Opinion ID: 2084458
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: [¶ 19] Robinson finally contends that the evidence was insufficient to support the jury's finding of assault. When reviewing a criminal defendant's challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, we review the evidence in the light most favorable to the State to determine whether a fact-finder rationally could find every element of the charge beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Black, 2000 ME 211, ¶ 14, 763 A.2d 109, 113. [¶ 20] Contrary to Robinson's contentions, the jury could have rationally concluded that he intentionally ... cause[d] bodily injury or offensive physical contact to [Murano]. 17-A M.R.S.A. § 207. Competent evidence in the record shows that (1) Murano and Robinson were in their apartment on the night in question; (2) Haskins, who was Murano's next door neighbor, heard an angry male voice repeatedly yelling at a fearful female voice, causing him to believe that the female was getting beat up; (3) when the police arrived, Murano stated that Robinson had hit her, and later, more specifically, that Robinson had punched, kneed, kicked and choked her; and (4) Officer Gibbons's observations and photographs of Murano showed visible bodily injuries, which were consistent with Murano's statement that Robinson had hit her. [¶ 21] In sum, we conclude that the court did not err in admitting Murano's excited utterance, and the evidence was sufficient to support a conviction of assault. The entry is: Judgment affirmed.