Opinion ID: 2366304
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: A. Insufficiency of the Evidence

Text: Both appellants contend the evidence was legally insufficient to support their convictions for possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. In particular, appellant Owens asserts that the evidence was inadequate to convict him as an aider and abetter. We begin with the familiar premise that this court must view the evidence in the light most favorable to the government and affirm if there was sufficient evidence `from which a reasonable mind might fairly infer guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.' Blakeney v. United States, 653 A.2d 365, 369 n. 3 (D.C. 1995) (quoting Gayden v. United States, 584 A.2d 578, 580 (D.C.1990), cert. denied, 502 U.S. 843, 112 S.Ct. 137, 116 L.Ed.2d 104 (1991)). All reasonable inferences must be drawn in favor of the government, and deference must be given to the jury's right to determine credibility and weigh evidence. Id. The evidence shows that appellant Williams had multiple packages of cocaine on his person, one of which was sold to a stranger introduced by appellant Owens. After the sale, at the time of arrest, Williams possessed two additional bags of crack and a large sum of money, including Officer Hale's pre-recorded currency. From these circumstances, along with the expert testimony, a jury could readily conclude that Williams was in possession of the drugs with intent to distribute them. See Edmonds v. United States, 609 A.2d 1131 (D.C.1992) (evidence deemed sufficient in circumstances where defendant possessed five small ziplock bags of drugs), cert. denied, 508 U.S. 980, 113 S.Ct. 2983, 125 L.Ed.2d 679 (1993). With respect to appellant Owens, we consider the government's theory of aiding and abetting as it overlays the sufficiency question. In general, one may be convicted on a theory of aiding and abetting if one knowingly associates oneself with a criminal venture and engages in conduct in furtherance of the offense. See, e.g., Wright v. United States, 508 A.2d 915, 918 (D.C.1986); United States v. Monroe, 301 U.S.App.D.C. 100, 990 F.2d 1370 (1993). It is not necessary that such an accomplice personally do all the acts necessary for commission of the offense. See Monroe, 990 F.2d at 1374 (`all that is necessary is to show some affirmative participation which at least encourages the principal offender to commit the offense'). Appellant Owens asserts that if we exclude the evidence of the initial sale, and view the case thus, there is inadequate evidence to prove that he intended to participate in a future sale. In this instance, Owens encountered a stranger on the street, who happened to be an undercover police officer, and initiated a drug sale. He led the officer at least three city blocks to the site of the sale. He received money from the officer and ultimately handed the drugs to the officer. As stated, when arrested, appellant's co-defendant possessed other packets of drugs and over two hundred dollars. The offense of which appellant was convicted, possession of narcotics with intent to distribute them, like some forms of assault, attempt, and conspiracy, is an inchoate offense. Thus it is contemplated that the violation can occur without completion of the objective. Although it is true that in Allen v. United States, 580 A.2d 653 (D.C.1990), defendant was observed reaching out to a prospective buyer with a tinfoil packet in hand, and in United States v. Monroe, supra , defendant, after completing a sale, offered to assist the buyer to make a second purchase from another seller, it does not follow that evidence of an initial sale must or should be excluded from consideration of a subsequent PWID charge. Rather, the appropriate inquiry is whether appellant Owens knowingly associated himself with intended future sales and took action in furtherance of it. Thus, the court, in Monroe, supra, 990 F.2d at 1374, noted that one may abet this particular offense by maintaining the market, procuring customers, or acting as a broker. At bottom, Owens asks us to alter the sufficiency principle to support his factual challenge in this case. We decline to do so. We conclude the jury may properly consider all of the material circumstances bearing on an accused's conduct relevant to the PWID charge including evidence of the sale for which Owens was convicted of distribution. Applying the sufficiency test to the instant evidence, including the expert testimony, [1] we conclude that although the evidence was not overwhelming that Owens intended to assist Williams in further sales of crack, a reasonable juror could, but is not compelled to, find guilt under the circumstances. Thus the evidence in this case is sufficient as to appellant Owens. [2]