Opinion ID: 1750867
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Defendant argues that his conviction rests on insufficient evidence in that the only evidence connecting him to the crime scene was his DNA found on several objects. He asserts that, given the transferability of DNA, this evidence alone cannot support an inference that he was present in the victim's apartment. He suggests that unlike fingerprints, which are larger, more fragile, and more likely to be obliterated when moved, DNA traces are amenable to inadvertent and intact transfer from one locale to another. He asserts that his DNA's presence on the victim is of little significance because they were both present at a common location prior to the murder. [5] Defendant suggests that it is likely that the jury erroneously gave the DNA the same weight as fingerprints as an indication of his presence. In reviewing the sufficiency of evidence, this Court limits its determination to whether a reasonable juror could have found guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Belton, 153 S.W.3d 307, 309 (Mo. banc 2005). In so doing, the evidence and all reasonable inferences therefrom are viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict, disregarding any evidence and inferences contrary to the verdict. Id. As such, this Court will not weigh the evidence anew since the fact-finder may believe all, some, or none of the testimony of a witness when considered with the facts, circumstances and other testimony in the case. State v. Crawford, 68 S.W.3d 406, 408 (Mo. banc 2002). Viewing the evidence under this standard, there is a sufficient basis for a jury to find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The DNA analysis was reliable, scientific, and untainted. The jury was presented with evidence that Defendant's DNA was on a piece of toilet paper underneath the victim's body in her apartment. The toilet paper in her apartment's bathroom also had the same distinct pattern. As such, an inference arises that Defendant was present where this paper was found in the apartment. The opposite inferencethat Defendant's DNA arrived on the tissue in some innocent mannerrequires an unlikely series of events: the victim needed to bring the tissue with her that night to the VFW, to expose it to his DNA in some manner, and then, upon returning home, to either use it herself just before being murdered or for the killer to have retrieved it from her purse while cleaning the scene. But, no witness testified to seeing her with this tissue at the VFW, and no witness saw Defendant make physical contact with her. As such, nothing but speculation supports the inference of his DNA's mysterious innocent transport to her apartment, particularly when Defendant denied ever being there. Other evidence also corroborates the inference of Defendant's guilt. His DNA is consistent with the samples taken from the victim's stockings, one of which was still on her leg, the other of which was found around her neck. Here, again, his transfer theory lacks support. Testimony showed that the victim wore jeans over her stockings that night and that Defendant had no contact with her legs whatsoever. Also, there is no evidence of sneezes, coughs, or other fluid discharges that might have transferred his DNA either directly or indirectly to her at the VFW. In addition, Defendant generally matched the description of the likely murderer given the day after the crime, and it certainly did not exclude him from being regarded as the possible perpetrator so as to undercut the DNA determination. See note 1. Given the inherent oddity and unreliability of the neighbor's dramatically more precise memory 14 years after the events, it was reasonable for a jury to disregard his more recent version as not credible. Further, the evidence showed that Defendant had the opportunity and means to commit this crime. After both arguing and flirting with the victim, Defendant left the VFW club on foot at approximately 10:23 p.m. She left the VFW at 10:38 p.m. and drove the quarter-mile home. Given its proximity, he would have had time to arrive at her apartment. He then had at least an hour to commit this crime, though the jury may have believed that the timeframe was even longer. [6] In addition, he left the VFW with a bottle, and the jury could have inferred that it was used in the assault. But, even without this inference regarding the bottle, the DNA evidence, the timeline, the argument and rebuffing at the VFW, and the nature of the victim's injuries supported the jury's findings that Defendant committed this crime with some object, if not the bottle itself. [7] In sum, the location and statistical match of the DNA evidence here, together with the other evidence favorable to the verdict, show that a reasonable jury could have found guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.