Opinion ID: 1201276
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence only as to Counts I and II, the sexual abuse of A.P. His arguments are twofold. He claims the evidence was insufficient because the district court improperly permitted leading questions, thus hindering the reliability and usefulness of A.P.'s testimony, and because no corroborating medical evidence supported A.P.'s testimony. We will affirm a conviction against claims of insufficient evidence unless the evidence, viewed in a light most favorable to the conviction, is such that no reasonable jury could have found guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. See United States v. Guenther, 470 F.3d 745, 747 (8th Cir.2006). The use of leading questions with alleged victims who are minors is a matter of trial management that we review for abuse of discretion. See United States v. Flute, 363 F.3d 676, 678 (8th Cir.2004); United States v. Butler, 56 F.3d 941, 943 (8th Cir.1995); Fed.R.Evid. 611(c) advisory committee's note (The matter clearly falls within the area of control by the judge over the mode and order of interrogation and presentation and accordingly is phrased in words of suggestion rather than command.). We have repeatedly allowed the Use of leading questions with childwitnesses in sexual abuse cases, and we do not believe that the district court ran afoul of our precedent or abused its discretion by allowing the challenged questions and testimony in the present case. See United States v. Grassrope, 342 F.3d 866, 869 (8th Cir.2003) (It is not uncommon that the precise physiological details of sexual assault must be elicited by focused questioning. We have repeatedly upheld the use of leading questions to develop the testimony of sexual assault victims, particularly children.); Butler, 56 F.3d at 943 (noting that although leading questions on direct examination are generally prohibited, [t]he child witness is a long-recognized exception to this rule). Here, the AUSA asked several leading questions, some of which demanded yes or no answers and some of which required or elicited further response or explanation by A.P.A.P. was ten years old at the time of trial. The record suggests that she was distraught during her testimony. In these circumstances, the use of leading questions does not make her testimony infirm or otherwise preclude the jury from relying on her testimony. Regarding the absence of corroborating medical evidence, the examining physician clearly explained how the absence of medical evidence could be consistent with the sexual abuse as described by A.P. As a result, the jury was free to accept the physician's testimony and find abuse based on A.P.'s testimony, notwithstanding the absence of medical evidence. United States v. Kenyan, 397 F.3d 1071, 1076 (8th Cir.2005) (affirming conviction for sexual abuse of a child where victim displayed no physical injuries); United States v. Kirkie, 261 F.3d 761, 768 (8th Cir.2001) (affirming conviction for child sex abuse notwithstanding a lack of corroborating medical evidence). The physician explained how the affected area of the anatomy is highly vascular, and therefore, quick to heal. The physician also explained how examinations of the victims did not occur close in time to the alleged sexual abuse. Also, we note that the physician had extensive experience in the examination of sexual abuse victims, and Defendant does not challenge the physician's qualifications. The jury was entitled to rely upon the physician's explanation and A.P.'s testimony in light of that explanation, and the absence of corroborating medical evidence did not mandate an acquittal. Kenyon, 397 F.3d at 1076 (It is well-established . . . that credibility is the province of the jury, and the jury was free to determine what weight should be given to [the victim's] testimony in light of the evidence cited by [Defendant].).