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United States v. Eugene Alfonso Connor
Citations: 48 F.3d 1225; 1995 U.S. App. LEXIS 11591; 1995 WL 110624Docket: 94-3186
Court: Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit; March 12, 1995; Federal Appellate Court
Eugene Alfonso Connor was convicted on two counts of distributing and possessing crack cocaine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1). During the trial, a DEA agent testified to purchasing drugs from Connor multiple times. Connor challenged the conviction, arguing for acquittal based on an alibi and alleged mistaken identification by the agent. The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals reviewed the evidence favorably towards the government, concluding that sufficient evidence existed for the jury to reasonably identify Connor as the drug source. The agent's identification of Connor from a photograph, his recognition during drug transactions, and the connection of vehicles involved in the sales to Connor were pivotal points. The sales occurred near an apartment where Connor's close friend lived, further supporting the identification. Connor's alibi was deemed insufficient as it did not clearly account for his whereabouts during the drug sales. The court noted that even if there were inconsistencies between the evidence and the alibi, the jury was entitled to favor the agent's testimony over Connor’s defense. Consequently, the Eighth Circuit affirmed the conviction, upholding the district court's denial of Connor's motion for acquittal.