Opinion ID: 2148871
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Isaacs next contends there was insufficient evidence that he committed battery, a Class C felony. When reviewing a claim of sufficiency of the evidence, we do not reweigh the evidence or judge the credibility of witnesses. Jordan v. State, 656 N.E.2d 816, 817 (Ind.1995), reh'g denied. We look to the evidence and the reasonable inferences therefrom that support the verdict. Id. The conviction will be affirmed if evidence of probative value exists from which a jury could find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. The Indiana Code states that [a] person who knowingly or intentionally touches another person in a rude, insolent, or angry manner commits battery .... a Class C felony if it results in serious bodily injury to any other person or if it is committed by means of a deadly weapon. IC XX-XX-X-X. Isaacs argues that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to prove that he committed battery by means of a deadly weapon. A review of the record reveals that Larissa testified that when Isaacs entered the bedroom, he was holding a butcher knife. When a police officer arrived at Isaacs' house, Larissa told him that Isaacs had a knife. Freddie testified that Isaacs hit him with something hard. On cross-examination, Freddie further testified that Isaacs hit him with whatever Isaacs had in his hand. From this evidence, the jury could reasonably infer that Isaacs committed battery by means of a deadly weapon. Moreover, the battery statute requires proof of the battery by means of a deadly weapon or having resulted in serious bodily injury. IC XX-XX-X-X. Here, there was also evidence presented which would have allowed the jury to conclude that the battery resulted in serious bodily injury, which is defined as bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes unconsciousness or extreme pain. IND.CODE § 35-41-1-25 (1988). Freddie testified that he was knocked unconscious after Isaacs hit him with something hard. The emergency room physician testified that Freddie suffered from a concussion and a fractured nose. From this evidence, the jury could have concluded that the object in Isaacs' hand inflicted serious bodily injury. Thus, there was sufficient evidence presented from which the jury could have inferred either that the battery resulted in serious bodily injury or that it was committed by means of a deadly weapon, or both. We find no error here.