Court Opinion

ID: 9585403
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 22:59:57.933626+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:42:37.837678
License: Public Domain

Krivosha, C. J.,
dissenting in part.
I must respectfully dissent from that portion of the majority opinion which holds that the evidence was insufficient to find the defendant guilty of driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Both the municipal court of Lincoln and the district court for Lancaster County found the defendant guilty. That was sufficient. See State v. Parker, 221 Neb. 570, 379 N.W.2d 259 (1986). We have consistently held that we will sustain a criminal conviction on grounds of sufficiency of the evidence if the evidence sustains some rational theory of guilt. See State v. Evans, 215 Neb. 433, 338 N.W.2d 788 (1983). Furthermore, we have said that a verdict must be sustained if, taking the view most favorable to the State, there is sufficient evidence to support it. See, State v. Blattner, 222 Neb. 396, 383 N.W.2d 803 (1986); State v. Green, 217 Neb. 70, 348 N.W.2d 429 (1984). In the instant case we are told that when Bullock first got out of the car, he stumbled. He further had the odor of alcohol on his breath, and his eyes were red and bloodshot. The evidence further establishes that at one time in his conversation with the police officer, the defendant’s speech was slurred and somewhat confused. We have frequently held such evidence to be sufficient to sustain a conviction. I would have affirmed on the basis that, considering the evidence most favorable to the State, there was sufficient evidence to support the conviction entered by the municipal court of the city of Lincoln. I do not believe we mean to review drunk driving cases de novo.