Opinion ID: 1423118
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: isufficiency of evidence

Text: Defendant asserts that the trial court erred in overruling defendants' motions for judgment of acquittal, made at the end of the People's case and renewed at the close of all the evidence, because the evidence was insufficient to support a verdict of murder in the first degree. Neither the law nor the record supports this contention. Under Colorado statutes, murder in the first degree, other than in the commission of a felony, is the deliberate and premeditated killing of a human being with express malice aforethought. Watkins v. People, 158 Colo. 485, 493, 408 P.2d 425; Washington v. People, 158 Colo. 115, 405 P.2d 735; Ingles v. People, 92 Colo. 518, 22 P.2d 1109. The elements of deliberation and premeditation are established by proof of the formed design to kill, and length of time is not a determinative factor. The only time requirement for deliberation and premeditation within the meaning of the first degree murder statute is an interval sufficient for one thought to follow another. Bradney v. People, 162 Colo. 403, 426 P.2d 765; People v. Spinuzzi, 149 Colo. 391, 369 P.2d 427; Hammil v. People, 145 Colo. 577, 361 P.2d 117; Sandoval v. People, 117 Colo. 588, 192 P.2d 423; Maestas v. People, 91 Colo. 36, 11 P.2d 227; Robinson v. People, 76 Colo. 416, 232 P.2d 672; Van Houton v. People, 22 Colo. 53, 43 P. 137. The element of express malice is defined by C.R.S. 1963, 40-2-2 that deliberate intention unlawfully to take away the life of a fellow creature which is manifested by external circumstances capable of proof. Thus, proof of a killing under deliberate and premeditated circumstances is proof of express malice. Watkins v. People, supra , and People v. Spinuzzi, supra . Our review of the record reveals competent evidence of external circumstances evincing a deliberate and premeditated killing. First, while still sitting in the Fisher car, defendant took from his pocket the knife used in the killing and opened the blade, which was approximately 5 to 6 inches long. Second, defendant got out of the car with the opened knife in his hand and sought out the deceased, who was standing near another car. Third, after thus confronting the deceased, defendant argued with her for several minutes, during which time he stated, Bitch, I'll kill you. Defendant promptly followed these words with a staggering blow and then the fatal stabbing. From this evidence, the jury could find that defendant killed Tommie Hughes with deliberation and premeditation, and hence, with express malice. Defendant's account of his actions and the victim's actions just prior to the infliction of the fatal knife wound, conflicts with the other evidence. However, we cannot say the defendant's story was so probable and so credible that the jury, as a matter of law, could not disbelieve it. Defendant also places strong reliance upon the conflict between witness Starr's testimony that defendant stabbed Tommie Hughes with an upward blow and the medical testimony of a downward wound. This discrepancy in no way undermines the evidence from which the jury could find that defendant had a formed design to kill the girl and that he inflicted the fatal wound. The jury resolved the conflicting evidence by a verdict of murder in the first degree. The verdict being supported by competent evidence, the jurors are the final arbiters and their conclusion cannot be disturbed on review. Sullivan v. People, 111 Colo. 205, 139 P.2d 876; Agnes v. People, 104 Colo. 527, 93 P.2d 891; Maestas v. People, supra .