Opinion ID: 2167504
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: sufficiency of evidence and directed verdict

Text: Segura argues that the evidence presented by the State was insufficient to support his convictions. He asserts that the district court erred in refusing to sustain his motion for directed verdict. Regardless of whether the evidence is direct, circumstantial, or a combination thereof, and regardless of whether the issue is labeled as a failure to direct a verdict, insufficiency of the evidence, or failure to prove a prima facie case, the standard is the same: In reviewing a criminal conviction, an appellate court does not resolve conflicts in the evidence, pass on the credibility of witnesses, or reweigh the evidence; such matters are for the finder of fact, and a conviction will be affirmed, in the absence of prejudicial error, if the evidence admitted at trial, viewed and construed most favorably to the State, is sufficient to support the conviction. State v. Johnson, 261 Neb. 1001, 627 N.W.2d 753 (2001). In a criminal case, a court can direct a verdict only when there is a complete failure of evidence to establish an essential element of the crime charged or the evidence is so doubtful in character, lacking probative value, that a finding of guilt based on such evidence cannot be sustained. State v. Canady, 263 Neb. 552, 641 N.W.2d 43 (2002). If there is any evidence which will sustain a finding for the party against whom a motion for directed verdict is made, the case may not be decided as a matter of law, and a verdict may not be directed. Id. Segura argues that the evidence presented by the State lacked sufficient probative value to sustain a finding of guilt and was insufficient as a matter of law. He contends that an identification based solely on the clothing he was wearing was insufficient to establish that he was the perpetrator. He asserts that his convictions should be reversed. Segura was charged with attempted theft and criminal mischief of over $300. A person is guilty of theft if he or she takes, or exercises control over, movable property of another with the intent to deprive him or her thereof, Neb.Rev.Stat. § 28-511(1) (Reissue 1995), and a person is guilty of criminal attempt if he or she [i]ntentionally engages in conduct which, under the circumstances as he or she believes them to be, constitutes a substantial step in a course of conduct intended to culminate in his or her commission of the crime, Neb.Rev.Stat. § 28-201(1)(b) (Cum.Supp.2002). A person is guilty of criminal mischief if he or she (a) Damages property of another intentionally or recklessly; or (b) Intentionally tampers with property of another so as to endanger person or property.... Neb.Rev.Stat. § 28-519(1) (Cum.Supp.2002). Akin and Benzeiz first saw the perpetrator in Akin's SUV while the dome light was on. They saw him in the front seat of the vehicle and looking down at the control panels with his leg hanging out the open driver's-side door. When the perpetrator got out of the SUV, Akin and Benzeiz were within 10 to 12 feet of him in an illuminated parking lot. Akin testified that when the perpetrator got out of the SUV, she saw that he was about 6 feet tall and had a thin face, and she noticed he was wearing jeans, a burgundy Nike wind jacket with a white stripe on the sleeve, and a white baseball cap. Benzeiz pursued the man on foot across the parking lot and observed him close to a nearby bank. Although Benzeiz temporarily lost sight of the man while getting into Akin's SUV, he and Akin spotted the man again when they reached the bank parking lot. Akin testified that from the bank parking lot, she saw the same man running along 20th Street. She testified it was obvious that it was the same man because she could see him running under a street light and he was wearing the same outfit she had seen earlier. After turning onto 20th Street, Akin and Benzeiz saw the same man running near the front of the Loft building. Akin and Benzeiz circled a neighboring building and saw the same man wearing identical clothing at least two more times before he was finally arrested by police officers. Segura was the man arrested, and he was wearing clothes matching the descriptions of Akin and Benzeiz. The pursuit and arrest took a total of 5 to 7 minutes. Both Akin and Benzeiz testified that they were certain Segura was the man they saw in the SUV and pursued until his arrest. Akin testified that after Segura fled, she noticed that the stereo in her SUV was damaged. She also noticed that the console around the stereo had been partially cut away and damaged. Shortly after Segura's arrest, Akin and Benzeiz discovered that the triangular window of the back driver's-side door was broken. The State produced evidence demonstrating the damage totaled $581.56. The evidence in the case before us is not so doubtful in character or lacking in probative value that a finding of guilt upon such evidence cannot be sustained. There was sufficient evidence for a jury to find beyond a reasonable doubt that Segura was the perpetrator of the crimes of which he was convicted. Therefore, Segura's assignment of error is without merit.