Opinion ID: 1722380
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: [21] The state's burden at trial was to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was negligent in high degree and that a causal relationship existed between such negligence and the death of the victim. Defendant disputes the sufficiency of the evidence as to both elements. We reach this question notwithstanding the fact that a new trial is required for other reasons, because the double jeopardy clause of the Constitution may bar a second trial for an offense if a conviction is reversed for insufficiency of the evidence. See State v. Detco, Inc., 66 Wis.2d 95, 223 N.W.2d 859 (1974). [22] Before a jury verdict may be overturned on appeal for insufficiency of the evidence, . . . the evidence when considered most favorably to the state and the conviction must be so insufficient in probative value and force that it can be said as a matter of law that no trier of the facts acting reasonably could be convinced to that degree of certitude which the law defines as `beyond a reasonable doubt.' Lock v. State, 31 Wis.2d 110, 115, 142 N.W.2d 183 (1966). The evidence, viewed most favorably to the verdict, establishes the following: The defendant overtook Sandvig in the turn at the base of the hill below the scene of the accident, going at a speed of 65 miles per hour. He was in a no-passing zone for at least part of this passing maneuver, and he continued up the hill maintaining the same speed. He did not see the victim until he reached the crest of the hill, though the victim was visible, had defendant been looking, at a considerably earlier point. He was in the process of returning to his own lane after passing Sandvig as he reached the hillcrest, and saw the bicyclist, and at that point, because he saw the bicyclist, he swung back to the left to give clearance. At this point the cyclist was still riding along the right-hand side of the pavement. The boy then simultaneously signaled a left turn and turned his bicycle into the road, was struck by defendant's car, and killed. The jury could believe that the defendant made no real effort to slow his vehicle until he saw the boy begin his turn. The intersection where the collision occurred was marked for westbound traffic, and in any event, defendant was familiar with the road and knew or should have known that the intersection was there. The posted speed limit throughout this region was 55 miles per hour. The traffic on the day in question was heavy, and the road in this area had many curves and hills. [23] Though some of the foregoing was disputed, the jury could have found the facts described, and we believe the evidence adequately shows negligence in a high degree as defined by sec. 940.08 (2), Stats. Passing a bicyclist in a no-passing zone may not always be negligent. However, in this case the defendant passed in an intersection at a high rate of speed, and the jury properly could have found that an ordinarily prudent person would not have done so, but rather would have seen the bicyclist earlier than defendant did, would have moderated his speed well in advance of the intersection, and would have allowed the bicyclist to clear the intersection before overtaking him. The jury could have found that in acting as he did the defendant should have realized that he created a situation of unreasonable risk to persons near the intersection. Defendant's car was moving at 60 mph at the hillcrest by defendant's own admission, and if the risk of striking a human being on a bicycle at a speed such as this does not carry with it a high probability of death, it is difficult to imagine a situation that would. [24-26] As to causation, this court has adopted the substantial factor formulation of the test. If a party's negligence is a substantial factor in producing a victim's injury, he is liable therefore, and there may be more than one substantial causative factor in any given case. Sampson v. Laskin, 66 Wis.2d 318, 325, 224 N.W.2d 594 (1975); Blashaski v. Classified Risk Ins. Corp., 48 Wis.2d 169, 174, 175, 179 N.W.2d 924 (1970). The jury was instructed accordingly; see Wis. J.I.Criminal 1170. [12] Moreover, it is the general rule that where the state seeks to punish negligent conduct criminally, the contributory negligence of the victim is no defense. While no doubt the entire circumstances surrounding the killing are proper for the consideration of the jury in determining whether or not the defendant was negligent, yet his criminal negligence, if it exists, cannot be wiped out by the fact that the deceased was also negligent. Maxon v. State, 177 Wis. 379, 386, 387, 187 N.W. 753 (1922). See also State v. Pope, 6 Conn. Cir. 712, 313 A.2d 84 (1972); People v. Pociask, 14 Cal.2d 679, 96 P.2d 788 (1939); Annot. Negligent homicide as affected by negligence or other misconduct of the decedent, 67 A.L.R. 922 (1930). It is undisputed here that the victim was negligent in turning from an improper position on the road, failing to keep an adequate lookout, and failing to signal in advance of his turn. The question here is whether, considering the victim's negligence along with the other circumstances of the case, the jury could have found that negligence of the defendant was nevertheless an operative factor having a substantial effect in producing the victim's death. The defendant argues that the boy's negligence was the entire causethat even if the defendant had not been driving too fast the result would have been the same. The state argues that the defendant's negligence lay at least in part in passing the victim at high speed within the intersection and that these factors are clear causes of the accident and injury. [27] As the circuit court and the state point out, the reason behind the prohibition of passing in an intersection is related to protection of persons turning there. When it is considered that an intersection collision was here involved, we believe an adequate causal relation between the victim's death and the defendant's high degree of negligence appears. The sufficiency of the evidence to support the verdict is clear. By the Court. Order reversed and cause remanded for a new trial consistent with this opinion.