Opinion ID: 1595336
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Inconclusive Circumstantial Evidence.

Text: ¶ 136. Absent Jones' testimony, the bulk of the evidence against Ross was inconclusive, circumstantial, or did not implicate Ross any more than it did the other occupants of Hale's residence. The State's case relied on a number of items in evidence whose relevance was questionable. For example, the State provided no support for their argument that the tail light fragments came from Ross' car. The State made no showing that the ashes found on the grill had been properly preserved or what their composition was. The State noted that the beer cans collected from Ross' car had the same manufacturer's stamp as those found at the crime scene, but never explained how many cans would have the same stamp. The State argued that the vehicle heard by Yancey's neighbors was Ross' car, which ran loudly because it did not have a muffler. However, other individuals admitted driving the car at some point on the night of the murder. Yancey's neighbor said she saw a small person working on a car in her yard, a description which could have fit Ross or Sanders. All the individuals staying at Hale's residence would have had access to Hale's pistol. Finally, the stolen television and VCR were found in Sanders' bedroom.