Flashcards Studio

An art gallery theft occurs at 11:15 p.m. The prosecution offers the following evidences: (i) A security camera frame from the gallery’s exterior shows a figure with a long coat entering and leaving with the painting; the face is not identifiable. (ii) A guard testifies he saw a person matching the accused’s height and build hurry toward the back alley with the painting at 11:20 p.m.; he cannot positively identify. (iii) The accused testifies he was at a charity fundraising dinner in a different city; he provides a timestamped invitation; the event organizer confirms attendance. (iv) A log shows the painting was packaged for courier and left the gallery at 11:21 p.m. to a courier with initials "M.K."; the defense says those initials could belong to any staff member and questions chain of custody. (v) A bottle of solvent leftover from the painting’s cleaning kit is found on the gallery floor with a label matching a brand sold at the accused’s art-supply shop; the shop owner confirms the accused buys such solvent.   (a)Identify whether the above evidences are direct or circumstantial and state the controlling rule from Rule 133 on weight and sufficiency. (b)If the evidences are circumstantial, discuss whether the facts proven satisfy the four requisites for circumstantial evidence to convict beyond reasonable doubt, and conclude whether the prosecution has proven guilt beyond reasonable doubt.