Opinion ID: 453222
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: 13 Judge Cornett also attacks the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his conspiracy conviction. Judge Cornett asserts that, as he interpreted Kentucky law at the time of the relevant events, the ABC had complete discretion in determining whether contraband liquor was destroyed or sold and that a district court judge was obligated to draw up whatever orders the local ABC agent requested. Consequently, since Agent Saylor was the only ABC agent in Harlan County, Judge Cornett believed that he was required by law to draw up any orders which Agent Saylor requested. 9 14 The burden at trial was on the government to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Judge Cornett participated knowingly in the conspiracy. E.g., United States v. Jannotti, 729 F.2d 213, 226 (3rd Cir.), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 105 S.Ct. 243, 83 L.Ed.2d 182 (1984); United States v. Kimble, 719 F.2d 1253, 1256-57 (5th Cir.1983), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 104 S.Ct. 984, 79 L.Ed.2d 220 (1984); see also United States v. Bibby, 752 F.2d 1116, 1124 (6th Cir.1985) (an essential part of any conspiracy is that the defendant knew of the conspiracy's main objective). The government, however, may establish such knowing participation by declarations of the co-conspirators or acts of the defendant. E.g., United States v. Kopituk, 690 F.2d 1289, 1323 (11th Cir.1982), cert. denied, 461 U.S. 928, 103 S.Ct. 2089, 77 L.Ed.2d 300 (1983); United States v. Sutton, 642 F.2d 1001, 1020 (6th Cir.1980) (en banc), cert. denied, 453 U.S. 912, 101 S.Ct. 912, 69 L.Ed.2d 995 (1981). Further, a jury verdict must be upheld if viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government substantial competent evidence supports the verdict. E.g., Burks v. United States, 437 U.S. 1, 17, 98 S.Ct. 2141, 2150, 57 L.Ed.2d 1 (1978); Glasser v. United States, 315 U.S. 60, 80, 62 S.Ct. 457, 469, 86 L.Ed. 680 (1942). 15 We believe that the government presented sufficient competent evidence for a reasonable juror to conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Judge Cornett participated knowingly in the scheme. Defendant Coldiron on numerous occasions in the tape recordings between himself and Agent Saylor referred to Judge Cornett's participation in the conspiracy. In fact, Coldiron once called Agent Saylor from the courthouse in which Judge Cornett's chambers was located. Defendant Robinson also implicated Judge Cornett by his statements on the tape recordings. Finally, the conduct of Judge Cornett was consistent with the statements of his co-conspirators. For example, Judge Cornett once told Saylor to sell about 200 of the 300 cases of liquor he entrusted to Saylor on behalf of the State to Ann's Liquors. If Judge Cornett believed that the ABC determined whether the alcohol should be destroyed or sold, his statement ordering Agent Saylor to sell 200 cases of alcohol is inconsistent with such a belief. Also, Judge Cornett prepared orders both mandating Agent Saylor to sell the confiscated liquor and requiring Agent Saylor to destroy the same liquor. Again, Judge Cornett's view of the law did not require him to fill out conflicting orders. Based upon the statements of Coldiron and Robinson and Judge Cornett's conduct, we believe that the government introduced sufficient competent evidence to support the jury's determination that Judge Cornett participated knowingly in the conspiracy.