Opinion ID: 2071758
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Sufficiency of Evidence Regarding Theft by Unlawful Taking or Disposition

Text: Jonusas claims the district court erred in finding sufficient evidence to support a conviction for theft by unlawful taking or disposition. In reviewing a criminal conviction, an appellate court does not resolve conflicts in the evidence, pass on the credibility of witnesses, or reweigh the evidence. Such matters are for the finder of fact, and a conviction will be affirmed, in the absence of prejudicial error, if the properly admitted evidence, viewed and construed most favorably to the State, is sufficient to support the conviction. State v. Delgado, ante p. 141, 690 N.W.2d 787 (2005). Section 28-511(1) states: A person is guilty of theft if he or she takes, or exercises control over, movable property of another with the intent to deprive him or her thereof. The purchase agreement provided that if the Youngs failed to obtain a liquor license, the money placed in escrow was to be returned to them. Jonusas admitted that he never placed the money in escrow and, instead, lost it through an investment. Jonusas argues that he was lawfully in possession of the Youngs' money and that he did not intend to deprive them of it. He contends that he believed the Youngs had breached the purchase agreement and, as such, forfeited their rights to the deposit. This claim has no merit. Nowhere in the agreement did it state that Jonusas was entitled to the money in the event that the Youngs breached the agreement. In no event did the money ever belong to Jonusas, and his alleged reason for taking the money does not exonerate him. The properly admitted evidence, viewed and construed most favorably to the State, was sufficient to support Jonusas' conviction. Jonusas was to place the Youngs' money in escrow. Jonusas was not entitled to take control of the money for personal investment. His failure to place the money in escrow and his subsequent loss of the funds clearly established his intent to deprive the Youngs of their property.