Opinion ID: 1387896
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: The final issue presented in this appeal involves the sufficiency of the evidence to support the conviction in the district court. Although the superior court found the evidence insufficient, we approach the issue independently. We are not in agreement on this issue, but the reasoning of the majority is as follows. In examining the evidence and the inferences [16] therefrom in the light most favorable to the state, the record discloses that the supervisor for Marathon who issued the permit saw where the welders were tying to the corner of the building and there was an opening there. The heat shield under construction was to be 15 to 18 feet high and had to be tied down against the wind. It was 10 to 12 feet from the corner where the hole was. Further, there was testimony that whenever welding was to take place within 35 feet of a building, the building should be checked for gas. The welders each testified that because of the nature of the arc welding, it was necessary to ground to the building. It was normal to ground to the columns of a building rather than the walls because the walls didn't give adequate electrical contact. They further testified that one would normally expect sparks from a ground on the column. From such testimony the majority of the court concludes that it can be clearly inferred that the supervisor who failed properly to check inside the building for gas violated safety requirements and this violation was the cause of the explosion which occurred. This conclusion is emphasized by the fact that the supervisor, himself, apparently construed his duties as requiring a proper inspection of the interior of the building. Immediately after the explosion he stated that he screwed up and was not paying sufficient attention when he tested the building. The judgment of conviction entered by the trial court is thus supported by sufficient evidence. [17] Affirmed.