Opinion ID: 2502498
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Motions for Acquittal

Text: The Appellant first complains that the circuit court erred in failing to grant his motions for acquittal. The Appellant argues that the Appellee failed to present credible evidence sufficient to carry its burden of proof on the charges against the Appellant. The Appellee maintains that the trial court properly exercised its discretion in denying the Appellant's motions for acquittal. The Court applies a de novo standard of review to the denial of a motion for judgment of acquittal based upon the sufficiency of the evidence. State v. LaRock, 196 W.Va. 294, 304, 470 S.E.2d 613, 623 (1996). As this Court has further explained: The function of an appellate court when reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence to support a criminal conviction is to examine the evidence admitted at trial to determine whether such evidence, if believed, is sufficient to convince a reasonable person of the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Thus, the relevant inquiry is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Syl. Pt. 1, State v. Guthrie, 194 W.Va. 657, 461 S.E.2d 163 (1995). Moreover, [a] criminal defendant challenging the sufficiency of the evidence to support a conviction takes on a heavy burden. An appellate court must review all the evidence, whether direct or circumstantial, in the light most favorable to the prosecution and must credit all inferences and credibility assessments that the jury might have drawn in favor of the prosecution. The evidence need not be inconsistent with every conclusion save that of guilt so long as the jury can find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Credibility determinations are for a jury and not an appellate court. Finally, a jury verdict should be set aside only when the record contains no evidence, regardless of how it is weighed, from which the jury could find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. at 663, 461 S.E.2d at 169, Syl. Pt 3, in part. Utilizing the foregoing standards, the Court examines whether there was sufficient evidence to support the Appellant's conviction. The Appellee introduced evidence including the testimony of another participant, Mr. Douty, in these crimes. There was testimony from Mr. Douty regarding how he and the Appellant sexually assaulted the victim, and how the Appellant beat the victim, then slit the victim's throat. Mr. Douty also took police to where he and the Appellant dumped the victim's body. The Appellant's girlfriend, who did not know Mr. Douty, testified to a nearly identical story regarding the murder and sexual assault of the victim by Mr. Douty and the Appellant. The Appellant's girlfriend testified that the story had been conveyed to her by the Appellant. Further, the jury heard forensic evidence regarding the victim's identification, as well as DNA linking Mr. Douty, the Appellant, and the victim to the Appellant's home. There was also video surveillance showing that the Appellant and Mr. Douty were together on the day of the murder. Finally, a state trooper testified regarding the Appellant's statement that the Appellant did not know what was taking so long, they had a pretty solid case, that if he was in Virginia he would have already been to trial and sentenced by now. All of the credibility problems with Mr. Douty, including the inconsistences between his statement to police and his trial testimony, were heard by the jury. See Syl. Pt. 2, State v. Smith, 225 W.Va. 706, 696 S.E.2d 8, cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___, 131 S.Ct. 579, 178 L.Ed.2d 422 (2010) (`In the trial of a criminal prosecution, where guilt or innocence depends on conflicting evidence, the weight and credibility of the testimony of any witness is for jury determination.' Syllabus Point 1, State v. Harlow, 137 W.Va. 251, 71 S.E.2d 330 (1952).). Additionally, the Appellant claimed at trial that his girlfriend lied in order to seek revenge on him. The Appellant questioned Ms. Brennan during trial about an abuse and neglect proceeding that was initiated against them. Both the Appellant and Ms. Brennan ultimately had their parental rights terminated. The Appellant questioned Ms. Brennan about her blaming the Appellant for this in an attempt to impeach her credibility. Again, the jury heard this evidence during the trial. On appeal, the Court must credit all inferences and credibility assessments that the jury might have drawn in favor of the prosecution. Guthrie, 194 W.Va. at 663, 461 S.E.2d at 169, Syl. Pt 1, in part. Consequently, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the Appellee, the Court concludes that the jury was presented with sufficient evidence to find the Appellant guilty of the crimes charged beyond a reasonable doubt. Id., Syl. Pt 3, in part.