Opinion ID: 1546590
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Alleged Waiver of the Sufficiency Challenge

Text: We consider, first, sufficiency of the evidence for armed carjacking. Before addressing the merits, however, there is a threshold issue raised by the government. Although the defense moved for a judgment of acquittal (which was denied) at the end of the government's case, that motion was not renewed after the defense had presented three witnesses. [4] Therefore, contends the government, Sutton has waived any challenge to evidentiary sufficiency. We cannot agree. [A]lthough the failure to renew a motion for acquittal at the close of the entire case would waive review of that motion, it `[w]ould not foreclose review of the sufficiency of the evidence. It simply requires that the scope of review be expanded to include all of the evidence.' Wheeler v. United States, 494 A.2d 170, 171-72 (D.C. 1985) (emphasis in original) (quoting Washington v. United States, 475 A.2d 1127, 1129 (D.C.1984)). [5] Accordingly, although Sutton did not renew his motion for judgment of acquittal at the close of all the evidence, his challenge is not waived, and we review all the evidence for its sufficiency on the charge of armed carjacking.