Leonard Blackmon v. State of Indiana , 2015 Ind. App. LEXIS 411 ( 2015 )


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  •                                                                              May 22 2015, 9:48 am
    ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT                                    ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
    Mark S. Lenyo                                             Gregory F. Zoeller
    South Bend, Indiana                                       Attorney General of Indiana
    Brian Reitz
    Deputy Attorney General
    Indianapolis, Indiana
    IN THE
    COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
    Leonard Blackmon,                                         May 22, 2015
    Appellant-Defendant,                                      Court of Appeals Case No.
    71A03-1411-CR-413
    v.                                                Appeal from the St. Joseph Superior
    Court.
    The Honorable Jane Woodward
    State of Indiana,                                         Miller, Special Judge
    Appellee-Plaintiff                                        Cause No. 71D01-1407-F5-9
    Baker, Judge.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 71A03-1411-CR-413 | May 22, 2015                    Page 1 of 19
    [1]   Leonard Blackmon appeals his conviction for Intimidation, 1 a Level 5 felony.
    Finding that the evidence was insufficient to prove that Blackmon acted with
    the intent that Donald Courtway be placed in fear of retaliation for a prior
    lawful act, as required by the intimidation statute, we reverse.
    Facts
    [2]   On July 23, 2014, Donald Courtway was at his daughter Megan’s house
    watching her children. At some point in the afternoon, he noticed the sound of
    running water and went to see where it was coming from. Courtway eventually
    discovered that water was running from a spigot on the outside of the house.
    He went outside and found a bucket underneath the spigot. The spigot had
    been locked, but the locking device had been broken off.
    [3]   Courtway knew that Megan’s neighbor, Winifred Hale, did not have running
    water and had been borrowing water from neighbors. He picked up the bucket,
    dumped out the water, and walked on to Hale’s driveway. Courtway noticed
    music coming from Hale’s garage and yelled “hey” to try to get someone’s
    attention. Hale and Blackmon exited the garage and walked up the driveway to
    meet Courtway. Hale and Blackmon eventually moved to a position about
    fifteen feet away from Courtway.
    [4]   Courtway threw the bucket towards Hale’s house and asked, in an elevated
    voice, who had broken off the lock to the spigot. He then asked who had given
    1
    Ind. Code § 35-45-2-1.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 71A03-1411-CR-413 | May 22, 2015   Page 2 of 19
    them permission to use the water. Hale told Courtway that she would pay for
    the water. Courtway declined this offer and told her that he was going to call
    the police.
    [5]   Blackmon, who had been silent up to this point, pulled out an open pocket
    knife and held it above himself. Courtway then placed his hand on his pocket
    and said “I hope you enjoy your last day on earth” in an effort to make it
    appear as though he was armed. Tr. p. 33-34. Blackmon said “oh, you gonna
    shoot me?” Tr. p. 34. Blackmon then put the pocket knife down, offered a few
    parting expletives, and returned to the garage. Courtway went back to his
    daughter’s house and called the police.
    [6]   The police arrested Blackmon later that evening. When questioned by an
    officer, Blackmon admitted to stealing water. He was charged with Level 5
    felony intimidation and class A misdemeanor possession of paraphernalia.2 On
    October 21, 2014, a jury found Blackmon guilty as charged. The trial court
    sentenced Blackmon to four years for intimidation and one year for possession
    of paraphernalia, to be served concurrently. Blackmon now appeals.
    2
    Blackmon does not appeal his conviction for possession of paraphernalia.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 71A03-1411-CR-413 | May 22, 2015         Page 3 of 19
    Discussion and Decision
    I. Standard of Review
    [7]   On appeal, Blackmon contends that the evidence is insufficient to support his
    conviction.3 When reviewing a claim for insufficient evidence, we do not
    reweigh the evidence or judge the credibility of the witnesses. Casey v. State, 
    676 N.E.2d 1069
    , 1072 (Ind. Ct. App. 1997). We consider only the evidence most
    favorable to the verdict and the reasonable inferences drawn therefrom. 
    Id. If substantial
    evidence of probative value supports the trier of fact’s conclusion,
    we will affirm. 
    Id. [8] Indiana’s
    intimidation statute provides:
    (a)      A person who communicates a threat to another person, with
    the intent:
    (1)      that the other person engage in conduct against the other
    person’s will; [or]
    (2)      that the other person be placed in fear of retaliation for a
    prior lawful act; . . .
    ***
    commits intimidation, a Class A misdemeanor.
    3
    Blackmon also argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion for a directed verdict. Because his
    argument in this regard is the same as his sufficiency argument, and our standard of review is the same in
    both cases, we treat his directed verdict and sufficiency arguments as one. Edwards v. State, 
    862 N.E.2d 1254
    ,
    1262 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007) (“If the evidence is sufficient to sustain a conviction upon appeal, then a motion
    for a directed verdict is properly denied; thus, our standard of review is essentially the same as that upon a
    challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence.”)
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 71A03-1411-CR-413 | May 22, 2015                            Page 4 of 19
    Ind. Code § 35-45-2-1. The offense is raised to a Level 5 felony if “while
    committing it, the person draws or uses a deadly weapon.” 
    Id. Here, the
    State
    chose to charge Blackmon under subdivision (a)(2) of the statute, seeking to
    prove at trial that Blackmon had threatened Courtway with the intent that
    Courtway be placed in fear of retaliation for a prior lawful act. The charging
    information provided:
    On or about July 23, 2014 in St. Joseph County, State of Indiana,
    Leonard Blackmon did communicate a threat to another person, with
    the intent that said other person be placed in fear of retaliation for a
    prior lawful act, to-wit: Leonard Blackmon threatened to cut Donald
    Courtway with a knife, after Donald Courtway caught Leonard
    Blackmon stealing water, and in committing said act the defendant
    drew or used a deadly weapon.
    Appellant’s App. p. 31.
    [9]    On appeal, Blackmon alleges that the State presented insufficient evidence to
    prove that his actions constituted a threat or that he intended to place Courtway
    in fear of retaliation for having caught Blackmon stealing water. Because we
    find Blackmon’s second argument to be dispositive, we need not address his
    argument that his actions did not constitute a threat.
    II. Retaliation for a Prior Lawful Act
    A. Sufficiency of Evidence that Courtway Caught
    Blackmon Stealing Water
    [10]   To convict a defendant of intimidation under Indiana Code section 35-45-2-
    1(a)(2), the State is required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 71A03-1411-CR-413 | May 22, 2015             Page 5 of 19
    defendant threatened the victim with the intent “that the other person be placed
    in fear of retaliation for a prior lawful act.” This Court interprets statutes using
    well-established rules of statutory construction. 
    Casey, 676 N.E.2d at 1072
    .
    When construing a statute, our foremost duty is to determine and give
    effect to the true intent of the legislature. We endeavor to give the
    statute in question a practical application so as to prevent absurdity,
    hardship, or injustice, and to favor public convenience. Additionally,
    we presume that all of the words appearing in the statute were
    intended to have meaning. Absent a clearly manifested purpose to the
    contrary, we endeavor to give the statutory language its plain and
    ordinary definition.
    
    Id. (citations omitted).
    [11]   In Casey, we examined the language of Indiana Code section 35-45-2-1(a)(2)
    and concluded:
    Construing these words together, it is apparent that the legislature
    intended to require the State to prove that the victim had engaged in a
    prior act, which was not contrary to the law, and that the defendant
    intended to repay the victim for the prior lawful act.
    
    Id. [12] Here,
    the charging information specified Courtway’s prior lawful act as:
    “Donald Courtway caught Leonard Blackmon stealing water.” Appellant’s
    App. p. 31. In support of his claim that the evidence was insufficient to prove
    that he acted to put Courtway in fear of retaliation for this prior lawful act,
    Blackmon makes two arguments: (1) Courtway did not commit this prior lawful
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 71A03-1411-CR-413 | May 22, 2015            Page 6 of 19
    act; and (2) even if he did, Blackmon did not act with the intent to place
    Courtway in fear of retaliation for this prior lawful act.
    [13]   As to Blackmon’s first argument, the State maintains that it proved that
    Courtway caught Blackmon stealing water through circumstantial evidence.
    The State points out that Courtway saw the broken spigot with Hale’s bucket
    underneath. Appellee’s Br. p. 9. The State stresses the fact that Blackmon
    subsequently admitted to law enforcement that he had taken the water. Tr. p.
    73. But while this evidence tends to establish that Blackmon took the water, it
    does not tend to establish that Courtway caught Blackmon taking the water, as
    was specified in the charge.
    [14]   Furthermore, it is apparent from Courtway’s testimony that he did not know
    who had taken the water at the time he went to confront Blackmon and Hale.
    
    Id. at 31.
    During the confrontation, Hale was the only person who made any
    remarks regarding the water and her statements did not implicate Blackmon.
    
    Id. at 32.
    As there is no evidence indicating that Courtway knew who took the
    water, there is no evidence that Courtway caught anyone taking the water.
    Consequently, we find that the State failed to present sufficient evidence that
    Courtway committed the prior lawful act as specified in the charging
    information.
    [15]   Moreover, even had Courtway caught Blackmon stealing water, we believe that
    the evidence presented by the State was insufficient to allow the jury to
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 71A03-1411-CR-413 | May 22, 2015      Page 7 of 19
    reasonably conclude that Blackmon acted with the intent to place Courtway in
    fear of retaliation for this act. In Casey, we held:
    [M]ere proof that the victim is engaged in an act which is not illegal at
    the time the threat is made is not sufficient. Rather, the State must
    establish that the legal act occurred prior to the threat and that the
    defendant intended to place the victim in fear of retaliation for that 
    act. 676 N.E.2d at 1072
    .
    [16]   Our holding in Ransley v. State is illustrative of this point. 
    850 N.E.2d 443
    (Ind.
    Ct. App. 1997). In that case, Ransley and Nolan were involved in an ongoing
    property dispute. 
    Id. at 444.
    Nolan was out one day mowing grass near the
    disputed portion of the property when he noticed Ransley on his porch. 
    Id. Nolan began
    to yell at Ransley, who in turn began to walk towards Nolan. 
    Id. Nolan went
    back to his house, retrieved an axe handle, and came back out to
    confront Ransley. 
    Id. At this
    point, Ransley pulled a handgun from his
    waistband and pointed it at Nolan. 
    Id. [17] The
    State charged Ransley with intimidation, alleging in the charging
    information that Ransley had threatened Nolan “with the intent . . . that Nolan
    be placed in fear for the prior lawful acts including arguing with Ransley . . . .”
    
    Id. at 445.
    We found the evidence insufficient to establish this element of the
    charge, noting:
    Although Nolan was given the chance to testify that Ransley had
    threatened to kill or harm him for the prior lawful act of arguing, he
    made no such allegation. The 911 recordings supported the fact that
    Ransley's threats were intended to keep Nolan off his property. The
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 71A03-1411-CR-413 | May 22, 2015           Page 8 of 19
    State contends that Ransley was angry from his encounter with Nolan
    and that this anger prompted his actions. We recognize that a person
    may be angry enough to commit intimidation. However, anger,
    without proof of intent to retaliate, is not enough to satisfy the
    requirements of the statute.
    
    Id. at 447.
    [18]   The facts of this case are substantially similar. Here, the State presented no
    evidence that Courtway caught Blackmon stealing water nor did it present any
    evidence that Blackmon believed he had been caught stealing water. Courtway
    did not testify that he believed Blackmon would retaliate because he had been
    caught stealing water. Courtway testified that Blackmon said nothing prior to
    drawing the knife. Tr. p. 32. It was not until after Courtway threatened to call
    the police that Blackmon drew the knife. 
    Id. at 32-33.
    While this may have
    been evidence that Blackmon intended to stop Courtway from calling the police
    and thereby intended to make Courtway engage in conduct against his will—a
    crime under Indiana Code section 35-45-2-1(a)(1), see Johnson v. State, 
    717 N.E.2d 887
    , 890 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999) —this was not how the charge was
    brought. Consequently, we are compelled to conclude that the State failed to
    present sufficient evidence to prove that Blackmon intended to put Courtway in
    fear of retaliation for having caught him stealing water—an essential element of
    the crime as it was charged.
    B. Variance Between Pleading and Proof
    [19]   The State argues that even if the evidence does not support a conclusion that
    Courtway caught Blackmon stealing water, the conviction can still be affirmed.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 71A03-1411-CR-413 | May 22, 2015     Page 9 of 19
    According to the State, it was not required to show that Blackmon acted
    because Courtway caught him stealing water, but only that he acted because
    Courtway confronted him about stealing water. The State argues that these two
    concepts are essentially the same.4 However, we believe that adoption of the
    State’s position would violate Blackmon’s constitutional right to be adequately
    notified of the charges against him and to prepare a defense accordingly.
    [20]   “The purpose of the charging instrument is to provide a defendant with notice
    of the crime of which he is charged so that he is able to prepare a defense.” Ben-
    Yisrayl v. State, 
    738 N.E.2d 253
    , 271 (Ind. 2000). Accordingly, Indiana Code
    section 35–34–1–2(a)(4) requires that an indictment or information “allege the
    commission of an offense by . . . setting forth the nature and elements of the
    offense charged in plain and concise language without unnecessary
    repetition.” The indictment or information also must contain “a plain, concise,
    and definite written statement of the essential facts constituting the offense
    charged.” I.C. § 35–34–1–2(d).
    [21]   Our Supreme Court has observed:
    The accused must be sufficiently apprised of the nature of the charges
    against her so she may anticipate the proof and prepare a defense in
    advance of trial. Consistency between the allegations charged and the
    4
    Even if we were to accept the State’s reading, we find that the State failed to present sufficient evidence to
    prove that Blackmon acted with the intent to place Courtway in fear of retaliation for confronting him. Once
    again, Courtway did not testify that he believed Blackmon intended to retaliate because Courtway confronted
    him, Blackmon said nothing prior to drawing the knife, and it was not until Courtway said that he would call
    the police that Blackmon drew the knife. Tr. p. 32-33; See 
    Ransley, 850 N.E.2d at 447
    (evidence insufficient
    to prove intent to retaliate for “arguing”).
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 71A03-1411-CR-413 | May 22, 2015                            Page 10 of 19
    proof adduced is required out of deference for the accused’s
    constitutional right to be informed of the nature and cause of the
    accusation in sufficient detail to enable her to prepare her defense, to
    protect her in the event of double jeopardy, and to define the issues so
    that the court will be able to determine what evidence is admissible
    and to pronounce judgment.
    Myers v. State, 
    510 N.E.2d 1360
    , 1366-67 (Ind. 1987) (citations omitted). Here,
    the State admits that it “alleged that Courtway’s prior lawful act was catching
    Blackmon stealing water” but that it “argued to the jury that his prior lawful act
    was confronting Blackmon about stealing water.” Appellee’s Br. p. 13.
    However, the State maintains that this is an insignificant variance between the
    charging information and the proof adduced at trial and that, as such, it is not
    fatal.
    [22]   “A variance is an essential difference between the pleading and the proof.”
    Madison v. State, 
    234 Ind. 517
    , 531, 
    130 N.E.2d 35
    , 41 (1955) (quotations
    omitted). Not all variances between the charging information and the proof
    offered at trial will warrant reversal. See Harrison v. State, 
    507 N.E.2d 565
    , 566
    (Ind. 1987) (charging information which incorrectly identified the owner of a
    burglarized church not fatal variance when it “could have in no way misled
    appellant or caused any hardship in his defense of the allegation.”); Daniels v.
    State, 
    957 N.E.2d 1025
    , 1030 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011) (charging information
    alleging that defendant “drew” handgun when State presented evidence that he
    “used” handgun not fatal variance when there was “no indication that Daniels
    was prejudiced in the preparation or maintenance of his defense by the
    variance.”)
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 71A03-1411-CR-413 | May 22, 2015          Page 11 of 19
    [23]   However, in light of the above-mentioned constitutional concerns, our Supreme
    Court has observed that a variance warrants reversal when the “variance
    between the charging information and the proof offered at trial actually misled
    the defendant in the preparation of her defense.” 
    Myers, 510 N.E.2d at 1367
    ; see
    also 
    Madison, 234 Ind. at 545
    , 130 N.E.2d at 48 (Arterburn, J., concurring). We
    believe that such is the case here.
    [24]   Initially, we note the difference between the words “catch” and “confront.”
    “Catch,” in the sense most naturally fitting the facts of this case, means “to
    discover unexpectedly” or “to become suddenly aware of,” as in the phrase:
    “He was caught in the act.” Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, 195 (11th ed.
    2003). Whereas “confront,” in the sense put forward by the State, means “to
    meet face-to-face” or “to face especially in challenge.” 
    Id. at 262.
    Therefore, in
    common usage, these two words clearly define mutually exclusive concepts.
    One can “catch” someone doing something without “confronting” them about
    it. Likewise, one can “confront” someone about something without having
    “caught” them doing anything.
    [25]   Here, the record reveals that Blackmon’s defense strategy was based on
    showing that Courtway had not “caught” Blackmon doing anything. This is
    apparent from the defense’s opening statement. Tr. p. 24. It is also apparent
    from the defense’s cross-examination of Courtway, who was the only eye
    witness to testify:
    Defense:          Now you had mentioned you were inside the house
    when you heard the sound of water running, correct?
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 71A03-1411-CR-413 | May 22, 2015          Page 12 of 19
    Courtway:         Correct.
    Defense:          All right. And then you went outside to investigate,
    correct?
    Courtway:         Correct.
    Defense:          Okay. Did you catch anybody there stealing water?
    Courtway:         There wasn’t anyone there.
    Defense:          All right. You mentioned that all you saw was a bucket
    with the water running and the water was overflowing,
    correct?
    Courtway:         Correct.
    Defense:          Did you see anybody who had, say, come over to that
    faucet, broken that faucet, and turned the water on?
    Courtway:         I seen no one do that.
    ***
    Defense:          You don’t know who broke the spigot, do you?
    Courtway:         No I don’t.
    Defense:          And you don’t know who turned the spigot on and
    placed the bucket under there, do you?
    Courtway:         No.
    Tr. p. 38, 43.
    [26]   Blackmon’s strategy relied on the notion that, if he could show that Courtway
    never caught him stealing water, it would follow that his actions could not have
    been intended to place Courtway in fear of retaliation for that act. At the close
    of evidence, believing that his strategy had been successful, Blackmon moved
    for a directed verdict. 
    Id. at 102.
    It was not until this point that the State
    argued that the phrase in the charging information “Donald Courtway caught
    Leonard Blackmon stealing water” really meant “Donald Courtway confronted
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 71A03-1411-CR-413 | May 22, 2015           Page 13 of 19
    Leonard Blackmon about stealing water.”5 The trial court eventually agreed,
    and denied Blackmon’s motion.
    [27]   Following this, the State, in its closing argument, informed the jury that the true
    prior lawful act at issue in this case was the confrontation.6 Because of this, the
    State informed the jury that it did not have to prove that Blackmon intended to
    place Courtway in fear of retaliation for having caught him stealing water, but
    only for having confronted him about stealing water.7
    [28]   We believe that proper observance of Blackmon’s constitutional right to be
    adequately informed of the charges against him and to prepare a defense
    compels reversal in this case. Criminal defendants have a constitutional
    guarantee that the State must prove every essential element of their offense
    5
    There is no indication at any point prior to its response to Blackmon’s motion for a directed verdict that the
    State believed the prior lawful act was the confrontation. It is apparent from the State’s opening statement
    that it believed Courtway had caught Blackmon stealing water. Tr. p. 19.
    During a colloquy regarding Blackmon’s motion for a directed verdict, the State argued to the trial court:
    State:     [The defense] is confused or misguided in what the prior lawful act is. The prior
    lawful act is that Mr. Courtway went and talked to the defendant. That’s the prior
    lawful act.”
    ***
    Court:     Well that’s not the way it’s written, though, you admit. It says caught him stealing.
    State:     Yes.
    Tr. p. 104-05.
    6
    During its closing argument, the State told the jury that it had to prove that Blackmon threatened Courtway
    “[w]ith the intent that Donald Courtway would be placed in fear of a prior lawful act. And while he did that,
    the prior lawful act being confronting him about stealing water, he used a deadly weapon . . . .” Tr. p. 118-
    19.
    7
    The State informed the jury: “In fact, he [the defense] said the state wouldn’t be able to prove that Mr.
    Blackmon stole the water, but we did. We didn’t have to, but we did.” Tr. p. 117.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 71A03-1411-CR-413 | May 22, 2015                             Page 14 of 19
    beyond a reasonable doubt. In re Winshop, 
    397 U.S. 358
    , 361-64 (1970). That
    the defendant acted with the intent to place the victim in fear of retaliation for a
    prior lawful act is an essential element of the crime of intimidation as it was
    charged in this case. I.C. § 35-45-2-1(a)(2). It follows that the prior lawful act
    had to be identified in the charging information with sufficient specificity so as
    not to mislead Blackmon in the preparation of his defense. 
    Myers, 510 N.E.2d at 1366-67
    ; 
    Casey, 676 N.E.2d at 1072
    -73.
    [29]   Given the clear difference in meaning between the words “caught” and
    “confronted,” we cannot fault Blackmon for believing that one word did not
    imply the other and preparing his defense accordingly. The record shows that
    Blackmon was actually misled by this variance. He argued that the State would
    not be able to prove that Courtway caught him in his opening statement,
    devoted a substantial portion of his cross-examination of Courtway seeking to
    prove that Courtway had not caught him and, at the close of evidence, moved
    for a directed verdict on the issue. Tr. p. 24, 38, 43, 102-04. Blackmon was not
    informed that the State was reading the language of the charge in an unusually
    expansive manner until after he had presented his defense. Under these
    circumstances, we find that the variance between the charge brought by the
    State and the proof offered at trial is fatal.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 71A03-1411-CR-413 | May 22, 2015    Page 15 of 19
    [30]   The judgment of the trial court is reversed and remanded with instructions to
    vacate Blackmon’s conviction and sentence for Level 5 felony intimidation.
    Blackmon’s conviction and sentence for class A misdemeanor possession of
    paraphernalia stands.
    May, J., concurs, and Bradford, J., dissents with an opinion.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 71A03-1411-CR-413 | May 22, 2015   Page 16 of 19
    IN THE
    COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
    Leonard Blackmon,                                         Court of Appeals Case No.
    71A03-1411-CR-413
    Appellant-Defendant,
    v.
    State of Indiana,
    Appellee-Plaintiff
    Bradford, Judge, dissenting.
    [31]   I must respectfully dissent from the majority’s opinion as I would affirm
    Blackmon’s conviction for intimidation.
    [32]   In its charging information, the State alleged that “Blackmon did communicate
    a threat to another person, with the intent that said other person be placed in
    fear of retaliation for a prior lawful act, to-wit; Leonard Blackmon threatened to
    cut Donald Courtway with a knife, after Donald Courtway caught Leonard
    Blackmon stealing water.” Appellant’s App. p. 31. The facts leading up to
    Blackmon’s threatening Courtway are as follows: (1) Courtway found that a
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 71A03-1411-CR-413 | May 22, 2015                Page 17 of 19
    spigot lock had been broken off the spigot on the outside of his daughter’s house
    and a bucket placed underneath; (2) Courtway knew that the neighbor, Hale,
    did not have running water and had been borrowing water from neighbors; (3)
    Courtway went to Hale’s house and confronted Hale and Blackmon about the
    stolen water; (4) Hale offered to pay for the water; and (5) Courtway declined
    and told the two he was going to call the police, at which point Blackmon
    brandished a knife.
    [33]   Courtway had ample reason to believe that Blackmon and/or Hale had stolen
    water and it was a lawful act to confront them and subsequently inform them
    that he was going to call the police. I cannot agree with the majority’s
    conclusion that there is a distinction between “catching” Blackmon stealing
    water and “confronting” Blackmon about the stolen water. For all intents and
    purposes, Courtway did catch Blackmon stealing water. Firstly, there was
    significant circumstantial evidence implicating Hale and Blackmon, including
    the broken spigot lock with Hale’s bucket underneath and the fact that Hale did
    not have running water and had been borrowing water from neighbors.
    Additionally, by offering to pay for the water, Hale tacitly admitted to at least
    some involvement in taking the water. Blackmon then drew a weapon, further
    indicating his guilt, and ultimately admitted to police that he did, in fact, steal
    the water. I find it inconsequential that Courtway did not know affirmatively
    that it was Blackmon, specifically, who had stolen the water considering the
    circumstantial evidence that indicated as much. In fact, the victim’s subjective
    knowledge is irrelevant under Indiana’s intimidation statute so long as the
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 71A03-1411-CR-413 | May 22, 2015     Page 18 of 19
    victim’s prior act was lawful. Regardless of Courtway’s knowledge, Blackmon
    seems to have been of the mind that he had been caught and reacted
    aggressively. As such, I think it was reasonable for the jury to find that
    Blackmon threatened Courtway in retaliation for the prior lawful act of
    catching Blackmon stealing water.
    [34]   Furthermore, I cannot agree with the narrow re-characterization of events to
    find that Blackmon only threatened Courtway in retaliation for his threatening
    to call the police, as opposed to his catching Blackmon stealing water. I see
    little logic in separating the act of catching someone performing illegal activity
    and subsequently calling the police regarding said activity; the two actions are
    part of the same series of events and, as such, the same prior lawful act.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 71A03-1411-CR-413 | May 22, 2015   Page 19 of 19