Opinion ID: 1850677
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Count I: Burglary with intent to commit rape

Text: ¶ 29. Wright was charged with burglary of a dwelling under Miss.Code Ann. § 97-17-23 (Rev.2006). Burglary is the crime of breaking into the dwelling house of another with the intent to commit a felony therein; in this case, the felony was the rape of Pope. The victim testified that she had locked the door before going to sleep, and that no one had permission to be in her house. She said that when she asked Wright how he had gotten inside, he had told her she might want to lock [her] kitchen window. Additionally, the prosecution called Hampton and Hall who both testified to seeing the torn kitchen window screen after the incident took place. ¶ 30. Pope also testified that Wright had made unsuccessful passes at her before, but that she had laughed off his advances. She stated that, on the night of the incident in question, she awoke to someone calling her name and then saw Wright beside her bed. After the rape was over, Pope testified that Wright had said: I know I just raped you and I know the consequences I have to pay, but you shouldn't have been playing with me like this. ¶ 31. Wright contends that the state has failed to meet its burden in establishing the elements of burglary. To prove his argument, he brings forth two points: first, that Detective Hall did not physically produce the window screen as evidence and second, that Pope stated she was not completely sure how Wright got into her home. While these facts are true, they do not preclude a reasonable guilty verdict. ¶ 32. This Court has consistently held that with regard to the sufficiency of the evidence, a reversal is warranted only when evidence of one or more elements of an offense is such that reasonable and fair-minded jurors could only find the accused not guilty. Wilson v. State, 936 So.2d 357, 363 (Miss.2006)(citing Hawthorne, 835 So.2d at 21). Hall testified to the condition of the window screen, and this testimony was consistent with that given by Hampton and Pope. The victim stated that Wright told her he entered the apartment through the kitchen window, and this was also consistent with the testimony of the other two witnesses, both of whom said the kitchen window was either open or tampered with. [5] Pope further testified that Wright had tried to touch her earlier that day, had made unsuccessful sexual advances on prior occasions, and when she awoke he was standing by her bed. Based upon this evidence, a rational juror could have found the elements of the crime were established beyond a reasonable doubt, therefore, the trial court did not err in denying Wright's motion to dismiss the indictment, motion for directed verdict, and motion for JNOV.