Foster v. State

Summary

The court affirmed Foster’s convictions for felony murder and cruelty to children, holding that the evidence permitted a rational jury to find that he inflicted the injuries that caused the child’s death and to reject alternative explanations as unreasonable. The trial court also acted within its discretion in denying Foster’s request for a continuance because counsel had received the prepared case, did not indicate unpreparedness, and Foster showed neither a specific need for additional time nor resulting harm. The court further held that Foster, who relied on appointed counsel, had no constitutional right to have a preferred appointed attorney and had not identified a specific counsel of choice. There were no separate opinions.