Opinion ID: 2454387
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Acquittal on Murder Count

Text: Storey contends the trial court plainly erred by not acquitting him of first degree murder, sua sponte, at the close of evidence because the state adduced no evidence of deliberation. A person commits first degree murder by knowingly caus[ing] the death of another person after deliberation upon the matter. § 565.020 RSMo 1986. Deliberation means cool reflection for any length of time no matter how brief. § 565.002(3) RSMo 1986. Deliberation may be inferred from the circumstances surrounding the murder. State v. Feltrop, 803 S.W.2d 1, 11 (Mo. banc), cert. denied, 501 U.S. 1262, 111 S.Ct. 2918, 115 L.Ed.2d 1081 (1991). In reviewing a sufficiency-of-the-evidence claim, this Court determines if sufficient evidence permits a reasonable juror to find guilt. State v. Grim, 854 S.W.2d 403, 405-08 (Mo. banc 1993), cert. denied,  U.S. ___, 114 S.Ct. 562, 126 L.Ed.2d 462 (1993). The evidence and inferences are viewed in the light most favorable to the verdict. Feltrop, 803 S.W.2d at 11. Storey admitted that he got a knife from the kitchen in his apartment, climbed up Frey's balcony, entered through her balcony door, and struggled with her. The victim died from two knife cuts of the throat; six ribs were broken, she had been stabbed in the side, and had been hit 12 times in the face and head. Many injuries preceded the fatal knife cuts. On this evidence, the jury could reasonably conclude that Storey coolly reflected before killing Frey. See id. at 11-12.