Opinion ID: 1879528
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence to establish intent

Text: The scope of appellate review on a claim of insufficient evidence to convict is whether there is evidence in the record which, if believed by the jury, is sufficient to sustain a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Bartlett, 411 N.W.2d 411, 412 (S.D.1987). This court will sustain the verdict if the evidence and the reasonable inferences drawn therefrom sustain a rational theory of guilt.... Id. Specifically, Titus claims that the evidence presented and the reasonable inferences drawn therefrom support his claim that he was suffering from a blackout at the time of the alleged burglary and therefore was incapable of forming specific intent. Titus points to the consistency of his statement to the police; the testimony of Cory Peters; his statements to Dr. Hess (the defense expert witness) about his long history of alcohol and drug abuse and prior blackouts; Dr. Hess' diagnosis of alcohol-dependency based upon Titus' history and MMPI test results; and Dr. Hess' testimony about alcohol-induced blackouts. Titus argues that State was unable to produce evidence that Titus was not having a blackout during the time at issue. State argues that the credibility of witnesses and the weight accorded their testimony are exclusively the province of the jury. State v. Logue, 372 N.W.2d 151 (S.D. 1985). The jury chose to disregard the testimonial evidence offered to support Titus' blackout defense. State urges that the time of the burglary, the place, and method of entry form a sufficient basis for inferring intent to commit theft. State also points to evidence that Titus knew when the Frenchs would be absent from the house and that two of the stolen items (the martial arts weapons) were items in which Titus had shown a special interest as evidence impliedly refuting lack of specific intent. Dr. Hess' testimony  on the general nature of blackouts  was that a person suffering a blackout is aware of his environment at that time and would react to it in a somewhat normal manner. For example, a person in a blackout state would be able to discriminate between items of considerable versus negligible value (i.e., a VCR as opposed to tissue paper) and would be capable of recognizing a prior evaluation (i.e., that he liked or wanted a particular item). In addition, the person suffering from a blackout is capable of functioning, that is, he could drive a car, or connect a VCR to a TV. Dr. Hess also testified that a person in the blackout state has low impulse control and, after a return to normal consciousness, will have little or no recall of his actions or thoughts during the blackout. Dr. Hess' testimony is not refuted simply because State presented facts indicating Titus was not in a catatonic state. Dr. Hess also stated he could not render an opinion as to whether Titus was having a blackout at the time of the alleged burglary, that only observation and evaluation at the time of the alleged blackout would provide a foundation for such an opinion. In essence, Dr. Hess' testimony was to the effect that Titus' history, statements, and other evidence were not inconsistent with a blackout. Although testimony was presented which was consistent with Titus' theory, it was for the jury to determine whether Titus was having a blackout at the time of the burglary, and, if so, whether that was sufficient to prevent his forming the specific intent. Logue, supra .