Opinion ID: 158295
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: 24 Verduzco-Martinez contends that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to sustain his convictions. He asserts that there was no evidence of a conspiracy, knowledge, or intent without the improperly admitted confession of Andrade; the evidence of knowledge is extremely circumstantial, consisting of a catalogue of facts which by themselves are innocuous; and no intent to distribute a controlled substance can be inferred from the evidence presented at trial. 25 The sufficiency of the evidence is a question of law which we review de novo. United States v. Carter, 130 F.3d 1432, 1439 (10th Cir. 1997), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___ (1998). In reviewing the record, we view the evidence and the reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom in a light most favorable to the government, without weighing the evidence or considering the credibility of witnesses. United States v. Haslip, 160 F.3d 649, 652-53 (10th Cir.1998), cert. denied, ___ U.S. ___ (1999). 26 Although there is evidence that Verduzco-Martinez accompanied Andrade to the airport on October 29, 1997, and that he knew Andrade's flight itinerary, 2 the majority of the Government's evidence linking Verduzco-Martinez to the methamphetamine came from the two tape recorded conversations the phone call from Andrade to Nene (Verduzco-Martinez) regarding delivery of the van and the conversation between Andrade and Verduzco-Martinez outside Verduzco-Martinez's residence. The translations and transcriptions of the tape recordings, which were in Spanish, were admitted in evidence during the Government's case-in-chief. (ROA, Vol. 5 at 79.) However, Verduzco-Martinez failed to provide us with these translations and transcriptions, even though it is his obligation to ensure the proper composition of the record on appeal. 10th Cir. R. 10.3 ([I]t is counsel's responsibility to see that the record on appeal is sufficient for consideration and determination of the issues on appeal.); Fed. R. App. P. 10(b)(2) (If the appellant intends to urge on appeal that a finding or conclusion is unsupported by the evidence or is contrary to the evidence, the appellant must include in the record a transcript of all evidence relevant to that finding or conclusion.). Without the majority of the evidence regarding Verduzco-Martinez and his participation in this offense, we are unable to determine whether there was insufficient evidence to sustain his convictions. Thus, we dismiss Verduzco-Martinez's appeal as to the sufficiency of the evidence. See Richardson v. Henry, 902 F.2d 414, 416 (5th Cir. 1990) (The failure of an appellant to provide a transcript is a proper ground for dismissal of the appeal. Accordingly, the appeal as to the sufficiency of the evidence will be dismissed.) (internal citations omitted), cert. denied, 498 U.S. 1069 (1991). 27 For the foregoing reasons, we DISMISS IN PART and AFFIRM Verduzco-Martinez's convictions for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine and attempt to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(A) and 21 U.S.C. § 846. 28 AFFIRMED and DISMISSED IN PART.