Opinion ID: 76057
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Whether the evidence at trial was sufficient to support Avila's conviction

Text: 10 Avila argues on appeal that the evidence at trial was insufficient to support his conviction for essentially two reasons: (1) his physical disability rendered him unable to build the stash compartments; and (2) Murillo's testimony, without corroboration, was not sufficient to support his conviction. Avila's defense at trial consisted of the testimony of a general physician who had treated Avila since a 1996 accident when Avila fell from a ladder, injuring his neck, back, and elbow. The doctor testified that the injuries rendered Avila unable to lift more than five pounds with his left arm. 11 Murillo, on the other hand, testified that he and Avila had discussed the drug operation and that Avila had explained to him the various ways of building stash compartments in automobiles. Murillo had additionally observed Avila build stash compartments into many cars, estimating the many to be approximately forty, in Miami, Houston, Philadelphia, Atlanta, and New York. He further testified that he and Avila together built a stash in a motor home. The government produced evidence to corroborate Murillo's testimony. One of the undercover DEA agents testified that Avila had assisted F. Suarez in obtaining the car the agent was to use to transport drugs. Avila was captured on tape stating that he was waiting to receive the title to that car before it could be used. An automobile that F. Suarez was seen driving to a meeting with co-conspirators, which contained a stash compartment, was found at Avila's house at the time of his arrest. 12 The jury saw Murillo testify and could evaluate his credibility in detailing Avila's role of building stashes in automobiles for the Suarez organization. Because Murillo's testimony was not incredible as a matter of law, the jury was entitled to consider it as evidence supporting a conviction. See U.S. v. Hewitt, 663 F.2d 1381, 1385 (11th Cir.1981). The record contains ample evidence showing that Avila knew about, and participated in, the conspiracy, and the district court correctly denied the motion for judgment of acquittal. 1 13