Government of the Virgin Islands v. Wilfredo Rivera

439 F.2d 1126, 8 V.I. 356, 1971 U.S. App. LEXIS 11346

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
• Decided: March 15, 1971
• Docket: 11-1796
• Status: Published

Opinion

OPINION OF THE COURT

PER CURIAM:

This is an appeal from a judgment of conviction of the District Court of the Virgin Islands, Division of St. Croix, Christiansted Jurisdiction, pursuant to a jury verdict finding the defendant appellant, Wilfredo Rivera, guilty of illegal possession of marijuana in violation of the provisions of Subchapter 1, Chapter 29, V.I.C.

Rivera contends that the trial judge committed prejudicial errors (1) in his questioning of a witness; (2) in commenting on the testimony of the witness in his charge to the jury; and (3) in refusing a requested jury instruction on possession.

On review of the record we do not subscribe to the stated contentions.

The challenged questioning of a witness was well within permissible limits. The trial judge’s comments in his charge to the jury on the “vague” and “obscured” nature of this witness’ testimony is supported by the record , and cannot in any event be deemed prejudicial. Moreover, the jury was instructed “you are the judges of the facts. Your sole interest is to ascertain the truth from the evidence in the case,” and “you judge the credibility of witnesses.”

As to the contention that the trial judge erred in failing to give the requested instruction, it need only be said that he properly charged the jury on the score of “possession.” The form of an instruction is within the sound discretion of the trial court. Clark v. United States, 391 F.2d 57 (8 Cir. 1968), cert. den. 393 U.S. 873.

For the reasons stated the judgment of conviction will be affirmed.