Opinion ID: 1547315
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Claim of Evidentiary Insufficiency

Text: Appellant argues that the evidence was insufficient to convict him of possession of cocaine. He contends that absent mere speculation, the evidence was insufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he possessed the cocaine which was found in McNeil's possession. Specifically, he argues that the investigator did not see him give anything to McNeil and could not identify by shape, size or color, the objects that McNeil dropped while allegedly standing behind him. Our standard of review for claims of evidentiary insufficiency requires that the evidence be viewed in the light most favorable to the government. See Owens v. United States, 688 A.2d 399, 402 (D.C.1996)(citing Blakeney v. United States, 653 A.2d 365, 369 n. 3 (D.C.1995)) (other citation omitted). In applying that standard, we recognize that it is the province of the trier of fact to determine the credibility of the witnesses and to make reasonable inferences from the evidence presented. See Gayden v. United States, 584 A.2d 578, 579 (D.C.1990), cert. denied, 502 U.S. 843, 112 S.Ct. 137, 116 L.Ed.2d 104 (1991) (quoting Frendak v. United States, 408 A.2d 364, 370 (D.C.1979)). All reasonable inferences must be drawn in favor of the government, and deference must be given to the [trier of fact's] right to determine credibility and weigh evidence. Owens, supra, 688 A.2d at 402-03 (citation omitted). We continue to adhere to the proposition that `the government is not required to negate every possible inference [of innocence] before an accused may be found guilty of an offense beyond a reasonable doubt.' Id. at 407 (quoting In re T.J.W., 294 A.2d 174, 176 (D.C.1972)) (citing Banks v. United States, 287 A.2d 85, 87 (D.C.1972)). `It is only where the government has produced no evidence from which a reasonable mind might fairly infer guilt beyond a reasonable doubt that this court can reverse a conviction.' Zanders v. United States, 678 A.2d 556, 563 (D.C.1996) (citing Gayden, 584 A.2d at 580 (quoting Frendak, supra, 408 A.2d at 371)). To prove the offense charged in this case, possession of a controlled substance, the government is required to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused: (1) possessed a controlled substance (cocaine); and (2) that he did so knowingly and intentionally. See D.C.Code § 33-541(d); Criminal Jury Instructions for the District of Columbia, No. 4.28 (4th ed.1993). Proof of possession requires that the government establish that the accused had actual or constructive possession of the prohibited item. See Bernard v. United States, 575 A.2d 1191, 1195 (D.C.1990); see also Criminal Jury Instructions for the District of Columbia, No. 3.08 (4th ed.1993). In this case, the government's theory was that appellant had actual possession of the cocaine before giving it to McNeil, who dropped it as the police approached him. Actual possession has been defined as the ability of a person to knowingly exercise direct physical custody or control over the property in question. United States v. Hubbard, 429 A.2d 1334, 1338 (D.C.), cert denied, 454 U.S. 857, 102 S.Ct. 308, 70 L.Ed.2d 153 (1981). The question is whether the evidence, viewed most favorably to the government, supports this theory. Proof of possession can be established by either direct or circumstantial evidence. Hubbard, supra, 429 A.2d at 1338 (citing United States v. Bethea, 143 U.S.App. D.C. 68, 71, 442 F.2d 790, 793 (1971)). In considering the sufficiency of the evidence, we make no distinction between direct and circumstantial evidence, and [c]ircumstantial evidence is not intrinsically inferior to direct evidence. Bernard, supra, 575 A.2d at 1193 (citations omitted). Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, as we must, the evidence, both direct and circumstantial, was sufficient to support the charge. See Owens, supra, 688 A.2d at 402. There was evidence that Investigator Prince observed appellant and McNeil making an exchange of money for two small objects in a somewhat surreptitious manner. The investigator saw McNeil drop the objects, pick them up, examine them, and walk away with the items in his right hand, which he reported immediately to Investigator Jackson. Within two minutes, Investigator Jackson saw appellant, just one block away, walking in the same direction as reported, and McNeil was still holding two packets in his right hand, which he dropped as Investigator Jackson approached. The two objects turned out to be ziplock bags of crack cocaine. Crediting the testimony of the two investigators, the trial court inferred from this evidence that the two items which McNeil had were items which he obtained from appellant when they made the hand-to-hand exchange. Given what the investigators observed, the trier of fact could infer reasonably that the two items that McNeil had in his right hand just two minutes after receiving two small items from appellant were the same items, particularly given the surrounding evidence of the furtive exchange and the timeline. It is the factfinder's prerogative to determine credibility and to make reasonable inferences from the facts which have been proven. See Stack v. United States, 519 A.2d 147, 159-60 (D.C.1986) (citing Boyd v. United States, 473 A.2d 828, 832 (D.C.1984)) (other citations omitted). As appellant points out, each piece of evidence in isolation may not be sufficient to support a conviction. However, the evidence must be viewed as a whole, and the chain of facts and circumstances and the reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom are sufficient to support the verdict.