Opinion ID: 166669
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: 8 Mr. Visinaiz argues on appeal that the government did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he was guilty of second degree murder. Mr. Visinaiz moved for a judgment of acquittal after the guilty verdict which the district court rejected based upon the manner of the victim's death, specifically multiple blows to the head, and the affirmative steps that Mr. Visinaiz took to cover up his crime, including weighting the victim's body with cement blocks and sinking her in a nearby river. II R. Doc. 255 at 1-2; Fed.R.Crim.P. 29(c). 9 We review the record for sufficiency of the evidence de novo. United States v. Hamilton, 413 F.3d 1138, 1143 (10th Cir.2005). In so doing, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, and determine whether a reasonable jury could have found the defendant guilty of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. (internal citations and quotations omitted). 10 In order to convict Mr. Visinaiz of second degree murder in Indian Country under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1111(a), 1153(a), the government is required to prove that he: (1) killed Ms. Jenkins, (2) acted unlawfully, (3) acted with malice, (4) is an Indian, and (5) committed the crime within Indian Country. See 18 U.S.C. §§ 1111(a), 1153(a). 3 11 With regard to the first element, we find that the evidence is surely sufficient to support the jury's finding that Mr. Visinaiz killed Ms. Jenkins. Indeed, Mr. Visinaiz himself admitted several times to killing her, as well as to striking her on the head repeatedly. VII R. Tr. at 491, 520-21; V R. Tr. at 143, 147, 149. 12 With regard to the second element, that Mr. Visinaiz acted unlawfully in killing Ms. Jenkins, the evidence is again sufficient to support the jury's finding that the killing was unlawful; i.e., without excuse or justification. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, a jury could find that the government proved that Mr. Visinaiz did not act in self-defense, because he either did not believe, or could not reasonably believe, that he was in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury, such that it was necessary for him to use force likely to cause the death or serious bodily injury of the victim. The jury could consider that Ms. Jenkins was 68 years old, was approximately five feet tall and weighed around 200 pounds, had two surgically repaired knees, and often used a walker. See VI R. Tr. at 229-30, 356-57. Ms. Jenkins was severely intoxicated, and had been ingesting prescription sedative medication. Id. at 226-28. Mr. Visinaiz, on the other hand, was 46 years old at the time, is five foot ten inches, and weighed approximately 175 pounds. VI R. Tr. at 261-62. Even assuming Mr. Visinaiz was hit by an empty 40 ounce bottle and suffered a laceration, he struck Ms. Jenkins at least four times in the head with a log. See VII R. Tr. at 491, 520-21. 13 With regard to the malice element, the evidence is sufficient to support the jury's finding that the killing was committed with the required mens rea. Malice, as defined for purposes of second degree murder, requires either: (1) general intent to kill, or (2) intent to do serious bodily injury; (3) depraved heart recklessness, or (4) a killing in the commission of a felony that is not among those specifically listed in the first degree murder statute. United States v. Serawop, 410 F.3d 656, 663 (10th Cir.2005) (citing United States v. Pearson, 203 F.3d 1243, 1271 (10th Cir.2000)). 14 In this case, Mr. Visinaiz admitted to killing Ms. Jenkins by striking her repeatedly on the head with a log until she died. VII R. Tr. at 491, 520-21; V R. Tr. at 143, 147, 149. The medical examiner's evidence indicated that the numerous blows to the head struck in a downward direction, and at least one was from behind. VI R. Tr. at 219-20. There was no indication of any defensive wounds on Ms. Jenkins' body. Id. at 221. 15 Mr. Visinaiz argues that Ms. Jenkins had assaulted him numerous times before, and thus this was simply another instance where he was forced to defend himself, or in the alternative, his justified reaction to adequate provocation while in the heat of passion. But Mr. Visinaiz himself admits that there was evidence which could have supported a finding of second degree murder. Aplt. Br. at 37. He admitted that he killed the victim, and that he buried her body. VII R. Tr. at 491, 520-21; Aplt. Br. at 37. He further admitted to lying numerous times to the police, and the jury did have evidence of the victim's blood on his walls. Aplt. Br. at 37-38. He further concedes, as he must, that the jury could have discounted his testimony. Id. at 38. 16 Taking into account the object used, the amount of force used, and the disparity of mobility, age, and strength between Mr. Visinaiz and Ms. Jenkins, the jury had sufficient evidence to find that Mr. Visinaiz acted with the requisite mens rea—malice—to satisfy this element of second degree murder. We also note that a reasonable jury could conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that the government proved the absence of heat of passion, based upon the circumstances of the killing, Mr. Visinaiz's admissions of culpability including concealment, and the calm of his initial denial. Mr. Visinaiz argues that certain facts other than his testimony render the evidence insufficient including (1) the basis for his fear of reprisal, (2) the circumstances surrounding his change in accounts, and (3) the decedent's propensity for drunkeness and violence. Aplt. Br. at 38-42. None of these items alone or in combination on this record render the evidence insufficient when the evidence is viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict.