Opinion ID: 2197835
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Appellant also argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion for judgment of acquittal. He maintains that the complaining witness's testimony was inherently incredible because (1) she was under the influence of PCP, alcohol, and marijuana at the time she claimed appellant assaulted her, and (2) she recanted her accusation that appellant had sexually assaulted her. We review a trial court's denial of a motion for judgment of acquittal de novo, and like the trial court, determine whether the evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the government, was such that a reasonable juror could find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Johnson v. United States, 756 A.2d 458, 461 (D.C.2000) (citing Curry v. United States, 520 A.2d 255, 263 (D.C.1987)). In recognizing the jury's role in weighing the evidence, we will defer to its credibility determinations, as well as its ability to draw justifiable inferences of fact. Id. (citing Patton v. United States, 633 A.2d 800, 820 (D.C.1993)). Reviewing the record, we are satisfied that there was ample evidence from which a reasonable juror could have convicted appellant of sexual assault and assault with a dangerous weapon. C.M. testified at trial that appellant ripped her clothes off and forcibly inserted his fingers inside her vagina, and then kicked her with his boots. Her story was corroborated by physical evidence, her ripped pants and appellant's boots, which were admitted into evidence. Her son Michael corroborated that appellant beat and kicked her. The medical testimony also confirmed that she had been beaten and sexually assaulted in the manner she described. C.M.'s version of events was not inherently incredible and the jury was not presented with a competing plausible explanation for her injuries. The questions appellant raises about C.M.'s credibilityher drug consumption and recantationswere fully aired before the jury, which nonetheless, decided to believe C.M.'s testimony that appellant assaulted her. This court may not second-guess the jury's credibility determination. See In re S.G., 581 A.2d 771, 774-75 (D.C. 1990). Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, we conclude it was sufficient to establish that appellant assaulted her sexually and with a dangerous weapon. Therefore, the trial judge did not err in denying appellant's motion for judgment of acquittal.