Opinion ID: 588144
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: 90 Both defendants challenge the sufficiency of the evidence to show that Wemette and Cross reasonably feared them. A defendant bears a heavy burden in challenging a conviction for insufficient evidence, and we will reverse only if a rational juror could not have been convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the government, supported the defendant's guilt. United States v. Balistrieri, 778 F.2d 1226, 1232 (7th Cir.1985), cert. denied, 477 U.S. 908, 106 S.Ct. 3284, 91 L.Ed.2d 573 (1986). 91 In the light most favorable to the government, the evidence clearly supports Schweihs' guilt. Wemette and Cross both testified as to their fear of Schweihs and their knowledge of his reputation for violence and his connections with organized crime. Wemette and Cross testified that Schweihs' references to these connections and his discussion of certain local murders frightened them. They testified that they feared physical or economic harm if they did not pay the street tax. A rational juror could have found Schweihs guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. 92 Schweihs also argues that there was not sufficient evidence to show that he solicited Wemette and Cross to participate in a scheme to extort Toushin. Schweihs asserts that it was the other way around with Wemette soliciting him. We believe, however, that there was sufficient evidence on the videotapes, when taken in the light most favorable to the government, to show that Schweihs solicited Wemette and Cross. The videotapes show Schweihs asking Wemette and Cross to follow Toushin and find out personal information about him, including the types of cars he drove and his daily schedule. The videotapes show Schweihs as devising plans to deal with Toushin, and they depict Schweihs as the organizer among the three men. 93 The evidence also supports Daddino's guilt. Wemette and Cross testified that several organized crime figures had informed them that they had to pay the street tax in order to avoid harm. Daddino frequently spoke of his connections to persons known to be associated with organized crime. He mentioned his connection to Lou Eboli whom he said was not only involved in the Chicago Outfit but was the boss. Daddino also told Wemette of the Chicago Outfit's ties to the Genovese organized crime family on the east coast. The jury could infer that these references were designed to instill or exploit Wemette's fear and that Daddino was implicitly threatening Wemette.