Opinion ID: 1695145
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: did the state introduce sufficient evidence at trial to sustain the defendant's conviction?

Text: Finally, this Court is urged to reverse this case because the evidence presented at trial did not sustain a conviction of homicide against the defendant. A homicide conviction can be sustained solely on circumstantial evidence. Cumbo v. State, 368 So.2d 871 (Ala.Cr.App.1978), cert. denied 368 So.2d 877 (Ala.1979). There are numerous cases when the appellate courts have reviewed homicide convictions on the grounds of insufficient evidence to support a guilty verdict. See Graham v. State, 374 So.2d 929 (Ala.Cr.App.1979), writ quashed 374 So.2d 942 (Ala.1979); Johnston v. State, 387 So.2d 891 (Ala.Cr.App.1980), writ denied 387 So.2d 905 (Ala.1980); Dolvin v. State, 391 So.2d 133 (Ala.1980). This Court has established the standard to review such convictions: In reviewing a conviction based on circumstantial evidence, this court must view that evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution. The test to be applied is whether the jury might reasonably find that the evidence excluded every reasonable hypothesis except that of guilt; not whether such evidence excludes every reasonable hypothesis but guilt, but whether a jury might reasonably so conclude. United States v. Black, 497 F.2d 1039 (5th Cir.1974); United States v. McGlamory, 441 F.2d 130 (5th Cir.1971); Clark v. United States, 293 F.2d 445 (5th Cir.1961). We must keep in mind that the test to be applied is not simply whether in the opinion of the trial judge or the appellate court the evidence fails to exclude every reasonable hypothesis but that of guilt; but rather whether the jury might so conclude. Harper v. United States, 405 F.2d 185 (5th Cir.1969); Roberts v. United States, 416 F.2d 1216 (5th Cir.1969). The procedure for appellate review of the sufficiency of the evidence has been aptly set out in Odom v. United States, 377 F.2d 853, 855 (5th Cir.1967): `Our obligation, therefore, is to examine the record to determine whether there is any theory of the evidence from which the jury might have excluded every hypothesis except guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Rua v. United States, 5 Cir., 1963, 321 F.2d 140; Riggs v. United States, 5 Cir., 1960, 280 F.2d 949. In Judge Thornberry's words,    the standard utilized by this Court is not whether in our opinion the evidence and all reasonable inferences therefrom failed to exclude every hypothesis other than guilt, but rather whether there was evidence from which the jury might reasonably so conclude. Williamson v. United States, 5th Cir., 1966, 365 F.2d 12, 14. (Emphasis supplied). `The sanctity of the jury function demands that this court never substitute its decision for that of the jury. Our obligation is to examine the welter of evidence to determine if there exists any reasonable theory from which the jury might have concluded that the defendant was guilty of the crime charged. McGlamory, 441 F.2d at 135 and 136.' Dolvin v. State, 391 So.2d 133, 137-138 (Ala. 1980), (quoting Cumbo v. State, 368 So.2d 871 (Ala.Cr.App.1978)). After examining the record on appeal, we find that the jury might reasonably conclude that Potts was guilty and, therefore, we refuse to reverse this conviction because it was based on circumstantial evidence. For the reasons set forth, the conviction of the appellant should be upheld and the judgment of the Court of Criminal Appeals is due to be affirmed. AFFIRMED. TORBERT, C.J., and FAULKNER, JONES, ALMON, SHORES and ADAMS, JJ., concur. BEATTY, J., concurs in Parts I, II, III, IV, VI and VII; but dissents in Part V. EMBRY, J., not sitting.