Opinion ID: 171681
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: In contrast to some of the other robberies, the government did not adduce DNA or ballistics evidence with respect to the Bank of the West robbery. Mr. Hunt reasons he was convicted on Counts 7 and 8 solely on the basis of the government’s theory that all six robberies were carried out in the same manner or with the same “plan, method, or habit.” Aplt. Br. at 20. But, he argues, this theory does not hold up with respect to the Bank of the West robbery, and he points to the robber’s use of an accomplice and the white iPod-type headphones, which were characteristics unique to the Bank of the West robbery. He also notes the Bank of the West robber did not specifically say “no dye”– he said no “bait money”– nor did he place the plastic bags on the counter, as in the other robberies. Mr. Hunt acknowledges that the prosecution proved he owns tan Timberland boots like those worn by the robber, but he argues this fact alone could not possibly sustain a conviction. He contends his conviction on Counts 7 and 8 “was tainted from the significant scientific evidence received on the other robberies.” Id. at 21. “We review the sufficiency of the evidence supporting a criminal conviction de novo.” Bowen, 527 F.3d at 1075. Our task is to determine whether a reasonable jury could find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, viewing all direct and circumstantial evidence, and reasonable inferences drawn therefrom, in the -7- light most favorable to the government. Id. at 1076. For a defendant this is a “difficult standard of review, as we reverse only if no rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” United States v. Spring, 80 F.3d 1450, 1459 (10th Cir. 1996) (citation and quotation omitted). We conclude the evidence was sufficient to sustain a conviction on Counts 7 and 8. Contrary to Mr. Hunt’s argument, the government relied on more than his ownership of tan Timberland boots. Witnesses testified that a masked robber wearing a hooded sweatshirt, white headphones, and tan Timberland-style boots entered the bank brandishing a gun and ordered the tellers to put money inside a black backpack, which contained a white grocery bag. In addition, Mr. Taylor testified that the robber fled after hearing something on the electronic device attached to his headphones. White headphones and a police scanner were seized from Mr. Hunt’s residence, along with a gun matching the description of the robber’s gun, a ski mask, grocery bags, a black backpack, and the boots. From this evidence, a rational trier of fact could conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Hunt committed the Bank of the West robbery. This conclusion is further bolstered by the similarities between the Bank of the West robbery and the others, which leads us to Mr. Hunt’s next argument. -8-