Opinion ID: 2971958
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Hines argues that the district court erred in denying his motion for judgment of acquittal or a new trial, since the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction. Hines notes that no drugs or firearms were found in his possession at the time of the arrest. Hines further notes that evidence of drug trafficking activity at trial consisted solely of the testimony of co-conspirators, all of whom had received favorable treatment from the Government based on their plea agreements, or promises to cooperate. We review a motion for judgment of acquittal de novo, examining “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.” Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979) (emphasis in original); see also United States v. Keeton, 101 F.3d 48, 52 (6th Cir. 1996). We review for an abuse of discretion a district court’s denial of a motion for a new trial based on the weight of the evidence. See United States v. Pierce, 62 F.3d 818, 825 (6th Cir. 1995). - 11 - Nos. 03-6622/6624 United States v. Hines; United States v. Edwards Here, the district court’s denial of a motion for acquittal or new trial is not error. Circumstantial and testimonial evidence are sufficient to support a jury finding of conspiracy. See United States v. Price, 258 F.3d 539, 544 (6th Cir. 2001); Keeton, 101 F.3d at 52. Here, 14 coconspirators testified in a consistent and detailed manner that Hines was a major supplier of methamphetamine in Tennessee, routinely buying and selling very large amounts of drugs over a long period of time. Furthermore, the lack of physical evidence is not an indication of the strength or weakness of the case. It is undisputed that Hines was arrested and indicted several months after the initial arrest of Fowler and other co-conspirators. Therefore, it is reasonable to assume that Hines would cleanse his residence of any evidence pointing to his involvement in the conspiracy, such as drugs, guns, or money. Given this overwhelming amount of evidence of guilt, the district court did not err in denying the motion for judgment of acquittal or new trial.