United States v. Eric Littlecalf

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States v. Eric Littlecalf, 699 F. App'x 624 (9th Cir. 2017)

United States v. Eric Littlecalf

Opinion

MEMORANDUM ***

Eric Littlecalf appeals his convictions for assault resulting in serious bodily injury, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 113(a)(6), 1153(a), and 3559(f)(3), and felony child abuse, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1153(b) and Montana Code Annotated § 45-5-212(1) and (2). The convictions stem from injuries suffered by K.L., his eight-month-old son. Littlecalf contends there was insufficient evidence to sustain the convictions. We affirm.

There is sufficient evidence to support a conviction if, after considering the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, “any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979).

Evidence at trial established that K.L. suffered a skull fracture and subdural he-matoma. The government presented evidence that Littlecalf admitted to striking K.L. and that K.L.’s injuries were consistent with Littlecalfs admission. One of KL.’s treating physicians testified that KL.’s injuries involved the protracted loss or impairment of the function of a body member, organ, or mental faculty, and two of KL.’s treating physicians testified that his injuries involved extreme physical pain.

Accordingly, there was sufficient evidence for a rational jury to convict Little-calf.

AFFIRMED.

***

This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.

Reference

Full Case Name
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Eric Harvey LITTLECALF, Defendant-Appellant
Status
Unpublished