Opinion ID: 1991696
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: directed verdict and sufficiency

Text: In a criminal case, a court can direct a verdict only when there is a complete failure of evidence to establish an essential element of the crime charged or the evidence is so doubtful in character, lacking probative value, that a finding of guilt based on such evidence cannot be sustained. State v. Dyer, 245 Neb. 385, 513 N.W.2d 316 (1994); State v. Hirsch, 245 Neb. 31, 511 N.W.2d 69 (1994). If there is any evidence which will sustain a finding for the party against whom a motion for directed verdict is made, the case may not be decided as a matter of law. State v. Hirsch, supra . In determining whether a criminal defendant's motion to dismiss for insufficient evidence should be sustained, the State is entitled to have all of its relevant evidence accepted as true, the benefit of every inference that can reasonably be drawn from the evidence, and every controverted fact resolved in its favor. State v. McDowell, 246 Neb. 692, 522 N.W.2d 738 (1994). Testimony from the defendant's daughter related that the defendant told her to find the bullets. Other witnesses testified to entering the bedroom after hearing a gunshot and to seeing the body of the victim and the defendant holding a gun. Law enforcement officials recited admission after admission from the defendant. The cause of death of the victim was a gunshot wound to the neck by the gun which the defendant held, and bullets for the gun were found in her closet. The defendant and the victim had been arguing earlier and at the time of the shooting. The question of premeditation is for the jury. See State v. Marks, 248 Neb. 592, 537 N.W.2d 339 (1995). A directed verdict would have been improper. Construing the evidence in favor of the State, there was more than enough evidence for the jury to find premeditation and convict the defendant.