Opinion ID: 2080469
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Defendant also contends that he is entitled to a new trial because the evidence was insufficient to warrant submission to the jury of the count charging him with first degree murder. He argues that the State failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the elements of deliberation, premeditation, and defendant's specific intent to commit murder, contending that the evidence shows only that he shot Harville on the spur of the moment in self defense and that his judgment was impaired to such a degree that he could not have formed the requisite specific intent. Due process requires that the State prove all the elements of a crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 316, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 2787, 61 L.Ed.2d 560, 571 (1979). The jury is not, however, required to accept the defendant's version of the facts. State v. Pletka, 310 N.W.2d 525, 527 (Iowa 1981); State v. Hall, 214 N.W.2d 205, 210 (Iowa 1974). We have recently restated the principles to be followed in determining sufficiency of the evidence: We view the evidence in the light most favorable to the State; all inferences that are fairly and reasonably deducted from the evidence are accepted; and all the evidence, not just that supporting the verdict is considered. Furthermore, the verdict will be upheld if supported by substantial evidence, i.e., evidence which would convince a rational trier of fact that the defendant is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Freie, 335 N.W.2d 169, 171 (Iowa 1983) (citations omitted). Applying those principles we find the evidence sufficient to support the jury's verdict of first degree murder in this case. Deliberation and premeditation may be shown by circumstantial evidence in one of three ways: (1) evidence of planning activity of the defendant which was directed toward the killing; (2) evidence of motive which might be inferred from prior relationships between defendant and the victim; and (3) evidence regarding the nature of the killing. State v. Freie, 335 N.W.2d at 172, quoting State v. Harrington, 284 N.W.2d 244, 247-48 (Iowa 1979). While there was little evidence of planned activity in this case, defendant did use his own revolver, unquestionably a deadly weapon, to kill the fiance of his former girlfriend after the barroom scuffle appeared to have ended. Premeditation and deliberation need not exist for any particular length of time. State v. Poyner, 306 N.W.2d 716, 718 (Iowa 1981); State v. Frazer, 267 N.W.2d 34, 39 (Iowa 1978); State v. Fryer, 226 N.W.2d 36, 41 (Iowa 1975). The jury could reasonably conclude from the evidence in this record that the defendant had a sufficient opportunity to weigh in his mind, contemplate, and consider the consequences before shooting Harville. State v. LeGear, 346 N.W.2d 21, 25 (Iowa 1984); State v. Poyner, 306 N.W.2d at 718; State v. Jackson, 251 Iowa 537, 545, 101 N.W.2d 731, 736 (1960). Several witnesses testified that after Harville removed his hand from defendant and the two men separated, the altercation was at an end. Witnesses testified that the men were several feet apart when the defendant pulled his gun out; before defendant fired the fatal bullets, he first shouted Harville's name twice and Harville turned to face him. We conclude that the record sufficiently established defendant's opportunity to premeditate and deliberate before firing bullets into Harville's body at close range. The jury could reasonably conclude from the evidence that defendant had formed the specific intent to kill Harville. When a person intentionally uses a deadly weapon in killing a victim, the jury may infer that he had formed the specific intent to kill. State v. Mulder, 313 N.W.2d 885, 888 (Iowa 1981); State v. Smith, 240 N.W.2d 693, 695 (Iowa 1976); State v. Hall, 214 N.W.2d 205, 210-11 (Iowa 1974). The effect of defendant's heavy drinking on formation of the requisite specific intent to kill was for the jury to determine. State v. Pletka, 310 N.W.2d at 529; State v. Winfun, 261 N.W.2d 484, 486 (Iowa 1978). The evidence viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict sufficiently established beyond a reasonable doubt all of the elements of first degree murder. Defendant is not entitled to a new trial. The defendant's conviction of first degree murder is affirmed. AFFIRMED.