PEOPLE OF MI V DELBERT L RELIFORD
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,
UNPUBLISHED
October 3, 2000
Plaintiff-Appellee,
v
No. 215405
Wayne Circuit Court
LC No. 98-005844
DELBERT L. RELIFORD,
Defendant-Appellant.
Before: McDonald, P.J., and Sawyer and White, JJ.
MEMORANDUM.
Defendant appeals as of right his conviction for felonious assault, MCL 750.82; MSA 28.277,
and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, MCL 750.227b; MSA 28.424(2),
entered after a bench trial. We affirm.
Defendant was charged with assault with intent to murder and felony-firearm, based on an
altercation with a long-time friend. The victim testified that defendant came to his house early in the
morning. When the victim came to the door, defendant pointed a gun at him and said, “You know what
time it is.” The victim gave defendant $1,500, and a struggle ensued when the victim’s fiancée entered
the room. Defendant pointed the gun at the victim and fired, grazing the victim’s head. The victim
jumped out of a window, and defendant fled along with a companion.
Defendant testified that he went to the victim’s home to rectify a bad drug deal. He claimed that
he acted in self-defense after the victim pulled a weapon. Defendant claimed that the shooting was
accidental. The trial court found credibility questions regarding both stories, but found that there was
sufficient evidence to find defendant guilty of felonious assault and felony-firearm. On appeal, defendant
argues that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction.
In determining whether sufficient evidence has been presented to sustain a conviction, a
reviewing court must view the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, and determine
whether any rational finder of fact could have found that the essential elements of the crime were proven
beyond a reasonable doubt. People v Wolfe, 440 Mich 508, 515; 489 NW2d 748 (1992).
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Viewed in a light most favorable to the prosecution, there was sufficient evidence to establish
defendant’s guilt. A rational finder of fact could find from the victim’s testimony that the elements of
both offenses were established beyond a reasonable doubt.
Affirmed.
/s/ Gary R. McDonald
/s/ David H. Sawyer
/s/ Helene N. White
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