Opinion ID: 852914
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Ritchie challenges the sufficiency of the evidence that he had the requisite mens rea to support the murder conviction. As a general matter, when reviewing a claim of insufficient evidence, we decline to reweigh the evidence and substitute our judgment for that of the trial court. Soward v. State, 716 N.E.2d 423, 425 (Ind.1999). A claim of insufficient evidence will prevail if no reasonable trier of fact could have found Ritchie guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Torres v. State, 673 N.E.2d 472, 473 (Ind.1996). Ritchie argues that he shot at Officer Toney without aiming, and there is therefore insufficient evidence to show intent to kill. Ritchie contends that certain evidence presented at trial displays his lack of intent. Ritchie notes that the expert witnesses could not establish whether Ritchie was stationary or not, or which way he was facing when he fired the shots, or whether he was moving towards or away from Officer Toney. Either an intentional or a knowing killing is required for murder. Ind.Code § 35-41-2-2 (1998). Lehman v. State, 730 N.E.2d 701, 704 (Ind.2000). A person knowingly kills when aware of a high probability that he is engaged in a killing. A person acts intentionally if when he engages in the conduct, it is his conscious objective to do so. I.C. § 35-41-2-2(a-b); Heavrin v. State, 675 N.E.2d 1075, 1079 (Ind.1996). Both intentional and knowing actions may be inferred from the circumstances. Mitchell v. State, 557 N.E.2d 660, 664 (Ind.1990); Johansen v. State, 499 N.E.2d 1128, 1132 (Ind.1986); Cole v. State, 475 N.E.2d 306, 308 (Ind. 1985). Shooting a handgun, even if merely shooting backwards without stopping and aiming, in an effort to slow down a pursuing officer meets the test of knowing. Francis v. State, 758 N.E.2d 528, 535 (Ind. 2001); Hawkins v. State, 748 N.E.2d 362, 363 (Ind.2001). Ritchie claims he did not physically trap officer Toney and methodically murder him. A reasonable trier of fact could nevertheless readily find that his conduct satisfied the element of a knowing killing. Even if we accept Ritchie's claim that the shooting was subjectively intended to slow down officer Toney, one who fires a handgun in this manner may be found to be aware of a high probability that death will result. Barker v. State, 695 N.E.2d 925, 931 (Ind.1998). Accord Cook v. State, 675 N.E.2d 687, 692 (Ind.1996) (Firing three shots in the general direction of a victim constitutes using a deadly weapon in a manner likely to cause death.) Ritchie fired four shots, and at least two were fired from a stationary position. Finally, there is no serious doubt that Ritchie was aware his victim was a law enforcement officer. These facts are enough for a reasonable trier of fact to conclude that Ritchie knew he was being chased by a law enforcement officer and that he knowingly killed Officer Toney. The jury was properly instructed on this point and so found.