Opinion ID: 883138
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 29

Heading: Brain Tissue

Text: Moore contends that the only evidence which proves Brisbin's death is the piece of brain tissue which was found in Moore's camper, and the State did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the brain tissue was human. Moore states that the experiment Dr. Blake conducted demonstrates that the DNA amplified by the PCR test could have been any human genetic material (i.e., not cerebellum tissue) on a substrate such as deer brain. In fact, Dr. Schanfield, the State's expert, readily admitted that deer brain mixed with human blood would amplify under the DQ-alpha system. Moore states that his theory that the piece of brain tissue was actually deer brain or other tissue which had been contaminated by Brisbin's blood is further supported by the fact that of the two samples of brain tissue, only one sample amplified. However, as we stated in issue three, Moore's theory concerning the brain tissue provided nothing more than an alternative theory for the jury's consideration. Moreover, we do not agree that the piece of brain tissue is the only evidence of Brisbin's death. The record is replete with evidence of Moore's guilt. Brisbin disappeared on the morning of November 9, 1990, after meeting Moore at Bair's truckstop. Because Brisbin was a conscientious father and businessman, his disappearance was totally out of character. Upon returning to West Yellowstone, on November 9, 1990, Moore developed a story that he last saw Brisbin climbing into a car on Interstate 90 with a woman driver. When confronted with incriminating evidence, Moore began to change his story, and eventually developed the story that Brisbin was drunk, threatening suicide, and had shot himself in the head after Moore struggled to get a gun away from him. Moore testified at trial that he initially lied about the facts surrounding Brisbin's disappearance because he thought Brisbin might want to return and take the job as undersheriff, which Brisbin had applied for before his disappearance, and the incident might jeopardize Brisbin's position. Moore expended great efforts to destroy evidence in his camper, including removing bullet fragments, covering up bullet holes, and using a power washer to clean the interior of the camper. Attorney Larry Whitman and Sheriff Slaughter each received a letter purportedly from Brisbin. In the letter to Whitman, Rene Brisbin's name was misspelled, and it made reference to the alleged events which took place in the camper. Moore acknowledged that only he and Brisbin could have known what had occurred in Moore's camper on November 9, 1990. The signatures on the letters were determined to be forgeries. In addition, both serological and RFLP analysis of the muscle tissue found in the camper indicated that the muscle tissue was of human origin, and was consistent with having come from the biological father of the Brisbin children. The PCR analysis of the brain tissue also indicated that the tissue was human and consistent with the father of the children. Without going into further detail, based on our review of the record, we conclude that the State presented a significant amount of evidence upon which a rational trier of fact could find Moore guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Therefore, we hold that the District Court did not abuse its discretion in denying Moore's motion for a judgment of acquittal.