Opinion ID: 2133105
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: sufficiency of evidence for second degree murder

Text: Redmond contends that the evidence was insufficient to convict him of second degree murder because there was no evidence that he intentionally shot Clinton. In particular, Redmond argues that the location of the bullet wound in Clinton's right shoulder blade is consistent with the theory that Clinton was shot as he was throwing a punch at Redmond and when Redmond was holding the handgun in his left hand. When reviewing a criminal conviction for sufficiency of the evidence to sustain the conviction, the relevant question for an appellate court 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. McLemore, 261 Neb. 452, 623 N.W.2d 315 (2001); State v. Roberts, 261 Neb. 403, 623 N.W.2d 298 (2001). As a factual finding, the district court concluded that Clinton was shot in the back, indicating that the shooting did not occur as part of the struggle between Redmond and Clinton. The district court also found that Redmond's intent was evidenced by the fact that following the shooting, he fired more shots and entered the courthouse, instead of tending to Clinton's wounds. We further note that the bullet wound is located on the bottom left of the right shoulder blade. Thus, the wound is closer to the center of the back than it is to the right side. Further, the evidence at trial did not clearly establish that Redmond held the weapon in his left hand. Under these circumstances, a rational trier of fact could have found the element of intent beyond a reasonable doubt. We determine that the evidence was sufficient to convict Redmond of second degree murder.