Opinion ID: 2226896
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Smith challenges the sufficiency of the evidence for his conviction of attempted criminal deviate conduct. Reviewing a sufficiency claim, we neither reweigh the evidence nor judge the credibility of witnesses. Johnson v. State (1980), 272 Ind. 547, 400 N.E.2d 132. We consider only that evidence most favorable to the judgment and all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom to determine whether a reasonable juror could have found the existence of each of the elements of the crime charged beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. Smith contends the State failed to show he engaged in acts that constituted a substantial step towards committing criminal deviate conduct. Smith also declares that the State did not prove specific intent since he did not expose himself or verbalize a desire to engage in sexual intercourse. The State bears the burden of proving that Smith acted with the culpability required to commit criminal deviate conduct when he engaged in conduct that was a substantial step toward its commission. See Ind. Code § 35-41-5-1 (West 1986); Canaan v. State (1989), Ind., 541 N.E.2d 894, cert. denied, 498 U.S. 882, 111 S.Ct. 230, 112 L.Ed.2d 185 (1990). Specifically, the State must show that Smith intentionally or knowingly engaged in conduct that was a substantial step towards causing J.G. to perform or submit to deviate sexual conduct compelled by force or threat of imminent force. See I.C. XX-XX-X-X and XX-XX-X-X(1). J.G. testified that Smith asked whether J.G. had ever had sex with a boy. Smith then ordered J.G. to take off his clothes and threatened him with a handgun. A reasonable jury could infer from Smith's question to J.G. that he intended to engage in criminal deviate conduct and that his command for J.G. to disrobe while armed with a handgun constituted a substantial step toward committing criminal deviate conduct. This evidence sufficiently supports the conviction.