Court Opinion

ID: 9743235
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 21:28:57.779343+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:23:33.290255
License: Public Domain

PRENTICE, Justice,
dissenting.
I dissent.
There was abundant evidence that the Defendant attempted to gratify a depraved sexual desire upon the person of RW., by force and against her will. This was a erime for which he should have been convicted. That crime probably was attempted rape, but there was no evidence from which a reasonable man could conclude, beyond a reasonable doubt, that the crime in fact was rape. The evidence here fell short of that presented in Himes v. State cited by the majority.
There is no question but that there was adequate evidence of a criminal intent and that a substantial step was taken towards the commission of a crime. It is not enough, however, even under our standard of appellate review, that the conclusion that the crime was rape is reasonable and logical when it is just as reasonable and logical to conclude that it was not. Here, it is just as reasonable and logical to conclude that the Defendant sought to abuse R.W. in some manner other than rape, hence, it cannot reach the conclusion required beyond a reasonable doubt.
We have held that punitive damages should not be allowed upon evidence that is merely consistent with the hypothesis of malice, fraud, gross negligence or oppressiveness but only upon evidence that is inconsistent with the hypothesis that the tortious conduct was the result of nonini-quitous conduct. The Travelers Indemnity Company v. Armstrong, (1982) Ind., 442, N.E.2d 349, 862. It is even more compelling that a criminal conviction not be sustained upon evidence that is merely consistent with an hypothesis of guilt. Some evidence must be had that is inconsistent with an hypothesis of innocence. Otherwise a reasonable doubt cannot be denied.
Either the State overcharged or mis-charged the Defendant or failed to present evidence, which may have been available, relative to the crime charged. The judgment should be reversed.