife Mary Jenkins,

and Amos. At the conclusion of the police investigation, Appellant and Jenkins were

arrested and charged with the robbery, kidnaping and homicide. The defendants were tried

simultaneously before different juries and both were convicted on all counts. Additional

facts will be provided as necessary to dispose of the issues raised.

DISCUSSION

Issue 1

Did the District Court err in denying Appellant’s motion to suppress incriminating

statements he made to authorities on the ground that the statements were obtained

involuntarily and in violation of Miranda?

Appellant argues that any statements made to law enforcement during the three initial

interviews should be suppressed because the State failed to meet its burden of proving that

he was properly advised of his rights as mandated by Miranda v. Arizona (1966), 384 U.S.

436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694, and that he voluntarily waived his rights. As support

for his argument, Appellant relies on our decision in State v. Grey (1995), 274 Mont. 206,

907 P.2d 954, where we stated that failure to preserve any tangible record of a defendant

4
being advised of his rights and voluntarily waiving those rights would be “viewed with

distrust” in determining whether a defendant has voluntarily waived his rights. &ey, 907

P.2d at 956. As further support, Appellant argues that the officers failed to comply with

Edwards v. Arizona (1981), 451 U.S. 477, 1OlA SCt. 1880,68 L.Ed.2d. 378, and cease the

interview upon his assertion of his right to counsel.

This issue was the subject of a pre-trial suppression hearing, after which the District

Court concluded that Appellant had been properly advised of his rights pursuant to Mimnda,

and had knowingly and voluntarily waived those rights. The District Court therefore refused

to suppress any of the statements made during the interviews in question. Appellant asserts

that the District Court erred in its conclusions and its ultimate denial of his motion to

suppress.

This Court will not overturn a district court’s findings of fact regarding suppression

hearing evidence unless those findings are clearly erroneous. State v. Cassell(1996), 280

Mont. 397,400,932 P.2d 478,479 (citation omitted). A finding of fact is clearly erroneous

if it is not supported by substantial evidence, if the trial court misapprehended the effect of

the evidence, or if this Court is left with a definite and firm conviction that the district court

made a mistake. Cassell, 932 P.2d at 479 (citing State v. Loh (1996), 275 Mont. 460, 475,

904 P.2d 587, 589). We review a district court’s conclusions of law de nova to ensure that

the court’s interpretation of the law was correct. State v. Hardy (1996), 278 Mont. 5 16, 519,
926 P.2d 700,702 (citing Carbon County v. Union Reserve Coal Co. (1995), 271 Mont. 459,

469, 898 P.2d 680, 686).

Incriminating statements made while undergoing custodial interrogation are generally

admissible so long as procurement of such statements comports with the Fifth Amendment

right to be free from self-incrimination and the Fourteenth Amendment right to due process

of law. State v. Allies (1979) 186 Mont. 99, 109,606 P.2d 1043, 1048-49. In Miranda, the

United States Supreme Court held that “to permit a full opportunity to exercise the privilege

against self-incrimination, the accused must be adequately and effectively apprised of his

rights,” namely, the right to remain silent and the right to counsel. Miranda, 384 U.S. at 467,

469. Once apprised of his rights, if an individual unequivocally invokes any right, all

questioning must cease. Miranda, 384 U.S. at 474; Edwards, 451 U.S. at 485. A

reinterrogation may occur only if the accused himself initiates further communication with

the police. Edwards, 451 U.S. at 485.

An individual may waive his rights only if the waiver has been made voluntarily,

knowingly, and intelligently. Miranda, 384 U.S. at 444. Pursuant to 5 46-13-301(l), MCA,

a defendant may move to suppress a confession or admission on the ground that it was given

involuntarily. The prosecution has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence

that the confession or admission was voluntary. Section 46-13-301(2), MCA. Voluntariness

depends on the totality of circumstances, with no one fact being dispositive. Cassell, 932

P.2d at 480 (citing m, 914 P.2d at 601).

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The totality of the circumstances includes the following factors among others: the

defendant’s age, experience, and level of education; the defendant’s prior experience with

the criminal justice system and police interrogation; whether the defendant was advised of

his Miranda rights; and whether the police used impermissible practices to extract

incriminating statements from the defendant. Cassell, 932 P.2d at 480 (citing I=,-&, 914 P.2d

at 601-02). Physical coercion, psychological coercion, deception, use of threats, and direct

or implied promises are all factors to be weighed in the Court’s consideration of whether

police employed impermissible practices to extract incriminating statements. Cassell, 932

P.2d at 480 (citing m, 914 P.2d at 602).

The task before this Court is to decide whether there exists substantial evidence

supporting the District Court’s determination that Appellant voluntarily, knowingly, and

intelligently waived his rights. The following facts are undisputed. On the date of the first

interrogation, August 31, 1994, Appellant was incarcerated in the Park County jail for an

unrelated traffic offense. The officers investigating the Meagher homicide arrived at the Park

County jail shortly after 1:00 p.m. and secured a coffee break room in which to conduct the

interview with Appellant. The officers included Lewis and Clark County Sheriffs Detective

Sam McCormack, Jefferson County Undersheriff Tim Campbell, and Montana State

Criminal Investigation Bureau Agent Reed Scott. McCormack and Scott were smokers and

obtained permission from the jail to smoke in the break room.
At approximately 1:30 p.m., the jailer brought Appellant into the room. McCormack

advised Appellant of his Miranda rights and informed him that the officers wanted to ask

him questions regarding the Donna Meagher homicide. Appellant said he understood his

rights and would talk to the officers. This discussion was not memorialized other than in

Agent Scott’s notes indicating that the discussion had in fact taken place. The officers

brought a tape recorder into the room with them, but decided not to use it initially, as it was

the practice to first acquire information and then record the interviewee reciting the relevant

facts in an organized fashion.

McCormack gave Appellant coffee and a cigarette and began asking questions. At

this point, the parties’ accounts of what transpired during the interview diverge. McCormack

testified that he asked questions regarding Appellant’s association with Jenkins, their

exchange of vehicles, and a toy John Deere panel van. McCormack and Campbell testified

that Appellant then “blew up,” spilled his coffee, said they couldn’t prove anything, and

expressed his desire for an attorney. Scott recorded in his notes that Appellant “indicated he

may possibly wish to speak with an attorney.” McCormack could not remember what

Appellant exactly said regarding his desire for an attorney. McCormack and Campbell

testified that after this incident, McCormack stopped questioning and began to pack up his

papers to leave. The officers testified that Appellant then reinitiated conversation by asking

several times “What is going on?” and by making other statements about Amos’ possible

involvement in the crime and Jenkins’ location in Oklahoma. McCormack and Campbell

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testified that McCormack re-advised Appellant of his rights and told him they could not talk

to him if he wanted an attorney, however Appellant said he wanted to talk. McCormack

asked Appellant whether or not he wished to have an attorney present, to which Appellant

replied he would talk to them without an attorney. Scott’s notes indicate that Scott also

verified Appellant’s desire to continue the interview without an attorney. McCormack

testified and Scott recorded that Appellant thereafter expressed his wish to be transported to

the Jefferson County jail to be closer to his wife and children.

Appellant testified to a different turn of events. He testified that the officers

confronted him with the evidence provided by Knipshield, and said that they had Appellant

on tape and he had better tell them everything. Appellant asserted that after hearing this, he

slammed his hands down, stood up, and said, “I want a fucking lawyer.” Appellant testified

that while Scott and Campbell cleaned up spilled coffee, McCormack tried to calm him down

by giving him a cigarette and saying that he was not a suspect, that they were there only to

ask questions. Appellant also testified that Scott indirectly threatened him by asking him

what would happen to his children living in unsuitable living conditions. Appellant testified

that he agreed to continue the interview without an attorney because he feared for his family.

The parties agree that the interview continued until approximately 5:00 p.m. at which

time Appellant and the officers broke for dinner. Appellant testified that right after dinner

he again asked for an attorney. McCormack and Campbell were not asked about this

particular fact at the suppression hearing. At approximately 7:00 p.m. the interview resumed

9
and Appellant signed an advisement of rights and waiver form. Before signing, Appellant

asked the officers whether he needed an attorney in order to sign the waiver, to which an

officer replied he did not.

The officers asked more questions of Appellant and refined his statement until

approximately 8:30 p.m. when they began taping his statement. The beginning of

Appellant’s taped statement contains the following discussion:

Q: (By McCormack) Fred, we have uh talked to you for quite some time now.

A: (By Appellant) Yes. Yes, you have.

Q: And we have advised you of your rights.

A: Yes, you have.

Q: And you have in fact uh signed a rights form indicating you have been

advised of those rights.

A: Absolutely.

Q: And you’ve agreed to talk to us.

A: You bet ya’.

Q: And this is in reference to the uh robbery/homicide at Jackson Creek uh

back in January.

A: Yes sir.

At approximately 9:30 p.m., the taping ended and the officers concluded the interview. Then

Appellant asked to speak with Campbell alone. Campbell testified that after McCormack and

Scott left the room, Appellant expressed his fear for his family and told Campbell, “I will tell

you anything as long as I can see my kids.” Campbell testified:

I said that I am not going to accept that. I said . . . what you tell us has to be

the truth. If you are going to be making stuff up, you know, it is not going

to cut it. It has to be the truth. He said okay. [T]hen he said look, . . . I need

to talk to my wife before I talk to you guys any more

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Campbell then went out and discussed the matter with McCormack and Scott. The officers

agreed to honor Appellant’s request and made the necessary arrangements to take Appellant

to Boulder. McCormack and Campbell testified that Appellant initiated this bargain and that

no threats were ever made regarding Appellant’s family.

On September 1, 1994, the officers transported Appellant to the Jefferson County jail

in Boulder. At approximately 6:00 p.m., after giving Appellant the opportunity to speak with

his wife in person, the officers conducted a second interview. McCormack advised

Appellant of his rights and Appellant told the officers that everything he said in the first

interview was “bullshit.” When asked on the witness stand why he would make this

statement, Appellant said he thought he had to talk in order to see his family. After this

statement, McCormack left the room. Campbell testified that he then went to the grease

board to write down facts and ascertain from Appellant which were true and which were

false. However, Appellant testified that Scott told him changing minor details was one thing,

but changing his whole story midstream was another. Appellant testified that Scott

threatened to charge him with perjury and obstruction of justice if he changed his whole

story. Scott was not available at the hearing to testify about this alleged threat and Campbell

was not asked about it. Campbell testified that “at one point Reed (Scott) left the room.”

Appellant testified that after being threatened, he said, “Yea, I think I need a lawyer,” but

then agreed to continue talking. This interview ended at approximately 7:45 p.m..

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On September 2, 1994, the officers conducted a third interview with Appellant which

lasted about one hour. Campbell testified the officers advised Appellant of his rights and

that Appellant said he understood. Although the specific Miranda and waiver were not

taped, the following discussion was taped:

Q: (By McCormack) Freddie, you’ve been advised of Rights before, is that

correct?

A: (By Appellant) Yeah I have, three times.

Q: Do you understand three times?

A: Absolutely.

. .

Q: [T]he night of the 3 1st of August, we conducted an interview with you in

Livingston, Montana, is that correct?

A: Yes sir.

Q: At that time you were advised of your Rights. In fact signed a Rights form?

A: Right.

Appellant also testified that he has experience with the Miranda warnings as a result

of several prior arrests, and from watching television “cop shows.”

Regarding these three interviews, McCormack and Campbell testified that no threats

or promises were made to Appellant with respect to his family. Appellant testified that his

fear for his family generated in part from having lost his kids before. McCormack and

Campbell, separately and at different times, assured Appellant that they would attempt to

make sure his family received better living quarters.

McCormack and Campbell also testified that no threats or promises were made to

Appellant with respect to the death penalty. McCormack testified that in the first interview,

he mentioned the Meagher homicide was a capital crime, but never threatened Appellant with

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the death penalty. McCormack and Campbell testified that in Boulder, on the day Appellant

was finally arrested, Appellant mentioned the death penalty. Campbell testified, “We skirted

the subject. [W]e told him that is not us, that is the next step. That is the courts.‘~ Appellant

testified that throughout the investigation, he was never treated inhumanely.

Having considered the totality of circumstances, we conclude that substantial evidence

exists to support the District Court’s finding that the State met its burden of showing by a

preponderance of the evidence that Appellant’s incriminating statements were made

knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily. Appellant was timely advised of his Miranda rights

four times: twice in the first interview and once in each subsequent interview. Appellant was

familiar with Miranda, the criminal justice system, and police interrogations from prior

arrests and from television. Appellant testified that he understood his rights. Each time he

was advised of his rights, Appellant verbally agreed to speak with the officers without an

attorney. Although the content of these discussions was not memorialized, the fact that these

discussions occurred was memorialized at the beginning of each taped statement. Appellant

also signed a voluntary waiver of rights form.

Appellant argues that the officers coerced him into talking by using impermissible

practices including lengthy interrogations, the “good cop/bad cop” technique of questioning,

misrepresentations that he was not a suspect, gifts of cigarettes, feigned concern for his

family, threats to take his family away, and threats of the death penalty. As for the length

of interviews, we determine that the sessions were not overly long or arduous. The first

13
interview lasted approximately five and one half hours with a two-hour break in the middle

for dinner. The second interview lasted approximately two hours and the third interview

lasted one hour. The credibility of the witnesses and the weight to be given their testimony

is for the trial court’s determination and our review is limited to determining whether there

is substantial credible evidence supporting the District Court’s findings. Based on the facts

and circumstances gleaned from the record as recited above, we conclude that substantial

credible evidence exists supporting the District Court’s finding that Appellant’s statements

were not products of police coercion. The fact that Appellant himself initiated the bargain

to be moved to Boulder to be near his family is but one fact among many refuting

Appellant’s assertion that officers threatened his family in order to extract a statement. The

record is replete with other similar evidence refuting Appellant’s allegation of impermissible

police practices.

Appellant also argues that the officers failed to comply with Edwards and cease

interrogation upon his assertion of his right to counsel. Edwards, 45 1 U.S. 484. The record

supports the District Court’s finding that the officers stopped questioning upon Appellant’s

assertion of his right to counsel. Similarly, the record supports the District Court’s

conclusion that Appellant’s questions and statements pertaining to Amos and Jenkins made

subsequent to his assertion of his right to counsel constituted a reinitiation of conversation

by Appellant. The record also shows that after Appellant reinitiated conversation, the

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officers re-advised him of his rights and Appellant re-affirmed that he would continue the

interview without an attorney.

Appellant argues that even if substantial evidence exists supporting the District

Court’s findings, such evidence ought to be “viewed with distrust” in keeping with our

decision in m. In w, we reversed a trial court’s denial of the defendant’s motion to

suppress, concluding that the defendant was not adequately advised of his rights and did not

voluntarily waive them. m, 907 P.2d at 955. Several factors led us to this conclusion:

the officer advised the defendant of his rights before bringing the defendant to the

interrogation room; the officer could not remember exactly what he said to advise the

defendant of his rights; the officer did not have the defendant sign a waiver form because he

did not want to jeopardize the interrogation; and, the officer interpreted the defendant’s act

of talking to the officers as an implied waiver, rather than getting his express verbal or

written waiver. w, 907 P.2d at 955. Moreover, the officers engaged in lying and deceit

to obtain Grey’s confession. Gfev, 907 P.2d at 955.

As part of our holding in &ey, we expressed a strong preference for officers

recording the giving and waiver of Miranda:

[I]n the context of a custodial interrogation conducted at the station house or

under similarly controlled circumstances, the failure of the police officer to

preserve some tangible record of his or her giving of the Miranda warning and

the knowing, intelligent waiver by the detainee will be viewed with distrust in

the judicial assessment of voluntariness under the totality of circumstances

surrounding the confession or admission.

15
w, 907 P.2d at 956. As in w, Appellant urges this Court to “view with distrust” the

evidence supporting the voluntariness of his incriminating statements because the officers

consciously decided not to tape record the giving and waiver of Miranda.

While we strongly agree with the principle embodied in Appellant’s argument, that

police should preserve a tangible record of the giving and waiver of Miranda, we reject his

argument for several reasons. First, the interviews in question took place in 1994, over a

year before Greg was decided. Thus, at the time of the interrogations and the suppression

hearing, neither the officers nor the District Court had notice of this Court’s preference that

officers preserve some tangible record of the giving and waiver of Miranda. Second,

although we expressed a strong preference for recording the giving and waiver of Miranda,

we specifically declined to require such recordings, noting that this was more properly a

function of the legislature. Q~J, 907 P.2d at 955-56. Finally, Greg is factually

distinguishable from the instant case.

In w, the defendant was inadequately advised of his rights and there was no

evidence that he waived his rights. In the instant case, although the giving and waiver of

Miranda was not tape recorded, Appellant’s taped statements, his signed waiver form, and

witness testimony provided the District Court with clear evidence from which to find that

Appellant was adequately advised of his rights and voluntarily waived them. In a case

similar to the instant case, Cassell, we held:

Law enforcement officers should be encouraged to preserve a tangible record

of advising defendants of their rights and a defendant’s waiver of those rights.

16
To the extent that they do not, that failure will be viewed with distrust. We

declined in Grey, however, to require that interviews be tape recorded. How

the record is preserved is still up to the law enforcement officers. Gvey did not

set out a rule of exclusion, but a guideline for weighing evidence. Here, the

law enforcement officers established to the court’s satisfaction that the

Miranda warnings were properly given and that no impermissible tactics were

used and that under the totality of the circumstances the confessions were

voluntary. That is all that is required. The fact that the warnings and waiver

were not preserved tangibly, even if viewed with distrust, does not terminate

the inquiry, if the court is satisfied from all the available evidence, that the

State’s burden of proof was met.

The Cassell, 932 P.2d at 481. Our holding in Cassell applies to the instant case as well.

officers’ failure to record the giving and waiver of Miranda does not vitiate the other

evidence in the record supporting the conclusion that Appellant’s waiver of rights was

voluntary.

Although in this case we decline to reverse on the basis of w, we again stress the

import of Greg and emphasize the caveat we announced in Cassell: In the future, law

enforcement officers should preserve a tangible record of the giving and waiver of Miranda

when the means to do so are readily available. Failure to do so will result in extreme

disfavor with the Court in later determining the voluntariness of a Miranda waiver.

Accordingly, we hold that the District Court’s findings of fact regarding the evidence

in Appellant’s suppression hearing were not clearly erroneous, and that the District Court did

not err in denying Appellant’s motion to suppress his incriminating statements,

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Issue 2

Did the District Court err in admitting Mary Jenkins’ prior inconsistent statements and

Officer McCormack’s testimony concerning Jimmy Lee Amos?

The standard of review for evidentiary rulings is whether the district court abused its

discretion. State v. Gollehon (1993), 262 Mont. 293, 301, 864 P.2d 1257, 1263. The

determination of whether evidence is relevant and admissible is left to the sound discretion

of the trial judge and will not be overturned absent a showing of abuse of discretion.

Gollehon, 864 P.2d at 1263. We consider Mary Jenkins’ prior inconsistent statements and

Officer McCormack’s testimony separately.

A. Mary Jenkins ’ Prior Inconsistent Statements

Prior to trial, Mary Jenkins participated in five interviews with investigating officers

during which Mary answered several questions concerning the events surrounding the

homicide. In some interviews, Mary would answer the questions with declarative statements

of fact. However, in other interviews, when asked the same or similar questions, Mary

would answer with non-committal statements of “I don’t know” or “I can’t remember.” Mary

suffers from memory lapses much more acute and frequent than the average person. Dr.

William Stratford examined Mary in connection with a pre-trial hearing to determine her

competency to testify. Dr. Stratford diagnosed her condition as dementia, most likely of the

Alzheimer’s type. Despite her ailment, the District Court ruled that Mary was competent to

testify.

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At trial, on direct examination, the prosecution asked Mary the same or similar

questions as had been asked of her during the interviews. Although Mary answered some

questions definitively, most of her testimony was that she couldn’t remember. On crossexamination, Mary often retracted her definitive answers that she made on direct by saying

she could not remember. When prompted with leading questions, Mary could remember

the circumstances of some interviews, but could not remember giving a taped statement in

Oklahoma. Mary was aware of her memory limitations, stating “I have good days and

sometimes bad days. In my bad days I tend to forget a whole lot of stuff.”

Later in the trial, the prosecution attempted to introduce the content of Mary’s prior

declarative statements through the testimony of the interviewing officers. Appellant objected

on the ground that such testimony was improper hearsay because the prosecution failed to

meet the foundational requirements of the hearsay exception for prior consistent statements.

The District Court overruled the objection stating:

I am going to allow Mary’s prior statements because the prior statements

are a mixture of consistent and inconsistent statements and it probably is

necessary to allow all of that in for the jury to understand what was said. It is

not going to make any sense to them to have bits and pieces of prior statements

coming in. [Regarding] Mary’s testimony[,] . . . first she would testify as to

a fact, and then later she would testify that she really didn’t remember that

fact, and that she wasn’t sure whether or not it was a fact or whether it was

suggested to her by someone else. So any statements given previously to the

investigator[s] are both consistent and inconsistent with respect to her

conflicting [testimony] at trial. So considering all of that I am going to let it

all in.

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On appeal, Appellant argues that the District Court erred in admitting testimony

concerning Mary’s prior declarative statements. Appellant’s argument centers upon the

hearsay exceptions contained in Rule 801(d)(l), M.R.Evid., which provides:

Statements which are not hearsay. A statement is not hearsay if--

(1) Prior statement by witness. The declarant testifies at the trial or hearing

and is subject to cross-examination concerning the statement, and the

statement is (A) inconsistent with the declarant’s testimony, or (B) consistent

with the declarant’s testimony and is offered to rebut an express or implied

charge against the declarant of subsequent fabrication, improper influence or

motive . . . .

Appellant asserts that the State was not trying to impeach Mary through the use of prior

inconsistent statements under 801(d)(l)(A), but rather trying to bolster her credibility through

the use of prior consistent statements under 801(d)(l)(B). Appellant correctly states that in

order to introduce a witness’s prior consistent statements, the proponent must first lay the

necessary foundation as outlined in Rule 801(d)(l)(B) and State v. Lundstad (1993), 259

Mont. 512,517, 857 P.2d 723,726 (holding that a declarant’s prior consistent out-of-court

statements are admissible only when those statements were made before the alleged

fabrication, improper influence, or motive arose). See also, Tome v. United States (1995),

513 U.S. 150, 115 SCt. 696, 130 L.Ed.2d 574. Appellant argues that the State failed to lay

the necessary foundation, and that the District Court’s admission of the officers’ testimony

concerning Mary’s prior consistent statements, absent foundation, resulted in error.

The State counters that Mary’s statements at trial, that she did not know or could not

remember certain facts, were inconsistent, rather than consistent, with her prior declarations

2 0
of fact. The State argues that under Rule 801(d)(l)(A), M.R.Evid., the District Court

properly admitted Mary’s prior statements.

Analysis of whether the District Court abused its discretion in applying Sol(d)(l)(A)

instead of 801(d)(l)(B), requires a preliminary discussion about the meaning of

inconsistency. In Montana, there exist two divergent holdings on the issue of whether a lapse

of memory concerning a fact is inconsistent with a prior declaration of that fact.

Appellant cites State v. Goodwin (1991), 249 Mont. 1, 13, 813 P.2d 953,960, for the

proposition that statements of “I don’t know” or “I don’t remember” are consistent with prior

declarations of fact. In Goodwin, the defendant was charged with sexual intercourse without

consent with his teenage daughter. Goodwin, 813 P.2d at 955. Prior to trial, the daughter

allegedly told her grandmother that she did not think her father had acted for sexual

gratification. Goodwin, 813 P.2d at 960. At trial, the daughter testified she could not

remember what she had told her grandmother concerning this fact. Goodwin, 813 P.2d at

960. Without citation to authority, we concluded that the daughter’s prior statement to her

grandmother “was not inconsistent with her trial testimony” and that the district court

properly excluded the prior statement as hearsay evidence. Goodwin, 813 P.2d at 960.

The State on the other hand cites State v. Devlin (1991), 251 Mont. 278,281-82, 825

P.2d 185, 187, for the opposite proposition that a witness’ claimed lapse of memory as to

certain facts is inconsistent with any prior declarative statements concerning those facts.

Devlin was decided six months after Goodwin, and involved a defendant charged with

21
aggravated assault. m, 825 P.2d at 185. Prior to trial, the investigating officer taped a

statement of the defendant’s daughter during which she told him that her father said “Your

mom’s having men around here again” and that she saw him strike the victim with a stool

leg. Devlin, 825 P.2d at 186. At trial, the daughter testified that she could not remember

what her father said and that she did not see him actually strike the victim with a stool leg.

Devlin, 825 P.2d at 186. We held that the daughter’s claimed lapse of memory was an

inconsistency within the meaning of Rule 801(d)(l)(A), and that the district court did not err

in admitting her prior taped statement. w, 825 P.2d at 187. In reaching this conclusion,

we relied on State v. Charlo (1987), 226 Mont. 213,216-17, 735 P.2d 278,280. In w,

we determined that the testimony of two declarants, that they “did not know” or “could not

remember” certain facts, was inconsistent with their prior taped statements regarding facts

that they knew and remembered. &a&, 735 P.2d at 280.

Our research reveals other cases in which this Court construed a witness’ claimed

lapse of memory at trial as inconsistent with his prior declaration of fact. See Wingate v.

Davis (1926), 77 Mont. 572, 579,252 P. 307,310; and State v. Jolly (1941), 112 Mont. 352,

355, 116 P.2d 686,687-88.

As further support for its position, the State cites the Commission Comments to Rule

801(d)(l)(A) at 422 which provide:

It is the intent of the Commission that a witness’ failure to recollect at a trial

or hearing is an inconsistency under 801(d)(l)(A) when a witness has made a

prior statement on the matter under inquiry.

22
Given the weight of authority, we believe Devlin is the better reasoned opinion, and

hold that a claimed lapse of memory is an inconsistency within the meaning of Rule 801

(d)(l)(A). To the extent that our prior decision in Goodwin is inconsistent with this holding,

it is overruled.

We now apply our holding to the facts of the instant case. Appellant identified

approximately five statements Mary made at trial that were consistent with her prior

declarations as related by the officers. However, reviewing the transcript as a whole, and the

discussion between counsel and the district court judge in chambers in particular, it appears

that the nature of Mary’s trial testimony made it especially difficult for the District Court to

parse out specific inconsistent and consistent statements. The District Court found that

Mary’s inability to remember, as well as her tendency to retract on cross examination facts

which she had stated on direct examination, rendered the majority of Mary’s trial testimony

inconsistent with her prior declarative statements made to the officers.

We conclude that the District Court did not abuse its discretion in characterizing

Mary’s lapses of memory as inconsistent with her prior declarative statements to officers.

Given this inconsistency, we conclude that the District Court did not abuse its discretion in

applying 801(d)(l)(A) instead of 801(d)(l)(B). We a 1 s o conclude that the District Court did

not abuse its discretion in admitting some consistent statements with the inconsistent ones

for reasons ofjudicial efficiency and assisting the jury.

23
Having concluded that the District Court did not err in applying Rule 8Ol(d)( l)(A),

we do not reach Appellant’s argument pertaining to the foundational requirements of Rule

801(d)(l)(B). However, we do reach Appellant’s argument pertaining to the foundational

requirements of Rule 6 13.

Appellant asserts that the District Court erred in admitting extrinsic evidence of

Mary’s prior statements because the State failed to establish a proper foundation as

prescribed by Rule 613(b). Rule 613(b), M.R.Evid., provides:

Extrinsic evidence of a prior inconsistent statement by a witness is not

admissible unless the witness is afforded an opportunity to explain or deny the

same and the opposite party is afforded an opportunity to interrogate the

witness thereon, or the interests ofjustice otherwise require.

First, Appellant argues that Mary was not afforded the opportunity to explain or deny

her prior statement because the State did not specifically ask Mary about the particulars

concerning her prior statements to officers. Appellant cites State v. McSloy (1953), 127

Mont. 265,273,261 P.2d 663,667, for the rule that a party seeking introduction of a witness’

prior statement must first confront the witness with the particulars of the prior statement by

asking the witness whether the witness recalls that at a certain time and place, with certain

persons present, the witness made the prior statement.

Appellant’s reliance on McSloy is misplaced. In McSloy, we interpreted section 93-

1901-12, R.C.M. (1947). However, that statute is no longer in effect as it was superseded

by Rule 613(b), M.R.Evid. The Commission Comments to Rule 613(b) at 373 specifically

state:

24
The usual requirement for a foundation commonly required with this method

of impeachment has been modified. This subdivision allows the witness to

explain and the opposite party to examine concerning the prior inconsistent

statement, but “with no specification of any particular time or sequence.”

[Advisory Committee’s Note, 56 F.R.D. at 279.1 [T]o the extent that this

subdivision does not require that the foundation be laid before impeachment

occurs, this subdivision supersedes [section 93-1901-12, R.C.M.(1947)] and

cases.

To the extent McSloy Our research is inconsistent with Rule 613(b), it is overruled.

does not reveal any cases citing McSloy for the particular position here advanced by

Appellant, but if any exist, they too are overruled to the extent they are inconsistent with

Rule 613(b). Thus, Appellant’s argument on this point is without merit. Furthermore, the

record reveals that on direct-examination the prosecution asked Mary about the substance of

her prior statements and whether she remembered speaking with officers. On crossexamination, the defense also asked Mary whether she remembered speaking to officers and

asked her about her inability to remember. Under these circumstances, we conclude that

Mary was in fact afforded the opportunity to explain or deny her prior statements made to

officers.

Appellant next argues that the State failed to establish a proper foundation under

613(b), because he was not afforded a fair opportunity to cross-examine Mary concerning

her prior statements made to the officers. Appellant bases his argument on Kopischke v.

First Continental Corp. (1980), 187 Mont. 471,610 P.2d 668.

Kopischke involved a products liability claim against an automobile dealer.

Kopischke, 610 P.2d at 669. At trial, the plaintiff testified, was cross-examined, and then

25
was excused to go home because of her physical condition. Kouischke, 610 P.2d at 688.

Later, in the absence of plaintiff, counsel for defendant attempted to impeach plaintiff by

introducing her pre-trial deposition which contained certain inconsistent statements.

Kopischke, 610 P.2d at 688. The trial court sustained plaintiffs counsel’s objection to the

evidence on grounds of repetition and lack of foundation under Rule 613(b). Kopischke, 610

P.2d at 688. On appeal, we held:

The witness was not on the stand. [The deposition] was not admissible unless

the witness had an opportunity to explain or deny the same, and the opposite

party was afforded the opportunity to interrogate her on the deposition. This

foundational requirement not having been met by the cross-examiner, the

District Court was correct in denying the admission into evidence of the

deposition or any part of it under Rule 6 13(b) .

Koaischke, 610 P.2d at 689.

Appellant asserts that the instant case is analogous to Kopischke because the District

Court excused Mary as a witness, and she went home to Oklahoma before evidence of her

prior statements was admitted. Similar to Kopischke, Appellant argues that “[t]he jury and

the defense were not afforded the opportunity of learning from Mary about her recollection

of the circumstances surrounding her prior statement.”

We disagree. Appellant’s argument fails in that Kopischke is distinguishable from

the instant case. In Konischke, the plaintiff was never afforded an opportunity to explain

or deny her prior statements, and the defendant was never afforded the opportunity to crossexamine the plaintiff concerning these prior statements. However, in the instant case, the

prosecution asked Mary about her prior statements on direct-examination and Appellant

26
asked Mary about her inability to remember on cross-examination. As stated above, Rule

613(b) does not require impeachment evidence of prior inconsistent statements to be offered

during cross-examination of the witness. Where, as in this case, opposing counsel has had

full opportunity to cross-examine the witness regarding the prior inconsistent statements, no

error exists in admitting the statements after the witness has been excused.

Lastly, Appellant contends that admission of Mary’s prior inconsistent statements

violated his Sixth Amendment right to confrontation. Appellant maintains that Mary’s lapses

of memory while on the stand, along with her later absence from trial during the admission

of her prior inconsistent statements, so limited his ability to cross-examine her concerning

the veracity of those statements as to amount to a denial of confrontation. Also, on appeal,

Appellant contends that Mary’s dementia was so acute that it precluded him from effectively

cross-examining her, amounting to a complete denial ofhis right to confront her as a witness.

We decline to address the issue of confrontation on the merits. This issue is not

properly before us because it was not properly raised in the District Court. In Montana,

“[t]he law is that one must object to improper testimony when it is offered or abide the result;

failure to object at the proper time waives the error.” Labbitt v. Bunston (1929), 84 Mont.

597, 599, 277 P. 620, 621. Further, if a timely objection is made at trial, counsel is not

permitted to later change the ground for objection on appeal. Forquer v. North (1910), 42

Mont. 272,286,112 P. 439,444 (“The question was objected to, but not for the reason urged

27
against it in this court. Under these circumstances, we cannot consider the specification of

error.“). These rules are codified in Rule 103(a)(l), M.R.Evid., which provides:

Error may not be predicated upon a ruling which admits evidence unless

. . . a timely objection or motion to strike appears of record stating the specific

ground of objection, if the specific ground was not apparent from the context.

Similarly, 3 46-20-104(2), MCA, provides:

Upon appeal from a judgment, the court may review the verdict or decision

and any alleged error objected to which involves the merits or necessarily

affects the judgment. Failure to make a timely objection during trial

constitutes a waiver of the objection except as provided in 46-20-701(2).

With respect to Appellant’s first contention, our review of the record reveals that at

trial, Appellant objected to the admission of Mary’s prior statements only on the specific

ground of Rule 8Ol(d)( I), not on the ground of a denial of confrontation. As to Appellant’s

second contention concerning Mary’s testimony as a whole, the record shows that at a pretrial stage, after Appellant learned of the District Court’s ruling that Mary was competent to

testify, Appellant mentioned, in passing, the potential problem of confrontation. However,

at trial, Appellant failed to object to Mary’s testimony on grounds of confrontation. Because

Appellant failed to object at trial, he waived the opportunity to raise the confrontation issue

on appeal.

Even though Appellant failed to preserve the confrontation issue for appeal, we are

nonetheless required to consider the issue if Appellant meets the elements listed under

Montana’s plain error statute, § 46-20-701, MCA. That statute provides:

Elements of record court considers on review--errors noticed.

28
(2) Any error, defect, irregularity, or variance that does not affect substantial

rights must be disregarded. A claim alleging an error affecting jurisdictional

or constitutional rights may not be noticed on appeal if the alleged error was

not objected to as provided in 46-20-104, unless the convicted person

establishes that the error was prejudicial as to the convicted person’s guilt or

punishment and that:

(a) the right asserted in the claim did not exist at the time of the trial

and has been determined to be retroactive in its application;

(b) the prosecutor, the judge, or a law enforcement agency suppressed

evidence from the convicted person or the convicted person’s attorney that

prevented the claim from being raised and disposed of; or

(c) material and controlling facts upon which the claim is predicated

were not known to the convicted person or the convicted person’s attorney and

could not have been ascertained by the exercise of reasonable diligence.

[Emphasis added.]

We need not consider whether Appellant establishes prejudicial error, because

Appellant does not meet any of the requirements listed under (a), (b), or (c) of § 46-20-

701(2), MCA. Appellant’s right to confront witnesses existed at the time of trial, no

evidence was suppressed from Appellant preventing his claim from being raised, and the

material facts upon which Appellant bases his claim were known to him at the time of trial.

Because Appellant fails to meet the requirements of 3 46-20-701(2), MCA, we do not

consider his constitutional claim raised for the first time on appeal.

Given the foregoing analysis pertaining to Mary’s prior out-of-court statements, we

conclude that the District Court did not abuse its discretion in characterizing Mary’s prior

statements as inconsistent; did not abuse its discretion in applying Rule 801(d)(l)(A),

M.R.Evid., rather than Rule 801(d)(l)(B); and did not abuse its discretion in finding that the

29
prosecution met the foundational requirements of Rule 613(b) for introduction of Mary’s

prior inconsistent statements.

B. Officer McCormack’s Testimony

Appellant argues that the District Court abused its discretion when it admitted Officer

McCormack’s statements that (1) he interviewed Amos; and (2) based on information he

received, he learned that Mary was probably involved in the kidnapping portion of the

alleged crimes. Appellant contends that under Rule 801, M.R.Evid., these statements

constitute inadmissible hearsay because Officer McCormack was indirectly testifying to what

Amos said. As support for his argument, Appellant cites the following language from a

treatise on evidence:

[Elvidence as to the purport of “information received” by the witness, or

testimony of the results of investigations made by other persons, offered as

proof of the facts asserted out of court, are properly classed as hearsay.

2 John William Strong et al., McCormick On Evidence 5 249, at 104-05 (4th ed. 1992).

The State counters that Appellant has taken the officer’s statements out of context and

has mischaracterized the content of Officer McCormack’s testimony. The State argues that

the officer’s testimony, “we had received information that Mary was probably involved,”

refers to the information gathered from the entire investigation, not just from Amos. The

State points out that the two statements in issue were elicited in the larger context of Officer

McCormack’s account of the facts and circumstances leading up to the interview with Mary

and the eventual arrest of the two defendants. The State also points to the trial transcript

30
which shows that a considerable amount of testimony occurred between the making of the

two statements. The State argues that when the two statements are viewed in the proper

context, no reasonable jury would infer that Officer McCormack learned of Mary’s

involvement solely by information received from Amos.

The State further argues that even if the jury inferred that the information received

was from Amos, the statements were still admissible because they were not offered for the

truth of the matter asserted, and thus, not hearsay. The State notes that during crossexamination of Mary, defense sought to impeach her testimony with evidence that Officer

McCormack threatened her by telling her she could be charged as an accomplice if she didn’t

talk. The State contends that Officer McCormack’s testimony was offered to rebut the

defense’s charge that he used deceptive practices to get Mary to talk, and to explain to the

jury that his belief as to Mary’s involvement was not groundless, but based on information

received. The State also notes that any error was cured by the District Court’s limiting

instruction, that the jury was not to speculate as to what Amos might have said.

An examination of the record makes clear that Officer McCormack’s statements are

more properly viewed in the larger context of his investigation of the crimes, the facts and

circumstances leading up to the interview with Mary, and the eventual arrest of the two

defendants. Given the separation in time between the two statements, and the fact that none

of Amos’ statements were actually placed before the jury, we conclude that no reasonable

31
possibility exists that the jury inferred that Officer McCormack’s information as to Mary’s

involvement came exclusively from Amos.

Even if we assume, arguendo, that the jury inferred from Officer McCormack’s

testimony that Amos told him of Mary’s involvement, his testimony is still admissible as

nonhearsay. Montana Rules of Evidence define hearsay as an out-of-court statement “offered

in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted.” Rule 801(c), M.R.Evid. We have not

had occasion to rule on the issue of whether the hearsay rule applies to statements offered to

show their effect on the hearer, therefore, we look to other jurisdictions for guidance.

The State cites People v. Tenorio (Colo. 1979), 590 P.2d 952, 957-58, for the

proposition that out-of-court statements offered for the limited purpose of explaining an

officer’s conduct are not hearsay. In Tenorio, the trial court issued a pre-trial order ruling

that officers could only testify that “they had received a call on an incident involving a man

of the defendant’s description, but that they must refrain from mentioning that the individual

was reported to be drunk and brandishing a weapon.” Tenorio, 590 P.2d at 957. At trial,

on direct examination, the officer kept within his bounds of testimony. Tenorio, 590 P.2d

at 957. On cross-examination, the defense asked the officer whether he had his gun drawn

to which the officer replied “yes.” Tenorio, 590 P.2d at 958. On redirect, the prosecution

asked the officer why his gun was drawn and the officer replied, “Because the individual was

purported to have a weapon.” Tenorio, 590 P.2d at 958. In holding that the officer’s

statements were admissible nonhearsay, the Supreme Court of Colorado reasoned:

32
[The statements] were elicited only to establish the officers’ reasons for

initially going to the park and for drawing their guns after arrival there. The

statements were not offered to show the truth of the contents of the radio report

or to establish that the defendant did in fact possess a weapon.

Tenorio, 590 P.2d at 958. The court also noted that the prosecution had a right to rebut any

implied charge by the defense of police misconduct and explain why he had his gun drawn.

Tenorio, 590 P.2d at 958.

Otherjurisdictions have held in accord with Tenorio, and have likewise ruled that outof-court statements offered for the limited purpose of explaining an officer’s conduct are

admissible. See United States v. Martin (6th Cir. 1990), 897 F.2d 1368; United States v.

Lazcano (7th Cir. 1989), 881 F.2d402; United States v. Echeverty (9th Cir.1985), 759 F.2d

1451; United States v. Love (4th Cir. 1985), 767 F.2d 1052; State v. Feliciano (Haw. Ct.

App. 1982), 638 P.2d 866.

However, these and other jurisdictions have expressed the caveat that the above rule

is not to be abused. Courts have held that while an officer may testify about actions taken

in response to information received, such testimony is inadmissible if it “effectively points

the finger of accusation at defendant.” Fontenot v. State (Okla. Crim. App. 1994), 881 P.2d

69, 82 (“In other words, the State may not indirectly accomplish what the hearsay rule

directly forbids.“). Accord, Harris v. Wainright (1 lth Cir. 1985), 760 F.2d 1148, 1151-53

(error to allow officer’s implied reference to an anonymous informant’s help in identifying

the defendant); United States v. Escobar (5th Cir. 1982), 674 F.2d 469,474 (error to allow

officer to testify that he ran name of the defendant through computer and obtained print-out

33
that he was a “known narcotics smuggler”); Stewart v. Cowan (6th Cir. 1976), 528 F.2d 79,

81, 86 n.4 (error to allow officer to testify that he had received several telephone calls from

anonymous sources stating that the defendant shot the victim).

We adopt these courts’ interpretation of the hearsay rule as applied to out-of-court

statements offered for the purpose of explaining an officer’s conduct. Applying this law to

the facts of the instant case, we conclude that officer McCormack’s statements, first, that he

interviewed Amos, and later, that based on information received he learned of Mary’s

involvement in the crime, were admissible nonhearsay. Officer McCormack’s statements

were offered not to prove the truth of the matter asserted, but rather to explain the events

leading up to his interview with Mary, and to rebut any implied charge of deceptive

practices. Officer McCormack’s statements did not “point the finger” at Appellant, or

otherwise inculpate him in the commission of the crime. Therefore, we hold that the District

Court did not abuse its discretion in allowing Officer McCormack’s statements into evidence.

Issue 3

Did the District Court err in refusing to grant Appellant’s motion for a new trial on

the basis of newly discovered evidence?

Appellant argues that the District Court erred when it denied his motion for a new trial

based on newly discovered evidence. The new evidence consists of (1) a letter from the

United States Army, dated August 20, 1969, containing information that Dan Knipshield

suffered from episodic schizophrenia; and (2) undocumented information that Mary Jenkins

34
has night blindness. Appellant maintains that had these two items of evidence been

presented to the jury, it would have reached a different verdict.

The standard of review of a denial of a motion for a new trial is whether the district

court abused its discretion. State v. Fina (1995), 273 Mont. 171, 175,902 P.2d 30,33. In

State v. Green0 (1959), 135 Mont. 580, 342 P.2d 1052, we set forth six criteria a district

court must consider when evaluating a motion for a new trial based on newly discovered

evidence:

(1) That the evidence must have come to the knowledge of the applicant since

the trial; (2) that it was not through want of diligence that it was not

discovered earlier; (3) that it is so material that it would probably produce a

different result upon another trial; (4) that it is not cumulative merely--that is,

does not speak as to facts in relation to which there was evidence at the trial;

(5) that the application must be supported by the affidavit ofthe witness whose

evidence is alleged to have been newly discovered, or its absence accounted

for; and (6) that the evidence must not be such as will only tend to impeach

the character or credit of a witness.

Greeno, 342 P.2d at 1055. We note that the criteria are stated in the conjunctive; thus, all six

criteria must be met or the motion fails. State v. Cyr (1987), 229 Mont. 337, 340, 746 P.2d

120, 122.

In the instant case, the District Court applied the Green0 criteria to both items of

evidence and found that they did not meet the third and sixth criteria. Additionally, with

respect to Mary’s night blindness, the District Court found that it did not meet the second

criterion.

35
We agree with the District Court’s conclusion that the two items of evidence fail to

satisfy the Green0 test. The new evidence of Knipshield’s schizophrenia and of Mary’s night

blindness serves only to impeach the credibility of these two witnesses. Appellant seeks to

cast doubt on Knipshield’s truthfulness and on Mary’s ability to testify from personal

knowledge. Further, neither the single letter from 1969 mentioning episodic schizophrenia,

nor the undocumented, unsupported information of Mary’s night blindness, is so probative

as to make a material difference in the jury’s assessment of these witness’ credibility. Thus,

we do not believe the new evidence is so material that it would probably produce a different

result upon a new trial. Finally, it appears that Appellant learned about Mary’s night

blindness from Mary’s sister. Appellant communicated with Mary’s sister in making

arrangements for Mary’s examination with Dr. Stratford. Thus, Appellant had the

opportunity to question Mary’s sister and discover Mary’s night blindness before the trial.

Given the failure of the new evidence to meet the Green0 criteria, we conclude that the

District Court did not abuse its discretion in denying Appellant’s motion for a new trial.

Issue 4

Did the District Court err in refusing to grant Appellant’s motion to dismiss the case

for insufficient evidence?

Section 46-16-403, MCA, provides that it is within the sound discretion of the District

Court whether to dismiss an action at the close of the State’s case for insufficient evidence.

We will not disturb the District Court’s ruling unless Appellant shows an abuse of discretion.

36
State v. Miller (1988) 231 Mont. 497, 509,757 P.2d 1275, 1282. In construing the statute,

we have held that a motion to dismiss for insufficient evidence “should be granted only

where there is no evidence upon which a trier of fact could base a verdict.” Miller 757 -3 P.2d

at 1282 (citations omitted)(emphasis in original). The standard of review of the sufficiency

of the evidence to support a conviction is whether, upon viewing the evidence in the light

most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential

elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Miller, 757 P.2d at 1283 (citation

omitted).

Appellant’s argument of insufficient evidence is closely tied to the first three issues

discussed in this opinion. Appellant contends that no rational trier of fact could have found

the elements of the crimes beyond a reasonable doubt given the lack of physical evidence,

Mary Jenkins’ dementia, and Dan Knipshield’s lack of credibility. We have held numerous

times that circumstantial evidence is sufficient to support a conviction. Miller, 757 P.2d at

1284 (citations omitted). We have already held in this opinion that Mary’s testimony was

admissible. The credibility of witnesses is a question solely for the jury to decide. Further,

the State cites ample corroborating evidence in its brief connecting Appellant to the crimes.

Based on these considerations, we conclude that the District Court did not abuse its

discretion in denying Appellant’s motion to dismiss for insufficient evidence.

Affirmed.

37
We Concur:

38