Jonathan Paul Sikes v. Lorie Davis, Director, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Correctional Institutions Division
DueProcess JusticiabilityDoctri
Does the Northern District Court's decision conflict with the holding in Jackson v. Virginia as the Northern District Court misapplied the standard in deciding that conclusory evidence, at best a modicum of evidence, is sufficient to prove the sexual offenses beyond a reasonable doubt?
QUESTIONS PRESENTED ‘ Question #1: The Northern District Court reasoned that because K.S. told « other people (speculating what K.S. told other witnesses), "there was abuse," an appellate court must respect the jury's credibility . : decisions. Thus, the Northern District Court held that as long as the jury determined the evidence is sufficient to convince them that the offenses occurred, regardless of Petitioner's age, the evidence is:legally sufficient under Jackson because this standard is not held to the same standard as applied to in other crimes or cases. By law, the prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that sexual offenses occurred after Petitioner turned 17 — years old. 98% of all testimony described at trial occurred when Petitoiner was a juvenile, and at best, there is only conclusory evidence (that is, a modicum of evidence), to support Petitioner's convictions. Therefore, Does the Northern District Court's decision conflict with the holding in Jackson v. Virginia.[443 U.S. 307, 99 S.Ct. 2781 (1979), as the Northern District Court misapplied the standard in deciding that conclusory evidence, at best a ; modicum of evidence, is sufficient to prove the sexual offenses beyond a reasonable doubt? , ; Question #2: : Petitioner argues he is actually innocent in light of the ab: sence of any physical evidence of "anal or genital trauma," K.S.'s inconsistent statements to the various individuals involved, and » K.S.'s mother's animus toward Petitoiner and his father. See oo>