State v. Donald Greenslit, 135 A.3d 1192

Defendant Donald Greenslit was indicted for first-degree murder, failure to report a death to conceal a crime, obstruction of a firefighter, and violation of a no-contact order after remains of victim Stacie Dorego were found at 16 Pershing Road. A jury convicted him on all counts; he was sentenced to life plus consecutive terms on other counts.
Key testimonial evidence: a jailhouse detainee (Alex Boisclair) said Greenslit admitted stabbing Dorego and had discussed planning for the children after discovering alleged infidelity; Boisclair related details that were not publicly known.
Neighbors and firefighters testified that on January 22, 2012, smoke filled the home, defendant behaved nervously and blocked firefighters trying to enter, and firefighters later found the victim’s remains in the basement.
Defendant made a phone call around Christmastime to the victim’s sister expressing concern about the children and indicating they would be taken care of; another friend testified Greenslit said the victim had left with a boyfriend and discussed moving into the house.
The trial justice, acting on defendant’s motion for a new trial, applied the three-step weight-of-evidence analysis (consider evidence against the charge, independently assess credibility/weight, decide whether she would reach a different result) and found the witnesses credible and the evidence sufficient; she denied the motion.

Issue	State's Argument	Greenslit's Argument	Held
Sufficiency of evidence of premeditation for 1st-degree murder	Evidence (Boisclair admissions, timing of phone call, pre-death planning) shows appreciable time for premeditation	Acts after the killing showed impaired or volatile state; any intent was fleeting/contemporaneous, not premeditated	Court affirmed trial justice: evidence supports premeditation and 1st-degree murder conviction
Obstruction of firefighter	Defendant’s repeated presence at basement stairs and physical blocking impeded firefighters’ duties	He was not explicitly told he could not reenter; his mere presence did not actually hinder firefighting	Court affirmed trial justice: defendant’s conduct obstructed and impeded firefighters, supporting conviction
Trial justice’s exercise of new-trial review	Trial justice followed required three-step analysis and credited witnesses	Defendant argued trial justice erred in weight assessment	Court found trial justice complied with standard and did not misconceive material evidence
Credibility of jailhouse informant (Boisclair)	His testimony corroborated by nonpublic details and other evidence; thus credible	Defense attacked his motives and credibility	Trial justice found Boisclair credible; appellate court accepted that finding

State v. Hie, 93 A.3d 963 (R.I. 2014) (describing trial-justice role as a "thirteenth juror" and three-step weight-of-evidence analysis)
State v. Gonzalez, 56 A.3d 96 (R.I. 2012) (explaining the three-step inquiry and deference to trial-justice credibility findings)
State v. Adefusika, 989 A.2d 467 (R.I. 2010) (same standard for new-trial weight review)
State v. Gillespie, 960 A.3d 969 (R.I. 2008) (distinguishing first- and second-degree murder based on duration of intent)
State v. Rodriguez, 822 A.2d 894 (R.I. 2003) (clarifying premeditation requires appreciable time, not merely a momentary intent)
DeFusco v. Brophy, 311 A.2d 286 (R.I. 1973) (defining "obstruction" to include hindering or impeding duties without direct force)