Opinion ID: 2283611
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Biggs also challenges the sufficiency of the evidence. In deciding whether the evidence is sufficient to convict a defendant of a particular offense, the appellate court must consider the evidence, together with all reasonable inferences drawn therefrom, in the light most favorable to the verdict and disregard all inferences to the contrary. State v. Sumowski, 794 S.W.2d 643, 645 (Mo. banc 1990). The state adduced sufficient evidence that Biggs knowingly inflicted cruel and inhuman punishment on a child younger than 17. The child's mother, Happel, Ringgold and Hancock all testified that the boy told them that his father, Biggs, whooped him, causing the bruises. [6] Additionally, Biggs and his wife testified that he spanked his son. This is sufficient evidence to show that Biggs was the cause of the boy's injuries. The state presented photographs, taken by Ringgold during his interview, of black, purple, green and yellow bruising on the boy's buttocks down to the tops of his thighs. This Court previously has held that evidence of persistent bruising is sufficient to show cruel and inhuman punishment. Sumowski, 794 S.W.2d at 645. Because the state introduced evidencing that, if believed, proved each element of the charged offense, there was sufficient evidence to convict Biggs of abuse of a seven-year-old child.