Opinion ID: 853646
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Marcum next contends that there is insufficient evidence to support his convictions for murder and attempted murder. He argues that these convictions rest upon the sketchy memory of Fosnot, the dubious speculation of Dr. Pless, and the shifting sands of Kendall's inconsistent statements. He asserts that the jury could only have found him guilty by drawing unreasonable inferences. Our standard of review for sufficiency claims is well settled. We do not reweigh evidence or assess the credibility of witnesses. Rather, we look to the evidence and reasonable inferences drawn therefrom that support the verdict and will affirm the conviction if there is probative evidence from which a reasonable jury could have found the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Taylor v. State, 681 N.E.2d 1105, 1110 (Ind.1997). For purposes of sufficiency review, [o]therwise inadmissible hearsay evidence may be considered for substantive purposes and is sufficient to establish a material fact at issue when the hearsay evidence is admitted without a timely objection at trial. Humphrey v. State, 680 N.E.2d 836, 840 (Ind.1997) (quoting Banks v. State, 567 N.E.2d 1126, 1129 (Ind.1991)). Drawing reasonable inferences from the testimony at trial, there is sufficient evidence to support both convictions. Detective Harp testified that shortly after regaining consciousness Fosnot told him he had been hit by Kendall and Marcum and knocked out at the scene of the accident. [5] Harp also testified that Kendall told him that Marcum had beaten Skinner and Fosnot. Defense counsel did not object to this testimony nor did he tender an instruction informing the jury that this testimony could be considered only for impeachment purposes. Accordingly, the testimony could be considered by the jury as substantive evidence. See Humphrey, 680 N.E.2d at 840-41. In addition, an autopsy revealed that Skinner had died as the result of blunt force injury to the chest and head with aspiration of gastric contents. The pathologist did not believe Skinner died in a vehicle accident because the objects that struck him were smooth and somewhat rounded and he has injuries on all surfaces of his body indicating the forces are coming from several different directions, unlike a vehicle accident in which injuries are generally on one side of the body or the other. Although Kendall and Marcum offered a different version of events at trial, it was the jury's prerogative to weigh the conflicting evidence. See Robinson v. State, 699 N.E.2d 1146, 1148 (Ind.1998). There is sufficient evidence to support the convictions for murder and attempted murder.