Opinion ID: 2613558
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Aikins argues that the evidence was insufficient to convict him of aggravated robbery and felony murder. If the sufficiency of evidence is challenged in a criminal case, the standard of review is whether, after review of all 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. Timley, 255 Kan. 286, Syl. ¶ 13, 875 P.2d 242 (1994). Aikins contends that the evidence was insufficient to find him guilty of aggravated robbery and felony murder because the State's key witness, Damon McGlory, was shown to be unreliable time and time again by defense counsel. Aikins points to the trial testimony of McGlory where, in a span of a few minutes, the defense counsel was able to force McGlory to admit to 12 instances where he had lied regarding this case. Thus, Aikins asserts that the testimony of McGlory cannot and should not be believed. As such, Aikins argues that the State's evidence against him, without the testimony of its unreliable key witness, was insufficient to prove he committed these crimes. Aikins further contends that there are many other examples of the State's witnesses lying in regards to this case. From McGlory's testimony, it is abundantly clear that McGlory lied about numerous facts and on numerous occasions. It is also clear from the cross-examination of McGlory that he had the opportunity and the motive to change his story so that it would implicate Aikins. However, [i]n reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence this court will not reweigh the evidence. It is the jury's function, not ours, to weigh the evidence and determine the credibility of witnesses. State v. Johnson, 258 Kan. 475, 483-84, 905 P.2d 94 (1995). Aikins' defense counsel did an excellent job of cross-examining McGlory and pointing out all of the numerous inconsistencies in his testimony. The jury heard all of these inconsistencies and presumably evaluated them. Yet, a jury is not bound to accept the defendant's version of the [facts] in question and, having convicted the defendant, the jury is presumed to have believed the State's evidence and to have drawn from it all inferences favorable to the State. State v. Brunson, 13 Kan. App.2d 384, Syl. ¶ 2, 771 P.2d 938, rev. denied 245 Kan. 786 (1989). Looking at McGlory's testimony in the manner we are required to view it, it becomes clear that the evidence was sufficient to convict Aikins of aggravated robbery and felony murder. McGlory testified that he, Nash, and Aikins knew that Kelly brought a gun with them on the trip from Parsons to Olathe. McGlory testified that twice he heard Nash, Kelly, and Aikins talking about robbing a liquor store the day of the robbery. Further, Jessica Smith's testimony supported McGlory's testimony. She testified that she asked Aikins to give her a ride home from his apartment. According to Smith, Aikins said he would give her a ride home, then he looked over his shoulder to Nash and Kelly, said they had something to do first, and started laughing as if they had an inside joke. Smith testified that on the ride home, she thought there was going to be a robbery because Aikins and Kelly were acting secretive. According to Smith, the group stopped at a liquor store and Nash said there was too much light. At that time, Aikins said that he knew where another liquor store was and he drove to it. Smith testified that at the second liquor store, Aikins noticed it was closed and asked Smith where another liquor store was. Smith told the group about Martin's Liquor Store. According to Smith, Aikins parked the car next to the strip mall. Kelly got out of the car and walked with a limp to the liquor store. Smith testified that Aikins said, He's in, he's in. Then Smith heard gunshots and Kelly came running out of the liquor store. According to Smith's testimony, Kelly got in the car and threw the gun in the back seat. The gun hit Smith in the eye. Smith testified that Aikins asked what it looked like, and Kelly told Aikins it was like when the clerk got shot in the movie, Menace to Society. Smith testified that Aikins drove away and asked Kelly how much money he stole. Smith also testified that Kelly threw the gun out the window and that Kelly's hat and bandannas came off while he was running back to the car. According to Smith, Nash told Aikins how to get back to Aikins' apartment, and the group drove back there. Viewing this evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, a rational factfinder could have found Aikins guilty of aggravated robbery and felony murder beyond a reasonable doubt.