Opinion ID: 2585418
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: sufficient evidence to support the conviction for stalking

Text: Whitesell argues that there was insufficient evidence to support his stalking conviction. When the sufficiency of the evidence is challenged in a criminal case, the standard of review is whether, after review of all the evidence, viewed in a light most favorable to the prosecution, the appellate court is convinced a rational factfinder could have found the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Mason, 268 Kan. 37, 39, 986 P.2d 387 (1999). It is the function of the jury in a criminal case to determine the weight and credit to be given the testimony of each witness. On appellate review, the credibility of witnesses will not be passed upon, conflicting evidence will not be weighed, and all questions of credibility are resolved in favor of the State. State v. Noriega, 261 Kan. 440, Syl. ś 2, 932 P.2d 940 (1997). A conviction of even the gravest offense may be sustained by circumstantial evidence. State v. Smith, 268 Kan. 222, 236, 993 P.2d 1213 (1999). First, Whitesell argues that the State failed to prove either following or harassment. Whitesell does not explain why the State failed to prove either a following or harassment but does argue that he had not physically assaulted Julie during the time period contemplated by the complaint. Stalking does not require physical contact. Indeed, one of the purposes of the stalking statute is to criminalize behavior that impinges on one's privacy but which does not cross the line into physical contact. Whitesell's argument on this point is without merit. Second, Whitesell argues that there was insufficient evidence that he specifically intended to place Julie in fear. Whitesell argues that the State failed to offer any convincing evidence that Jon desired to place his wife in the mental state required by the statute. Intent may be shown by circumstantial evidence and does not need to be directly proven. See State v. Wilkins, 269 Kan. 256, 264-67, 7 P.3d 252 (2000) (intent does not need to be directly proved by the state but can be shown by circumstantial evidence). Whitesell's intent to place Julie in fear could have been inferred by the jury from the evidence of previous threats and physical attacks upon her, the note sent with the Bible and the adultery statute, Whitesell's actions of following Julie and parking down her street, watching her house, and calling her a slut and a whore when he saw her with Kyle. Last, Whitesell argues that the State failed to offer any convincing evidence that Jon made a credible threat to Julie. The prior evidence of violence against Julie showed that Whitesell's threats, implied in his written notes, verbal statements to Julie and Kyle, and other pattern of conduct, were credible. Moreover, Whitesell had access to weapons and had used guns in the past when he had threatened suicide. Whitesell additionally argues that the State improperly relied on his exercise of his First Amendment right to free speech and religion to prove the credible threat element. He presents no authority for his position that his actions in sending Julie the Bible with the threatening note and the adultery statute constitute protected religious activity. Not all forms of speech and conduct are protected by the First Amendment. As we discussed previously in this opinion, the United States Constitution does not protect the threatening speech and conduct evidenced in this case. There was sufficient evidence, when viewed in a light most favorable to the State, which convinces us that a rational factfinder could have found Whitesell guilty of stalking beyond a reasonable doubt.