Opinion ID: 1295913
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Tubbs' trial counsel moved for a verdict of acquittal in general terms, stating simply I would make a Motion for Acquittal on the OWI, and two assaults on peace officers, your Honor. On appeal Tubbs argues his trial lawyer was ineffective because he failed to assert insufficiency of the evidence as a specific ground for his motion. We conclude that, even if Tubbs' trial counsel had been more specific and raised the grounds now urged, the motion was properly overruled. We have said: The principles of law for reviewing a motion for judgment of acquittal based on sufficiency of the evidence are well established: When reviewing the sufficiency of evidence, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, including all legitimate inferences and presumptions which may fairly and reasonably be deduced from the evidence in the record. It is necessary to consider all of the evidence and not just the evidence supporting the verdict. A jury verdict is binding upon this court and will be upheld unless the record lacks substantial evidence to support the charge. Substantial evidence means evidence which would convince a rational trier of fact that the [defendant is] guilty of the crime charged beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Bass, 349 N.W.2d 498, 500 (Iowa 1984) (quoting State v. Blair, 347 N.W.2d 416, 418-19 (Iowa 1984)). When the evidence is viewed under these principles, we conclude it is clearly sufficient to support the jury's verdict. Tubbs failed to pull over despite the fact the officers had their lights and siren on, he swerved within his lane, failed to stop when ordered to do so by the officers, smelled of alcohol, appeared disheveled, and had trouble balancing. He failed field-sobriety tests and became combative when the officers attempted to arrest him. At the hospital, he urinated on two examination tables and passed in and out of consciousness. The evidence of intoxication was substantial, and the trial court properly overruled the motion for judgment of acquittal.