Opinion ID: 2062555
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Issue 4 Verdict Inconsistency

Text: While finding defendant guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, the jury returned a not guilty verdict [1] as to his brother Leon on the same charge. Defendant contends that, because all co-conspirators were tried together and all but one were found not guilty, the jury verdicts are inconsistent. He further asserts the unconstitutionality of the section of the conspiracy statute, Ind. Code § 35-41-5-2(c) which provides that acquittal of a co-conspirator is no defense. Defendant's argument presupposes that the conspiracy charges were based solely upon defendant's conspiring with his brother Leon. However, the information charged that the defendant and his brother conspired with each other, and with another person, Keith Eller. The jury's acquittal of Leon therefore is not inconsistent with a finding that defendant was guilty of conspiring with Keith Eller. The acquittal is supported by evidence that after showing Eller the Connie Lee residence, Leon began to exhibit reluctance and eventually abandoned participation in the conspiracy. The jury was instructed on the defense of abandonment. We further note that the crime of conspiracy to commit murder may be committed by a single conspirator who, acting through a police informant, employs an undercover law enforcement officer to commit murder. Garcia v. State (1979), 271 Ind. 510, 394 N.E.2d 106. We find no reversible error. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed. SHEPARD, C.J., and DeBRULER, GIVAN and PIVARNIK, JJ., concur.