Opinion ID: 757282
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: 48 Simpson next claims that the evidence was insufficient to support the jury's verdict. Simpson contends that the government did not introduce evidence sufficient to prove one element of the charged crimes--that the defendant received a visual depiction which was mailed, shipped or transported, by any means including by computer, in interstate or foreign commerce. See 18 U.S.C. § 2252(a)(2); Appellant's App. Vol. I, Tab 8 at 2. He bases this contention on the fact that the files downloaded by Simpson were not the same pictures that were located on the seized computer and shown to the jury. Appellant's Br. at 20. 49 In considering a challenge to the sufficiency of evidence, we review the record de novo and ask only whether, taking the evidence--both direct and circumstantial, together with the reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom--in the light most favorable to the government, a reasonable jury could find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. Voss, 82 F.3d 1521, 1524-25 (10th Cir.) (quotations omitted), cert. denied, --- U.S. ----, 117 S.Ct. 226, 136 L.Ed.2d 158 (1996). Although the government's case was based mostly on circumstantial evidence, our review of the record indicates that the evidence was sufficient for the jury to find Simpson guilty. The government presented evidence that Simpson's computer had two files containing images of child pornography. The names of those files were substantially similar to the names of files that were downloaded by Simpson over the Internet. Although the specific files that were downloaded over the Internet had apparently been deleted, the government introduced unrebutted expert testimony that deletion of files obtained via the Internet is common if the computer user finds that he already has a copy of the file. The fact that a defendant deletes (or destroys) evidence does not eliminate his or her culpability for engaging in the conduct related to that evidence.