Opinion ID: 430880
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Arguments of Individual Defendants

Text: 66 Various individual defendants argue that even if the wiretap evidence was properly obtained and properly used against them, it was insufficient to support their convictions. For example, defendant Veronica DeJesus argues that there was insufficient evidence to show that she was a member of the particular conspiracy charged in the indictment; defendant Carlos Ricardo Torres contends that the evidence was insufficient to show that he had knowledge that the conspiracy existed; defendant Franklin Shearer (the only appellant who was tried by a jury) argues that there was insufficient evidence to prove his involvement in the conspiracy; and so on. 67 Defendants have a difficult burden to carry: they must show that the evidence before the trier of fact and all the legitimate inferences drawn therefrom, viewed in the light most favorable to the government, were insufficient to demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that defendants were guilty. United States v. Patterson, 644 F.2d 890, 893 (1st Cir.1981); United States v. Fortes, 619 F.2d 108, 122 (1st Cir.1980). As we have noted before, The prosecution may prove its case by circumstantial evidence, and it need not exclude every reasonable hypothesis of innocence so long as the total evidence permits a conclusion of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. Gabriner, 571 F.2d 48, 50 (1st Cir.1978). Once the existence of a conspiracy has been established, even slight evidence implicating a defendant may be sufficient proof of his involvement. United States v. Schmaltz, 562 F.2d 558, 560 (8th Cir.1977); United States v. Dunn, 564 F.2d 348, 357 (9th Cir.1977). In the case of a chain conspiracy such as this one, the government does not have to show that each defendant knew each and every conspirator and every step taken. United States v. Agueci, 310 F.2d 817, 827 (2d Cir.1962). In this case, we find that the evidence was ample to prove the essential elements of a conspiracy charge against each of the defendants. United States v. Flaherty, 668 F.2d 566 (1st Cir.1981). 68 Several defendants also raise procedural objections to their convictions. For example, defendant Joanne Amado contends that the trial court erred in refusing to grant a continuance when it appointed substitute counsel to represent her five days before trial, and defendant Carlos Ricardo Torres argues that the government's witnesses presented evidence to the grand jury in an inaccurate and inflammatory manner. We have reviewed these claims, according the appropriate deference to the rulings of the lower court, and we find no merit in defendants' allegations of error.