MEMORANDUM DECISION Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this Mar 06 2015, 9:19 am Memorandum Decision shall not be regarded as precedent or cited before any court except for the purpose of establishing the defense of res judicata, collateral estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE Zachary A. Witte Gregory F. Zoeller Fort Wayne, Indiana Attorney General of Indian
Justin F. Roebel Deputy Attorney General Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Darius T. Fisher, March 6, 2015
Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No. 02A03-1406-CR-215 v. Appeal from the Allen Superior Court; The Honorable John Surbeck, Jr., Judge; State of Indiana, 02D06-1310-FC-291 Appellee-Plaintiff.
May, Judge.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1406-CR-215 | March 6, 2015 Page 1 of 7 [1] Darius T. Fisher appeals his convictions of Class C felony aiding robbery 1 and
Class D felony receiving stolen property.2 Fisher argues the evidence was
insufficient to convict him. We affirm.
Facts and Procedural History [2] On the morning of July 22, 2013, Reggie Greenwell was at Fisher’s house to
help Fisher and Ashley Beard pack for a move. Before the men left the
apartment, Greenwell asked Beard for a piece of paper and a pen to write a
number down. The two men then left in Fisher’s car.
[3] Around 1 p.m., Greenwell entered the Three Rivers Federal Credit Union
inside a grocery store in Fort Wayne. Greenwell bypassed the customer line
and handed the teller a note stating the bank was being robbed and demanding
money. After receiving $7,542.00, Greenwell exited the store with a paper bag
and ran around the side of the building. A witness heard a car speed away but
did not see the car.
[4] Somewhere between “noon [and] one-ish,” Mark Gilliam saw Fisher driving a
car in which Greenwell was the passenger. (Tr. at 260.) Gilliam, whose wife is
Beard’s sister, recognized both men. Fisher parked the car on the street, and he
and Greenwell ran toward Gilliam’s house. Along the way, Greenwell dropped
some money from the bag he carried. When Greenwell reached the door, he
1 Ind. Code § 35-42-5-1 (robbery) and Ind. Code § 35-41-2-4 (accomplice liability). 2 Ind. Code § 35-43-4-2(b).
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1406-CR-215 | March 6, 2015 Page 2 of 7 beat on the door of the house “like somebody needed to use the bathroom real
bad.” (Id. at 245.) Gilliam’s nephew and friend, who were standing by
Gilliam’s van waiting to leave, tried to help pick up the money but neither
Greenwell nor Fisher would let anyone touch the money. Fisher approached
Gilliam, who was standing by his van, and promised to tell him later what was
happening. At this time, Gilliam heard police sirens and saw police cars
driving in the direction of the credit union.
[5] Gilliam offered Greenwell and Fisher a ride. The men accepted and sat on the
floor of the van counting the money from the bag. Greenwell gave Fisher some
money before the men were dropped off at Fisher’s house together. At Fisher’s
house, the two men sat on the couch counting money and laughing. The next
day, Gilliam hosted a cookout where Fisher displayed a large amount of cash.
Fisher had on new shoes, and he gave new shoes to Gilliam’s family. Gilliam
thought that was odd because he knew Fisher had been struggling with his
finances, including having his electricity shut off for lack of payment. Three
days after the robbery, Fisher and Greenwell took pictures together with large
sums of money.
[6] On October 1, 2013, the State charged Fisher with Class C felony aiding
robbery and Class D felony receiving stolen property. At trial, a jury found
Fisher guilty of both charges.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1406-CR-215 | March 6, 2015 Page 3 of 7 Discussion and Decision [7] When reviewing sufficiency of evidence to support a conviction, we examine
“only the probative evidence and reasonable inferences supporting the verdict.”
McHenry v. State, 820 N.E.2d 124, 126 (Ind. 2005). We will not reweigh
evidence or substitute our judgment for the jury’s judgment. Id. at 127. We
affirm a conviction unless no reasonable fact-finder could find the elements of
the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Drane v. State, 867 N.E.2d 144,
146 (Ind. 2007). It is therefore not necessary that the evidence overcome every
reasonable hypothesis of innocence; rather, the evidence is sufficient if an
inference reasonably may be drawn from it to support the verdict. Id. at 147.
1. Aiding Robbery
[8] Fisher argues the State failed to prove he aided Greenwell’s robbery. According
to the statutory definition of aiding a crime, “a person who knowingly or
intentionally aids, induces, or causes another person to commit an offense
commits that offense.” Ind. Code § 35-41-2-4. Fisher contends that because he
was not present at the robbery he does not meet the factors for determining a
person aided another in a crime as set out in Garland v. State, 788 N.E.2d 425,
431 (Ind. 2003). The Garland factors include: (1) presence at the scene of the
crime; (2) companionship with another engaged in criminal activity; (3) failure
to oppose the crime; and (4) a defendant’s conduct before, during, and after the
crime. We disagree with Fisher’s allegation.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1406-CR-215 | March 6, 2015 Page 4 of 7 [9] First, Fisher’s presence at the scene of the crime can be inferred from the facts
that before the robbery, Greenwell was at Fisher’s house and the two men left
together, and then after the robbery, the men drove to Gilliam’s house where
they ran toward the house as Greenwell held a bag of money. Both men
accepted a ride from Gilliam to Fisher’s house, leaving the car they had driven
parked on the street. Based on this evidence, it can reasonably be inferred
Fisher was in the getaway car and was thus present at the scene of the crime.
[10] Second, that same evidence speaks to the companionship between Fisher and
Greenwell. Greenwell was helping pack for a move at Fisher’s house on the
day of the robbery, and Greenwell returned to Fisher’s house after the robbery.
The men also took pictures together with large amounts of money.
[11] Third, the evidence does not suggest Fisher opposed the crime. He willingly
took money from Greenwell in Gilliam’s van on the way to Fisher’s house. At
Fisher’s house, the men counted the money together on the couch while
laughing.
[12] Finally, Fisher’s conduct before, during, and after the crime permits an
inference that he was aiding Greenwell. The men left Fisher’s house together,
and Fisher was next seen driving Greenwell to Gilliam’s house. Neither man
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MEMORANDUM DECISION Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this Mar 06 2015, 9:19 am Memorandum Decision shall not be regarded as precedent or cited before any court except for the purpose of establishing the defense of res judicata, collateral estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE Zachary A. Witte Gregory F. Zoeller Fort Wayne, Indiana Attorney General of Indian
Justin F. Roebel Deputy Attorney General Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Darius T. Fisher, March 6, 2015
Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No. 02A03-1406-CR-215 v. Appeal from the Allen Superior Court; The Honorable John Surbeck, Jr., Judge; State of Indiana, 02D06-1310-FC-291 Appellee-Plaintiff.
May, Judge.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1406-CR-215 | March 6, 2015 Page 1 of 7 [1] Darius T. Fisher appeals his convictions of Class C felony aiding robbery 1 and
Class D felony receiving stolen property.2 Fisher argues the evidence was
insufficient to convict him. We affirm.
Facts and Procedural History [2] On the morning of July 22, 2013, Reggie Greenwell was at Fisher’s house to
help Fisher and Ashley Beard pack for a move. Before the men left the
apartment, Greenwell asked Beard for a piece of paper and a pen to write a
number down. The two men then left in Fisher’s car.
[3] Around 1 p.m., Greenwell entered the Three Rivers Federal Credit Union
inside a grocery store in Fort Wayne. Greenwell bypassed the customer line
and handed the teller a note stating the bank was being robbed and demanding
money. After receiving $7,542.00, Greenwell exited the store with a paper bag
and ran around the side of the building. A witness heard a car speed away but
did not see the car.
[4] Somewhere between “noon [and] one-ish,” Mark Gilliam saw Fisher driving a
car in which Greenwell was the passenger. (Tr. at 260.) Gilliam, whose wife is
Beard’s sister, recognized both men. Fisher parked the car on the street, and he
and Greenwell ran toward Gilliam’s house. Along the way, Greenwell dropped
some money from the bag he carried. When Greenwell reached the door, he
1 Ind. Code § 35-42-5-1 (robbery) and Ind. Code § 35-41-2-4 (accomplice liability). 2 Ind. Code § 35-43-4-2(b).
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1406-CR-215 | March 6, 2015 Page 2 of 7 beat on the door of the house “like somebody needed to use the bathroom real
bad.” (Id. at 245.) Gilliam’s nephew and friend, who were standing by
Gilliam’s van waiting to leave, tried to help pick up the money but neither
Greenwell nor Fisher would let anyone touch the money. Fisher approached
Gilliam, who was standing by his van, and promised to tell him later what was
happening. At this time, Gilliam heard police sirens and saw police cars
driving in the direction of the credit union.
[5] Gilliam offered Greenwell and Fisher a ride. The men accepted and sat on the
floor of the van counting the money from the bag. Greenwell gave Fisher some
money before the men were dropped off at Fisher’s house together. At Fisher’s
house, the two men sat on the couch counting money and laughing. The next
day, Gilliam hosted a cookout where Fisher displayed a large amount of cash.
Fisher had on new shoes, and he gave new shoes to Gilliam’s family. Gilliam
thought that was odd because he knew Fisher had been struggling with his
finances, including having his electricity shut off for lack of payment. Three
days after the robbery, Fisher and Greenwell took pictures together with large
sums of money.
[6] On October 1, 2013, the State charged Fisher with Class C felony aiding
robbery and Class D felony receiving stolen property. At trial, a jury found
Fisher guilty of both charges.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1406-CR-215 | March 6, 2015 Page 3 of 7 Discussion and Decision [7] When reviewing sufficiency of evidence to support a conviction, we examine
“only the probative evidence and reasonable inferences supporting the verdict.”
McHenry v. State, 820 N.E.2d 124, 126 (Ind. 2005). We will not reweigh
evidence or substitute our judgment for the jury’s judgment. Id. at 127. We
affirm a conviction unless no reasonable fact-finder could find the elements of
the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Drane v. State, 867 N.E.2d 144,
146 (Ind. 2007). It is therefore not necessary that the evidence overcome every
reasonable hypothesis of innocence; rather, the evidence is sufficient if an
inference reasonably may be drawn from it to support the verdict. Id. at 147.
1. Aiding Robbery
[8] Fisher argues the State failed to prove he aided Greenwell’s robbery. According
to the statutory definition of aiding a crime, “a person who knowingly or
intentionally aids, induces, or causes another person to commit an offense
commits that offense.” Ind. Code § 35-41-2-4. Fisher contends that because he
was not present at the robbery he does not meet the factors for determining a
person aided another in a crime as set out in Garland v. State, 788 N.E.2d 425,
431 (Ind. 2003). The Garland factors include: (1) presence at the scene of the
crime; (2) companionship with another engaged in criminal activity; (3) failure
to oppose the crime; and (4) a defendant’s conduct before, during, and after the
crime. We disagree with Fisher’s allegation.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1406-CR-215 | March 6, 2015 Page 4 of 7 [9] First, Fisher’s presence at the scene of the crime can be inferred from the facts
that before the robbery, Greenwell was at Fisher’s house and the two men left
together, and then after the robbery, the men drove to Gilliam’s house where
they ran toward the house as Greenwell held a bag of money. Both men
accepted a ride from Gilliam to Fisher’s house, leaving the car they had driven
parked on the street. Based on this evidence, it can reasonably be inferred
Fisher was in the getaway car and was thus present at the scene of the crime.
[10] Second, that same evidence speaks to the companionship between Fisher and
Greenwell. Greenwell was helping pack for a move at Fisher’s house on the
day of the robbery, and Greenwell returned to Fisher’s house after the robbery.
The men also took pictures together with large amounts of money.
[11] Third, the evidence does not suggest Fisher opposed the crime. He willingly
took money from Greenwell in Gilliam’s van on the way to Fisher’s house. At
Fisher’s house, the men counted the money together on the couch while
laughing.
[12] Finally, Fisher’s conduct before, during, and after the crime permits an
inference that he was aiding Greenwell. The men left Fisher’s house together,
and Fisher was next seen driving Greenwell to Gilliam’s house. Neither man
would let anyone else touch the money that spilled on the ground from
Greenwell’s bag. As this occurred, Gilliam could hear police cars heading in
the direction of the scene of the crime. Once in the van, the men counted the
money and, at Fisher’s house, they counted the money again while laughing
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1406-CR-215 | March 6, 2015 Page 5 of 7 together. The next day, Fisher showed up at Gilliam’s cookout with a large
amount of money and had purchased shoes for the whole family. Thus, the
evidence demonstrates each of the factors Garland indicated could be used to
determine whether a defendant aided another in committing a crime. See
Garland, 788 N.E.2d at 431.
[13] Fisher also argues his only link to the robbery “was his presence in the van.”
(Br. of Appellant at 13.) We must decline Fisher’s invitation to reweigh the
evidence we reviewed above. Rather, the evidence is sufficient to support his
conviction. See, e.g., Stroud v. State, 450 N.E.2d. 992, 996 (Ind. 1983)
(accomplice’s participation in robbery was not too insignificant to convict him
because “it is not necessary that the evidence show that the accomplice
personally participated in the commission of each element”).
2. Stolen Property
[14] Fisher further alleges there was no evidence he received stolen property.
However, Fisher did not provide any argument to support this allegation. Thus,
the allegation is waived. See Ind. Appellate Rule 46(a)(8) (“The argument must
contain the contentions of the appellant on the issues presented, supported by
cogent reasoning.”).
[15] Waiver notwithstanding, the evidence supports Fisher’s conviction of receiving
stolen property. Ind. Code § 35-43-4-2(a) states “a person who knowingly or
intentionally exerts unauthorized control over property of another person, with
intent to deprive the other person of any part of its value or use, commits theft .
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1406-CR-215 | March 6, 2015 Page 6 of 7 . . .” To convict a person of receiving stolen property, “the State must prove the
defendant had knowledge that the property was stolen.” Johnson v. State, 441
N.E.2d 1015, 1017 (Ind. Ct. App. 1982). However, the State may prove the
defendant’s knowledge that the property was stolen by circumstantial evidence.
Id.
[16] Greenwell gave Fisher money in the van immediately following the robbery,
the next day Fisher’s money problems appeared alleviated, and the State
presented photographs of Greenwell and Fisher posing together with money
three days after the robbery. See, e.g., Gibson v. State, 643 N.E.2d. 885, 888 (Ind.
1994) (“Possession of recently stolen property when joined with attempts at
concealment, evasive or false statements, or an unusual manner of acquisition
has been held sufficient to support a conviction for Receiving Stolen
Property.”).
Conclusion [17] The State presented sufficient evidence that Fisher aided Greenwell in robbing
Three Rivers Federal Credit Union and that Fisher received some of the money
that was stolen. Accordingly, we affirm.
[18] Affirmed.
Barnes, J., and Pyle, J., concur.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 02A03-1406-CR-215 | March 6, 2015 Page 7 of 7