Opinion ID: 2070030
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Attempted Murder Evidence Sufficient

Text: Fourth, Middlebrook claims that the trial judge erred when it did not sua sponte order an acquittal on the attempted murder charge involving Perkins. Middlebrook argues that if the shooter wanted to kill Perkins he could have done so by finishing him off after he was wounded. Thus, Middlebrook contends that a reasonable jury could not have found him guilty of any charge greater than first-degree assault regarding Perkins. In this appeal, Middlebrook asserts that the trial judge committed plain error by not sua sponte directing a verdict for the lesser included offense of Assault in the First Degree because there was no intent to kill. Middlebrook's trial counsel did move for a judgment of acquittal on the sufficiency of the State's proof regarding an intent to murder either victim, but only on the basis that there was insufficient evidence that the victims were shot by a nine-millimeter gun. Therefore, Middlebrook's claim on the issue that the State did not present sufficient evidence of intent to murder Perkins must be evaluated under the plain error standard of appellate review. According to the State's witness, Middlebrook fired at least five times with one shot hitting Perkins in the left abdomen. The bullet that struck Perkins entered his body from the back just below his lungs on his left side. The State's medical expert testified that any time you have a gunshot would or an injury to a cavity like that, it can result in sepsis and death.... [and that the victim] was very lucky to have survived the shooting. The record reflects there was sufficient evidence for a rational jury to determine that, at the time Middlebrook fired the shot that hit Jerome Perkins, Middlebrook intended to kill him. The fact that Middlebrook failed to kill Perkins and then didn't follow through when he had a second opportunity to finish him off is not determinative. Middlebrook's claim of plain error is without merit