Opinion ID: 3157492
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Nash argues that his conviction was not supported by sufficient evidence because no reasonable jury a could have found him guilty by relying on the State’s speculative expert testimony and non-DNA evidence. In Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307 (1979), the Supreme Court articulated a narrow standard of review for questions of sufficiency of the evidence. Under Jackson, a habeas petitioner is entitled to relief if we conclude “that upon the record evidence adduced at the trial no rational trier of fact could have found proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id. at 324. In applying this standard, we do not reweigh the evidence, and we must resolve inconsistencies in favor of the prosecution. Id. at 319. Under AEDPA, “we may grant relief only if we find the [Missouri Supreme Court’s] conclusion that the evidence satisfied the Jackson sufficiency of the evidence standard ‘both incorrect and unreasonable.’” Garrison v. Burt, 637 F.3d 849, 855 (8th Cir. 2011) (quoting Cole v. Roper, 623 F.3d 1183, 1187 (8th Cir. 2010)). The Missouri Supreme Court noted a number of pieces of evidence that could allow the jury to make inferences that point to Nash’s guilt. Specifically, a reasonable juror could have found Nash guilty of Spencer’s murder considering: DNA from Nash and Spencer were the only DNA profiles found under Spencer’s fingernails; expert testimony that the amount of DNA found would not have come from “low-level contact”; Nash’s nervousness when asked for a DNA sample; his reaction when informed that his DNA matched the sample taken from Spencer’s fingernails; Nash’s statement to Spencer, “That’s the last time you’ll lie to me bitch”; Nash’s inconsistent statements regarding what time he went home on the night of March 10; his request that Jones provide a wake-up call on March 11; and Nash’s involvement with another woman shortly after Spencer’s death. The district court also relied on this evidence -7- in concluding the state court did not unreasonably apply the Jackson principle. We agree. While the jury certainly could have resolved the conflicting evidence in Nash’s favor, we are bound by Jackson to view the facts in the light most favorable to the prosecution and defer to the state courts where there is some evidence by which a “rational trier of fact could have found proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” Jackson, 443 U.S. at 324. As discussed above, a number of pieces of evidence support the jury’s guilty verdict. As such, the Missouri Supreme Court’s conclusion that Nash’s conviction was supported by sufficient evidence is neither incorrect nor unreasonable. Therefore, Nash is not entitled to habeas relief on this ground.