Opinion ID: 853359
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Davenport finally contends that there was insufficient evidence to support his conviction for murder. He bases this contention on the fact that the majority of the evidence is circumstantial and Dew's testimony was inconsistent and improbable. [4] When reviewing a claim of sufficiency of the evidence, we do not reweigh the evidence or judge the credibility of witnesses. Spurlock v. State, 675 N.E.2d 312, 314 (Ind.1996). We look to the evidence and the reasonable inferences therefrom that support the verdict and will affirm a conviction if evidence of probative value exists from which a jury could find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. Circumstantial evidence will be deemed sufficient if inferences may reasonably be drawn that enable the trier of fact to find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Franklin v. State, 715 N.E.2d 1237, 1241 (Ind.1999). In this case there was sufficient evidence to convict Davenport of murder. Dew testified that Davenport beat his mother on the night of the murder. He heard sounds of fighting, witnessed his mother crying, and saw Davenport throw Hess into a wall. She died of strangulation. Although there were inconsistencies in Dew's testimony, the jury heard them and was free to disbelieve the testimony. There was also evidence that Davenport had threatened to harm Hess only a day before the murder because of her involvement with another man. Taken together, this is sufficient evidence from which the jury could have concluded that Davenport knowingly killed Hess.