Opinion ID: 416957
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: 80 Appellants argue that the evidence was insufficient to sustain a conviction. Their primary argument is that evidence of constructive possession was inadequate when one considers that each appellant was not alone in the house where the guns were found and appellants' fingerprints were not on the guns. We find the evidence sufficient as to Apker, Davenport, and Gearhart. 15 81 When we bear in mind the general standards, it is easy to see that the evidence is sufficient to sustain the verdicts against Apker, Davenport, and Gearhart. As we said in Durns v. United States, 562 F.2d 542 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 959, 98 S.Ct. 490, 54 L.Ed.2d 319 (1977): 82 On appellate review of the sufficiency of the evidence, the court must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict rendered. It must accept as established any and all reasonable inferences from the evidence that tend to support the jury's verdict. The evidence need not exclude every reasonable hypothesis except that of guilt[; it is enough] that it be sufficient to convince the jury beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. 83 Id. at 545-46 (citations omitted). A conviction for possession of a firearm by a felon can be based on constructive possession or joint possession. United States v. Polk, 574 F.2d 964, 965 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 439 U.S. 849, 99 S.Ct. 150, 58 L.Ed.2d 151 (1978). Constructive possession can be established by a showing that the firearm was seized at the defendant's residence. Id. 84 As to Apker, he was arrested at a home he shared with Patricia Weeks and her twelve- and thirteen-year-old children. His Hells Angels colors were in the bedroom and the gun was found in a shaving kit in the bedroom. With his Hells Angels colors in the house and the fact that the gun was in a shaving kit, the jury could reasonably conclude that the gun was constructively possessed by Apker. 85 As to Davenport, three firearms were found at Mary Spethman's residence. A dog license in Davenport's name gave Spethman's house as his address. The weapons were in the bedroom, the only room with an unmade bed. One of the guns was found in a dresser drawer with Hells Angels T-shirts. The evidence is adequate to show possession by Davenport, especially with regard to the gun found with the T-shirts. 86 Davenport also complains about a comment made by the prosecutor in his summation relating to the evidence against Davenport. The prosecutor said there was no evidence that Mary Spethman was a member of the NRA [National Rifle Association]. We do not believe this statement was an improper comment on Davenport's failure to testify. It did not violate his right against self-incrimination or shift the burden of proof to the defendant because the comment did not refer to a matter about which only Davenport could testify. United States v. Hagar, 505 F.2d 737, 740 (8th Cir.1974). Furthermore, the district court ordered the jury to disregard the comment, and the court has broad discretion in dealing with closing arguments. United States v. Young, 618 F.2d 1281, 1289 (8th Cir.), cert. denied, 449 U.S. 844, 101 S.Ct. 126, 66 L.Ed.2d 52 (1980). We find no abuse of discretion here. As to Gearhart, he was arrested at a residence he shared with Tracy Nadrchal. Utility bills indicated he lived there. There were two guns under the mattress, two in a bedroom closet, two on top of a hutch in the bedroom, and seventeen inside a nailed-shut wooden crate in the living room. Again, a jury could reasonably conclude Gearhart possessed some or all of the weapons. The evidence is sufficient to sustain the convictions of Apker, Davenport, and Gearhart.