Brief Fact Summary. Appellant raped several women while he knew he was infected with the HIV virus. Appellant contests his convictions for attempted murder.
Synopsis of Rule of Law. Intent to kill under the proper circumstances can be inferred from the use of a deadly weapon directed at a vital part of the body.
Issue. Whether there was sufficient circumstantial evidence to show that Appellant had the requisite intent for attempted murder.
Held. The attempted murder convictions are reversed. An inference of intent to kill cannot be had solely from the fact that Appellant exposed his victims to the HIV virus.
Intent to kill may be proved by circumstantial evidence, its presence can be shown by established facts which permit a proper inference of its existence.
Intent to kill under the proper circumstances can be inferred from the use of a deadly weapon directed at a vital part of the body.
When evaluating the sufficiency of the evidence in a non-jury trial, the judgment of the trial court will not be set aside on the evidence unless clearly erroneous.
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