Opinion ID: 2520489
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Sufficiency of Premeditated Murder Evidence

Text: Robertson argues that there was insufficient evidence to prove first-degree murder beyond a reasonable doubt because of lack of proof on premeditation. He emphasizes he was surprised by Jennifer's attack on her mother and, when he tried to stop it, he was injured. He thought he and Jennifer went to the house only to get clothes and food and to see the cat. When the sufficiency of the 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. Beach, 275 Kan. 603, Syl. ¶ 2, 67 P.3d 121 (2003). Circumstantial evidence may establish even the gravest offenses. State v. Davis, 275 Kan. 107, 118, 61 P.3d 701 (2003) (citing State v. Murillo, 269 Kan. 281, 286, 7 P.3d 264 [2000]). As we observed above in relation to Robertson's prosecutorial misconduct claim, it is correct that [p]remeditation may be inferred by the jury from various circumstances, including (1) the nature of the weapon used, (2) the lack of provocation, (3) the defendant's conduct before and after the killing, (4) threats and declarations of the defendant before and during the occurrence, or (5) the dealing of lethal blows after the deceased was felled and rendered helpless. Boone, 277 Kan. 208, Syl. ¶ 10. In this case, when the evidence is viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution, several of these factors are present: (1) Robertson made a threat against Jennifer's parents, and her parents' behavior demonstrated fear of him and Jennifer; (2) Robertson was carrying one of the knives used to stab Patricia; (3) the phone line was cut before Jennifer knocked on the door; (4) Robertson participated in stabbing Patricia; (5) after stabbing Patricia numerous times, Jennifer retrieved a bigger knife; (6) Patricia tried to crawl away, but Jennifer and defendant grabbed her feet and pulled her back into the living room; (7) they then stomped on Patricia's head and neck until she stopped making gurgling noises; (8) Robertson took a shower and tended to his cut hand as Patricia lay on the floor dying or already dead; (9) he and Jennifer used an accelerant and set the house on fire; and (10) the attack on Patricia was unprovoked. We have no hesitation in concluding that the State presented ample evidence of premeditation. A reasonable juror could have found the defendant guilty of first-degree murder beyond a reasonable doubt.