Opinion ID: 2279697
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Claims of Evidentiary Insufficiency

Text: Hampton and Epps argue that the trial court erred in denying their motion for judgment of acquittal because there was insufficient evidence to convict. In evaluating a claim of evidentiary insufficiency, we must view the evidence in a light most favorable to the government, recognizing the jury's province to weigh the evidence, determine the credibility of witnesses, and make justifiable inferences from the evidence. Peterson v. United States, 657 A.2d 756, 760 (D.C.1995) (citations omitted). `[T]he government is not required to negate every possible inference of innocence.' Id. (quoting Jones v. United States, 625 A.2d 281, 288 (D.C.1993)). Reversal will be warranted `only if there is no evidence upon which a reasonable mind might fairly conclude guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.' Id. (quoting In re R.H.M., 630 A.2d 705, 707 (D.C.1993)). Against that standard, we conclude that the evidence was sufficient to support the convictions except for the malicious destruction of property (felony) count. Annie Towns and James Leary observed the assault close up and positively identified Hampton as one of the assailants. Douglas and Dominic Bowman and Leary all testified that Epps was a member of the group that assaulted Moore. Because all of these witnesses expressed certainty with regard to the assailants, and had the opportunity to observe the assault at close range, their identification of Hampton and Epps are sufficient to support the verdict. Hampton concedes that there were two witnesses who identified him as one of Moore's attackers. However, he contends that the evidence as a whole compelled the jury to have a reasonable doubt. He points to his evidence of alibi and matters affecting the credibility of the government's witnesses. Epps contends that his identification was based upon insufficient or unreliable evidence. He points out that some of the government's witnesses did not identify him as one of the assailants. Although he had known him for many years, Epps challenges the identification made by Douglas Bowman because of his location to the incident and because he had been drinking beer throughout the afternoon. Likewise, he contends that Dominic Bowman, who said he had known him for three or four months, had a couple of beers and admitted to smoking marijuana before the incident. He also faults Leary's identification because Leary did not come forward until one year after the assault and did not pick his photograph from a photo array. Epps also points to a lack of evidence of motive for him to commit the offenses. It is the jury's province to resolve questions of credibility and to make reasonable inferences from the evidence. Beatty v. United States, 544 A.2d 699, 701 (D.C.1988). Reversal is warranted only if `there is no evidence upon which a reasonable mind might fairly conclude guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.' In re R.H.M., supra, 630 A.2d at 707 (quoting Raymond v. United States, 396 A.2d 975, 978 (D.C.1979)). Both Epps and Hampton essentially challenge the jury's credibility determinations. However, there was evidence from which a reasonable juror could find the circumstances surrounding the identifications convincing beyond a reasonable doubt. See Hill v. United States, 541 A.2d 1285, 1287 (D.C.1988); Crawley v. United States, 320 A.2d 309, 311 (D.C.1974). Therefore, we find no basis for reversal on the ground of insufficiency of the identification evidence. Appellants argue that the trial court erred in denying their motions for judgment of acquittal on the malicious destruction of property count because no evidence was offered to prove that the damages to the property exceeded $200. See D.C.Code § 22-403. The government concedes this point, but it contends that the convictions for felony destruction of property should be vacated and convictions for the misdemeanor offense entered. The misdemeanor offense requires proof that the property destroyed has a useful, functional purpose. Shelton v. United States, 505 A.2d 767, 768 n. 2 (D.C.1986) (citations omitted); see also Zellers v. United States, 682 A.2d 1118, 1120-22 (D.C.1996). There was sufficient evidence from which the jury could infer that the vehicle served a useful purpose which appellants destroyed. There was evidence that Moore had driven the vehicle after hitting Hampton's car and that appellants crashed the window and destroyed the headlights and that the car had to be towed away. This evidence was sufficient to support convictions for misdemeanor malicious destruction of property. Therefore, the case should be remanded to the trial court with instructions to enter judgments of conviction for the misdemeanor offense and resentence accordingly. See Wilson v. United States, 358 A.2d 324 (D.C.1976) (evidence of value insufficient for grand jury conviction and case remanded for entry of judgment of conviction for petit larceny).