Opinion ID: 2624540
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Brinklow argues that his due process right to a fair trial was violated because it was impossible for him to have been convicted as charged. He relies on precedent from other jurisdictions to argue that the State was bound to prove the dates set forth in the bill of particulars, as such dates became material elements of the charged offense. See State v. Stewart, 353 N.C. 516, 517, 546 S.E.2d 568 (2001) (granting defendant's motion to dismiss where there was a dramatic variance between the thirty-one day time period of the offense alleged in the indictment and the evidence introduced by the State at trial, which encompassed a two and one-half year period that prevented defendant from adequately presenting his defense). To the extent that Brinklow's complaint is a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, our review standard is well settled. See State v. Vasquez, 287 Kan. 40, 59, 194 P.3d 563 (2008). However, that review does not include an independent weighing of the evidence or an assessment of witness credibility. See State v. Murray, 285 Kan. 503, 537, 174 P.3d 407 (2008). Notwithstanding our review standard, Brinklow argues that the weight of the evidence showed that he was never home alone with A.C. between April 18, 2001, and May 24, 2001the time period set forth in the bill of particulars. He argues that the uncontroverted facts proved that either A.C.'s mother or a babysitter was at the home on the nights in question. The State concedes that it was bound by its allegations in the bill of particulars, but argues that it met its burden to show that the acts took place on the alleged dates through A.C.'s testimony. Specifically, A.C. testified that the incidents took place approximately twice a week from the time of the field trip to the baseball game until May 27. We agree that such evidence was sufficient to sustain the temporal requirements of the conviction. See State v. Plunkett, 261 Kan. 1024, 1033, 934 P.2d 113 (1997) (prosecutrix' uncorroborated testimony sufficient if not so incredible and improbable as to defy belief). As the Court of Appeals aptly explained, the evidence upon which Brinklow relies does not conclusively establish that he could never have been home alone with A.C. during the alleged time frame. Moreover, even conclusive proof of the presence in the residence of A.C.'s mother or babysitter would not render impossible the alleged acts of inappropriate touching in A.C.'s bedroom. Granted, such proof might call into question A.C.'s testimony that the incidents occurred when she and Brinklow were home alone. However, that is a matter for the jury to weigh in assessing credibility. It does not render the conviction invalid. Brinklow asserts that our courts have recognized situations where the story told by the alleged victim is so contradictory, so fraught with inconsistencies, or so unbelievable, that it would be an injustice to allow a conviction to stand on such a tale. He cites to State v. Matlock, 233 Kan. 1, 4, 660 P.2d 945 (1983), which is perhaps the only case of its kind in this state where the Supreme Court directly weighed the evidence and assessed the credibility of the prosecutrix to reverse a conviction for rape. The case before us does not call for such aberrant review. Any inconsistencies in the evidence did not render A.C.'s testimony of the occurrence dates to be so incredible or improbable as to defy belief. The evidence was sufficient to support the conviction.