Opinion
No. 3-275A26.
Filed December 9, 1975.
1. APPEAL — Sufficiency of Evidence — Paternity Action. — Where defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain that he is the father of twin sons born to plaintiff defendant could succeed if he could show that the evidence supporting the decision established at best a result based on mere conjecture, guess, surmise, possibility or speculation; or if he could show that the only evidence to support the result is so incredible in view of any other evidence that it could not induce conviction in any reasonable mind. p. 176.
2. EVIDENCE — Testimony of Mother — Sufficient to Show Paternity. — Where plaintiff testified that her relationship with defendant began in April of 1971, they had intercourse more than once a week until the late summer of 1972, she went with no other men during the period of their relationship, and she at first used contraceptives supplied by defendant, but when the supply run out it was not replenished, such testimony was sufficient to sustain a judgment that defendant was the father of twin sons born to the mother in January of 1973. p. 176.
Appeal by defendant in a paternity action from a judgment that defendant was the father of twin sons born to plaintiff.
From the Elkhart Superior Court No. Two, Juvenile Division, Stanley A. Raymer, Judge.
Affirmed by the Third District.
Larry L. Ambler, Patrick Brennan and Associates, of South Bend, for appellant.
Leonard V. Campanale, of Mishawaka, for appellee.
This appeal challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain a judgment that appellant is the father of twins born January 25, 1973.
Appellant may succeed if he can show that the evidence supporting the decision establishes at best a result based on mere conjecture, guess, surmise, possibility or [1] speculation; or if he can show that the only evidence to support the result is so incredible in view of the other evidence that it could not induce conviction in any reasonable mind. Beaman v. Hedrick (1970), 146 Ind. App. 404, 255 N.E.2d 828.
H testified that her relationship with B began in April, 1971; that they first had intercourse on the second or third date, and that thereafter they generally had intercourse more than [2] once a week until the late summer of 1972. On cross examination she stated that on their first date they had gone to the Town and Country Theater to see "The Godfather." It appears that film was first shown at the theater in question on March 24, 1972.
B's account commences their relationship in April 1972. He stated he was "pretty sure" they first had intercourse on a date after the "Indianapolis 500" that year. He agreed that the relationship continued through most of the summer of 1972 and that they had intercourse several times a week.
H testified that she went with no other men during the period of their relationship, and B presented no evidence to dispute this.
There was also a conflict in the testimony regarding the use of contraceptives. H testified that at first she used contraceptives supplied by B, but that when the original supply ran out, it was not replenished. B testified that they never used contraceptives and that the first time they had intercourse H told him they were unnecessary because she was already pregnant.
Certainly the court had to make a credibility determination. However, despite the conflicts, it could have reasonably concluded that during late April and May, 1972, these parties were regularly engaging in intercourse and that a preponderance of the evidence established B as the father of the twins. We may not now reweigh that evidence or redetermine credibility.
Accordingly, the judgment is affirmed.
Staton, P.J. and Hoffman, J., concur.
NOTE. — Reported at 338 N.E.2d 315.