Opinion ID: 39522
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: 5 A motion for judgment of acquittal challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to convict. United States v. Medina, 161 F.3d 867, 872 (5th Cir.1998). When a district court grants a motion for judgment of acquittal pursuant to FED.R.CRIM.P. 29, the determination is not entitled to exceeding deference by this court. United States v. Loe, 262 F.3d 427, 432 (5th Cir.2001). Rather, this court must review the decision de novo, employing the identical standard as did the district court. Id. Under a de novo standard of review, this panel must assess whether a reasonable jury could have properly concluded, weighing the evidence in a light most deferential to the verdict rendered by the jury, that all of the elements of the crime charged had been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. We are not required to analyze the evidence with an eye toward negating every possible inference of innocence, rather, if the fact finder was presented with sufficient evidence to support the verdict reached, that verdict must be upheld. Id.