Opinion ID: 1311026
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 15

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Breard contends that the evidence is insufficient to support his capital murder conviction. Breard makes two arguments: (1) the evidence is insufficient to prove that the killing was willful, deliberate, and premeditated; and (2) the evidence is insufficient to prove that he raped Dickie. The standard for reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence on appeal is well established. We must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth, the prevailing party at trial, and the trial court's judgment will not be disturbed unless the judgment is plainly wrong or without evidence to support it. Beavers, 245 Va. at 281-82, 427 S.E.2d at 421; Code § 8.01-680. In the present case, the evidence established that Breard stabbed Dickie five times in the neck while he sexually assaulted her. Additionally, on the night Dickie was killed, Breard deliberately armed himself with a knife, intending to force a woman to have sex with [him]. Clearly, the evidence supports the jury's finding that the killing was willful, deliberate, and premeditated. Breard's argument with respect to proof of rape is meritless. The indictment charged Breard with the willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing of Dickie in the commission of, or subsequent to, rape or attempted rape.  (Emphasis added.) The jury found Breard guilty of attempted rape, and the evidence, as previously related, fully supports that finding.