Opinion ID: 853128
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Analysis of this Case Under Richardson

Text: In my view Guyton's argument arguably prevails under Richardson. The facts critical to the murder charge in this case are: (1) Guyton pointed a gun at Larrimore and shot him; (2) Larrimore died as a result; and (3) Guyton had the requisite mens rea because he either (a) intended to kill Larrimore, or (b) intended to kill someone else in the group under the doctrine of transferred intent, or (c) fired the shot with knowledge of a high probability that the shot would be fatal. The facts relevant to the elements of the handgun charge are (1) Guyton possessed the gun and (2) he did so on a public street. The piece of evidence that Guyton shot Larrimore from the car speaks directly to the fact of the defendant's action (firing the shot), and it also supports the inference of a second fact relevant to the murder charge, namely intent to kill. Owens v. State, 544 N.E.2d 1375, 1377 (Ind.1989). Thus, both shooting and the intent to kill are facts directly or inferentially drawn from Butts' testimony that Guyton fired a handgun at the group, and hit Larrimore. The jury obviously could have inferred the presence and possession of the gun in a public street for some span of time including the instant of its use. If so, Richardson would not bar both convictions. But under these circumstances it is not obvious that the jury did draw that inference. That leaves us with a reasonable possibility that the jury used the fact of shooting to support the handgun charge. Yet to force the conclusion that Richardson permits both convictions we must say there is no reasonable possibility that the same factGuyton shot Larrimorewas used by the jury. I think it is more appropriate and certainly easier to follow if we admit that we are holding as a matter of law that the evidence supports both convictions. Thus, Butts' testimony, although one item of evidence might or might not have produced distinct evidentiary facts found by the jury: (1) Guyton shot Larrimore; (2) Guyton had the requisite mens rea; and (3) Guyton possessed a handgun on a public street. [9]