Hounkpatin v. State

Summary

The court affirmed Hounkpatin’s felony-murder conviction, holding that the evidence was sufficient for a rational jury to find that he caused his stepson’s fatal injuries through cruel and excessive physical pain. It also held that evidence showing Hounkpatin had previously squeezed the children around the ribs was properly admitted to prove intent, while any error in admitting evidence of slapping or hitting was harmless. The court further held that the trial court properly excluded evidence of later violent incidents involving two child witnesses because the evidence did not connect them to the victim’s death or resemble the charged conduct.