Opinion ID: 1693796
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Defendant initially contends that the evidence was insufficient to support his armed robbery and felony murder convictions. People v. Wolfe, 440 Mich. 508, 515, 489 N.W.2d 748 (1992), articulates the standard for reviewing sufficiency claims: [W]hen determining whether sufficient evidence has been presented to sustain a conviction, a court must view the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution and determine whether any rational trier of fact could have found that the essential elements of the crime were proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Circumstantial evidence and reasonable inferences arising from that evidence can constitute satisfactory proof of the elements of a crime. People v. Allen, 201 Mich.App. 98, 100, 505 N.W.2d 869 (1993).
The prosecution presented sufficient evidence to prove defendant's armed robbery conviction beyond a reasonable doubt. The elements of armed robbery are: (1) an assault, (2) a felonious taking of property from the victim's presence or person, (3) while the defendant is armed with a weapon described in the statute. People v. Turner, 213 Mich.App. 558, 569, 540 N.W.2d 728 (1995). The prosecution here relied, in part, on an aiding and abetting theory. Aiding and abetting describes all forms of assistance rendered to the perpetrator of a crime and comprehends all words or deeds that might support, encourage, or incite the commission of a crime.... To support a finding that a defendant aided and abetted a crime, the prosecutor must show that (1) the crime charged was committed by the defendant or some other person, (2) the defendant performed acts or gave encouragement that assisted the commission of the crime, and (3) the defendant intended the commission of the crime or had knowledge that the principal intended its commission at the time he gave aid and encouragement. An aider and abettor's state of mind may be inferred from all the facts and circumstances. Factors that may be considered include a close association between the defendant and the principal, the defendant's participation in the planning or execution of the crime, and evidence of flight after the crime. [ Turner, supra, 213 Mich.App. at 568-569, 540 N.W.2d 728 (citations omitted).] In this case, the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to establish that defendant committed armed robbery, either as a principal or as an aider and abettor. The presence of the victim's blood on defendant's sleeve and in his pockets suggested that defendant himself assaulted the victim. The jury could have inferred further that defendant assisted in a felonious taking of property in light of his close association with Escobar. Defendant fled the crime scene with Escobar, who had the fruits of the robbery, the victim's inscribed watch, on his person. Finally, the jury could have concluded that defendant had been armed with a dangerous weapon. The autopsy established that the victim died from a stab wound to the neck. Given the presence of the victim's blood on defendant's clothes, and the absence of the victim's blood on Escobar's clothes, the jury rationally could have inferred that defendant had used a knife during the robbery. Accordingly, the prosecution presented sufficient evidence to prove armed robbery beyond a reasonable doubt.
The prosecution also adduced sufficient evidence to support defendant's felony murder conviction as either a principal or an aider and abettor. The elements of felony murder are: (1) the killing of a human being, (2) with the intent to kill, to do great bodily harm, or to create a very high risk of death or great bodily harm with knowledge that death or great bodily harm was the probable result [i.e., malice], (3) while committing, attempting to commit, or assisting in the commission of any of the felonies specifically enumerated in [the statute, including armed robbery]. [ Turner, supra, 213 Mich.App. at 566, 540 N.W.2d 728.] The facts and circumstances of the killing may give rise to an inference of malice. Id. A jury may infer malice from evidence that the defendant intentionally set in motion a force likely to cause death or great bodily harm. Id. Malice may also be inferred from the use of a deadly weapon. Id., p. 567, 540 N.W.2d 728. In situations involving the vicarious liability of cofelons, the individual liability of each felon must be shown. It is fundamentally unfair and in violation of basic principles of individual criminal culpability to hold one felon liable for an unforeseen death that did not result from actions agreed upon by the participants. In cases where the felons are acting intentionally or recklessly in pursuit of a common plan, liability may be established on agency principles. If the homicide is not within the scope of the main purpose of the conspiracy, those not participating are not criminally liable. [ Id., pp. 566-567, 540 N.W.2d 728, quoting People v. Flowers, 191 Mich. App. 169, 178, 477 N.W.2d 473 (1991) (citations omitted).] See also People v. Aaron, 409 Mich. 672, 731, 299 N.W.2d 304 (1980). Here, the prosecution satisfied the first element by proving the killing of a human being, Thomas Gober. A knife wound to Gober's throat severed his carotid artery. The jury could infer that defendant inflicted the fatal wound, given the blood stains on his sleeve and in his pockets. The jury also could have inferred that defendant, if not acting as the principal, had aided and abetted the murder by participating in the underlying offense, i.e., the robbery, and that the killing was within the scope of the robbers' common plan. Warren saw Escobar in the parking structure involved in a struggle. Defendant fled the scene of the crime with Escobar and an unknown third suspect. Defendant's hood was pulled up as he ran from the parking ramp. He later turned his jacket inside out to avoid detection. These facts establish that defendant was not merely present, but an active participant in the armed robbery. The jury could thus have inferred that defendant, if not acting as a principal, aided and abetted the homicide by participating in the robbery in which the victim was killed. The second element, malice, is also supported by the evidence. The autopsy established that a knife was used in the homicide. An inference of malice arises from the use of the knife. Moreover, by engaging in an armed robbery with his co-felons, defendant set in motion a force likely to cause death or great bodily harm. Even if defendant did not personally use the knife, the jury could have inferred that defendant acted with malice. Defendant participated in a robbery involving the use of a knife, acting in wanton and wilful disregard of the possibility that death or great bodily harm would result. See People v. Kelly, 423 Mich. 261, 273, 378 N.W.2d 365 (1985). [5] The use of a knife in an isolated parking structure to rob the victim supported the finding of malice. Even if defendant had not intended to kill the victim when he entered the parking garage, the nature of the killing established that it was neither accidental nor done without malice. Defendant at the very least became aware of his cohort's intent during the events in question. See id., p. 280, 378 N.W.2d 365. Finally, the prosecution presented evidence that defendant committed or assisted in the commission of armed robbery when the victim was killed. The police retrieved the victim's watch from Escobar shortly after the crime. The jury could have inferred that defendant assisted in the robbery of Gober's watch, given his close association with Escobar, his flight from the scene, and the presence of the victim's blood on his clothes. Accordingly, the prosecution presented sufficient evidence from which a rational trier of fact could find the elements of felony murder beyond a reasonable doubt.