Opinion ID: 1825939
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Did trial court err in failing to direct a verdict for defendant?

Text: Defendant asserts trial court erroneously denied his motions for directed verdict at close of State's evidence and at close of all evidence, arguing State failed to negate his defense the homicide was in self-defense. Reversible error cannot be posited on failure to direct a verdict at close of State's evidence where, as here, defendant subsequently presented evidence. State v. Evans, 248 N.W.2d 521, 522 (Iowa 1976); State v. Conner, 241 N.W.2d 447, 460 (Iowa 1976). However, the motion made at the conclusion of all evidence preserved defendant's challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence. State v. Conner, supra, 241 N.W.2d at 460; State v. Dahlstrom, 224 N.W.2d 443, 446 (Iowa 1974). Our rules for reviewing a ruling on a motion for directed verdict recently were capsulated in State v. Overstreet, 243 N.W.2d 880, 883-884 (Iowa 1976). We view the evidence in the light most favorable to the State regardless of whether it is contradicted. Only evidence supporting the verdict need be considered. We accept all reasonable inferences tending to support the verdict. The evidence must generate more than a suspicion, speculation or conjecture, and must be sufficient to raise a fair inference of guilt. If any substantial evidence reasonably supported the charge, trial court's submission of the cause to the jury must be affirmed. See State v. York, 256 N.W.2d 922, 927 (Iowa 1977). Self-defense will justify homicide if four conditions are met: (1) Slayer was not aggressor in provoking or continuing the difficulty that resulted in homicide, (2) Slayer, except in own home or place of business, reasonably retreated before committing homicide, (3) Slayer actually believed there was imminent danger of death or great bodily injury requiring an act of self-preservation, and, (4) Reasonable grounds supported that belief. State v. Fisher, 246 N.W.2d 918, 920-921 (Iowa 1976); State v. Overstreet, supra, 243 N.W.2d at 884. When a self-defense issue is raised, prosecution must prove nonexistence of self-defense beyond a reasonable doubt. Overstreet, supra, 243 N.W.2d at 884; State v. Cruse, 228 N.W.2d 28, 30 (Iowa 1975). What particular facts will justify a self-defense killing is a question of law for trial court. Existence of such facts is a question for the jury. Overstreet, supra, 243 N.W.2d at 884; State v. Haffa, 246 Iowa 1275, 1288-1289, 71 N.W.2d 35, 43 (1955). Where evidence is conflicting or of such a character that different inferences might reasonably be drawn, the self-defense issue should be submitted to the jury for determination of the circumstances that existed at the time of the confrontation. State v. Fisher, supra, 246 N.W.2d at 920-921; State v. Haffa, supra, 246 Iowa at 1289, 71 N.W.2d at 43. There is no dispute defendant was in his own home when he shot Sullivan. This eliminates the issue whether defendant reasonably retreated from Sullivan. However, trial testimony regarding who instigated the confrontation that culminated in the killing, and whether defendant actually and reasonably believed himself in imminent danger, did create fact issues. The jury, not the court, is to judge credibility of witnesses. Overstreet, supra, 243 N.W.2d at 884. Under our above review rules we may ignore at this point defendant's testimony he tried to avoid the confrontation, was afraid of Garland, believed the latter was armed with a shotgun, and Garland's sudden movement caused defendant to jump, discharging his revolver. There was credible testimony defendant was in a belligerent mood and knew Garland was unarmed. An eyewitness testified Garland was quiet and stationary on the steps with both hands in plain view and empty when defendant fired. There was substantial evidence upon which the jury reasonably could have found three elements of self-defense were absent. We hold trial court was right in overruling defendant's motions for directed verdict.