Opinion ID: 1509476
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Appellant attacks the sufficiency of the evidence to support the conviction of first degree murder, particularly the required elements of premeditation and deliberation. Appellant was convicted under § 559.010, RSMo 1969, now repealed, which required for conviction a finding that a killing was done with deliberation and premeditation. For an act to be done with deliberation it must be performed in a cool and deliberate state of mind. A finding of this element does not depend upon the time involved as much as it does upon an inference reasonably drawn from the evidence and circumstances surrounding the act. State v. Nelson, 514 S.W.2d 581 (Mo.1974). Premeditation is thought beforehand of any length of time, however short. State v. Smart, 485 S.W.2d 90 (Mo.1972). On review, evidence is viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict ignoring defendant's evidence except where favorable to the State. State v. Nichelson, 546 S.W.2d 539 (Mo.App.1977). The court is to determine only whether the evidence is sufficient to make a submissible case, from which reasonable jurors could have found the defendant guilty as charged. State v. Longmeyer, 566 S.W.2d 496 (Mo.App.1978). Evidence at trial showed that: On July 30, 1974, Mrs. Barbara Crabtree reported to work by 9:00 a. m. at the J. C. Penney store in Washington, Missouri. She went to her station on the balcony, an area where no other clerks were assigned. Shortly before noon, defendant was observed on the balcony talking with her. She left for her lunch break which lasted from noon until one. She had always been a punctual employee who never returned late from lunch. When she did not return, her employer reported her absence to the Washington Police Department. Her employer also discovered a note pinned to her locker key in her locker which had written on it defendant's phone number and address. On August 1, 1974, the Warren County Deputy Sheriff received a call in the late afternoon to proceed to a southern location in that county. Upon arrival he was greeted by defendant and another man and followed them to a wooded area where he saw the body of the victim. There was a cord wrapped around the victim's neck and it was later determined she had died of strangulation. Sometime during February or March of 1975 following the first jury verdict and prior to proceedings on the first motion for new trial, defendant had several conversations with Edgar Becker, a fellow prisoner in the Franklin County Jail. Becker testified at the second trial that defendant told him that he had killed a woman near the Washington Airport in Warren County and that he had dumped her nearby. Defendant also told him that he had choked the woman to death and would do it again if he had the chance. Franklin County Deputy Sheriff Bill Marts also testified at the retrial. During February and March of 1975, Marts was the chief jailer of the Franklin County Sheriff's Department. He testified that defendant told him that he had killed the snitching bitch and that he would do it again if he had the chance. Defendant also told Marts that he had strangled the woman because she had snitched on him and she deserved it. Defendant identified the woman he killed as being named Crabtree. That defendant told others that he had strangled Mrs. Crabtree for a specific reason and that he would do it again if given the chance is sufficient evidence from which a reasonable juror could infer that defendant acted in a cool and deliberate state of mind with thought beforehand and thereby find deliberation and premeditation. Appellant also claims there was insufficient evidence to establish that the crime took place in Warren County and that venue was thereby improper in violation of Mo.Const. Art. I, § 18(a). Having proceeded to trial without objection, appellant waived the issue. State v. Speedy, 543 S.W.2d 251 (Mo.App.1976). In any event, the testimony of witness Becker places the criminal act in Warren County.