Opinion ID: 1130816
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: Sufficiency of the Evidence to Sustain Sexual Assault Convictions

Text: Keeney's final contention is that the evidence presented by the State was insufficient to sustain verdicts of guilty on the sexual assault charges. We disagree. In determining whether sufficient evidence existed to support the jury's verdict, the relevant inquiry for this court is: whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Koza v. State, 100 Nev. 245, 250, 681 P.2d 44, 47 (1984), (quoting Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 2789, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979)) (emphasis in original). It is well settled that a jury verdict will not be disturbed on appeal where there is substantial evidence to support it. Koza, 100 Nev. at 251, 681 P.2d at 47; Bolden v. State, 97 Nev. 71, 624 P.2d 20 (1981). Where conflicting testimony is presented, it is within the province of the jury to determine the weight and credibility to be given to the testimony. Bolden, 97 Nev. at 73, 624 P.2d at 20. Keeney was convicted of six counts of sexual assault, pursuant to NRS 200.366. The testimony of the minor victims and the health care professionals, described above, constitutes substantial evidence to support Keeney's convictions of sexual assault. The jury heard Keeney's denial and his attempt to establish that the children were sexually abused by their natural father. Faced with conflicting testimony, the jury weighed the evidence and determined that the State had met its burden. We perceive no basis for disturbing that determination. We have also considered the issue raised by Keeney concerning prosecutorial misconduct and conclude that it is clearly without merit and need not be addressed.