Opinion ID: 2153490
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Clark argues that there was insufficient evidence to support a conviction on either the arson charge or the felony murder charge. He argues that the State's evidence was insufficient to prove either identity or intent. In reviewing sufficiency claims, this Court does not weigh the evidence or judge credibility. It is constrained to consider only the evidence most favorable to the State, together with all reasonable and logical inferences to be drawn from it. The verdict will not be overturned if there is substantial evidence of probative value to support the conclusion of the jury. Alfaro v. State (1985), Ind., 478 N.E.2d 670. The evidence shows that Clark had been drinking before the fire broke out. Prior to the fire, a man who looked very similar to Clark was seen in an entryway not far from the fire's location. Apparently drunk, he knocked on a resident's door and then abruptly left when the resident answered. It is reasonable to infer that this man was Clark. Shortly afterwards, a gallon of gasoline was dumped in a nearby entryway and ignited. Soon after that, a witness heard a voice she later recognized as Clark's yelling fire. At some point, Clark was burned in the fire. His back was severely burned. A resident observed a man running from the entryway with his shirt in flames. Clark's charred shirt was found inside his car, which contained ash both inside and outside the car. In addition, chemical analysis revealed that the shirt had gasoline residue on it. The interior of Clark's car smelled of gasoline a few hours after the fire began. These facts and the inferences to be drawn from them are sufficient to support the conclusion that Clark was the arsonist. Although mere presence at the scene of the crime is not sufficient by itself to support a guilty verdict, it is a circumstance that the jury may consider in determining the defendant's guilt. Mitchell v. State (1990), Ind., 557 N.E.2d 660. In conjunction with other circumstantial evidence tending to show participation in the crime, evidence that the defendant was present at the scene may be sufficient to support a conviction. Id. The jury's conclusion that Clark was the arsonist is supported by substantial evidence of probative value. There is also sufficient evidence to establish the requisite intent for both arson and felony murder. The requisite intent for the crime of arson is knowingly or intentionally, and the intent to commit felony murder is that required for the underlying offense. Ind. Code § 34-43-1-1. Intent can be proved from the circumstances surrounding the crime. Mitchell, 557 N.E.2d at 664. Pouring a gallon of gasoline inside a residential apartment building in the middle of the night and igniting it is sufficient circumstantial evidence of intent to commit arson. The defendant's attack on the sufficiency of the evidence of intent fails for another reason: the defendant stipulated at trial that the fire in this case was intentionally set. Record at 198. Once a stipulation is entered into between the parties it is the generally accepted rule that the facts so stipulated are conclusive upon both the parties and the tribunal. It has been held, however, that a stipulation of facts will not be construed to admit facts which were obviously intended to be controverted. Lewis v. State (1985), Ind. App., 482 N.E.2d 487, 492 (quoting Faught v. State (1974), 162 Ind. App. 436, 441, 319 N.E.2d 843, 847 (citations omitted)). There is no indication in this case that the defendant attempted to contest the issue of intent at the trial. The proof of identity, the evidence showing the fire was set, and the stipulation are more than sufficient to sustain both convictions. We affirm the judgment of the trial court. DeBRULER, GIVAN, PIVARNIK and DICKSON, JJ., concur.