Opinion ID: 2361208
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The In-Court Identification of Moore

Text: [¶ 14] While many witnesses discussed Moore by name, none identified him in the courtroom prior to the close of the State's case. Over Moore's objection, the court allowed the State to reopen its case for the purpose of identifying him. The State then recalled as a witness State Police Detective Geoffrey Cummings, who testified that he worked on the case and had come to know Moore in connection with his investigation. Cummings then identified Moore for the record. [¶ 15] Moore contends that Cummings's identification was insufficient because he merely investigated the killing and was not an eyewitness to the relevant events described by the other witnesses. We disagree. Identification of the accused is an issue of fact that is properly submitted to the jury. State v. Guptill, 481 A.2d 772, 775 (Me.1984). The State may establish the identity of the accused through purely circumstantial evidence. Id. In the instant case, the testimony of the witnesses, who knew Moore personally, even without the incourt identification by Cummings, presented the jury with sufficient evidence on which to decide the issue of Moore's identity. [¶ 16] Two other issues raised by Moore do not merit discussion. The entry is: As to Joseph Jackson: Judgment affirmed. Sentence affirmed. As to Jeremiah Moore: Judgment affirmed.