Opinion ID: 740144
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Sufficiency of Evidence to Support Rape Conviction

Text: 20 The court examines the sufficiency of the evidence to support a conviction in the light most favorable to the prosecution. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979); United States v. Carpenter, 95 F.3d 773, 775 (9th Cir.1996), cert. denied, 117 S.Ct. 1094 (1997). The court must determine whether any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson, 443 U.S. at 319; United States v. Orozco-Santillan, 903 F.2d 1262, 1264 (9th Cir.1990). 21 Under Oregon law, sexual intercourse is an essential element of Rape in the First Degree. 2 Sexual intercourse has its ordinary meaning and occurs upon any penetration, however slight; emission is not required. Or.Rev.Stat. § 163.305(7). 22 Joyce argues there was insufficient evidence for a trier of fact to have concluded beyond a reasonable doubt that Sister Joseph was raped within the meaning of Or.Rev.Stat. § 163.375. 3 He argues that the definition of sexual intercourse requires that the jury find beyond a reasonable doubt that Joyce penetrated Sister Joseph with his penis and that there was insufficient evidence to support this conclusion. He argues that in light of the evidence presented it was equally as likely that the attacker, angered at being bitten, assaulted her by breaking her jaw and then decided to do violence to her sexual parts. Joyce emphasizes that, although the medical doctor who examined Sister Joseph testified that she had been penetrated, he could not say with what. 23 Although the medical examination revealed no semen, there was evidence of partial penetration and genital trauma. Sister Joseph testified to her attacker's threat that either we're going to do this by mouth or otherwise and she awoke to find her skirt up and pantyhose down. Based on this evidence, a rational trier of fact could have concluded beyond a reasonable doubt that the assailant raped her.