Opinion ID: 772135
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: As to Giang only:

Text: 36 Defendant Giang argues that the evidence was insufficient to sustain his conviction. He contends that because the prosecutor's case rested firmly upon the testimony of five accomplices with incentive to testify favorably for the government, the evidence is insufficient to comportwith due process requirements. There is sufficient evidence to support a conviction if, 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. United States v. Coleman, 208 F.3d 786, 792-93 (9th Cir. 2000). 37 Absent facial incredibility, it is not our role to question the jury's assessment of witness credibility. United States v. Croft, 124 F.3d 1109, 1125 (9th Cir. 1997). Furthermore, we have held that a conviction may be based on the uncorroborated testimony of a single accomplice, so long as it has not reached a point when the witness' qualifications are so shoddy that a verdict of acquittal should have been directed. Lyda v. United States, 321 F.2d 788, 795 (9th Cir. 1963). Defendant Giang relying on Lyda, concludes that this level of shoddiness has been reached. 6 We disagree. 38 First, the jury was aware of the witnesses' involvement in the scheme as well as their potential biases when it made its credibility finding. Their testimony is not incredible on its face. Second, independent evidence corroborated several aspects of the witnesses' testimony. Viewing this evidence, along with the testimony of the five witnesses, in a light favorable to the prosecution, a rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Therefore, the evidence is sufficient to support Giang's conviction.
39 Finally, Giang argues that the district court clearly erred in applying a two-point enhancement for obstruction of justice. See UNITED STATES SENTENCING GUIDELINES MANUAL S 3C1.1 (1998). 40 In order to impose the obstruction enhancement, the district court must find (1) false testimony, (2) on a material matter, (3) with willful intent. United States v. Robinson, 63 F.3d 889, 891 (9th Cir. 1995). Viewing Giang's testimony in a light favorable to him, it does not appear that the district court clearly erred in imposing this enhancement. The record adequately reflects, as the district court found, that Giang committed perjury before the grand jury.