Opinion ID: 781074
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Claims at Trial

Text: Sufficiency of the Evidence Claim 43 On appeal, Hartwell challenges his conviction on the basis that there was insufficient evidence introduced at trial to demonstrate that he participated in a drug conspiracy under 21 U.S.C. § 846. We find this claim to be without merit. 44 This court reviews a defendant's sufficiency of the evidence claim to consider 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, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979); United States v. Ables, 167 F.3d 1021, 1032 (6th Cir.1999). Circumstantial evidence by itself can support a defendant's conviction. United States v. Owusu, 199 F.3d 329, 341 (6th Cir.2000). 45 To prove a conspiracy under 21 U.S.C. § 846, the government must establish the existence of a drug conspiracy, and that each defendant knew of and participated in that conspiracy. United States v. Pearce, 912 F.2d 159, 161 (6th Cir.1990). Mere association with conspirators is not ample proof under § 846; rather, the government must demonstrate that there existed a tacit or material understanding among the parties to conspire to manufacture or distribute drugs. Id. at 161-62. Testimony by co-conspirators alone can be sufficient to prove the existence of a conspiracy. United States v. Meyer, 803 F.2d 246, 248 (6th Cir.1986) ([Co-conspirator's] testimony flatly contradicts Meyer's contention that he was unaware of the drug sale, and is sufficient to enable a reasonable person to find that Meyer conspired and aided and abetted in the illegal distribution of cocaine.). 46 At trial, the government introduced physical evidence and direct testimony as to Hartwell's involvement in the drug conspiracy. The government introduced recorded drug tabulations in Hartwell's handwriting that were found in the June 30, 1999 search of Hartwell's vehicle. The government also presented physical evidence that was discovered by police officers pursuant to the July 9, 1999 search warrant, including a cooking jar containing traces of cocaine base, a quantity of ammunition, and additional drug tabulations. In addition, Gardner testified that he had purchased significant quantities of powder and crack cocaine from Hartwell on two separate occasions. 47 However, perhaps the most persuasive evidence presented at trial was the testimony of the government's chief witness, Joey Williams. Williams, a drug dealer himself, gave extensive testimony about Hartwell's involvement in the drug industry in Flint. In particular, Williams testified that for years, he and Hartwell frequented several drug houses in Flint Michigan at which they cooked cocaine for distribution. Williams stated that when he and Hartwell were not dealing drugs together, he observed Hartwell preparing and selling drugs on a daily basis at numerous drug houses in Flint. Williams testified that he knew Hartwell to be in frequent contact with various suppliers, and that Hartwell himself was a supplier to a crack house that he referred to as the little rock house. In all, Williams estimated that over the course of the charged conspiracy, he and Hartwell were engaged in the distribution of hundreds of ounces of cocaine, about eighty percent of which was crack cocaine. 48 Viewing this evidence in the light most favorable to the government, there was sufficient evidence that Hartwell was actively involved in the charged conspiracy. Williams testified that Hartwell was engaged in innumerable drug transactions, sometimes up to a dozen per day. According to Williams, Hartwell was the supplier to a crack house and had drug contacts throughout Flint and in Detroit. This evidence is consistent with the drug amounts recorded in drug tabulation documents recovered in Hartwell's car and in drug houses he was thought to frequent. This testimony is also consistent with the drug paraphernalia recovered pursuant to the July 9, 1999 search warrant. Considered cumulatively, this evidence would almost certainly lead the jury to conclude that Hartwell was knowingly and voluntarily involved in a drug conspiracy. As such, the verdict must stand.