Opinion ID: 2585255
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: opinion on en banc reconsideration

Text: LEAVITT, J.: Appellant Marlon Javar Batin was convicted of three counts of embezzlement for stealing money from his employer, John Ascuaga's Nugget Hotel and Casino. On direct appeal, Batin contended that his conviction was not supported by sufficient evidence. Specifically, Batin contended that there was no evidence establishing the entrustment element of the crime of embezzlement. In a divided decision, a three-justice panel of this court affirmed Batin's conviction. His petition for rehearing was likewise denied. Batin then filed a petition for en banc reconsideration, arguing that he was actually innocent of the crime of embezzlement. This court determined that en banc consideration of Batin's case was warranted, and the petition was granted. Having considered the evidence presented in the light most favorable to the State, we now conclude that Batin did not commit embezzlement as a matter of law because there was no evidence presented of the entrustment element of that crime. Because we cannot sustain a conviction where there is no evidence of an essential element of the charged offense, we reverse the judgment of conviction.