Opinion ID: 2076570
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: issues

Text: The defendant next argues that the evidence did not establish that he was the perpetrator of the crime or that he had the requisite intent to commit a felony. We first note our standard of review for sufficiency of the evidence: Upon a review for sufficient evidence, this Court will look only to the evidence most favorable to the State and all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom. If the existence of each element of the crime charged may be found therefrom, beyond a reasonable doubt, the verdict will not be disturbed. In such a review, we will not weigh conflicting evidence nor will we judge the credibility of the witnesses. Loyd v. State, (1980) 272 Ind. 404, 398 N.E.2d 1260, 1264, cert. denied, 449 U.S. 881, 101 S.Ct. 231, 66 L.Ed.2d 105. (citations omitted). Intent to commit a felony may be inferred from the circumstances surrounding the incident. Turpin v. State, (1982) Ind., 435 N.E.2d 1, 5; Bonner v. State, (1979) 271 Ind. 388, 392 N.E.2d 1169, 1171. Here there was sufficient evidence of probative value to support a reasonable inference that Defendant had the requisite intent to commit a felony. While Defendant claims that he went to the Ferris' home to search for his lost dog, he was seen there on three separate occasions by Witness Noll. The garage window was broken, and items from the garage were missing. Further, Noll witnessed a person matching the Defendant's description drive away in a green Blazer with a mower handle protruding from the back window and subsequently saw the same person carrying a tool box, enter a beige Buick automobile. Further, Defendant's claim that the testimony of Steven Pick, the owner of the beige Buick, was inherently unbelievable is without merit. Defendant has presented nothing which compels that conclusion. Inconsistencies were presented to the jury for its consideration. Defendant's explanation of his possession of the stolen property immediately following the burglary was apparently rejected by the jury which was free to believe whomever it chose in fulfilling its fact finding function. Collins v. State, (1981) Ind., 429 N.E.2d 623, 624. It is true that Witness Noll did not positively identify the Defendant as the person she saw at the Ferris' home; however, her description of the burglar was nearly identical to that of the Defendant as he was found, in possession of the stolen property, on the afternoon of the burglary.