Opinion ID: 2639238
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Sufficiency of Evidence for Aggravated Kidnapping

Text: Davis contends that there was insufficient evidence to support his conviction for aggravated kidnapping. When the sufficiency of the evidence is challenged in a criminal case, the standard of review on appeal is whether, after review of all of the evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution, the appellate court is convinced that a rational factfinder could have found the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Mason, 268 Kan. 37, 39, 986 P.2d 387 (1999); State v. Abel, 261 Kan. 331, 337, 932 P.2d 952 (1997). Circumstantial evidence may establish even the gravest offenses. State v. Murillo, 269 Kan. 281, 286, 7 P.3d 264 (2000); Abel, 261 Kan. at 337. The jury was instructed as follows on the charge of aggravated kidnapping: In Count Two, the defendant is charged with the crime of aggravated kidnapping. The defendant pleads not guilty. To establish this charge, each of the following claims must be proved: 1. That the defendant took or confined S.K.F. by force or threat; 2. That it was done with the intent to hold S.K.F. to facilitate flight or the commission of any crime; 3. That bodily harm was inflicted upon S.K.F.; and 4. That this act occurred on or about the 25th day of January, 2000, in Sedgwick County, Kansas. Rape, as defined in Instruction No. 13, constitutes bodily harm for the purpose of this instruction. S.K.F. testified that on the night of January 25, 2000, Davis forced her to leave the house on 601 North Poplar and go with him to the house on 421 North Spruce. S.K.F. testified that until her escape, Davis forced her to remain at the house on 421 North Spruce, ensuring that she did not leave by placing her hand between the palm of his hands while he slept. At all times, Davis was either pointing a gun at S.K.F., in possession of a gun, or near a gun. Davis told S.K.F. that he would let her go once he was sure she would not tell the police. S.K.F. also testified that Davis, while at the house on 421 North Spruce, penetrated her digitally, both vaginally and anally. There is clearly evidence to support the elements of taking or confining an individual by force or threat and that the taking or confining was done with the intent to facilitate flight or commission of a crime. Davis contends, however, that there was no evidence that he inflicted any bodily harm upon S.K.F. Davis points out that the only evidence of bodily harm to S.K.F. was S.K.F.'s testimony that Davis penetrated her both vaginally and anally. The jury was instructed that rape would satisfy the required element of bodily harm. Davis asserts that because the jury acquitted him of both the rape and aggravated criminal sodomy charges, there was no bodily harm to support the aggravated kidnapping conviction. The State agrees with Davis' assertion that the only evidence that would establish bodily harm was S.K.F.'s testimony of vaginal and anal penetration. The State relies, however, upon the fact jury verdicts need not be consistent. Kansas courts have repeatedly recognized that the conduct of a jury is sometimes devoid of logic and that inconsistent verdicts may result. Even in cases where the two verdicts are irreconcilable, the convictions will not be reversed on grounds of inconsistency. State v. Shultz, 225 Kan. 135, 142, 587 P.2d 901 (1978) (citing State v. McCorgary, 218 Kan. 358, 543 P.2d 952 [1975], cert. denied 429 U.S. 867 [1976]). See State v. Wise, 237 Kan. 117, 122, 697 P.2d 1295 (1985); State v. Goering, 225 Kan. 755, 759, 594 P.2d 194 (1979); State v. Ogden, 210 Kan. 510, 515-16, 502 P.2d 654 (1972); State v. Freeman, 198 Kan. 301, 304, 424 P.2d 261 (1967); State v. Meyer, 17 Kan. App. 2d 59, 65, 832 P.2d 357 (1992) ; State v. Antwine, 4 Kan. App. 2d 389, 396, 607 P.2d 519 (1980). This reasoning is not, however, applicable in this case. Here, the jury acquitted Davis of rape, the only crime the jury was instructed would satisfy the required element of bodily harm. The necessary element of bodily harm was, therefore, not met. Acquitting Davis of rape left the jury with no other means of arriving at a guilty verdict for the charge of aggravated kidnapping. The element of bodily harm in the aggravated kidnapping instruction serves as the only difference between a finding of aggravated kidnapping, K.S.A. 21-3421, and kidnapping, K.S.A. 21-3420. Thus, because the jury, as instructed, found the necessary elements to convict the defendant of the lesser included offense of kidnapping and because there was sufficient evidence to support this lesser offense, this court reduces Davis' conviction for aggravated kidnapping to the lesser offense of kidnapping and remands the case for resentencing. See State v. Kingsley, 252 Kan. 761, 782, 851 P.2d 370 (1993).