Opinion ID: 853190
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: The defendant claims the evidence was insufficient to support his convictions, arguing the evidence only shows his presence at the scene of the crimes. In addressing a claim of insufficient evidence, an appellate court must consider only the probative evidence and reasonable inferences supporting the judgment, without weighing evidence or assessing witness credibility, and determine therefrom whether a reasonable trier of fact could have found the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Marcum v. State, 725 N.E.2d 852, 863 (Ind.2000). The evidence discloses that Delwin Williams was at Christopher Moss's apartment with the defendant and Russell Lewis. Lewis began to hit Williams in the face with a pistol while asking him about a previous burglary. After telling Williams to cleanup, the trio made Williams lead them to his alleged co-burglar, Marvin Maxwell (also known as Cain). This procession consisted of Lewis, holding a gun on Williams, on one side and Moss on the other with the defendant directly behind Williams. Upon finding the apartment where Cain was, the three men forced their way inside and beat him. Three witnesses variously testified that they saw the defendant strike Cain multiple times with his fist, a bottle, a handgun, and a bike. The three men then dragged Cain back to Moss's apartment where he was shot in the head. And at some point during the beating, the defendant bit Cain on the shoulder leaving an impression. The evidence was sufficient to show that the defendant was a participant in the beating and confinement of Williams; the burglary of the first apartment; and the beating, confinement, and killing of Cain.