Opinion ID: 4202211
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: C Sufficiency of the Evidence at Trial

Text: We review the sufficiency of the evidence under a “particularly deferential standard,” reviewing the record “in the light most favorable to the prosecution to determine whether any rational trier of fact could have found proof of guilt[ ] beyond a reasonable doubt.” United States v. Caraballo-Rodriguez, 726 F.3d 418, 430 (3d Cir. 2013) (en banc) (alteration in original). A verdict must be upheld “as long as it does not 7 fall below the threshold of bare rationality.” Id. at 431 (internal quotation marks omitted). Here, that standard is satisfied. With respect to the Feasterville incident, evidence showed that Katzin, Harry, and a third individual were found behind a shopping center late at night, with tools that could be used for burglary. The store’s alarm system had also been disabled, although it is not clear when this occurred. Viewing this evidence in combination with the strong evidence of the completed burglary in Hamburg—including the items taken from the Rite Aid and physical evidence connecting the entry tools to the defendants—a reasonable jury could determine that the Feasterville incident was part of the same conspiracy. This is all the more so given that these were the same individuals, in the same vehicle, with similar tools, at the same time of night. We also note, as the District Court did, that “the overt acts necessary to establish a conspiracy need not themselves be illegal,” United States v. Palmeri, 630 F.2d 192, 200 (3d Cir. 1980), and it is therefore immaterial whether Katzin could have been convicted of attempted burglary, as a stand-alone offense, based on the Feasterville evidence. Given our standard of review, this verdict was supported by sufficient evidence: it rises above the level of bare rationality.