Opinion ID: 1968342
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: In considering appellant's claim that the evidence was insufficient to support her assault conviction, this court must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, keeping in mind the right of the trier of fact to assess credibility and to draw reasonable inferences from the evidence. See, e.g., Nelson v. United States, 601 A.2d 582, 593 (D.C. 1991) (citing cases). In a non jury trial, this court will not reverse a conviction for insufficient evidence unless the appellant establishes that the trial court's factual findings were plainly wrong or without evidence to support [them]. D.C.Code § 17-305(a) (2001); see, e.g., Mihas v. United States, 618 A.2d 197, 200 (D.C. 1992). We do not distinguish between direct and circumstantial evidence, and the government is not required to negate every possible inference of innocence. Jones v. United States, 625 A.2d 281, 288 (D.C.1993). To support a conviction of assault, the evidence must prove (1) a voluntary (2) act on the part of the defendant to harm another person, and (3) that at the time the defendant committed the act, he must have had the apparent ability to injure the person. Williamson v. United States, 445 A.2d 975, 978 (D.C.1982). The evidence before the trial court included the testimony of two police officers who saw the bleeding laceration on the victim's face and heard him accuse appellant of cutting him. The officers also heard appellant make statements which appeared to be an attempt to explain her reasons for injuring Mr. Dunn. Moreover, appellant herself readily admitted that she cut Mr. Dunn when she swung her arm in his direction. Finally, the court made a determination that appellant's testimony regarding her intentions and her allegations of self-defense were not credible. Credibility determinations, of course, are exclusively entrusted to the trier of fact. Viewing the record in the light most favorable to the government, we are fully satisfied that the trial court's findings were not plainly wrong and that there was sufficient evidence to support appellant's conviction.