Opinion ID: 853160
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Was April an Accomplice?

Text: Because it is so pivotal to April's claim of trial error, we begin by considering the sufficiency of the evidence that she aided in MicKenzie's murder. To convict April of aiding in murder, the State had to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that she (1) knowingly or intentionally (2) aided, induced, or caused Lee (3) to murder MicKenzie. See Ind.Code Ann. §§ 35-41-2-4, 35-42-1-1(1) (West 1998). The particular facts and circumstances of each case must be considered in determining whether a person participated in the commission of an offense as an accomplice. Peterson v. State, 699 N.E.2d 701 (Ind.Ct.App.1998). Certain factors have long been considered probative in that determination, including: (1) presence at the scene of the crime; (2) companionship with another engaged in criminal activity; (3) failure to oppose the commission of the crime; and (4) a defendant's course of conduct before, during, and after the occurrence of the crime. Johnson v. State, 490 N.E.2d 333, 334 (Ind.1986). April does not dispute her presence at the scene of the crime, and her marriage to Lee clearly constituted companionship. This companionship continued for a period of time even after MicKenzie's death. The facts most favorable to the verdict indicate that April heard Lee tell MicKenzie, you're going to listen to me or I'm going to beat it into you just prior to the beating. (R. at 491-92.) She also heard Lee ask MicKenzie, Do you want me to put you through this wall[?] ( Id. ) After hearing these threats, April joined Lee in the bedroom to find him holding MicKenzie against a wall by her pajamas. ( Id. ) He again was threatening to put her through the wall. ( Id. ) April sat down and watched Lee strike MicKenzie in the back of the head with a large wooden paddle. Lee then asked April, [H]ave I gone too far? (R. at 632.) She replied, [Y]ou are too easy on her, she wasshe isshe will be fine. ( Id. ) She also said that she was sick of [Lee] treating MicKenzie like a porcelain doll. (R. at 632-33.) April made similar comments to Lee before the day of this incident. ( Id. ) After the attack, April cleaned up MicKenzie's blood that had splattered on surrounding objects for fear that someone would realize what had occurred. (R. at 361, 377.) Over the next few days, April realized MicKenzie was having trouble standing, walking, moving her left arm, focusing her eyes, and controlling her bowels. (R. at 517.) MicKenzie also suffered numerous bruises to her entire body. (R. at 339-40, 517.) During this time, April would watch as Lee knocked MicKenzie on her head and slapped her in the face. (R. at 518.) Two days after the beating, April saw Lee slap MicKenzie hard enough that [her] head would jolt back and cause her to fall to the ground. (R. at 519.) From Monday until Thursday, the four days preceding MicKenzie's death, April was the sole parent in the home, (R. at 637), and she recognized the need for medical treatment, (R. at 339-40, 343-45, 347, 517). She requested the advice of a friend, who upon seeing MicKenzie was so alarmed at the child's condition that he offered to take them to the hospital. (R. at 347, 615-17, 621.) April declined and instead did nothing. ( Id. ) On the morning of February 11, MicKenzie stopped breathing. Only after speaking with Lee did April call 911. The fireman who first responded to the emergency call testified about MicKenzie's visibly protruding forehead and the bruises that covered her body. He also described MicKenzie's rigid and swollen torso, which was the result of massive bleeding in her stomach. While doctors and emergency technicians attempted to save MicKenzie's life, April frustrated their efforts. She concocted stories of MicKenzie suffering from the flu, experiencing respiratory problems, and taking adult doses of medication. Even after MicKenzie's death, April continued to cover up the crime by lying to the authorities on numerous occasions. (R. at 300, 305-07, 314, 324, 328-31, 337-38, 354-55, 376.) It was only after Lee admitted striking MicKenzie with the paddle that April told authorities about the circumstances surrounding the incident. (R. at 356-66.) April's failure to oppose MicKenzie's continued abuse and to seek medical treatment is particularly probative because she owed a parental duty to protect. See Mobley v. State, 227 Ind. 335, 85 N.E.2d 489 (1949). In Mobley, this Court confronted an eerily similar case of child abuse. Three-year-old Alice Mobley died from cerebral injuries caused by repeated acts of violence committed by her mother's boyfriend. 227 Ind. at 340-41, 85 N.E.2d at 491. Although it was unclear whether any of Alice's mother's acts caused the brain injuries, it was undisputed that the child was in the exclusive control of the mother and her boyfriend for the weeks preceding her death. Id. In discussing the possibility that none of the mother's acts contributed to the child's death, Justice Young wrote: While it is true that the mere presence of a person at the scene of a crime is insufficient to constitute him a principal therein, in the absence of anything in his conduct showing a design to encourage, incite, aid, abet or assist in the crime, the trier of the facts may consider failure of such person to oppose the commission of the crime in connection with other circumstances and conclude therefrom that he assented to the commission of the crime, lent his countenance and approval thereto and thereby aided and abetted it. This, it seems to us, is particularly true when the person who fails to interfere owes a duty to protect as a parent owes to a child. Mobley, 85 N.E.2d at 492, 227 Ind. at 344 (internal citations omitted). This rationale is particularly pertinent to the instant case. Our review of these multiple factors, including April's presence at the scene of the crime, her continued companionship with Lee, her statements of encouragement for harsher punishment both before and after the skull-fracturing blow, her failure to render or seek medical treatment despite its obvious necessity, her status as the sole caregiver for much of the week prior to MicKenzie's death, her failure to oppose continued abuse after the initial injury, her repeated lies to medical personnel and authorities about the cause of MicKenzie's death, and especially her duty to protect the child, all lead us to conclude that she assented to the commission of the crime, lent h[er] countenance and approval thereto and thereby aided and abetted it. Id. The State presented sufficient evidence to convict April of aiding in MicKenzie's murder.