Opinion ID: 424859
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: 10 Blanks contends that the government's evidence was insufficient to establish his knowing participation in the conspiracy. Accordingly, Blanks argues that the district court erred in denying his motion for judgment of acquittal. We must examine the evidence in a light most favorable to the government, accepting all reasonable inferences which will support the verdict. Glasser v. United States, 315 U.S. 60, 80, 62 S.Ct. 457, 469, 86 L.Ed. 680 (1942); United States v. Curra-Barona, 706 F.2d 1089, 1090-91, 3224, 3226 (11th Cir.1983). The applicable standard is whether a reasonable jury could conclude that the evidence established guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. Pierre, 688 F.2d 724, 725 (11th Cir.1982); United States v. Roper, 681 F.2d 1354, 1359 (11th Cir.1982). If a reasonable jury would necessarily entertain a reasonable doubt as to the defendant's guilt, the conviction must be reversed. United States v. Marx, 635 F.2d 436, 438 (5th Cir.1981). The Fifth Circuit stated, however, that [i]t is not necessary that the evidence exclude every reasonable hypothesis of innocence or be wholly inconsistent with every conclusion except that of guilt, provided a reasonable trier of fact could find that the evidence establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. A jury is free to choose among reasonable constructions of the evidence. United States v. Bell, 678 F.2d 547, 549 (5th Cir.1982) (en banc) (footnote omitted). We now turn to the relevant substantive issue presented by Blanks. 11 To support a conspiracy conviction, the government must prove that an agreement existed between two or more persons to commit a crime, and that the defendant knowingly and voluntarily joined the agreement. United States v. Badolato, 701 F.2d 915, 919-20 (11th Cir.1983); United States v. Cuni, 689 F.2d 1353, 1356 (11th Cir.1982). The government need not prove that the defendant knew all the details of the conspiracy; rather, it need only be shown that the defendant knew the general nature and scope of the conspiracy and intended to participate. Cuni, 689 F.2d at 1356; United States v. Watson, 669 F.2d 1374, 1380 (11th Cir.1982). In conspiracy cases brought under 21 U.S.C.A. Sec. 846, the government is not required to prove the commission of an overt act in the furtherance of the conspiracy. Cuni, 689 F.2d at 1356. Mere knowledge of a conspiracy in association with the conspirators is insufficient evidence to support a conspiracy conviction. See United States v. Vera, 701 F.2d 1349, 1357 (11th Cir.1983). Direct evidence of a defendant's intent to join in a conspiracy is not required. If circumstantial, participation may be proved by circumstantial evidence. United States v. Lee, 694 F.2d 649, 652 (11th Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 103 S.Ct. 1779, 76 L.Ed.2d 350 (1983); United States v. Tamargo, 672 F.2d 887, 889 (11th Cir.1982). 12 Blanks argues that the evidence merely establishes his prior association with Russo and Capozzi in other marijuana smuggling operations. Blanks contends that it cannot be assumed that he was involved in the ALASKAN I smuggling operation because of Russo and Capozzi's involvement in that conspiracy. Viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the government, we find that the record indicates otherwise. 13 Viewing this evidence, we cannot say that the jury would have a reasonable doubt as to Blanks's guilt. Hester's testimony revealed Blanks's extensive knowledge of the ALASKAN I smuggling operation, and his expressed intent to participate in the conspiracy. Circumstantial evidence proved (1) that Blanks participated in prior smuggling operation with Russo and Capozzi, (2) his joint ownership of the Bayliner, (3) his numerous telephone conversations with the other conspirators during the two months prior to the seizure of the ALASKAN I, and (4) his self-incriminating statement provided further support for a finding of knowing participation in the conspiracy charge. The evidence presented by the government was forceful enough to include Blanks's participation. Accordingly, we conclude that a reasonable jury could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that the evidence established Blanks's knowing participation in the conspiracy, and that the district court did not err in denying Blanks's motion for a judgment of acquittal.