Opinion ID: 160936
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Rape

Text: 44 Rojem argues there is insufficient evidence of penetration to support the rape conviction. On direct appeal, the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals determined there was sufficient evidence of penetration: 45 Oklahoma law provides that rape requires actual penetration, but that any sexual penetration, however slight, is sufficient to complete the crime of rape. In the present case, the medical examiner testified that the dead child's hymen, labia minor, labia major and vaginal wall were bruised. It was Dr. Choi's opinion that the bruising resulted from a blunt force trauma to the hymen consistent with being caused by a male penis. She further stated the injuries were inflicted while the victim was yet living. 46 We find this evidence sufficient to allow any rational trier of fact to find that penetration occurred beyond a reasonable doubt. . . . [M]edical testimony of the bruised and lacerated condition of the victim's hymen and labia minora would sufficiently prove sexual penetration of at least one half inch, it being established that the hymen is located approximately that distance within the vagina. Although the medical examiner herein was unwilling to render an opinion whether penetration in the legal sense occurred, there was adequate testimony from which the jury could deduce that it had in fact occurred. 47 Rojem, 753 P.2d at 362-63 (citations omitted). Recognizing the state court correctly articulated and applied the Jackson standard, we conclude, after reviewing the record, the state court's determination was reasonable. See 28 U.S.C. 2254(d); see also Valdez v. Ward, 219 F.3d 1222, 1237 (10th Cir. 2000) (declining to decide whether 2254(d)(1) or (d)(2) applies), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___. 121 S.Ct. 1618, ___ L.E.2d ___ (2001).