Opinion ID: 2621432
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Sufficiency of the Evidence to Prove Premeditation

Text: ś 86 Gregory argues that there was insufficient evidence in the record to support the element of premeditation. Evidence is sufficient to support a finding of guilt if viewed in the light most favorable to the state, a rational trier of fact could have found guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Clark, 143 Wash.2d 731, 769, 24 P.3d 1006, cert. denied, 534 U.S. 1000, 122 S.Ct. 475, 151 L.Ed.2d 389 (2001). All reasonable inferences from the evidence must be drawn in favor of the state and interpreted most strongly against the defendant. Id. ś 87 The legislature has declared that the premeditation necessary to support conviction for murder in the first degree must involve more than a moment in point of time. RCW 9A.32.020(1). This court has defined premeditation as deliberate formation of and reflection upon the intent to take a human life [that] involves the mental process of thinking beforehand, deliberation, reflection, weighing or reasoning for a period of time, however short. State v. Hoffman, 116 Wash.2d 51, 82-83, 804 P.2d 577 (1991). Premeditation may be proved by circumstantial evidence where inferences supporting premeditation are reasonable and the evidence is substantial. Clark, 143 Wash.2d at 769, 24 P.3d 1006. ś 88 This court has found that sufficient evidence supported the jury's finding of premeditation in cases where multiple wounds were inflicted with a knife or other weapon, there were signs of a struggle, the victim was at some point struck from behind, and there was evidence that sexual assault or robbery was an underlying motive. Id. at 769-70, 24 P.3d 1006; State v. Gentry, 125 Wash.2d 570, 599-601, 888 P.2d 1105, cert. denied, 516 U.S. 843, 116 S.Ct. 131, 133 L.Ed.2d 79 (1995); State v. Ortiz, 119 Wash.2d 294, 312-13, 831 P.2d 1060 (plurality), 315 (Dolliver, J., concurring), 119 Wash.2d 294, 831 P.2d 1060 (1992); State v. Ollens, 107 Wash.2d 848, 853, 733 P.2d 984 (1987). In Clark, the seven-year-old victim was stabbed at least seven times in the neck, cuts on her hands suggested a struggle, and she was sexually assaulted. 143 Wash.2d at 739, 769-70, 24 P.3d 1006. In Gentry, the defendant picked up a large rock to use as a weapon, he struggled with the victim over the course of 148 feet of a wooded trail, blows were struck on both sides of the victim's head, and sexual assault was apparently attempted. 125 Wash.2d at 600-01, 888 P.2d 1105. In Ortiz, the victim was found in her home, defensive wounds indicated a prolonged struggle through more than one room, and the victim had been raped. 119 Wash.2d at 297, 312-13, 831 P.2d 1060. In Ollens, the victim was stabbed several times with a knife and his throat was then slashed, the victim was struck from behind, and the evidence suggested that robbery was the motive. 107 Wash.2d at 849, 853, 733 P.2d 984. ś 89 The facts in the instant case similarly evince premeditation. There was no sign of forced entry into G.H.'s house, G.H. was stabbed in the throat in her kitchen and then dragged to her bedroom, G.H.'s hands were tied behind her back, her clothes were cut off of her, and G.H. was stabbed three times in the back, her throat was slit three separate times, and a vertebra in her neck was fractured. Despite her severe injuries, G.H. struggled. G.H. was raped both vaginally and anally before she died. Moreover, none of G.H.'s tip money from that evening was found, and the diamond earrings that she always wore were never recovered. Juxtaposing the facts of the instant case with those from the cases discussed above, it is evident that here there was equally substantial evidence from which the jury could have found premeditation. We conclude that there is sufficient evidence to support a finding of premeditation.