Court Opinion

ID: 9742780
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 21:20:11.361844+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:36.534859
License: Public Domain

DeBRULER, Justice,
dissenting.
The VanOverberghes were in the front seats of their Ford van on this dark and rainy night. Their headlights were on as were the outside lights on their house. While still several houses away, their attention was drawn to a strange car which had been backed into the driveway and parked near their house. The car began to pull away from the house as they approached the entrance to their driveway, its headlights out. The vehicles met at the entrance to the driveway, the crime car being illuminated in the headlights of the van. The car swerved around them in very close proximity and sped down the street. Mrs. VanOverberghe testified repeatedly that she saw only one person in the car. Mr. VanOverberghe testified that he saw one person. Neither stated or testified that appellant was that person. Neither stated or testified that Frazier, appellant's companion in the car before the crime, was not that person. Further evidence placed appellant in lone possession of the car after the crime, and showed Frazier's conviction for the crime. This evidence is not substantial, in that it does not provide a basis from which to deduce that appellant Baker was linked to this crime by his conduct in such a manner as to warrant the conclusion beyond a reasonable doubt that he is guilty of it. Reversal and discharge is the correct result here.