Opinion ID: 2183603
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: issues

Text: The defendant contends that the State failed to prove that the crime occurred in Marion County and that, therefore, the conviction should be vacated because of the State's failure to prove venue beyond a reasonable doubt. Proper venue must be proved by the State, but the applicable test is that it be shown by a preponderance of the evidence. Morris v. State (1980), 274 Ind. 161, 409 N.E.2d 608. The burden in this regard is satisfied if there is evidence of probative value which a reasonable trier of fact could conclude preponderates in favor of the existence of the requisite venue. Circumstantial evidence, standing alone, may be sufficient. Id. The killing took place at Snupee's Restaurant at 501 East 30th Street. Officers from the Indianapolis Police Department investigated the crime. The autopsy on the victim was performed by the Marion County Coroner's Office. We therefore find that sufficient evidence was presented for the jury to infer that the offense occurred in Marion County, Indiana. The judgment of the trial court is affirmed in all respects. GIVAN, C.J., and DeBRULER, PIVARNIK and SHEPARD, JJ., concur.