Opinion ID: 1907814
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Clear and Convincing Standard Met

Text: Addressing another Drew requirement, the trial court had ample support on the record for its conclusion that there was clear and convincing evidence that the Maryland killings in fact occurred and that Johnson was connected to them. See Groves, supra, 564 A.2d at 374. There was no dispute that the killings in Maryland occurred. Further, Johnson was substantially connected to the killings in several ways: he was seen with Carrington moments before Carrington's cellular phone and keys were stolen; a call was placed on the phone moments later to the apartment, which was shortly thereafter subjected to an unforced entry; Johnson knew, almost uniquely, what was in the apartment; the boys knew Johnson (thus providing him with a special motive for killing them so as to prevent his identification); and the nine millimeter pistol stolen from the apartment at the time of the killings was both given by Johnson to Brown for safekeeping days before the shootings and found in appellant's possession days later. In short, it would be unreasonable to require more substantial connections between Johnson and the Maryland killings. [6]