Opinion ID: 1669169
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 14

Heading: Sufficiency of Evidence and Motions for Directed Verdict or to Dismiss

Text: The sixth summarized assignment of error rests on Hankins' motion for a directed verdict made at the close of the State's case and his motion to dismiss the charges against him made at the close of all the evidence, both of which motions the trial judge overruled. Hankins argues that the trial judge should have directed a verdict in his favor or granted his later first motion for new trial, as the evidence was insufficient to support the verdicts in that there was not sufficient evidence to corroborate his confession as required by State v. Scott, 200 Neb. 265, 263 N.W.2d 659 (1978). In determining the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain a conviction, it is not the province of this court to resolve conflicts in the evidence, pass on the credibility of the witnesses, determine the plausibility of explanations, or weigh the evidence; such matters are for the finder of fact. The verdict must be sustained if, taking the view most favorable to the State, there is sufficient evidence to support it. State v. Butts, 232 Neb. 71, 439 N.W.2d 493 (1989); State v. Lehl, 231 Neb. 906, 438 N.W.2d 505 (1989). On a defendant's motion to dismiss for insufficient evidence of the crime charged against the defendant, the State is entitled to have all its relevant evidence accepted as true, the benefit of every inference reasonably drawn from the evidence, and every controverted fact resolved in its favor. State v. Pierce, 231 Neb. 966, 439 N.W.2d 435 (1989). In a criminal case a court can direct a verdict only when (1) there is a complete failure of evidence to establish an essential element of the crime charged, or (2) the evidence is so doubtful in character and lacking in probative value that a finding of guilt based on such evidence cannot be sustained. State v. Pierce, supra ; State v. Diesing, 231 Neb. 132, 435 N.W.2d 190 (1989). A voluntary confession is insufficient, standing alone, to prove that a crime has been committed, but it is competent evidence of that fact and may, with slight corroborative circumstances, be sufficient to warrant a conviction. State v. Scott, supra ; State v. Moss, 182 Neb. 502, 155 N.W.2d 435 (1968); Sullivan v. State, 58 Neb. 796, 79 N.W. 721 (1899). Where a crime involves physical damage to a person or property, the prosecution must generally show that the injury for which the accused confesses responsibility did in fact occur and that some person was criminally culpable. There need be no link, outside the confession, between the injury and the confessor. State v. Scott, supra . Evidence certainly exists in this case sufficient for the jury to conclude that each of the three victims was killed and that some person was criminally culpable. Hankins' confession sufficiently linked him to the crimes, and, as noted earlier, a surfeit of evidence extrinsic to the confession exists which corroborates Hankins' guilt. Hankins had access to the apartment, and his was the only fingerprint discovered on the weapon used; he owned the metal bar on which Kevin Cook's blood and Danae Cook's hair were found. In addition, Hankins' clothing and Danae Cook's automobile were missing from the apartment when the bodies were found. Further, as the State points out, the physical evidence coincided with Hankins' confession as to the time of death, the location and condition of the bodies, and the nature of the murder weapon. Hankins' admission that he woke up depressed and thinking about a lot of things; that he got up, went into the dining room and picked up his winch bar, walked into the bedroom and started beating Barbara Cook while she was sleeping; and that after he finished, he went into the living room and started beating Danae Cook and then Kevin Cook establishes the killings were done purposely and with premeditated malice, as required for the offense of first degree murder under the provisions of § 28-303(1). Thus, sufficient evidence exists to support the jury's verdicts, and there is no basis on which the trial judge could properly sustain Hankins' motions to direct a verdict in his favor or to dismiss the charges.