State v. Hatfield

Summary

The Minnesota Supreme Court held that the evidence was insufficient to support Michael Hatfield’s conviction for conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. The circumstantial evidence showed that an alleged co-conspirator delivered a propane tank and cooler at Hatfield’s request, but did not objectively establish an agreement to manufacture methamphetamine; the conspiracy conviction was therefore reversed.

Holdings

1. The evidence was insufficient to support Hatfield's conspiracy conviction because it did not objectively indicate an agreement between Hatfield and another person to manufacture methamphetamine.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the evidence was sufficient to establish, beyond a reasonable doubt, an agreement between Hatfield and another person to manufacture methamphetamine for purposes of a conspiracy conviction.

Disposition

affirmed