Court Opinion

ID: 9592320
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 00:13:04.969691+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:18:08.135114
License: Public Domain

Smith, Judge,
concurring specially.
I agree that the judgments must be reversed in these appeals. I do not, however, believe that we need to decide whether Officer Thomas’s testimony was inadmissible hearsay, because even were it admissible it would be insufficient to support the conviction of either defendant under the standard set forth in Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U. S. 307 (99 SC 2781, 61 LE2d 560) (1979). Thomas’s testimony simply presents completely contradictory statements as to who was the aggressor. It affords no basis for either choosing between the two versions or for forming an independent opinion, which is what the trial court apparently did. Since the general grounds are enumerated as error by both defendants and no evidence was presented that would authorize the fact finder to convict either defendant, I would reverse on that basis.
*490Decided May 28, 1999
Reconsideration denied June 9, 1999 — Cert. applied for.
Ronnie J. Lane, for appellant (case no. A99A0842).
Gilbert J. Murrah, for appellant (case no. A99A0843).
Ben Kirbo, Solicitor, for appellee.