Opinion ID: 2603715
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: The trial court instructed the jury on premeditated first-degree murder, felony first-degree murder, and second-degree murder. The trial court also gave the following aiding and abetting instruction: A person who, either before or during its commission, intentionally aids, abets or advises another to commit a crime with intent to promote or assist in its commission is criminally responsible for the crime committed regardless of the extent of the defendant's participation, if any, in the actual commission of the crime. The jury returned a verdict of guilty of premeditated first-degree murder. Bierman asserts that there was insufficient evidence to support the element of premeditation. Her assertion is not well taken. The standard of review is whether a review of all the evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution, convinces us that a rational factfinder could have found Bierman guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Graham, 247 Kan. 388, Syl. ¶ 5, 799 P.2d 1003 (1990). We discussed the element of premeditation in State v. Hill, 233 Kan. 648, 652, 664 P.2d 840 (1983). Direct evidence is not necessary to establish premeditation. It may be established by circumstantial evidence. Premeditation may be inferred from the established circumstances of the case provided the inference is reasonable. In the case at bar, Matt, Renea, and Lisa (Syndi's friends) all testified that Syndi told them that she was afraid of Bierman. Renea and Lisa also testified that Bierman got mad, on the night of the murder, when Syndi commented about Bierman wearing Syndi's jeans. Hernandez testified that Bierman directed the trip to the construction site to pick up the two-by-fours. Bierman was present while Hernandez and Owens brutally beat Syndi with the two-by-fours. Hernandez heard Owens tell Bierman to get her, and then heard Bierman say, You fucking bitch, followed by a thump. The pathologist testified that there was a bruise on Syndi's forehead that was probably made by a woman's shoe. Hernandez further testified that Bierman took the knives upstairs. Lewis testified that after the murder Bierman said, I hate that little bitch. There is no evidence of any provocation by Syndi. She was asleep in bed. The coroner testified that there were many defense wounds on Syndi's hands and arms. He stated that Syndi's throat was cut after she was beaten and was in deep profound shock. He concluded that the death episode took several minutes. We concluded there was sufficient evidence to support the jury's verdict of premeditated first-degree murder. Affirmed.