Opinion ID: 2085821
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Defendant argues that the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction as an accessory in the murder and criminal confinement of Coyle and also is insufficient to support a conviction for conspiracy to commit robbery. Defendant does not contest that Newton and Duane confined Coyle without his consent and then shot and killed him in the course of an attempted robbery, or that he was present at the time. Rather, he argues that neither his presence at the scene of the crime with Newton and Duane nor his negative acquiescence in the crime, is sufficient to support his convictions. In support of his argument, defendant asserts that he did not get out of his car during the encounter with Coyle; that he was acting under the direction of Newton and Duane; and that he did not have the handgun in his possession and did not shoot Coyle. Defendant maintains that he was caught up in a situation over which he had no control. (Appellant's Brief at 13.) In reviewing a claim that the evidence is insufficient to support a conviction, this Court will look only to the evidence most favorable to the State and all reasonable inferences that support the judgment, and will not weigh conflicting evidence or judge the credibility of witnesses. We will affirm the conviction unless, based on this evidence, we conclude that no reasonable jury could find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of each element of the crime charged. See Mayo v. State, 681 N.E.2d 689, 691 (Ind.1997); Vance v. State, 640 N.E.2d 51, 57 (Ind.1994); Loyd v. State, 272 Ind. 404, 407, 398 N.E.2d 1260, 1264 (1980). To prove that defendant was an accessory to the crimes of felony murder and criminal confinement, the State must prove that defendant aided Newton or Duane as they confined Coyle, attempted to rob him, and ultimately killed him during the course of their attempted robbery. See supra notes 1-3. While mere presence at the scene or acquiescence in the crime is not sufficient to prove his participation, [8] presence at the scene, together with evidence as to defendant's conduct before, during and after the crimes which tends to show complicity, can support an inference of participation in the crimes. Harris v. State, 617 N.E.2d 912, 915 (Ind.1993). Moreover, it is not necessary that the State prove that defendant got out of the car while Newton and Duane shot Coyle, [9] or that he held the gun or shot Coyle. [10] It is also not necessary for the State to prove that he discussed, expressly agreed to, [11] or actually intended to or foresaw shooting Coyle. [12] Stated another way, it is not necessary that the evidence show the accomplice personally participated in the commission of each element of the offenses. Fox v. State, 497 N.E.2d 221, 227-28 (Ind. 1986). Rather the accessory liability statute imposes a form of vicarious liability. Id. Thus, evidence that the accomplice acted in concert with those who physically committed the elements of the crime is sufficient to support a conviction for murder and criminal confinement on the accessory theory. Id. To prove defendant guilty of conspiracy to commit robbery, the State must prove only that defendant intended to commit a robbery, that he agreed with Newton and Duane to commit robbery, and that one of them performed an overt act in furtherance of the agreement. Ind.Code § 35-41-5-2 (1993). While mere association with the alleged co-conspirator is, standing alone, insufficient to support a conviction, the State is not required to prove the existence of a formal express agreement. Vance v. State, 640 N.E.2d at 57. Rather, the State may prove the agreement either by direct or circumstantial evidence. Id. at 58. Here, while defendant did not hold the gun or shoot Coyle, this is not a case where defendant was simply present at the scene with Newton and Duane. As stated above, defendant was with Newton and Duane when Newton said he felt like robbing and killing someone and recruited assistants. Defendant agreed to join them and to drive them to Ball State, and he was aware that Newton was armed with a gun, if not before leaving the graveyard, then right after getting into his car. He helped them drive around while they searched for a victim, and he waited for Newton and Duane while they apprehended Coyle. He saw Newton display the gun and heard him demand money from Coyle who was trapped in the car with the three men. Defendant waited for Newton and Duane while they both shot Coyle, and then he drove them back to their friend's house. Defendant maintains that he did not hear Newton say that he wanted to rob and kill someone while at the graveyard; that Newton coerced his participation throughout the commission of the crimes; that, even after Coyle was in the car and Newton asked him for money while displaying a gun, he was confused about what was happening; and, of course, that he is not guilty. His statements and testimony, however, are riddled with inconsistencies and, on balance, largely support the State's case. In fact, on cross-examination defendant revealed that he was no innocent. He admitted that when Newton said he wanted to do devious things, defendant thought he meant either robbing someone or doing some other criminal act, and that, when Newton asked Coyle for money while in the car and Coyle said he didn't have money with him but could get some at his residence, Coyle was trying to buy his life. (R. at 687.) Defendant also admitted that he could have driven off by himself after Newton, who had a gun, and Duane got out of the car to apprehend Coyle and then again after they got out of the car with Coyle, but he did not do so. At no point did defendant deny that he was with Newton and Duane, that he knew Newton had a gun, that Newton asked Coyle for money while displaying the gun in the car, and that Newton and Duane shot Coyle while defendant waited for them in his car. Defendant presented no other witnesses except his mother who knew nothing about the events of September 25 except that her son reported that their car had been stolen. Moreover, the testimony of Turner and inferences that flow from his testimony, refute any aspects of defendant's testimony that do not support the State's position. Turner testified that defendant was standing right next to Newton when he stated that he felt like robbing and killing someone, and agreed to drive Newton and Duane to Ball State. He also testified that after the crimes, defendant did not appear scared and did not say anything about being threatened or coerced to participate, but rather seemed normal. (R. at 553.) There is ample evidence to support defendant's convictions for murder and criminal confinement, as well as for conspiracy to commit robbery.