Opinion ID: 431129
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the finding of multiple conspiracies

Text: 9 The appellants urge that the evidence adduced at trial did not support the jurors' conclusions that appellants were guilty of two separate and distinct conspiracies. They urge that because the plot to smuggle marijuana from Colombia to the United States constituted one agreement among an identifiable group of persons, the evidence could only support the appellants' convictions as to one conspiracy. We disagree. 10 The appellants' argument is the flip side of the contention, often advanced in conspiracy cases, that the evidence at trial cannot support a jury finding that a single conspiracy existed. United States v. Brito, 721 F.2d 743 at 746 No. 82-5168, slip op. at 941 (11th Cir.1983); United States v. Watson, 669 F.2d 1374, 1379-80 (11th Cir.1982); United States v. Tilton, 610 F.2d 302, 307 (5th Cir.1980). 1 It is important to note that the scope of our review in analyzing the single/multiple conspiracy question is identical whether a defendant is claiming, as here, that there is one conspiracy notwithstanding a jury finding of two, or whether he is contesting a jury finding of one overall conspiracy. The determination of whether there are one or more conspiracies in a given case is a classic jury question. United States v. Brito, at 747; United States v. Michel, 588 F.2d 986, 995 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 444 U.S. 825, 100 S.Ct. 47, 62 L.Ed.2d 32 (1979); United States v. Rodriguez, 509 F.2d 1342, 1348 (5th Cir.1975). We may thus reverse the jury's finding that multiple conspiracies existed only if the evidence could not permit reasonable jurors to have found, beyond a reasonable doubt, that several conspiracies existed. See United States v. Bell, 678 F.2d 547, 549 (5th Cir. Unit B 1982) (en banc). Reviewing the evidence, we conclude that there was support for the jury's conclusion that appellants were engaged in more than one conspiracy. 2