Opinion ID: 2054675
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: People v. Baker: Analysis

Text: Unlike Jason Goecke, defendant Richard Baker was tried and convicted of second-degree murder. In determining whether there was sufficient evidence to sustain the conviction, we review the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution. People v. Wolfe, 440 Mich. 508, 515, 489 N.W.2d 748 (1992), modified 441 Mich. 1201 (1992). We determine whether a rational trier of fact could find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. Looking at the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, I would conclude in People v. Baker that there was insufficient evidence to sustain the conviction. Just as in Goecke, the evidence revealed that defendant was intoxicated, was speeding, and ran a red light. However, there was insufficient evidence that defendant subjectively knew that the natural tendency of his actions would likely result in death or great bodily harm to another person. Therefore, I would affirm the Court of Appeals judgment in this case, as well. For the same reason stated in my analysis in Goecke, I would likewise not find sufficient evidence to sustain the second-degree murder conviction of Baker under an objective standard.