Opinion ID: 2369727
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Nature and Sufficiency of the Evidence

Text: Next, Bridges contests the nature and the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his conviction of criminal use of a prohibited weapon. At trial, Officer Miller testified that the end of the shotgun barrel appeared and felt rough and jagged as if it had been recently cut. As an example, Officer Miller compared the end of the shotgun barrel to a severed plumbing pipe in that the end contained a sharp lip that would cut a finger if touched. Officer Miller concluded that the shotgun barrel appeared to me to have been cut. Although Officer Miller admitted that he was not an expert in shotguns, the trial court allowed his testimony as a lay witness's observation of the condition of the weapon at the time of arrest. On appeal, Bridges argues that the judge's ruling was incorrect. We disagree. According to Ark. R. Evid. 701, a lay witness may testify as to opinions and references which are rationally based on his perception and are helpful to the clear understanding of his testimony or the determination of a fact issue. Moore v. State, 323 Ark. 529, 915 S.W.2d 284 (1996); Crow v. State, 306 Ark. 411, 814 S.W.2d 909 (1991). It is also well settled that Rule 701 is not a rule against opinions, but is a rule that conditionally favors them. Moore, supra. Thus, a trial judge's decision to allow lay-opinion testimony under Rule 701 will not be reversed by this court absent an abuse of discretion. Id. In Moore, this court affirmed a trial court's decision to allow a nonexpert to testify that a shoe print found at the scene of the crime was similar to an impression made of the defendant's shoe. Id. Clearly, if a lay witness may make such an observation, the trial court properly allowed Officer Miller to testify as to the appearance of the end of Bridges's shotgun. Hence, we affirm the trial court's decision to allow Officer Miller's testimony. Bridges also contests the sufficiency of the evidence on this charge. As this court has stated numerous times, a jury's verdict will be affirmed if there is substantial evidence to support it. Peeler v. State, 326 Ark. 423, 932 S.W.2d 312 (1996). Substantial evidence is evidence of sufficient certainty and precision to compel a conclusion one way or another. Id. When making this determination, this court will review the evidence in the light most favorable to the appellee. Id. According to Officer Miller's testimony, the end of the shotgun barrel appeared as if it had been cut or shortened. Therefore, there was sufficient evidence to submit the issue to the jury.