Opinion ID: 1466972
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: solicitation/jurisdiction

Text: Sheeran was convicted of two counts of criminal solicitation in the second degree. [6] Evidence presented at the trial included testimony and tape recordings of prior conversations. The subject matter of Count I was first discussed in a conversation between Sheeran and Allen on November 10, 1978 at a motel in Pennsylvania. Two other conversations between Sheeran and Allen involving that same subject matter were held on November 17, 1978 and November 19, 1978 in Delaware. The subject matter of Count II was first discussed between Sheeran and Allen on November 28, 1978 in Pennsylvania. Another conversation between the same two men involving the same subject was held in Delaware on November 29, 1978. Although both Sheeran and the State agree that the initial conversation with respect to each Count took place in Pennsylvania, they disagree about whether the crimes were completed with these initial conversations. Sheeran contends that with respect to each Count, the evidence shows that the solicitation occurred in Pennsylvania, during the original conversation. Sheeran argues that since the subsequent conversations in Delaware were merely an implementation or planning of the prior requests in each Count, they did not constitute a solicitation in Delaware. Consequently, Sheeran argues that, there was no criminal solicitation in Delaware and a fortiori that Delaware had no territorial jurisdiction to prosecute him. We will examine that issue first. The burden is upon the State to prove territorial jurisdiction as an element of any criminal offense. 11 Del.C. § 232. See Bright v. State, Del.Supr., 490 A.2d 564, 566 (1985); Carter v. State, Del.Supr., 418 A.2d 989 (1980); Thornton v. State, Del.Supr., 405 A.2d 126 (1979); James v. State, Del.Supr., 377 A.2d 15 (1977); Saienni v. State, Del.Supr., 346 A.2d 152 (1975). To satisfy this burden, the State must establish that a legal situs of the offense was in Delaware. In fact, at Sheeran's trial, the jury was specifically instructed that the State must establish jurisdiction as an element of each count of criminal solicitation. Sheeran's jurisdictional challenge, in essence, is an assertion that there was insufficient evidence to support the verdict as to that jurisdictional element of each Count. When a defendant challenges his conviction claiming that there was insufficient evidence to support the verdict, this Court determines whether any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. In conducting its review, this Court views the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution. Davis v. State, Del.Supr., 453 A.2d 802, 803 (1982). The common law territorial theory of criminal jurisdiction has been enlarged in Delaware by statute. The intent of the legislature was to expand Delaware's criminal jurisdiction as widely as it constitutionally may be extended. Bright v. State, 490 A.2d at 567 (quoting Delaware Criminal Code with Commentary, § 204 at 10 (1973)). Territorial jurisdiction in criminal cases is currently established by the Delaware Code which in pertinent part provides: (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a person may be convicted under the law of Delaware of an offense committed by his own conduct or by the conduct of another for which he is legally accountable if: (1) Either the conduct or the result of which is an element of the offense occurs within Delaware; or       (3) Conduct occurring within the State establishes complicity in the commission of, or an attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit, an offense in another jurisdiction which also is an offense under the law of Delaware;