Opinion ID: 2417342
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: We first consider Puckett's contentions that (1) the trial court erred in denying his motion for a directed verdict, and (2) the evidence was insufficient to sustain his conviction. A motion for directed verdict is a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence. Littlepage v. State, 314 Ark. 361, 863 S.W.2d 276 (1993). In determining the sufficiency of the evidence, this court reviews the evidence in the light most favorable to the State and sustains the judgment of conviction if there is substantial evidence to support it. Mills v. State, 322 Ark. 647, 910 S.W.2d 682 (1995). Evidence is substantial if it is of sufficient force and character to compel reasonable minds to reach a conclusion and pass beyond suspicion and conjecture. Id. Only the evidence supporting the conviction need be considered. Id. In his motion for directed verdict, Puckett challenged the sufficiency of the evidence as it related to the element of forcible compulsion. Forcible compulsion is defined as physical force or a threat, express or implied, of death or physical injury to or kidnapping of any person. Ark.Code Ann. § 5-14-101(2) (Repl.1993). Here, there is ample evidence of forcible compulsion. Graves testified that Puckett held a gun on her, told her to undress, and then forced her to engage in oral and normal sexual intercourse. She further testified that he hit her twice in the head and kicked her in the ribs. Other testimony substantiated the fact that Graves was in pain and that her ribs were fractured. Additionally, Graves testified that Puckett cut her brassiere off with a kitchen knife when she did not remove it fast enough. The knife and the cut brassiere were introduced into evidence. A liquor store clerk saw him with the gun, which was also introduced into evidence. Clearly, there was sufficient evidence to compel a conclusion that Puckett used physical force as well as the threat of physical force to rape Graves. Puckett further argues that there was insufficient evidence to sustain the conviction. The thrust of this argument is that there was no corroboration of Graves's testimony about the rape. We have held many times that the testimony of the rape victim alone suffices and need not be corroborated. See, e.g., Laughlin v. State, 316 Ark. 489, 872 S.W.2d 848 (1994). Graves's testimony constitutes substantial evidence. To the extent there were inconsistencies in her testimony, this was a matter of credibility for the jury to resolve. Burns v. State, 323 Ark. 206, 913 S.W.2d 789 (1996).