Opinion ID: 891601
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Sufficiency of the Evidence to Sustain the Convictions.

Text: {30} Defendant next argues for reversal on the basis that the evidence presented at trial is insufficient to support his convictions. In reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, we must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the guilty verdict, indulging all reasonable inferences and resolving all conflicts in the evidence in favor of the verdict. State v. Cunningham, 2000-NMSC-009, ¶ 26, 128 N.M. 711, 998 P.2d 176. `The relevant question is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.' State v. Garcia, 114 N.M. 269, 274, 837 P.2d 862, 867 (1992) (quoting Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979)). {31} In this case, Defendant fails to identify any specific element or offense that is allegedly unsupported by substantial evidence. Defendant unreasonably asks this Court to perform a blanket review of each element of every offense for which he was convicted, and without pointing to evidence on the record, Defendant is essentially asking this Court to re-weigh the evidence against him. Neither role is appropriate for an appellate court on direct appeal. See State v. Mora, 1997-NMSC-060, ¶ 27, 124 N.M. 346, 950 P.2d 789 (The reviewing court does not weigh the evidence or substitute its judgment for that of the fact finder as long as there is sufficient evidence to support the verdict.). {32} Moreover, there is substantial evidence in support of the jury's verdict. At trial, four police officers positively identified Defendant as the man they observed on the night of the murder. Additional circumstantial evidence linked Defendant's presence in the area to the murder. The officers saw Defendant jump over the wall enclosing the Hogan's gated neighborhood and later found two duffel bags near the location where Defendant was first spotted; the bags contained personal items belonging to the Hogans and items used in the attack. The officers also observed that Defendant had a fresh cut on his cheek. After initially cooperating with the police officers, Defendant evaded arrest and fled to Mexico. The prosecution also established motive, based on Jim Hogan's false accusation regarding the missing watch. We conclude that the evidence of record is sufficient to support Defendant's convictions. {33} As additional support for his insufficient evidence claim, Defendant raises allegations of possible bias and tampering with the evidence against him. However, we recall that [c]ontrary evidence supporting acquittal does not provide a basis for reversal because the jury is free to reject Defendant's version of the facts. State v. Rojo, 1999-NMSC-001, ¶ 19, 126 N.M. 438, 971 P.2d 829. We conclude that substantial evidence exists to support the jury's verdict of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.