Evans v. State

Antonio Evans was convicted of the felony murder of Richard Spells and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The trial court sentenced him to life in prison for murder and to a five-year consecutive term for the weapons offense. After the trial court denied a motion for new trial, Appellant brings this appeal.1

1. The victim was shot in an apparent dispute over a sale of marijuana. Eyewitnesses identified Evans as the shooter. Other witnesses testified that, on the night the crimes were committed, Appellant possessed a gun similar to that used to kill Spells. According to Quintin Berry, he lent the gun to Evans. Berry also testified that, when Appellant returned the weapon, he admitted using it to shoot someone. Evans presented an alibi defense and attempted to show that Berry was the shooter. However, when the evidence is construed most strongly in support of the verdicts, it is sufficient to authorize a rational trier of fact to find proof of Appellant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U. S. 307 99 SC 2781, 61 LE2d 560 1979.