V.R., Appellant (Defendant below), v. STATE OF INDIANA (2016)

V.R. was convicted of class A misdemeanor intimidation after the property manager of his sister's apartment left an eviction notice on his sister's door, and V.R. told the property manager, “if [the property manager] came back on the property, he'd kill [her].”

V.R. contended the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction. Specifically, he argued that his statement was conditional, and not a threat to retaliate for a prior lawful act, because the statement concerned future, rather than past, conduct (namely, the manager coming “back on the property” in the future). Rejecting its prior precedent in C.L. v. State, 2 N.E.3d 798 (Ind. Ct. App. 2014), the Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court. See V.R. v. State, ___ N.E.3d ___, 2016 WL 1593880, at *2 (Ind. Ct. App. April 21, 2016). The majority concluded that the State had presented sufficient evidence that V.R.’s threat was made “with the intent ․ that [the manager] be placed in fear of retaliation for a prior lawful act” as required by the intimidation statute, Indiana Code section 35-45-2-1(a). Id. at *2.

We agree with Judge Najam's analysis and the result reached by the Court of Appeals majority in the present appeal. We therefore grant transfer, adopt and incorporate by reference that portion of the Court of Appeals’ opinion addressing the sufficiency of the evidence in accordance with Indiana Appellate Rule 58(A)(1), and affirm the trial court. We summarily affirm that part of the Court of Appeals’ opinion addressing the admission of other evidence. See App. R. 58(A)(2).

Per Curiam.

All Justices concur.