Opinion ID: 883736
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Does sufficient evidence support Black's conviction of the offense of sexual assault?

Text: Our standard in reviewing the sufficiency of evidence in criminal cases is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. State v. Licht (1994), 266 Mont. 123, 879 P.2d 670, 675 (citation omitted). Black does not dispute that G.R.'s testimony establishes the elements of sexual assault as that offense is statutorily defined. Moreover, the law is clear in Montana that a victim's testimony in a sex offense case is sufficient to sustain a conviction and needs no corroboration. State v. Biehle (1992), 251 Mont. 257, 260, 824 P.2d 268, 270-71. Black argues that, in rejecting G.R.'s testimony regarding the extent of the actual sexual intercourse or penetration, the District Court determined that G.R. was not a credible witness. With that purported determination as a base, Black contends that adding discrepancies in G.R.'s testimony and that of others testifying compels a determination that G.R.'s testimony was incredible in its entirety and, therefore, insufficient to support the conviction. Black cites no authority for his position. In addition, he apparently overlooks the District Court's specific determination that G.R. was a credible witness. As we have stated, [a] trial court acting as a finder of fact is in the best position to observe the witnesses, including their demeanor and credibility... . The weight of the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses are exclusively the province of the trier of fact. .. . State v. Flack (1993), 260 Mont. 181, 189, 860 P.2d 89, 94 (citation omitted). The court's credibility determination and the weight it gave G.R.'s testimony were exclusively within its province as the trier of fact in this case; the same is true regarding the court's weighing of all the evidence before it, including discrepancies in testimony. We will not substitute our judgment for that of the trier of fact on matters of credibility and the weight of evidence. We hold, therefore, that sufficient evidence supports Black's conviction of the offense of sexual assault.