Opinion ID: 2122290
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Riggs claims the evidence was inadequate to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he was the perpetrator of the crimes. Riggs alleges that the victim's view of her assailant was brief and poorly lighted. He further claims that her testimony was uncorroborated and fully contradicted. Implicit in his argument is a request that this Court reweigh the evidence and judge the credibility of witnesses, a task inappropriate for appellate review of a sufficiency claim. Loyd v. State (1980), 272 Ind. 404, 398 N.E.2d 1260, cert. denied, 449 U.S. 881, 101 S.Ct. 231, 66 L.Ed.2d 105. In such cases, we review only the evidence most favorable to the verdict, and the reasonable inferences therefrom, to determine whether a reasonable trier of fact could conclude that the defendant was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. Despite Riggs's claims to the contrary, the uncorroborated testimony of a sex crime victim alone is sufficient to support a conviction. Taylor v. State (1986), Ind., 496 N.E.2d 561. The evidence most favorable to the verdict shows that the victim had several opportunities in good lighting to see her attacker and the knife. The victim was able to describe him to the police in great detail. Riggs, who matched the description perfectly, was discovered shortly after the attack in an area within walking distance of the nursing home. He carried a knife and the victim's pantyhose. When confronted by police, he discarded the hose and attempted to flee. The victim identified Riggs unequivocally during a pre-trial line-up and at trial. In support of his argument that the evidence was insufficient to support the convictions, Riggs cites testimony suggesting that the hose could have belonged to a neighborhood woman and claims that police confiscated it from a garbage can outside her home. Riggs also points to the few minor discrepancies which arose between the victim's testimony and that of the investigating officers. He suggests that the victim's identification of Riggs was inadequate because no voice identification was made during the lineup. It was the duty of the jury to resolve such evidentiary conflicts. Of course, voice identifications are not required, although they may be sufficient to support a conviction. See Gillie v. State (1984), Ind., 465 N.E.2d 1380. The evidence amply supported the jury's determination that Riggs was guilty.