Opinion ID: 853669
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Emerson next asserts that the evidence was insufficient to prove he participated in the crimes charged. [1] Emerson points to several discrepancies in the witnesses' descriptions to police and his actual appearance. (R. at 224, 189-92, 105.) The State responds by stating that the inconsistencies in the evidence are only minor, and that these differences are to be resolved by the jury. Inconsistencies in identification testimony go only to the weight of that testimony; it is the task of the jury to weigh the evidence and to determine the credibility of the witnesses. See Parsley v. State, 557 N.E.2d 1331, 1335 (Ind.1990). This Court does not weigh the evidence or resolve questions of credibility when determining whether the identification evidence is sufficient to sustain a conviction. Rather, we look to the evidence and the reasonable inferences therefrom which support the verdict of the jury. Anderson, 469 N.E.2d at 1169. If there is evidence of probative value from which a reasonable trier of fact could infer that appellant was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, then the conviction must be affirmed. Smith v. State, 275 Ind. 642, 419 N.E.2d 743 (1981). The unequivocal identification of the defendant by a witness in court, despite discrepancies between his description of the perpetrator and the appearance of the defendant, is sufficient to support a conviction. See Killion v. State, 464 N.E.2d 920 (Ind.1984). The jury heard three witnesses. Two stated unequivocally that Emerson was the person who robbed them at gunpoint while the other maintained that Emerson was not present that evening. (R. at 224-27, 189-92, 299.) It was entirely reasonable for a jury to believe the identification testimony of two witnesses, both of whom were physically robbed by the shooter and both of whom identified the same person, that Emerson was, in fact, the accomplice of Larry Porter the night Kenneth Mason was murdered. While there were some differences between the State's witnesses' descriptions and Emerson's actual appearance, such discrepancies could have been, and most likely were, considered by the jury in assessing the credibility of their testimony. Moreover, a clear conflict existed between the testimony of Garrett and Robinson and the testimony of Williams, who stated Emerson was not present that night. It is the jury's function to resolve such conflicts. Also, the unequivocal identification of Emerson by both Robinson and Garrett in court, despite discrepancies between their original out-of-court descriptions, is sufficient to support a conviction. See Killion, 464 N.E.2d at 921. Both Robinson and Garrett identified the defendant in court without hesitation, and both were steadfast in their determination that Emerson was Porter's accomplice. (R. at 189-92, 224-27.) The evidence was sufficient to support the jury's conclusion that Emerson was the non-shooter. See Hill v. State, 450 N.E.2d 64, 65 (Ind.1983) (contradictory evidence about bandit's height, hair color, and cap not significant enough to preclude a jury determination of guilt).