Opinion ID: 543631
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: 16 Hope maintains generally that the testimony of the three arresting officers (Cotter, Leonard and Naughton) was conflicting [and] inherently implausible, and that Ramirez's testimony to the effect that the gun and battery casing were hers was not materially contradicted or impeached. He concludes therefore that the evidence was insufficient to support a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. We do not agree. 17 It is our job on appeal to determine whether any rational trier of fact could have concluded given the evidence presented at trial that Hope was guilty of the crime charged beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 2789, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979); United States v. Muehlbauer, 892 F.2d 664, 666 (7th Cir.1990). In making that determination, we look at the evidence in a light most favorable to the government. Muehlbauer, 892 F.2d at 666-67. To prove a violation of 18 U.S.C. Sec. 922(g), the government must have shown: (1) that Hope possessed a firearm; (2) that the firearm moved in or affected interstate commerce; and (3) that Hope had a prior felony conviction. United States v. King, 897 F.2d 911, 913 n. 1 (7th Cir.1990). Our review of the record shows that the government did, in fact, meet its burden of proof, and that there was sufficient evidence to convict. 18 To the extent Hope contends that the police officers' testimony was conflicting, we find the conflicts generally immaterial, and note that questions of credibility and the weight to be afforded conflicting evidence are for the jury to resolve and their conclusions on such matters are accorded tremendous deference. United States v. Jones, 808 F.2d 561, 569 (7th Cir.1986), cert. denied, 481 U.S. 1006, 107 S.Ct. 1630, 95 L.Ed.2d 203 (1987). We would also note that, contrary to Hope's contentions, Ms. Ramirez's testimony that the gun was actually in her possession was directly contradicted by the testimony of officers at the scene, and by her own previous statements.