Opinion ID: 2518358
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Alternative Means for Murder

Text: Kesselring argues there was insufficient evidence to convict him of first-degree murder under a theory of either premeditation or felony murder. He complains that there was conflicting testimony about who was armed on the night of Miller's murder, about whether Miller came out of the house willingly or was lured out by Callarman, and about whether Holmes was awake and threatening Miller or passed out in the back seat on the way to where Miller was killed. Kesselring also argues that much of the evidence in support of his conviction was inadmissible hearsay and the other witnesses were not credible. In particular, Kesselring notes that Holmes, the only eyewitness, was admittedly intoxicated, offered inconsistent testimony, and was motivated to downplay his own involvement in the crime. Kesselring's arguments ignore the applicable standard of review. In reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, this court will not reweigh the evidence. It is the jury's function, not ours, to weigh the evidence and determine the credibility of witnesses. [Citation omitted.] State v. Doyle, 272 Kan. 1157, 1162-63, 38 P.3d 650 (2002). When the sufficiency of the evidence is challenged in a criminal case, the standard of review is whether, after review of all the evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution, the appellate court is convinced that a rational factfinder could have found the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Beach, 275 Kan. 603, Syl. ¶ 2, 67 P.3d 121 (2003). In this case, there was sufficient evidence to support a rational jury's belief that the defendant committed first-degree murder under either a theory of premeditation or felony murder. Premeditation is the process of simply thinking about a proposed killing before committing the act. Premeditation may be inferred from the nature of the weapon used, the defendant's conduct before and after the killing, the defendant's statements before and during the killing, and whether there was any provocation. State v. Meeks, 277 Kan. 609, 621-22, 88 P.3d 789 (2004). The State introduced evidence that Kesselring threatened Miller before he was killed and then shot him multiple times, including once in the head. The State also introduced evidence that Michael Reece paid Kesselring to kill Miller because Miller had stolen drugs from Reece's drug ring. A car was obtained which could not be traced to those involved, a throw-away gun was used, and other aspects of the crime were planned. Further, there was no evidence that Miller provoked Kesselring. Thus, a reasonable jury could have concluded from this evidence that Kesselring premeditated the murder of Miller. The evidence was also sufficient under a felony-murder theory. To convict Kesselring of felony murder, the jury had to find that he killed Miller during the commission of aggravated kidnapping, the inherently dangerous felony charged as the underlying crime. See K.S.A. 21-3401(b); K.S.A. 2004 Supp. 21-3436(a)(2). To convict Kesselring of aggravated kidnapping, the jury had to find that he took or confined Miller by force, threat, or deception; that he did so with intent to inflict bodily injury or terrorize Miller; and that bodily harm was inflicted on Miller. K.S.A. 21-3421. The State introduced evidence that Kesselring and Holmes were both armed with guns and forced Miller to get into their car, where he was held at gunpoint. The State also introduced evidence that Kesselring threatened Miller and eventually shot and killed him. Based on this evidence, a reasonable jury could have concluded Kesselring killed Miller during the commission of aggravated kidnapping.