Opinion ID: 2449950
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Preservation of appellant's right to freedom from double jeopardy requires that we consider a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence prior to considering alleged trial error. Young v. State, 316 Ark. 225, 871 S.W.2d 373 (1994); Lukach v. State, 310 Ark. 119, 835 S.W.2d 852 (1992); Harris v. State, 284 Ark. 247, 681 S.W.2d 334 (1984) (citing Burks v. United States, 437 U.S. 1, 98 S.Ct. 2141, 57 L.Ed.2d 1 (1978)). Therefore, although raised as the final point of appeal, we consider the sufficiency argument prior to considering the other points relating to alleged trial error. Young, 316 Ark. 225, 871 S.W.2d 373. In determining the sufficiency question, we disregard any alleged trial errors, because to do otherwise would result in avoidance of the sufficiency argument by remanding for retrial on other grounds. Id. (citing Harris, 284 Ark. 247, 681 S.W.2d 334). At the close of the state's case, appellant moved for a directed verdict based on insufficient evidence, arguing specifically that the state had failed to prove premeditation and deliberation, the correct date of death, and that appellant caused the death of the victim. Appellant also moved for direction of a verdict due to lack of corroborating evidence of the testimony of Vernon Scott, the state's witness who appellant contends is an accomplice. Appellant renewed these arguments at the close of all the evidence. On appeal, appellant asserts simply that there was insufficient evidence of guilt of first-degree murder, arguing that Scott's testimony resulted in speculation and conjecture and therefore does not constitute substantial evidence. This latter argument is all that we address, as appellant has abandoned on appeal the other arguments raised below. Dillard v. State, 313 Ark. 439, 855 S.W.2d 909 (1993). We treat the denial of a motion for directed verdict as a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence. Lukach, 310 Ark. 119, 835 S.W.2d 852. The test for determining the sufficiency of the evidence is whether there is substantial evidence to support the verdict; substantial evidence must be forceful enough to compel a conclusion one way or the other beyond suspicion and conjecture. Id. On appellate review, it is only necessary for us to ascertain that evidence which is most favorable to appellee, and it is permissible to consider only that evidence which supports the guilty verdict. Brenk v. State, 311 Ark. 579, 847 S.W.2d 1 (1993). The following evidence, as viewed most favorably to appellee, was presented at trial. The medical examiner testified that the victim suffered ten separate gunshot wounds. The source of the gunshots either came from two shooters, or one shooter who fired from two positions. A possible murder weapon came into police custody, a .380-caliber Lorcin semi-automatic pistol. The Lorcin had previously been reported stolen by a Marvin Baccus, who purchased the gun. A handwriting expert from the Internal Revenue Service testified that the person who signed the name of Marvin Baccus when purchasing the gun was Shelby Baccus. A firearms toolmark examiner from the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory testified that a bullet found in the victim's body was fired from the .380-caliber Lorcin. The same firearms examiner testified that a .45-caliber bullet recovered from the victim's head was the same type of bullet as bullets recovered by police from appellant's grandmother's house. He explained the bullets were similar in that they were both full-metal jacketed, both weighed 230 grains, and both had an exposed lead base which is characteristic of any number of brands. At the scene where the victim's body was found, police found a rubber mask. Scott identified appellant as one of the two persons who abducted the victim at gunpoint just minutes before Scott heard gunshots. His identification of appellant was based on his knowing appellant for most of his life, recognizing the clothes he was wearing hours prior to the crime, and recognizing appellant's voice. Scott remembered appellant wearing a costume mask and brandishing a semi-automatic weapon when the victim was abducted. We conclude that the foregoing constitutes substantial evidence in support of the jury's verdict. The trial court ruled that Scott was not an accomplice as a matter of law; therefore, there was no requirement of corroborating evidence to send the case to the jury for deliberation. Accordingly, the trial court did not err in denying the motion for directed verdict.