Opinion ID: 1690157
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: proof of unlawful killing

Text: Appellant argues that the circumstantial evidence in this case does not support a finding that he unlawfully killed the victim. [7] We disagree. In order to convict on circumstantial evidence, the State has the burden of presenting evidence that not only is consistent with guilt, but that is inconsistent with any reasonable hypothesis of innocence. Finney v. State, 660 So.2d 674, 679 (Fla.1995); Scott v. State, 581 So.2d 887, 893 (Fla.1991); State v. Law, 559 So.2d 187, 189 (Fla.1989). In this case, however, after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the State, see Spinkellink v. State, 313 So.2d 666, 670 (Fla.1975), we find that the State met its burden. The evidence established that appellant and Thornton had been dating, they were seen together the night Thornton was killed, and Thornton's blood was discovered in appellant's car. A spent shell casing with the same caliber as the ammunition components removed from the victim's skull was found in the back seat of appellant's car. Appellant purchased cleaning supplies the same morning the victim's body was found and had removed the carpeting from the inside of his car. From this evidence, the jury could reasonably have inferred that an unlawful killing occurred and that competent and substantial evidence supported a finding that appellant was the person who caused the death of Lillie Thornton. Moreover, the State introduced testimony of an eyewitness who saw appellant and Thornton together between 10:30 and 11 p.m. the night she was killed. This evidence directly contradicted appellant's version of events that he was home sleeping. The circumstantial evidence rule does not require a jury to believe the defendant's version of events where the State has produced conflicting testimony. See Finney, 660 So.2d at 680; Spencer v. State, 645 So.2d 377, 381 (Fla. 1994); Holton v. State, 573 So.2d 284, 290 (Fla.1990), cert. denied, 500 U.S. 960, 111 S.Ct. 2275, 114 L.Ed.2d 726 (1991). Thus, the jury was free to disregard appellant's alibi evidence. [8]