Case ID: f-appx_38/html/0869-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Melinda Theresa SMITH, Defendant-Appellant.
    No. 01-5003.
    United States Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit.
    Submitted April 30, 2002.
    Decided June 3, 2002.
    
      Alan R.L. Bussard, Towson, Maryland, for Appellant. Thomas M. DiBiagio, United States Attorney, Gregory Welsh, First Assistant United States Attorney, Jonathan M. Mastrangelo, Assistant United States Attorney, Baltimore, Maryland, for Appellee.
    Before LUTTIG and NIEMEYER, Circuit Judges, and HAMILTON, Senior Circuit Judge.
    Affirmed by unpublished PER CURIAM opinion.
   OPINION

PER CURIAM.

Melinda Theresa Smith was convicted by a jury of two counts of aiding and abetting in a scheme to commit bank fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1344 (1994), and two counts of aiding and abetting the making, uttering, and possessing of forged securities in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 513 (1994). The court subsequently sentenced Smith to twelve months’ imprisonment. On appeal, Smith challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support her convictions, the sentence imposed, and the adequacy of the district court’s jury instructions. We affirm.

First, Smith challenges the sufficiency of the evidence. In reviewing a sufficiency of the evidence claim on appeal, we must sustain the verdict if the record contains “substantial evidence, taking the view most favorable to the Government, to support it.” Glasser v. United States, 315 U.S. 60, 80, 62 S.Ct. 457, 86 L.Ed. 680 (1942). Applying this standard, we give due regard to the fact finder’s prerogative to resolve questions of credibility. United States v. Burgos, 94 F.3d 849, 862-63 (4th Cir.1996). At trial, the Government presented testimony that company checks had been forged, that Smith knew where blank company checks were stored, and that she had the only key to one location where checks were stored. The Government also presented testimony from a co-conspirator who knew Smith socially. The co-conspirator testified as to Smith’s involvement in the check forging scheme and that she received a portion of the proceeds. Construing this evidence in the light most favorable to the Government, we conclude the Government presented sufficient evidence for a reasonable trier of fact to find Smith guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of the charges against her.

Next, Smith argues that she should have received a four-level reduction in her offense level for being a minimal participant as defined by U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Manual § 3B1.2 (2000), rather than receiving only a two-level reduction for being a minor participant. We review this claim for clear error. United States v. Daughtrey, 874 F.2d 213, 218 (4th Cir.1989). A defendant may play a minor role if she is less culpable than most other participants but has more than a minimal role. USSG § 3B1.2 comment.(n.3). However, the court should “not only compare the defendant’s culpability to that of the other participants, but also ‘measur[e] ... [it] against the elements of the offense of conviction.’ ” United States v. Reavis, 48 F.3d 763, 869 (4th Cir.1995) (quoting United States v. Daughtrey, 874 F.2d 213, 216 (4th Cir.1989)). “The critical inquiry is not ... whether the defendant has done fewer ‘bad acts’ than her codefendants, but whether the defendant’s conduct is material or essential to committing the offense.” Palinkas, 938 F.2d at 460.

The district court found that although Smith played a minor role in the offense in comparison to her co-conspirators, her participation was essential to the crime. We conclude the district court did not commit error, let alone clear error, in finding Smith was a minor participant in the offenses, resulting in only a two-level reduction.

Finally, Smith alleges the district court erred in not instructing the jury on the “two inference” rule. In general, the decision to give, or not to give, a jury instruction and the content of that instruction are reviewed for an abuse of discretion. United States v. Burgos, 55 F.3d 933, 935 (4th Cir.1995). Because the district court’s jury charge fairly conveyed the concept of reasonable doubt to the jury and properly emphasized the Government’s burden of proof, we conclude the court did not abuse its discretion in refusing Smith’s proposed instruction.

Accordingly, we affirm Smith’s convictions and sentence. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

AFFIRMED.