Opinion ID: 2611383
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Sufficiency of Evidence With Respect to Count Five: Attempted Arson of a Structure

Text: Evidence is sufficient if there is substantial evidence to support the guilty verdict. State v. Mincey, 141 Ariz. 425, 432, 687 P.2d 1180, 1187 (1984). Put differently, the question is whether there was sufficient evidence so that a rational trier of fact could have found guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. In reviewing sufficiency of the evidence, we examine the evidence in the light most favorable to sustaining the verdict, and resolve all reasonable inferences against the defendant. State v. Gallegos, 178 Ariz. 1, 9, 870 P.2d 1097, 1115 (1994). Rienhardt argues that the testimony at trial established only that Christina George and Charles Nadeau took steps toward burning the Buick while Rienhardt stood some distance away talking on a pay phone. The state argues that Rienhardt's conduct before, during, and after the attempted arson of the vehicle by George and Nadeau rendered him an accomplice under A.R.S. § 13-301. The ultimate issue, then, is whether a rational trier of fact could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that Rienhardt solicited, commanded, aided, counseled, agreed to aid, or attempted to aid George and Nadeau in attempting to burn the vehicle, or provided them with a means or opportunity to commit the offense. George testified that while she and Nadeau hatched the plan to burn the car, Rienhardt called Anginette Ortiz, the owner of the Buick, said that he was sorry, and that he would buy her a new car. One inference to be drawn from this testimony is that Rienhardt was part of a plan to burn the car. Although another inference is that Rienhardt was talking to Ortiz about the extensive damage the vehicle had sustained at Reddington Pass, the jury was entitled to reach the former inference. Additional testimony with respect to what happened in the parking lot came from an eyewitness in a nearby donut shop. He testified that he saw only two people around the Buick during the time in question: a woman, undoubtedly George, and a large man with very short hair, undoubtedly Nadeau. The sheriff's deputy who came upon the group testified that three people were standing around the vehicles just before fleeing in the black Toyota MR-2. While the state did not present very strong evidence against Rienhardt with respect to the attempted arson count, a reasonable inference to be drawn from the evidence is that Rienhardt was an accomplice to the attempted burning of the Buick. Rienhardt was present, or very nearby, during the commission of the offense, had a very strong interest in the destruction of evidence contained in the Buick, and was the party responsible for the vehicle that evening. The evidence was sufficient to support the verdict.