Opinion ID: 146484
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Stenger's Identity

Text: The evidence adduced at Stenger's trial was more than sufficient to allow a reasonable jury to conclude that Stenger was the shorter perpetrator in the First Bank robbery. Based on surveillance videos and testimony from four eyewitnesses, the jury could have determined that Stenger bore a physical resemblance to the robber. Stenger was a known associate of Knutson, whom Stenger's counsel conceded had robbed First Bank. Stenger purchased a car the day after the robbery, and police seized from Stenger's residence a sweatshirt identical to the one captured on surveillance video. In addition to this circumstantial evidence, three cooperating witnesses testified about Stenger's involvement in the robbery. Although Stenger points out that these individuals had a motive to assist the government, significant portions of their testimony were corroborated by other evidence. Moreover, Stenger's counsel had the opportunity to cross-examine each witness, and as we have frequently reiterated, it is the jury's prerogative to determine whether the witnesses' testimony is credible. See United States v. Molsbarger, 551 F.3d 809, 812 (8th Cir.2009). The district court therefore did not err in holding that the evidence was sufficient to support Stenger's conviction, nor did the court err in denying his motion for a new trial on the same basis. See United States v. Sturdivant, 513 F.3d 795, 802 (8th Cir.2008) (standard of review).