Opinion ID: 2079472
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: issues

Text: Defendant next contends that the evidence was insufficient to support the conviction. He argues that the State's witnesses were generally inherently incredible, and that there was insufficient proof of intent to permanently deprive. In addressing the issue of sufficiency of evidence, we will affirm the conviction if, considering only the probative evidence and reasonable inferences supporting the verdict, without weighing evidence or assessing witness credibility, a reasonable trier of fact could find each element of the charged crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Case v. State (1984), Ind., 458 N.E.2d 223; Loyd v. State (1980), 272 Ind. 404, 407, 398 N.E.2d 1260, 1264, cert. denied, 449 U.S. 881, 101 S.Ct. 231, 66 L.Ed.2d 105. The verdict is supported by the following facts shown by the evidence. During the late evening of September 9, and the early morning of September 10, 1984, the victim, the defendant, and several companions left a local tavern and went to the victim's home where they continued drinking, ate food, and smoked marijuana. The victim then either passed out or was drugged, during which time the defendant and his companions ransacked the victim's bedroom doors and removed various items of jewelry, money, guns, fishing poles, a clock, and the victim's car keys. Shortly thereafter, before the theft had been reported, police observed the defendant as one of the occupants of the victim's vehicle, which was later returned to the victim's home. When interrogated by the police, defendant admitted that he knew the victim's guns were being stolen and agreed to help carry them from the car to the residence of one of his companions. Defendant cites inconsistencies and matters relating to potential lack of credibility and bias on the part of the State's witnesses. These are matters more appropriate for jury evaluation than appellate review. We find that the jury could have reasonably found each element of the offense of theft beyond a reasonable doubt.