Opinion ID: 550849
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: 10 Petitioner argues that the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction. The main thrust of the petitioner's argument is that Patricia Piepenbrink's identification of him as the torch man in the arson scheme was insufficient to link him to participation in the arson. Petitioner challenges Piepenbrink's identification as insufficient because Piepenbrink was only 35 percent sure that petitioner was the man hired to participate in the scheme. Petitioner also contends that the Piepenbrink identification was insufficient in that it arose from an unreliable photo identification. 2 11 Petitioner bears a heavy burden in challenging a jury verdict on sufficiency grounds. United States v. Sims, 895 F.2d 326, 329 (7th Cir.1990). To obtain relief petitioner must demonstrate that the trial record was devoid of any evidence from which a rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. Fozo, 904 F.2d 1166, 1169 (7th Cir.1990) (quoting Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979)). Additionally, in analyzing a sufficiency claim this court must view the evidence and all reasonable inferences in favor of the government. Id. We hold that the petitioner has not met his burden. 12 We agree with the district court that even in the absence of the Piepenbrink identification the testimony of Karen Dickens was sufficient evidence to support the petitioner's conviction. Id. Dickens' testimony clearly identified the petitioner as a participant in the scheme to set fire to the Piepenbrink residence in order to allow the Piepenbrinks to collect the insurance proceeds. Dickens testified that she witnessed the petitioner dousing the living room walls and curtains of the Piepenbrink residence with kerosene or paint thinner. Moreover, Dickens testified that, on the same occasion, she observed the petitioner taping a cigarette and matches to a plastic container filled with gasoline. Finally, Dickens testified that she delivered to the petitioner's home a dishwasher and other items removed from the Piepenbrink residence by her and the petitioner on the day the arson was planned. 3 Investigators subsequently found the Piepenbrink's dishwasher in the petitioner's home. This testimony is sufficient evidence to support the conviction. 13 Petitioner contends that Dickens' testimony is unreliable because she testified under a plea agreement. Further, petitioner argues that had the jury not heard evidence concerning the photo identification in which Piepenbrink picked out his photograph, they would not have believed Dickens' testimony. The jury found Dickens to be a credible witness. The credibility of witnesses is a determination left solely to the jury. United States v. Beverly et al., No. 88-2985, slip op. at 43 (7th Cir. Sept. 7, 1990). Thus, petitioner has not satisfied his burden. 14