Opinion ID: 764446
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: 17 In a reprise of his argument that the plea agreements of Williams, Natasha Williams, Womack, and Taylor violate the federal anti-bribery statute, Mitchell argues that there was insufficient evidence to support his conviction because the only evidence offered at trial was inconsistent testimony given in the hope of receiving a lower sentence. As we have often explained, when we review for sufficiency of evidence, the appellant 'faces a nearly insurmountable hurdle ... [in that] we consider the evidence in the light most favorable to the Government, defer to the credibility determination of the jury, and overturn a verdict only when the record contains no evidence, regardless of how it is weighed, from which the jury could find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.'  United States v. Szarwark, 168 F.3d 993, 995 (7th Cir.1999) (quoting United States v. Moore, 115 F.3d 1348, 1363 (7th Cir.1997)). 18 Under this standard, Mitchell's claim clearly fails. By Mitchell's own admission, the plea agreements of the witnesses were entered into evidence and each witness testified that he or she hoped to obtain a reduced sentence by testifying. The jury was presented with impeaching evidence and chose to credit the witnesses' testimony anyway. That was their right. United States v. Alcantar, 83 F.3d 185, 189 (7th Cir.1996) (When a jury has chosen to credit crucial testimony with full knowledge of the many faults of the witness providing it, we have no basis to interfere.). Given the testimony of Williams, Natasha Williams, Womack, and Taylor, there was clearly sufficient evidence from which the jury could have found guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.