Opinion ID: 2994102
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: The Kroledges also argue that, even under the preponderance of the evidence standard, the sentencing court lacked sufficient evidence of the arson to include it as relevant conduct for the purpose of enhancing their sentences. Because there is ample evidence available in the record on which to base a finding of arson, we understand this claim actually to imply that the district court committed clear error by believing the government’s witnesses and disbelieving the Kroledges’ witnesses. Determinations of credibility by the sentencing judge are entitled to great deference on review. See United States v. Anaya, 32 F.3d 308, 314 (7th Cir. 1994). When confronted with conflicting testimony, sentencing judges are fully capable of considering the motivations of witnesses in weighing conflicting evidence and, because they have had an opportunity to assess the demeanor of the witnesses, are in a better position than this court to make credibility determinations. United States v. Griffin, 115 F.3d 1322, 1331 (7th Cir. 1997). For this reason, when a defendant asks only that we reassess a credibility determination, the argument is wasted on an appellate court, United States v. House, 110 F.3d 1281, 1286 (7th Cir. 1997) (citation omitted), unless a challenged witness’s testimony is shown to be inconsistent with contemporary documents or impossible. See, e.g., United States v. Grandinetti, 891 F.2d 1302, 1307 (7th Cir. 1989). In this case, the Kroledges do not challenge any evidence presented by the government. Instead, they argue that the government’s evidence should not outweigh the evidence that the Kroledges presented. The government’s evidence of arson included testimony of at least three witnesses, each of whom told a consistent story, as well as such physical evidence as Charles and Kathleen Kroledge’s possessions predating the fire, which had been stored with their family to preserve them, and the tape recordings made by Gilbert Kroledge, which capture admissions made by the Kroledges about the nature of the fire. We consider this evidence sufficient to support the district court’s determination.