Opinion ID: 196194
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: 15 Rullan could be convicted of aiding and abetting the possession of cocaine, with intent to distribute, see 21 U.S.C. Sec. 841(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. Sec. 2, only if the government proved beyond a reasonable doubt that he associated himself with the underlying venture, participated in it as something he wished to bring about, and sought by his actions to make it succeed. United States v. Clifford, 979 F.2d 896, 899 (1st Cir.1992) (citing Nye & Nissen v. United States, 336 U.S. 613, 619, 69 S.Ct. 766, 770, 93 L.Ed. 919 (1949)). We review the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, indulging all reasonable inferences in its favor, with a view to determining whether a rational jury could have found guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Hahn, 17 F.3d at 506. 16 Rullan contends that Miranda's trial testimony was not credible because Miranda had made contrary statements to the grand jury, and he was motivated by the expectation of a reduced sentence. We find this challenge unavailing, since Miranda was impeached, both with his prior inconsistent grand jury testimony and his plea agreement, and the credibility assessment was a matter for the trial jury. See Sepulveda, 15 F.3d at 1175; Hahn, 17 F.3d at 506. Thus, there was ample credible evidence to establish Rullan's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. See supra p. 18.