Opinion ID: 1178316
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Identification of Hutchinson

Text: Hutchinson asserts that at no time during the trial did Hart or High, the only eye witnesses to the crime, identify Hutchinson as he sat in the courtroom, as the person responsible for the crimes charged. Nor did any other witness identify Hutchinson as the same individual whom Hart and High had testified about. Nor was there other evidence admitted, such as fingerprints, blood stains, hair samples, or articles belonging to Platt that would link Hutchinson to the crimes charged, other than Hart's and High's testimony. After the State's case in chief, Hutchinson asked for a directed verdict for failure of the witnesses to identify Hutchinson as the defendant in this case. The trial court denied the motion stating that there was sufficient evidence to establish a prima facie case, evidence from which reasonable inference could be drawn as to the elements of the crime charged. In the present case, during Hart's and High's testimony, Hutchinson was referred to as the Defendant, Terry Wayne Hutchinson, Terry Hutchinson, Terry, The Defendant or Wolf (Hutchinson's nickname). A witness does not have to physically point out a defendant in a courtroom, because identification by name is enough. Murphy v. State, 47 Md. App. 387, 422 A.2d 1297 (Ct.Spec.App. 1980). This is true so long as the evidence is sufficient to permit the inference that the person on trial was the person who committed the crime. United States v. Darrell, 629 F.2d 1089 (5th Cir.1980); Delegal v. United States, 329 F.2d 494 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 379 U.S. 821, 85 S.Ct. 44, 13 L.Ed.2d 32 (1964); Griffin v. United States, 329 F.2d 495 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 379 U.S. 822, 85 S.Ct. 44, 13 L.Ed.2d 32 (1964); Ivester v. State, 398 So.2d 926 (Fla. Dist. Ct. App. 1981), cert. denied, 412 So.2d 470 (Fla. 1982). In determining whether the evidence supports a criminal charge or an essential element thereof, the appellate court must view the evidence in a light most favorable to the verdict, resolving all conflicts therein and indulging all permissible inferences in favor of the verdict of conviction. State v. Lankford, 92 N.M. 1, 582 P.2d 378 (1978). We have reviewed the transcript and uphold the trial court's ruling that there was sufficient inferences identifying Hutchinson to permit the jury to draw the inference that the person on trial was the one who committed the crimes.