State v. Reliford

                          IN THE NEBRASKA COURT OF APPEALS

               MEMORANDUM OPINION AND JUDGMENT ON APPEAL
                        (Memorandum Web Opinion)

                                       STATE V. RELIFORD


  NOTICE: THIS OPINION IS NOT DESIGNATED FOR PERMANENT PUBLICATION
 AND MAY NOT BE CITED EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY NEB. CT. R. APP. P. § 2-102(E).


                                 STATE OF NEBRASKA, APPELLEE,
                                                V.

                                 ALAN E. RELIFORD, APPELLANT.


                           Filed December 27, 2022.      No. A-22-213.


       Appeal from the District Court for Douglas County: W. RUSSELL BOWIE III, Judge.
Affirmed.
       Thomas C. Riley, Douglas County Public Defender, Lori A. Hoetger, and Brian D. Craig
for appellant.
       Douglas J. Peterson, Attorney General, and Nathan A. Liss for appellee.


       MOORE, RIEDMANN, and BISHOP, Judges.
       MOORE, Judge.
                                       I. INTRODUCTION
        Alan E. Reliford appeals from his conviction in the district court for Douglas County of
first degree assault and robbery. On appeal, he assigns error to the court’s refusal to give certain
jury instructions, the sufficiency of the evidence to support his convictions, and the sentences
imposed by the court. Finding no error, we affirm.
                                  II. STATEMENT OF FACTS
                                           1. CHARGES
       The charges in this case arise out of an incident that occurred outside of an apartment
complex in Omaha, Nebraska, on August 4, 2020. On June 30, 2021, the State filed an information
in the district court, charging Reliford with robbery in violation of 

                                               -1-
(Reissue 2016), a Class II felony, and first degree assault, in violation of 

(Reissue 2016), also a Class II felony. The State identified the victim of both crimes as Corey
Baltzell.
                                              2. TRIAL
       A jury trial was held December 13-15, 2021. The State presented testimony from an
emergency room doctor who treated Baltzell after the assault, police officers who investigated the
incident, and Baltzell. The district court also received various exhibits offered by the State,
including a surveillance video from the apartment complex, still photographs pulled from the
video, and multiple photographs depicting various aspects of the crime scene and showing
Reliford’s injuries. One of the apartment complex residents testified on Reliford’s behalf.
                                        (a) State’s Evidence
        The evidence shows that on August 4, 2020, at approximately 9:30 p.m., Omaha police and
medical personnel were dispatched to an apartment complex in Omaha in response to a call about
a man believed to be dead. Police arrived soon after to find the victim, later identified as Baltzell,
lying essentially motionless on the ground in a patio area. Baltzell was alive and breathing but
unresponsive. He had visible injuries to his face, and there was a pool of blood around his head.
Police looked through Baltzell’s wallet and cell phone, and body camera footage from the scene
indicate two text messages on Baltzell’s phone. One message sent at 4:28 p.m. (read by medic on
the body camera footage), stated something like, “Just hurt my neck in a car accident.” The date
of this message is not clear from the record. Another text message from 7:30 p.m. on the day in
question, stated “911” and “I need you.” Police found various other items on the ground near
Baltzell, including a shoe, a pair of glasses, and a watch.
        While police were processing the scene, Baltzell was transported to the hospital and taken
to the emergency room on a “Code 3 status,” which means there is the potential for or actual
serious bodily harm, major bleeding, open fractures, or vital sign abnormalities, among other
things. Dr. Eric Ernest, one of Baltzell’s treating doctors, testified that Baltzell was making some
movements when he arrived at the hospital, but he was not speaking coherently or making any
purposeful movements. Ernest testified that medical personnel assigned Baltzell “a Glasgow Coma
score of 8,” which on a 15-point scale (with 3 being the lowest possible score and 15 the highest)
indicates moderate to significant neurological injury. Baltzell was intubated and sedated to
stabilize him while he was treated.
        Baltzell’s medical examination revealed several fresh injuries, including swelling and
bruising on his face, especially around the nose and eyes; a contusion on his scalp; a subdural
hematoma on the upper part of his head; and multiple nasal fractures, suggesting “a significant
force was applied or presented to his face.” Baltzell did not have any bleeding in the brain or a
skull fracture, but his jawbone was displaced from his skull, and he had a “teardrop” fracture on
his cervical spine (considered to be a “new fracture”). Other spinal fractures or deformities shown
by imaging tests were “age indeterminate” and “[f]avored chronic,” meaning doctors could not
determine when they occurred. The medical examination also revealed possible “ligamentous
damage,” to the ligaments that hold the spinal canal in place, an injury that could be caused by a
person being in a car accident. A drug screen showed the presence of marijuana (presumably


                                                -2-
consumed prior to Baltzell’s arrival at the hospital) and benzodiazepine (possibly from the drugs
administered in the emergency room). A blood alcohol test showed that Baltzell had a blood
alcohol concentration of .253.
         Baltzell was released from the hospital on August 5, and was sent home in a cervical neck
collar. His neurological exam that morning was noted as being “entirely normal.” Baltzell’s
injuries did not require surgery or followup treatments, other than use of the neck collar, but Ernest
testified that Baltzell’s injuries were very serious. As noted above, Ernest testified that Baltzell’s
nasal fractures were caused by “significant force,” and he testified that Baltzell’s injuries in
combination created a risk of death or serious injury, including traumatic brain injury. Ernest
testified that a traumatic brain injury can result in ongoing symptoms of persistent nausea,
headaches, vomiting, visual problems, memory issues, and trouble with cognition. While the
imaging tests performed at the hospital did not reveal internal brain injuries, Ernest explained that
these scans will not necessarily show the full extent of a person’s injuries, typically only revealing
“structural abnormalities,” and that other internal injuries may manifest later or in other ways.
Ernest opined that Baltzell’s injuries could have been caused by being stomped on the head and
that such stomping would pose a risk of skull or neck fracture, brain injury, or death. Ernest also
testified that if Baltzell had not been found and treated as quickly as he was, there would have been
the risk of breathing issues and possible cardiac arrest.
         One of the Omaha police officers who investigated the incident spoke with Baltzell, but
Baltzell did not recall anything about how he had received his injuries. The officer also contacted
the manager of the apartment complex where the incident occurred and obtained surveillance video
containing footage of the incident. The police then put out a bulletin with still photographs taken
from the video through which Reliford was identified as the suspect committing the assault.
         Another police officer who had had contact with Reliford prior to the August 2020 incident
confirmed at trial that Reliford was the individual shown attacking Baltzell in the surveillance
video. During the course of the investigation, with assistance from the apartment complex
manager, that officer was able to identify another individual in the video as Reliford’s brother.
         The surveillance video was played for the jury. The video showed that at 9:35 p.m., Baltzell
approached a group of four individuals (one woman and three men) in a courtyard area of the
apartment complex. He does not appear to have any injuries at that point. Baltzell conversed with
the group and one of the men (not Reliford or his brother) pointed and laughed at Baltzell, who
turned around and appeared to zip up his pants. Baltzell turned back toward the group, raising his
hands near his head, and walked toward Reliford. At that point, Reliford set down his drink and
cigarette and began hitting Baltzell in the face, striking him multiple times. Baltzell fell to the
ground, and Reliford continued his physical contact on Baltzell, kicking and then hitting his head
multiple times. Reliford then leaned over Baltzell, appearing to remove a watch from Baltzell’s
wrist, after which he stomped on Baltzell’s head multiple times, and Baltzell went limp. Reliford
walked back to his drink and cigarette, appearing to throw the watch he took from Baltzell behind
him. Then Reliford and the rest of the group left, leaving Baltzell lying on the pavement.
         Baltzell testified about his limited recollection of what happened on August 4, 2020.
Baltzell had “messed up [his] car” about a week earlier, so on the day in question, he was driving
a rental vehicle while his car was being repaired. He remembered going to a gas station around 5
or 6 p.m. and purchasing some alcohol. Baltzell did not remember why he was at the apartment


                                                -3-
complex that night. His only previous contact with that location had been when he gave a coworker
a ride home on a few occasions. He did not remember speaking with the group of people shown in
the surveillance video, did not recognize them upon seeing the video, and did not recall the assault
itself. Baltzell testified that he woke up in the hospital with no recollection of what happened
beyond his purchase of alcohol at the gas station. Baltzell identified a picture of the watch found
at the scene as depicting his watch. He also confirmed that the shoe and eyeglasses shown in
photographs of the scene were his and that the cell phone shown was “[p]robably” his. Baltzell did
not need surgery for any of his injuries. He had to wear a neck brace for 4 months following the
assault, during which time he was unable to drive, but he had since fully recovered. He denied
having ever been treated for a neck injury prior to the August 4 incident.
         Following Baltzell’s testimony, the State rested. Reliford moved for a directed verdict,
which the district court denied.
                                      (b) Reliford’s Evidence
        Reliford’s only witness was Christine Snyder, a resident of the apartment complex where
the assault occurred. On the evening in question, Snyder was outside on one of the apartment
complex’s patios with her daughter and Reliford’s brother (also a resident of the apartment
complex). Snyder testified that around 8 or 8:30 p.m., an individual later identified as Baltzell
approached the patio railing and started making vulgar sexual gestures toward her. He left after
she yelled at him. Later that evening, around 9:30 p.m., Snyder, Reliford, Reliford’s brother, and
another apartment complex resident were hanging out on a different patio. The group shared
“[m]aybe three bowls” of marijuana, and Snyder had consumed “maybe three sips” of beer before
the incident. At some point, Baltzell walked up again. Snyder described him as being “belligerently
drunk,” “swaying back and forth,” and slurring his words when he spoke. There was an exchange
of profanities and racial slurs between Reliford and his brother and Baltzell that began with
Reliford and his brother inquiring who the individual was and why he was approaching their group
and ended with Baltzell calling Reliford “the f-ing N word.” According to Snyder, Baltzell was
“being slightly more aggressive” at that point and “leaning in like he was going to punch
[Reliford].” She testified that Reliford set down his drink and punched Baltzell. Snyder indicated
that this sequence of events “happened so fast.” “When everything ended,” Snyder verified that
Baltzell was still breathing, and then she went back inside to try to find her phone. By the time she
located her phone, the police had already arrived. Snyder testified that she felt threatened by
Baltzell, based on his comments and the fact that he had his hands up as he approached the group,
but she acknowledged that Baltzell “never swung” at Reliford or anyone else in the group.
        Following Snyder’s testimony, Reliford rested. Reliford’s attorney made a motion for a
directed verdict, which the district court denied.
                                  (c) Jury Instruction Conference
        During the jury instruction conference, Reliford proposed the following self-defense
instruction:
              [Reliford] acted in self[-]defense if:
              1. [Baltzell] used or threatened force against [Reliford]; and




                                                -4-
               2. Under the circumstances as they existed at the time, [Reliford] reasonably
       believed that the force he used against [Baltzell] was immediately necessary to protect him
       against injury.
               The fact that [Reliford] may have been wrong in estimating the danger does not
       matter so long as there was a reasonable basis for what he believed and he acted reasonably
       in response to that belief.
               [Reliford] is not required to prove that he acted in self[-]defense. It is up to the State
       to prove that he did not.

Also, with respect to “defense of another,” he proposed this instruction:
               [Reliford] acted in defense of another person if:
               1. [Reliford] reasonably believed that [Baltzell] used or threatened force against
       [Snyder]; and
               2. Under the circumstances as they existed at the time, [Reliford] reasonably
       believed the force [he] used against [Baltzell] was immediately necessary to protect
       [Snyder] against any such force used or threatened by [Baltzell.]
               The fact that [Reliford] may have been wrong in estimating the danger to [Snyder]
       does not matter so long as there was a reasonable basis for what [Reliford] believed and he
       acted reasonably in response to that belief.

Additionally, Reliford proposed the following instruction with respect to the lesser-included
offense of third degree assault:
                Depending on the evidence, you may return one of several possible verdicts. You
       may find [Reliford]:
                (1) Guilty of Assault in the First Degree; or
                (2) Guilty of Assault in the Third Degree; or
                (3) Not guilty.
                The elements of the crime of Assault in the First Degree, are:
                1. That [Reliford], on or about August 4, 2020, caused serious bodily injury to . . .
       Baltzell;
                2. That [Reliford] did so knowingly and intentionally; and
                3. That [Reliford] did so in Douglas County, Nebraska.
                The elements of the crime of Assault in the Third Degree, are:
                1. That [Reliford], on or about August 4, 2020, caused bodily injury to . . . Baltzell;
                2. That [Reliford] did so knowingly and intentionally; and
                3. That [Reliford] did so in Douglas County, Nebraska.
                You must separately consider in the following order the crimes of Assault in the
       First Degree and Assault in the Third Degree. For the crime Assault in the First Degree
       you must decide whether the [S]tate proved each element beyond a reasonable doubt. If the
       [S]tate did so prove each element, then you must find [Reliford] guilty of Assault in the
       First Degree and stop. If you find that the [S]tate did not so prove, then you must proceed
       to consider the next crime in the list, the crime of Assault in the Third Degree. You must



                                                 -5-
       proceed in this fashion to consider each of the crimes in sequence until you find [Reliford]
       guilty of one of the crimes or find him not guilty of all of them.

         The district court refused Reliford’s proposed instructions, giving an instruction on first
degree assault that did not include the lesser-included offense of third degree assault and stating
that it did not see a need for a self-defense or defense of others instruction.
                                             (d) Verdict
       The jury found Reliford guilty of both first degree assault and robbery. The district court
accepted the jury’s verdict, scheduled sentencing, and ordered a presentence investigation report
(PSR).
                                           3. SENTENCING
        At the sentencing hearing on March 9, 2022, Reliford’s attorney indicated she had had an
opportunity to review the PSR and discuss it with Reliford. She noted a correction to the amount
of credit for time served to which Reliford was entitled, and the district court accepted a letter of
support for Reliford and his attorney’s sentencing memorandum as additions to the PSR. In her
arguments to the court, Reliford’s attorney noted that Baltzell had physically healed from his
injuries, and she asked the court to consider, among other things, Reliford’s acknowledged
problem with anger, his “rough upbringing,” the fact that he had been a victim of assault, and his
support of and by family members. Reliford also spoke to the court, expressing sorrow and regret
for his actions.
        In the State’s arguments, the prosecutor noted “the multiple lockdowns [Reliford has] had
since he’s been in custody.” She also noted “the seriousness of this case,” the evidence as reflected
in the security video of the incident, and asked the district court to impose a substantial sentence.
        Before sentencing Reliford, the district court noted its consideration of the relevant factors.
The court then imposed a sentence of 14 to 18 years’ imprisonment on each count, to run
concurrently, giving him credit for 324 days of time served. Reliford subsequently perfect his
appeal to this court.
                                 III. ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
       Reliford asserts that (1) the district court erred in refusing to instruct the jury on the
affirmative defense of self-defense and the lesser-included offense of third degree assault, (2) the
evidence was insufficient to sustain his convictions for first degree assault and robbery, and (3)
the court abused its discretion by imposing an excessive sentence.
                                  IV. STANDARD OF REVIEW
        Whether a jury instruction is correct is a question of law, regarding which an appellate
court is obligated to reach a conclusion independent of the determination reached by the trial court.
State v. Greer, 

, 

 (2022).
        Regardless of whether the evidence is direct, circumstantial, or a combination thereof, and
regardless of whether the issue is labeled as a failure to direct a verdict, insufficiency of the
evidence, or failure to prove a prima facie case, the standard is the same: In reviewing a criminal
conviction, an appellate court does not resolve conflicts in the evidence, pass on the credibility of


                                                 -6-
witnesses, or reweigh the evidence; such matters are for the finder of fact, and a conviction will be
affirmed, in the absence of prejudicial error, if the evidence admitted at trial, viewed and construed
most favorably to the State, is sufficient to support the conviction. State v. Cerros, 

,

 (2022).
        A sentence imposed within the statutory limits will not be disturbed on appeal in the
absence of an abuse of discretion by the trial court. State v. 

 A judicial abuse of
discretion exists only when the reasons or rulings of a trial judge are clearly untenable, unfairly
depriving a litigant of a substantial right and denying a just result in matters submitted for
disposition. 

                                            V. ANALYSIS
                                        1. JURY INSTRUCTIONS
        Reliford asserts that the district court erred in refusing to instruct the jury on the affirmative
defense of self-defense and the lesser-included offense of third degree assault. To establish
reversible error from a court’s refusal to give a requested instruction, an appellant has the burden
to show that (1) the tendered instruction is a correct statement of the law, (2) the tendered
instruction is warranted by the evidence, and (3) the appellant was prejudiced by the court’s refusal
to give the tendered instruction. State v. Garcia, 

, 

 (2022). All the
jury instructions must be read together, and, if taken as a whole, they correctly state the law, are
not misleading, and adequately cover the issues supported by the pleadings and the evidence, there
is no prejudicial error necessitating reversal. 

                                            (a) Self-Defense
        To successfully assert the claim of self-defense, a defendant must have a reasonable and
good faith belief in the necessity of using force and the force used in defense must be immediately
necessary and justified under the circumstances. State v. Case, 

, 

(2020). See, also, 

 (Reissue 2016) (concerning use of force in
self-protection). If a defendant has unjustifiably placed himself or herself in harm’s way, a court
may properly find that such facts do not support a lawful claim of self-defense. State v. Case,
supra.
        A trial court is required to give a self-defense instruction where there is any evidence in
support of a legally cognizable theory of self-defense. Id. It is only when the evidence does not
support a legally cognizable claim of self-defense or the evidence is so lacking in probative value,
so as to constitute a failure of proof, that a trial court may properly refuse to instruct a jury on a
defendant’s theory of self-defense. Id.
        In this case, the trial evidence did not support a claim of self-defense. The surveillance
video shows Baltzell walking up to the group and talking with them prior to the assault. The only
potentially threatening action from Baltzell occurred when he approached Reliford, raising his
arms near his head after zipping his pants. The evidence does not show Baltzell making physical
contact with Reliford or anyone else in the group, and Reliford turned away from Baltzell, setting
down his drink and cigarette, before he turned back around and began to strike Baltzell in the face.
Reliford could have walked away or retreated if he felt threatened. See § 28-1409(4)(b) (spelling



                                                  -7-
out duty to retreat to avoid necessity of using deadly force, except under certain circumstances in
one’s dwelling or place of work).
         Further, even if Reliford’s initial use of force had been justified, the evidence does not
show any justification for his continued use of force once Baltzell fell to the ground. The video
shows Baltzell dropping to the ground after Reliford’s initial hits to his face. Baltzell moved very
little after falling. Reliford, however, continued the physical contact, kicking and hitting Baltzell
multiple times before removing Baltzell’s watch and stomping on his head multiple times, at which
point Baltzell went limp. A claim of self-defense was not available to Reliford based upon this
conduct. See State v. Abdulkadir, 

, 

 (2016) (holding, in case
involving deadly force, that defendant was not justified in continued use of force once victim fell
helplessly to floor, even though victim was initial aggressor).
         Here, the district court found that the evidence did not warrant giving Reliford’s proposed
self-defense instructions, noting with respect to the defense of others portion of Reliford’s
proposed instructions that the evidence showed Snyder “just sat there and watched.” We agree.
Because the evidence did not support a claim of self-defense in this case, the court did not err in
refusing to give the requested instruction.
                       (b) Lesser-Included Offense of Third Degree Assault
        A court must instruct on a lesser-included offense if (1) the elements of the lesser offense
for which an instruction is requested are such that one cannot commit the greater offense without
simultaneously committing the lesser offense and (2) the evidence produces a rational basis for
acquitting the defendant of the greater offense and convicting the defendant of the lesser offense.
State v. Cerros, 

, 

 (2022). It is not prejudicial error to fail to instruct
upon a lesser-included offense when the evidence entirely fails to show an offense of a lesser
degree than that charged in the information. State v. McKimmey, 

, 

 (2001).
        A person commits the offense of assault in the first degree if he or she “intentionally or
knowingly causes serious bodily injury to another person.” § 28-308(1). “Serious bodily injury” is
statutorily defined to mean “bodily injury which involves a substantial risk of death, or which
involves substantial risk of serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of
the function of any part or organ of the body.” 

(21) (Reissue 2016).
        A person commits the offense of assault in the third degree if he or she: (a) “[i]ntentionally,
knowingly, or recklessly causes bodily injury to another person;” or (b) “[t]hreatens another in a
menacing manner.” 

(1) (Reissue 2016). “Bodily injury” is defined to mean
“physical pain, illness, or any impairment of physical condition.” § 28-109(4).
        Nebraska case law shows that third degree assault is a lesser-included offense of first
degree assault. See State v. Williams, 

, 

 (1993). The parties in this
case disagree, however, on whether the evidence warranted an instruction on the lesser-included
offense.
        Here, the record shows that Reliford caused serious bodily injury to Baltzell. When Baltzell
arrived at the hospital, he was not speaking coherently or making any purposeful movements. His
score on Glasgow Coma assessment indicated moderate to significant neurological injury. Fresh
injuries revealed upon his medical examination included facial swelling and bruising, a scalp


                                                 -8-
contusion, a subdural hematoma on the upper part of his head, multiple nasal fractures, jawbone
displacement, and a “teardrop” fracture on his upper spine. He also had possible “ligamentous
damage” to the ligaments in his spinal canal, although this could have resulted from an earlier car
accident. Baltzell had to wear a cervical neck collar for 4 months upon returning home. Although
Baltzell did not require surgery, Ernest’s testimony confirmed that Baltzell’s injuries were quite
serious and that the mechanism of injury had posed a risk of death or significant ongoing
impairment. Because the evidence establishes that Reliford intentionally or knowingly caused
serious bodily to Balztell, there was no rational basis for the jury to conclude otherwise and acquit
Reliford of first degree assault. See State v. 

        Reliford argues that there was a rational basis to acquit him of first degree assault because
the jury could have concluded that he only sustained “bodily injury.” He stresses that Baltzell did
not require surgery, was not diagnosed with any permanent injuries, and had fully recovered.
However, § 28-109(21) does not require that an assault actually cause death, serious permanent
disfigurement, or impairment of a part of the body in order to constitute “[s]erious bodily injury”
and thus rise to the level of first degree assault under § 28-308(1); rather, the assaultive behavior
need only cause a “substantial risk” of such injuries. As noted above, the assault on Baltzell clearly
created such a risk. Contrary to Reliford’s assertion, Baltzell’s lack of permanent injuries did not
provide a rational basis for finding that no serious bodily injury occurred and acquitting him of
first degree assault. The district court did not err in refusing to give Reliford’s proposed jury
instruction on third degree assault as a lesser-included offense of first degree assault.
                                    2. SUFFICIENCY OF EVIDENCE
        Reliford asserts that the evidence was insufficient to sustain his convictions for first degree
assault and robbery. We disagree. The evidence was sufficient to sustain his convictions on both
counts.
                                      (a) First Degree Assault
        As noted above, a person commits first degree assault if he or she intentionally or
knowingly causes serious bodily injury to another person, and serious bodily injury is bodily injury
involving a substantial risk of death, or substantial risk of serious permanent disfigurement, or
protracted loss or impairment of the function of any part or organ of the body. See § 28-308(1) and
§ 28-109(21). First degree assault is a felony and a general intent crime. See State v. Sepulveda,

, 

 (2009). The intent required by the assault statutes relates to the act
which produces the injury, not to the consequences which result from the assault. See 

        The evidence showed that Reliford set down his drink and cigarette before hitting Baltzell
multiple times, causing him to fall to the ground. Reliford then proceeded to kick and hit Baltzell
multiple additional times, also stomping on his head multiple times. Baltzell suffered significant
swelling and bruising to his head and face, multiple nasal fractures, a displaced jaw, and a cervical
“teardrop” fracture. The evidence was sufficient for any rational trier of fact to conclude that
Reliford intentionally or knowingly caused injury to Baltzell that involved a substantial risk of
death, or substantial risk of serious permanent disfigurement, or protracted loss or impairment of
the function of any part or organ of the body.




                                                 -9-
         Reliford argues that the evidence does not show that Baltzell’s injuries were caused by the
assault, noting evidence that Baltzell was in a car wreck about a week prior to the assault and that
some of his spinal injuries were classified as “age indeterminate” or “[f]avored chronic.” Clearly,
the fact that some injuries to Baltzell’s spine may have predated the assault does not preclude the
reality that many of his injuries were fresh or recent, including the swelling and bruising on his
face, the nasal fractures, the jaw displacement, and the spinal “teardrop” fracture. The jury, as the
trier of fact, determined that at least some of Baltzell’s injuries were caused by the assault, and this
court does not resolve conflicts in the evidence, pass on the credibility of witnesses, or reweigh
the evidence. See State v. Cerros, 

, 

 (2022).
         The evidence viewed and construed most favorably to the State, was sufficient to support
Reliford’s conviction for first degree assault. This assignment of error fails.
                                             (b) Robbery
        “A person commits robbery if, with the intent to steal, he forcibly and by violence, or by
putting in fear, takes from the person of another any money or personal property of any value
whatever.” § 28-324(1). Although not defined in the robbery statute, “stealing” has commonly
been described as taking without right or leave with intent to keep wrongfully. State v. Burbach,

, 

 (2012). The focus of § 28-324 is on the intent to deprive the
owner of his or her property permanently, to keep it from him or her. Id. The victim has his or her
property stolen regardless of whether the thief thereafter uses it for selfish gain, destroys it,
abandons it, or gifts it to another. State v. Barfield, 

, 

 (2006),
disapproved on other grounds, State v. McCulloch, 

, 

 (2007).
        Here, the evidence shows that, during the course of the assault, while Baltzell was lying
essentially motionless on the pavement, Reliford removed Baltzell’s watch from his arm and
walked away with it. Reliford argues that because he discarded the watch shortly after taking it,
the evidence was insufficient to show his intent to permanently deprive Baltzell of the watch. But,
the fact that stolen property is later abandoned does not mean that it was not stolen. See 

 Whether
one charged with theft intended to deprive the owner of the property permanently is to be inferred
from the words and acts of the defendant and from the circumstances surrounding the incident.
State v. Lixey, 

, 

 (1991). Reliford’s intent at the time he took the
watch was a matter for the jury, and this court does not determine credibility or reweigh the
evidence on appeal. See State v. 

        Viewed and construed most favorably to the State, the evidence was sufficient to support
Reliford’s conviction for robbery. This assignment of error fails.
                                      3. EXCESSIVE SENTENCE
        Reliford asserts that the district court abused its discretion by imposing an excessive
sentence. He was convicted of first degree assault and robbery, both of which are Class II felonies.
§ 28-308; § 28-324. Class II felonies are punishable by imprisonment for 1 to 50 years, but with
no mandatory minimum. 

 (Cum. Supp. 2022). The court sentenced
Reliford concurrent terms of 14 to 18 years’ imprisonment. His sentences were within the statutory
limits. Reliford argues, however, that the sentences imposed were excessive and that the district
court failed to consider his traumatic background and potential for rehabilitation.


                                                 - 10 -
        When sentences imposed within statutory limits are alleged on appeal to be excessive, the
appellate court must determine whether the sentencing court abused its discretion in considering
well-established factors and any applicable legal principles. State v. Greer, 

, 

 (2022). When imposing a sentence, a sentencing judge should consider the
defendant’s (1) age, (2) mentality, (3) education and experience, (4) social and cultural
background, (5) past criminal record or record of law-abiding conduct, and (6) motivation for the
offense, as well as (7) the nature of the offense and (8) the amount of violence involved in the
commission of the crime. 

 The sentencing court is not limited to any mathematically applied set
of factors, but the appropriateness of the sentence is necessarily a subjective judgment that includes
the sentencing judge’s observations of the defendant’s demeanor and attitude and all the facts and
circumstances surrounding the defendant’s life. 

        At the time of the PSR, Reliford was 33 years old. He has a high school education and was
not currently employed, although he has had various employments in the past. He has a rather
lengthy criminal history, but his longest sentence prior to this case was a 180-day jail sentence.
The overall Level of Service/Case Management Inventory placed Reliford in the very high risk
category to reoffend. The probation officer who conducted the interview reported that Reliford
“did not express remorse for the governing offense,” demonstrated “antisocial cognition and a
deepening criminal mindset,” and that the risk was substantial that he would engage in additional
criminal conduct during a period of probation. The probation officer also stated that Reliford “does
not appear to have been committed to a sober and crime-free lifestyle and has not been amenable
to abiding by programs that would aid in rehabilitation and reduce the risk of further unlawful
conduct.”
        At sentencing, the district court indicated it had considered the relevant factors in this case.
The court had received the PSR, including the additions offered by Reliford at the sentencing
hearing, and we see no indication that the court considered any inappropriate factors. Upon our
review of the record, we can find no abuse of discretion in the sentences imposed.
                                         VI. CONCLUSION
        The district court did not err in refusing to give Reliford’s requested jury instructions on
the affirmative defense of self-defense and the lesser-included offense of third degree assault. The
evidence was sufficient to sustain Reliford’s convictions, and the court did not abuse its discretion
in sentencing him. Accordingly, we affirm.
                                                                                         AFFIRMED.




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