Opinion ID: 1515950
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: The defendant next contends that the evidence was insufficient to support the trial court's entry of a final order. He implies that the evidence did not support a finding that he engaged in conduct that constituted stalking. He also asserts that the evidence did not support a finding that his conduct would have caused a reasonable person to fear for his or her personal safety. We review sufficiency of the evidence claims as a matter of law and uphold the findings and rulings of the trial court unless they are lacking in evidential support or tainted by error of law. Fichtner v. Pittsley, 146 N.H. 512, 515, 774 A.2d 1239 (2001). The evidence included testimony that the defendant was hired by the plaintiff's former boyfriend, after the couple ended their relationship and that the stalking began after a complaint by the plaintiff caused the boyfriend to be arrested. The plaintiff testified that the police told her to take precautions and lock all of her doors and windows because the defendant was watching her. There was also evidence that: the defendant was in a parked vehicle near the plaintiff's home with the vehicle's lights turned off; the next day, he followed her to her son's school and stared [her] down; he followed her when she came to the courthouse to file the petition; and, when she returned home from filing it, the defendant was waiting for her near her home. Thus, there was evidence that the defendant followed, approached or confronted the plaintiff two or more times over a period that evidenced a continuity of purpose. See RSA 633:3-a, II(a)(2). In addition, we conclude that this evidence supports the trial court's finding that the defendant's conduct would have a caused a reasonable person to fear for his or her personal safety. Finally, we need not address the defendant's contention that no reasonable person could fear something of which he or she was not aware because, in this case, the plaintiff's petition was based upon conduct of which she was aware. Cf. State v. Gubitosi, 152 N.H. 673, 682-83, 886 A.2d 1029 (2005) (holding that communication between defendant and third party of which victim was later made aware supported finding of stalking).