Opinion ID: 2062555
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: issues

Text: Defendant next contends that the evidence was insufficient to sustain the jury's verdict of guilty of bribery. He argues that the evidence shows only that he merely desired that Miss Lee dismiss the charges and offered to make restitution. In addressing the issue of sufficiency of evidence, we will affirm the conviction if, considering only the probative evidence and reasonable inferences supporting the verdict, without weighing evidence or assessing witness credibility, a reasonable trier of fact could conclude that the defendant was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Case v. State (1984), Ind., 458 N.E.2d 223; Loyd v. State (1980), 272 Ind. 404, 407, 398 N.E.2d 1260, 1264, cert. denied, 449 U.S. 881, 101 S.Ct. 231, 66 L.Ed.2d 105. To convict the defendant of bribery as charged, it was necessary for the evidence to prove that he offered to confer property on witness Connie Lee with the intent that the witness withhold testimony or information. The probative evidence and reasonable inferences favorable to the verdict show that the defendant offered sums of money, ranging from $100 to $500, to Connie Lee in exchange for her dropping the charges. Finding that a reasonable trier of fact could conclude therefrom that defendant was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, we find no error upon this issue.