Opinion ID: 2301860
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: sufficiency of evidence for first degree murder conviction

Text: We begin by reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence for appellant's first degree murder conviction. Appellant argues there is insufficient evidence to support his conviction because he lacked a specific intent to kill victim, as he only intended to discipline her. He also observes he attempted to resuscitate victim, did not attempt to prevent mother from reporting this incident to authorities, and eventually called 911. He contends these life-saving efforts show he did not intend to kill victim. In sufficiency review, we are obliged to determine whether the evidence presented at trial and all reasonable inferences derived therefrom, viewed in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth as verdict winner, are sufficient to satisfy all elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Commonwealth v. Brown, 605 Pa. 103, 987 A.2d 699, 705 (2009) (citing Commonwealth v. Baumhammers, 599 Pa. 1, 960 A.2d 59, 68 (2008)). To obtain a first-degree murder conviction, the Commonwealth must demonstrate that a human being was unlawfully killed, the defendant perpetrated the killing, and the defendant acted with malice and a specific intent to kill. Commonwealth v. Montalvo, 604 Pa. 386, 986 A.2d 84, 92 (2009) (quoting Commonwealth v. Kennedy, 598 Pa. 621, 959 A.2d 916, 920 (2008)). An intentional killing is a [k]illing by means of poison, or by lying in wait, or by any other kind of willful, deliberate and premeditated killing. 18 Pa.C.S. § 2502(d). The Commonwealth may use solely circumstantial evidence to prove a killing was intentional. Brown, at 705 (quoting Commonwealth v. Blakeney, 596 Pa. 510, 946 A.2d 645, 651 (2008)). Specific intent to kill may be proven when a defendant knowingly applies deadly force to another person. Commonwealth v. Hawkins, 549 Pa. 352, 701 A.2d 492, 500 (1997) (citing Commonwealth v. Meredith, 490 Pa. 303, 416 A.2d 481, 485 (1980)). We find the Commonwealth provided sufficient evidence to prove each element of first degree murder. Appellant repeatedly hit and whipped a two-year-old child, inflicting 150 injuries over approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Those injuries caused bruises all over victim's body, including vital parts of her body such as her head and chest. Victim suffered substantial internal injuries and, ultimately, death. Thus, the jury had sufficient evidence to conclude appellant acted with malice and specifically intended to kill victim. See, e.g., Commonwealth v. Sherwood, 603 Pa. 92, 982 A.2d 483, 493 (2009) (citing Commonwealth v. Hall, 549 Pa. 269, 701 A.2d 190, 196 (1997)) (Specific intent may be proven where the defendant knowingly applies deadly force to the person of another.); Commonwealth v. Powell, 598 Pa. 224, 956 A.2d 406, 416-17 (2008) ([E]xtensive physical injuries appellant inflicted on the child, his cold-hearted failure to timely seek medical assistance, and the contradictory explanations appellant offered ... were sufficient to support the inference that appellant ... intentionally, deliberately, and with premeditation killed [the victim].). Appellant contends he merely sought to discipline victim, as evidenced by his attempts to resuscitate her. However, this argument goes to the weight, not the sufficiency of the evidence, and the jury was free to reject this explanation. See Sherwood, at 492 (quoting Kennedy, at 921) (`[T]he trier of fact, while passing upon the credibility of witnesses and the weight of the proof, is free to believe all, part, or none of the evidence.'). Further, appellant's subsequent attempt to render aid to victim, even if true, does not nullify his malice and specific intent to kill. See id., at 494 n. 21 (finding attempt to aid victim does not negate specific intent to kill ... because specific intent to kill is gauged at the moment of the killing and may be formed in a split second.) (citation omitted). Accordingly, there is sufficient evidence to sustain appellant's conviction for first degree murder.