*

The Honorable James Carr, Senior United States District Judge for the Northern District of Ohio,

sitting by designation.

RECOMMENDED FOR FULL-TEXT PUBLICATION

Pursuant to Sixth Circuit I.O.P. 32.1(b)

File Name: 12a0420p.06

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT _________________

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff-Appellee,

v.

BRYAN ROSS (09-1852) and 

ROBERT BURSTON (09-1860),

 Defendants-Appellants.

X

-

-

-

-

>

,

-

-

-

N

Nos. 09-1852/1860

Appeal from the United States District Court

for the Eastern District of Michigan at Detroit.

No. 07-20513—David M. Lawson, District Judge.

Argued: October 6, 2011

Decided and Filed: December 31, 2012 

Before: BOGGS and STRANCH, Circuit Judges; CARR, District Judge.*

_________________

COUNSEL

ARGUED: Patricia Annette Streeter, Ann Arbor, Michigan, for Appellant in 09-1852.

William J. Winters III, Livonia, Michigan, for Appellant in 09-1860. Craig A. Weier,

UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, Detroit, Michigan, for Appellee in 09-1852

and 09-1860. ON BRIEF: Patricia Annette Streeter, Ann Arbor, Michigan, for

Appellant in 09-1852. William J. Winters III, Livonia, Michigan, for Appellant in 09-

1860. Craig A. Weier, UNITED STATES ATTORNEY’S OFFICE, Detroit, Michigan,

for Appellee in 09-1852 and 09-1860.

STRANCH, J., delivered the opinion of the court in which CARR, D. J., joined,

and BOGGS, J., joined in part. BOGGS, J. (pp. 36–38), delivered a separate opinion

concurring in part and dissenting in part from Section II.A.2 of the majority opinion.

1
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 2

_________________

OPINION

_________________

JANE B. STRANCH, Circuit Judge. In this joint direct criminal appeal, Bryan

Ross and Robert Burston raise several challenges to their convictions on multiple

charges relating to a counterfeit-check scheme. The prosecution alleged that Ross

orchestrated a conspiracy to purchase vehicles with counterfeit checks and then quickly

resell the vehicles. Burston was one of several alleged co-conspirators who carried out

the plan, the rest of whom accepted plea agreements which required their testimony

against Ross and Burston. Ross presents ten issues for appeal and Burston six, four of

which overlap, for a total of twelve types of claims. For the reasons stated below, we

AFFIRM Burston’s conviction. We REMAND for an evidentiary hearing to determine

whether Ross was unconstitutionally deprived of representation during his pre-trial

competency hearing. If the district court determines that he was, Ross’s conviction and

sentence are vacated; if not, both are affirmed.

I. BACKGROUND

On October 16, 2007, Ross and Burston were among five defendants named in

an indictment which listed one count of engaging in a conspiracy to utter counterfeit

securities and seven substantive counts related to the conspiracy. The indictment

described the conspiracy as a scheme “to obtain motor vehicles from private sellers by

uttering worthless, counterfeit ‘official checks,’ purportedly issued by Comerica Bank

. . . to the private owners of the motor vehicles” and then quickly reselling the cars.

Each defendant was named in the conspiracy count; Ross was named in six substantive

counts while Burston was named in one. The prosecution told the jury at trial that Ross

was the man who “conceived the scheme” and was “primarily responsible for

orchestrating” it. Burston was a “willing participant” who engaged in the sale and resale

of several vehicles. Before trial, Ross exhibited bizarre and paranoid behavior which led

to the withdrawal of three court-appointed attorneys. On May 13, 2008, while being

represented by the third attorney, Allen Early, Ross filed a motion to waive counsel and
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 3

represent himself. On May 16, the Government filed a motion for a competency

examination and hearing. The court denied both motions in an order dated June 2. At

the motions hearing, the court made no finding as to Ross’s ability to represent himself

and denied Ross’s motion solely on the ground that his indigent status would qualify him

for various court services and “I am quite reluctant to authorize funds to be spent by a

Defendant pro se” because of the lack of “professional oversight that is required to make

sure that those funds are spent in a sensible and a legal way.” The court did, however,

tell Ross that it would entertain another motion to waive counsel closer to the start of

trial.

With respect to the Government’s competency motion, the court found that

Ross’s signs of delusion and paranoia and his inability to get along with his lawyers did

not give reasonable cause to order a psychiatric exam at that time, but “urge[d] all

Counsel, however, that if there are additional developments that cause Counsel to

question the conclusions that I have just made on the record, to bring them to my

attention and I will reassess at any time.”

On June 10, 2008, just over one week after the denial of his original motion, Ross

filed another motion “to substitute counsel until trial” which also noted Ross’s continued

desire to represent himself. The court denied Ross’s request to be appointed a new

attorney but, after inquiring into Ross’s knowledge and ability to represent himself,

found that Ross “knowingly and voluntarily waived his right to counsel” and appointed

Early to be standby counsel.

On July 30, the Government filed a second motion for a competency examination

and hearing, which was granted on August 5. Ross was not reappointed full-time

counsel in advance of the hearing. On October 29, the court held the competency

hearing based on the report of a court-appointed psychologist and the court’s own

observations and found Ross to be competent to stand trial. On December 9, the court

denied a motion by Ross to dismiss Early from further involvement in the case but

granted Early’s oral motion at the hearing to withdraw, finding that Ross “had poisoned
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 4

the relationship” with “unsupported allegations” and “abusive behavior.” The following

day, the court appointed a new attorney, Richard Korn, to serve as standby counsel.

After an eight-day joint trial beginning on February 4, 2009, Ross was convicted

of conspiracy and five of the six substantive counts against him. He was sentenced to

sixty months’ imprisonment for the conspiracy count and seventy-eight months for each

substantive count, all to be served concurrently. Burston was convicted of conspiracy

and acquitted of the substantive count. He was sentenced to thirty months in prison.

Each filed a timely notice of appeal.

II. DISCUSSION

A. Competency to waive and proceed without counsel

Ross’s first claim is that the trial court erred in permitting him to waive

representation of counsel and to represent himself because he was not competent to do

either. Ross also raises a related claim that the trial court should have reappointed

counsel for his competency hearing. Although the court did not err in allowing the

initial waiver of counsel, we hold that the court did commit error when, upon granting

a competency hearing, it failed to reappoint full-time counsel to represent Ross until the

issue of competency was resolved. Whether Ross was unconstitutionally deprived of

counsel at that hearing depends on the extent to which his standby counsel conducted an

adequate investigation and subjected evidence of competency to meaningful adversarial

testing, a determination which requires an evidentiary hearing.

1. Waiver of counsel determination

The Sixth Amendment guarantees criminal defendants both the right to trial

counsel and the right to proceed without counsel. Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806,

834 (1975). However, “the government’s interest in ensuring the integrity and efficiency

of the trial at times outweighs the defendant’s interest in acting as his own lawyer.”

Martinez v. Court of Appeal of Cal., 528 U.S. 152, 162 (2000). “While the Constitution

does not force a lawyer upon a defendant, it does require that any waiver of the right to
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 5

counsel be knowing, voluntary, and intelligent.” Iowa v. Tovar, 541 U.S. 77, 87-88

(2004) (citations and internal quotation marks omitted).

This Court has not clearly identified the appropriate standard of review for a trial

court’s decision to allow waiver of counsel. See United States v. Williams, 641 F.3d

758, 766 (6th Cir. 2011). Some prior decisions apply a de novo review while others

review for plain error. See United States v. McBride, 362 F.3d 360, 365-66 (6th Cir.

2004) (discussing the conflicting standards of review applied in this Circuit). McBride

and other cases left this question unresolved because each concluded that waiver was

proper in that case under either standard. We also decline to resolve the question

because it does not appear to be dispositive in this case and the parties have not explored

the distinction.

When an accused wishes to represent himself, the district court “must ask the

defendant a series of questions drawn from, or substantially similar to, the model inquiry

set forth in the Bench Book for United States District Judges.” Williams, 641 F.3d at

766 (internal quotation marks omitted). The model inquiry comprises thirteen questions

about the defendant’s familiarity with the law, the legal system, and the charges against

him. Id. at 767. Substantial compliance with this series of questions is sufficient.

United States v. Cromer, 389 F.3d 662, 680 (6th Cir. 2004). The inquiry must be

followed by a strong admonishment that the court recommends against the defendant

trying to represent himself. Williams, 641 F.3d at 767. Here, the record shows that the

district court conducted the proper colloquy, admonishments, and findings before

allowing Ross to waive counsel. Indeed, the court performed the required steps on

multiple occasions throughout the course of the pre-trial proceedings, in particular at the

May 30, 2008 hearing in which the judge denied Ross’s self-representation motion

without prejudice and the June 16, 2008 hearing in which Ross’s subsequent motion for

self-representation was granted.

Even if the model inquiry is followed, the waiver of counsel must also be made

“knowingly and intelligently.” United States v. Kidwell, 217 F. App’x 441, 445-46 (6th

Cir. 2007) (quoting Faretta, 422 U.S. at 835)). When there is “reason to doubt the
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 6

defendant’s competence,” a court should make a competency determination before

finding the waiver to be valid. United States v. Colbert, 55 F. App’x 225, 230 (6th Cir.

2002) (citing Godinez v. Moran, 509 U.S. 389, 400-01, 402 n.13 (1993)). We have held

that “a psychological impairment would go to the question of whether the waiver of

counsel was knowing and intelligent.” Kidwell, 217 F. App’x at 446 (quoting United

States v. McDowell, 814 F.2d 245, 251 n.2 (6th Cir. 1987)).

This Court reviews the determination of whether there is reasonable cause to

question a defendant’s competence and to grant a competency hearing under an abuse

of discretion standard. United States v. Jones, 495 F.3d 274, 277 (6th Cir. 2007).

Competence itself is a question of fact which this Court reviews for clear error. United

States v. McCarty, 628 F.3d 284, 294 n.1 (6th Cir. 2010). The district court allowed

Ross to waive counsel at the June 16, 2008 hearing, finding that Ross had made the

waiver “knowingly and voluntarily.” Although the court did not expressly find Ross was

competent to stand trial at that time, it had recently done so during the denial of the first

competency hearing motion on May 30.

The record suggests there was reason to doubt Ross’s competence at the time the

court accepted his waiver of counsel. The prosecutor had filed the first motion for a

mental competency examination of Ross just one month earlier. The motion cited Ross’s

paranoid pro se filings as well as allegations from the motion to withdraw of Ross’s first

attorney, which referenced Ross’s “delusional state,” “paranoid ideations,” and

“conspiracy theories” that the attorney and the prosecutor were “in cahoots.” At the

May 30 hearing on the motion, the prosecutor informed the court that “in the 20 years

I have been prosecuting in this job, I have never asked the Court for a competency

evaluation before.” The judge also noted that Ross’s filings might suggest that Ross was

“delusional or believes in a conspiracy that doesn’t exist or has feelings of paranoia.”

The prosecutor filed a second motion for a competency hearing on July 30, citing the

grounds in the first motion, Ross’s numerous subsequent pro se pleadings and letters to

the court in which Ross continued to claim his then-standby counsel was conspiring
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 7

against him, and Ross’s attempt to subpoena seventy-seven witnesses (a request

considered by the prosecutor to be “foolhardy and irrational”).

Notwithstanding this evidence to the contrary, however, we conclude that the

court did not clearly err in finding Ross competent to waive counsel on June 16. The

court conducted an appropriate colloquy and made a supported finding that Ross

“knowingly and voluntarily waived his right to counsel.” The court substantially

complied with the model inquiry during the May 30 motion hearing on Ross’s first

request to waive counsel. Although the court did not ask Ross each of these questions

again at the June 16 hearing on Ross’s second motion, the answers to those particular

questions likely would not have changed in the intervening two weeks, and the court

referred to them in its findings at the latter hearing. The court also offered an

appropriate warning and asked follow-up questions on the maximum penalties Ross

faced as of the most recent calculations, whether Ross understood the disadvantages he

faced in light of his legal inexperience, and whether his decision was voluntary. This

Court has repeatedly upheld waiver of counsel determinations so long as the trial court

substantially adheres to the McDowell model inquiry and makes a supported finding that

the waiver was knowing and voluntary. See, e.g., United States v. Utrera, 259 F. App’x

724, 728 (6th Cir. 2008); McBride, 362 F.3d at 366.

Notable in the court’s determinations was its finding at the June waiver of

counsel hearing that Ross’s behavior was “simply a manifestation of a desire to delay

the inevitable, and that is, a trial in this case.” In King v. Bobby, we determined that a

court was justified in allowing waiver of counsel when a defendant “was attempting to

manipulate the system by first refusing to retain an attorney, then by refusing to work

with his attorney.” 433 F.3d 483, 493 (6th Cir. 2006); see also United States v. Powell,

353 F. App’x 19, 22 (7th Cir. 2009) (“[S]trategic delay weighs in favor of finding a

waiver to be knowing and intelligent.”). Moreover, “when a defendant waives his right

to counsel through his dilatory conduct, the Constitution does not require a court to

engage in an extended discussion about the repercussion of the waiver.” King, 433 F.3d

at 493 (citing United States v. Oreye, 263 F.3d 669, 670 (7th Cir. 2001)). This would
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 8

be a different case had the court failed to create a record clearly supporting its finding

that Ross had knowingly and voluntarily waived his right to counsel. See, e.g., United

States v. Herrera-Martinez, 985 F.2d 298, 302 (6th Cir. 1993) (finding plain error when

trial court failed to make proper determination of whether defendant was competent to

waive counsel).

2. Self-representation at competency hearing

Within Ross’s claim that he should not have been permitted to proceed pro se,

Ross asserts a distinct claim that the district court erred when it permitted him to

represent himself at his competency hearing. Title 18 U.S.C. § 4247(d) provides that,

during a competency hearing, “the person whose mental condition is the subject of the

hearing shall be represented by counsel.” (Emphasis added). The statute does not state

that the person merely has the “right” to counsel. See United States v. Franklin,

499 F.3d 578, 583 (6th Cir. 2007) (“The term ‘shall’ is not permissive; it is

mandatory.”). The district court committed error in failing to appoint counsel to

represent Ross at the hearing. The court also erred in failing to inform Ross of his rights

to “testify, to present evidence, to subpoena witnesses on his behalf, and to confront and

cross-examine witnesses who appear at the [competency] hearing.” 18 U.S.C. § 4247(d).

This error resulted from the court’s failure to inform Ross of these rights at the hearing

or to inquire whether standby counsel had done so thus denying the court the ability to

ensure Ross knowingly waived those rights.

In addition to the statutory violation, Ross’s Sixth Amendment right to counsel

was violated when the court allowed him to proceed without counsel despite having

questions about his competency. The Government suggests the court’s prior

determination that Ross was competent to represent himself carried over to the

competency hearing. However, the Supreme Court has noted that a finding of

competency at one point of the proceedings may be overcome later by further evidence

that a defendant is not competent. Drope v. Missouri, 420 U.S. 162, 181 (1975). “Even

when a defendant is competent at the commencement of his trial, a trial court must

always be alert to circumstances suggesting a change that would render the accused
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 9

unable to meet the standards of competence to stand trial.” Id. “Indeed, under the

federal statute, the district court has not only the prerogative, but the duty, to inquire into

a defendant's competency whenever there is ‘reasonable cause to believe’ that the

defendant is incompetent to stand trial.” United States v. White, 887 F.2d 705, 709 (6th

Cir. 1989).

We need not decide whether Ross’s behavior after the denial of the first

competency motion constituted a change in circumstances because the trial court did so

itself. At the hearing for the second competency motion, the court ordered a competency

hearing and made a finding that “there is reasonable cause to believe that [Ross] may not

be able to properly assist in his defense.” The threshold for finding that a defendant may

be incompetent to stand trial is lower than the baseline for competency to represent

oneself. See Indiana v. Edwards, 554 U.S. 164, 177-78 (2008). Accordingly,

determination of the need for a hearing regarding competency to stand trial brought into

question the higher standard for self-representation and should have triggered

appointment of counsel at least until the competency to stand trial issue was resolved.

Other courts have concluded that a defendant may not be permitted to waive

counsel while the issue of competency is pending. See United States v. Zedner, 193 F.3d

562, 567 (2d Cir. 1999); United States v. Klat, 156 F.3d 1258, 1263 (D.C. Cir. 1998);

United States v. Purnett, 910 F.2d 51, 52 (2d Cir. 1990). These cases support a

common-sense viewpoint that a defendant cannot represent himself at his own

competency hearing, the purpose of which is to determine whether a defendant

understands and can participate in the proceedings in the first place. See Black v. Bell,

664 F.3d 81, 101-02 (6th Cir. 2011). For example, the Second Circuit stated: “Logically,

the trial court cannot simultaneously question a defendant's mental competence to stand

trial and at one and the same time be convinced that the defendant has knowingly and

intelligently waived his right to counsel.” Purnett, 910 F.2d at 55. Thus, a trial court

should “appoint counsel—whether defendant has attempted to waive it or not—and

counsel must serve until the resolution of the competency issue.” Id. at 56; see also
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 10

1

This Court cited this language with approval in holding that a trial court did not err in refusing

to allow a defendant to proceed pro se until after a competency hearing which had already been ordered.

United States v. Dye, 351 F. App’x 92, 94 (6th Cir. 2009).

Zedner, 193 F.3d at 567 (holding that a trial court “must hold a competency hearing and

appoint counsel to serve at least through that proceeding”).

The D.C. Circuit held that it is “contradictory to conclude that a defendant whose

competency is reasonably in question could nevertheless knowingly and intelligently

waive her Sixth Amendment right to counsel. Such a defendant may not proceed pro se

until the question of her competency to stand trial has been resolved.”1 Klat, 156 F.3d

at 1263 (footnote omitted). The defendant in Klat “was erroneously denied her Sixth

Amendment right to counsel because the district court found reasonable cause to doubt

appellant’s competency to stand trial and yet failed to appoint counsel to represent her

through the resolution of the competency issue.” Id. The Supreme Court has expressed

similar concern regarding the waiver of the competency hearing itself when there is

reason to believe a defendant is incompetent. See Pate v. Robinson, 383 U.S. 375, 384

(1966) (“[I]t is contradictory to argue that a defendant may be incompetent, and yet

knowingly or intelligently ‘waive’ his right to have the court determine his capacity to

stand trial.”).

The cases discussed above differ slightly from this one in that those defendants

had not actually been found competent to waive counsel before they were allowed to

proceed pro se into their competency hearings. Although such a finding had been made

in this case before the competency hearing, the court’s continuing obligation to assess

competency and resulting actions removes the distinction. See Drope, 420 U.S. at 181.

After allowing waiver of counsel, the court subsequently determined that there was

reasonable cause to believe Ross was incompetent to stand trial and ordered a

competency hearing. This order reopened the question of Ross’s competency to stand

trial and, therefore, the more stringent question of his competency to represent himself.

These facts support our holding and undergird our disagreement with the dissent.

Upon Ross’s June 10 second motion to represent himself, the trial court found Ross
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 11

competent to proceed pro se. The dissent concludes that it was therefore appropriate for

the judge subsequently to “satisfy himself that the trial could properly proceed with the

defendant’s chosen method of representation” by holding a hearing at which the

defendant represented himself. But that October 29 hearing was a competency-to-standtrial hearing based on the government’s second motion for a competency examination

and hearing. We do not dispute the wisdom of a judge’s compliance with the duty to

assure throughout the proceedings that a defendant is competent to stand trial. But when

that competency is at issue, both the Constitution and governing statutes require that the

defendant be represented by counsel whose duty it is to assure that the evidence

supporting competency is closely examined. Assurance that the defendant has counsel

is especially important where, as here, the steadfast belief of the defendant in his own

competency—both to stand trial and to represent himself—is belied by his continuing

bizarre behavior.

Although denying a request for waiver of counsel implicates a defendant’s

constitutional right to self-representation, “[r]equiring a defendant to proceed with

counsel through a competency proceeding is no greater a denial of a defendant’s right

to self-representation than that of any other defendant whose waiver has been found not

to be knowing and intelligent.” Purnett, 910 F.2d at 56. Moreover, the Supreme Court

has held that a defendant’s right to self-representation is not violated when he is assisted

by counsel outside the presence of a jury so long as he retains the ability to address the

court and make certain tactical decisions. McKaskle v. Wiggins, 465 U.S. 168, 179

(1984); see also United States v. Jones, 489 F.3d 243, 248-49 (6th Cir. 2007).

Even if the “Constitution does not force a lawyer upon a defendant,” enforcing

the Supreme Court’s determination that the Constitution “require[s] that any waiver of

the right to counsel be knowing, voluntary, and intelligent” requires representation

until—as well as while—such a determination is made. Tovar, 541 U.S. at 87-88

(citations and internal quotation marks omitted); see Dye, 351 F. App’x at 94 (citing

Klat, 156 F.3d at 1263) (affirming district court’s decision to require a competency
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 12

hearing before allowing defendant to proceed pro se when there was reasonable cause

to believe he was incompetent to stand trial).

In holding that the Constitution does not forbid states from refusing selfrepresentation when a defendant is incompetent, the Supreme Court noted:

[A] right of self-representation at trial will not “affirm the dignity” of a

defendant who lacks the mental capacity to conduct his defense without

the assistance of counsel. To the contrary, given that defendant’s

uncertain mental state, the spectacle that could well result from his

self-representation at trial is at least as likely to prove humiliating as

ennobling. Moreover, insofar as a defendant’s lack of capacity threatens

an improper conviction or sentence, self-representation in that

exceptional context undercuts the most basic of the Constitution’s

criminal law objectives, providing a fair trial.

Edwards, 554 U.S. at 176-77 (citation omitted). The “spectacle” risked by a potentially

incompetent defendant representing himself at his own competency hearing touches

precisely the same concerns. Assuming that the defendant is, in fact, incompetent, the

lack of a defense attorney to conduct an adequate investigation into the matter could

prevent any flaws in the pro-competency position from coming to light. This is

particularly true when, as here, the pro se defendant believes and argues that he is

competent, leaving no one to examine and challenge the evidence. Accordingly, we hold

that the Constitution requires a defendant to be represented by counsel at his own

competency hearing, even if he has previously made a knowing and voluntary waiver

of counsel. See also 18 U.S.C. § 4247(d) (providing that a defendant “shall” be

represented by counsel at competency hearing).

3. Role of standby counsel at Ross’s competency hearing

Despite the failure of the trial court to appoint full-time counsel, participation by

standby counsel during a competency hearing may be sufficient to overcome a denial of

counsel claim. United States v. Leggett, No. 92-4269, 1994 WL 171441, at *2 (6th Cir.

May 5, 1994). To distinguish Klat, the Government argues that Ross was represented

by standby counsel, thus providing him with a sufficient degree of representation. In

Leggett, this Court held that a defendant was not denied representation when standby
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 13

counsel “participated to a greater degree in the proceedings than did the standby counsel

in Purnett,” although the opinion does not state exactly what the standby counsel did.

Id. at *2. In Purnett, the attorney was present at the competency hearing and took some

actions on Purnett’s behalf, but his “participation at these two proceedings was not

focused on Purnett’s competency” and there was no evidence that he had reviewed a

copy of the competency evaluation. 910 F.2d at 55-56.

Similarly, the Eighth Circuit held that a defendant’s right to counsel was not

violated when he was represented by standby counsel at a competency hearing. Wise v.

Bowersox, 136 F.3d 1197, 1203 (8th Cir. 1998). There, even though the defendant and

the prosecutor both argued in favor of competence, 

the contrary point of view also was well represented. The trial court held

this hearing at the instigation of Wise’s standby counsel, Timothy Braun,

who had served as Wise’s attorney until Wise exercised his right to

represent himself, at which time the court ordered Braun to serve as

standby counsel, ready to consult with Wise. Braun believed that Wise

was incompetent, and he attempted to show this at the hearing. The court

allowed Braun to speak and to examine both of the experts who testified.

This hearing, like the hearing held one month before, was a fair inquiry

into Wise’s competence in which Wise was afforded due process.

Id.

None of these cases articulates a specific standard to assess whether or not

standby counsel rendered representation that was adequate to overcome a deprivation

of counsel claim. Several circuits have employed the “meaningful adversarial testing”

standard of United States v. Cronic, 466 U.S. 648, 656-57 (1984), to assess whether

attorneys, who erroneously believed they no longer served as regular counsel, had

provided adequate representation when they appeared at competency hearings.

See United States v. Collins, 430 F.3d 1260, 1265-66 (10th Cir. 2005) (finding

deprivation of counsel under Cronic when attorney at competency hearing “did not

attempt to represent [the defendant], but rather abstained from providing the court with

information relevant to the issue of competency”); Appel v. Horn, 250 F.3d 203, 206-

208, 217 (3d Cir. 2001) (finding deprivation of counsel under Cronic when attorneys
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 14

“provided no information relevant to [defendant’s] competency and specifically advised

the court in response to its inquiry that they had nothing to put on the record at that time

[and] did not challenge the psychiatrist’s conclusion”); Raymond v. Weber, 552 F.3d

680, 682-85 (8th Cir. 2009) (finding no deprivation of counsel under Cronic when

attorney conducted research, investigated the defendant’s competency, and prepared for

the hearing but chose not to contest competency based on his “own decision”).

We agree that Cronic’s “meaningful adversarial testing” is the appropriate

standard for assessing whether Ross’s standby counsel provided representation that was

adequate to overcome Ross’s claim that he was deprived of counsel at his competency

hearing. See French v. Jones, 332 F.3d 430, 438 (6th Cir. 2003). The record as it stands

is insufficient to fully resolve this issue. The record does not contain clear evidence of

meaningful adversarial testing or investigation of the evidence by standby counsel but

it does establish the sequence of events. When the court allowed Ross to proceed pro

se on June 16, 2008, it also appointed his then-attorney to be standby counsel, albeit with

no particular instructions. On July 30, the prosecutor filed the second motion for a

competency hearing, which noted that Ross opposed the motion and that his standby

counsel “would indicate only that he would take no position on a renewed motion for

psychiatric evaluation.”

At the hearing on the Government’s second competency motion on August 5,

Ross’s standby counsel shared conflicting thoughts on Ross’s competence. He initially

told the court that “Ross’s allegations are so far-fetched, false, and detached from reality

that the Court should consider ruling out a mental defect in this particular case,” and

suggested that Ross may simply be “trying to create error in this record.” However,

standby counsel went on to add, “I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know if it’s an

effort to create a record or I don’t know if it reflects a detachment from reality, so I think

that is relevant. I think his efforts to subpoena these witnesses who may harm his case

indicate something is going wrong here. I just don’t know what it is.”

Upon ordering a competency hearing on August 5, the court instructed standby

counsel to assist with the selection of a psychiatrist or psychologist. The court’s August
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 15

12 order stated that the parties were unable to agree on a psychiatrist or psychologist to

perform the examination and noted the court’s selection of Dr. William Nixon, Ph.D, to

perform the examination. The record does not indicate what role, if any, standby counsel

had in the failed attempt to agree on an examiner. The order directed standby counsel

to contact Dr. Nixon to schedule an examination and for Dr. Nixon to submit his report

to Ross, standby counsel, and the prosecutor. An October 10 order noted the court’s

receipt of Dr. Nixon’s report and provided that “either party” may request Dr. Nixon’s

presence for the hearing. The report itself states that the prosecutor and Ross’s standby

counsel “collectively provided” several documents for Dr. Nixon’s review, but the report

is otherwise silent as to steps taken by standby counsel. No other activity by the parties

in advance of the hearing appears in the record.

During the October 29 competency hearing, the court specifically told Ross that

“the reason I’m asking you to respond [to procedural questions] is because Mr. Early is

standby counsel and you are representing yourself.” Ross’s standby counsel did not

participate to any meaningful degree during the proceeding and declined multiple

opportunities to argue. His only statements consisted of acknowledging that he received

a copy of the report and forwarded it to Ross, agreeing that he had not requested Dr.

Nixon’s presence, declining to present any evidence with respect to Ross’s competence

to stand trial, and telling the court that he would not present evidence with respect to

Ross’s competence to represent himself but would instead “defer to Dr. Nixon’s

conclusions.”

Based on the record before us, we are unable to conclude that Ross was

sufficiently represented by counsel at the competency hearing to overcome his denial of

counsel claim. On the other hand, the record before us is also inadequate for us to

conclude that Ross was, in fact, completely deprived of representation at his competency

hearing. Although Ross’s standby counsel did not present argument during the

competency hearing, it is conceivable that he did satisfy the minimum standard by

adequately investigating, undertaking appropriate preparation for the hearing and then

making an independent, strategic decision not to contest competency. See Raymond,
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 16

552 F.3d at 684-85 (holding counsel was not absent from competency hearing when he

prepared for hearing but made “own decision” not to contest competency).

4. Remedy

The issue of a remedy for deprivation of counsel at a competency hearing is a

question of first impression in this Circuit. However, “[i]t is settled that a complete

absence of counsel at a critical stage of a criminal proceeding is a per se Sixth

Amendment violation warranting reversal of a conviction, a sentence, or both, as

applicable, without analysis for prejudice or harmless error.” Van v. Jones, 475 F.3d 292,

311-12 (6th Cir. 2007); see also French v. Jones, 332 F.3d 430, 438 (6th Cir. 2003).

Neither the Supreme Court nor the Sixth Circuit have considered whether a competency

hearing is a “critical stage.” “However, every federal court of appeals to take up the

question has answered it affirmatively.” Ronald A. Parsons, Jr., Being There:

Constructive Denial of Counsel at a Competency Hearing as Structural Error Under the

Sixth Amendment, 56 S.D.L.REV. 238, 242 & n.31 (2011) (listing cases from the Third,

Fourth, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, and D.C. Circuits). We join those circuits in holding that

a competency hearing is a critical stage.

Other circuits are divided, however, as to whether automatic reversal is required

when there has been a deprivation of counsel at a competency hearing. Compare Appel,

250 F.3d at 217-18 (holding retrospective analysis of a defendant’s competency is not

an appropriate remedy for a deprivation of counsel violation), with Klat, 156 F.3d at

1264 (remanding “for an evidentiary hearing to determine whether the competency

hearing could have come out differently if [the defendant] had been represented by

counsel”), and United States v. Bergman, 599 F.3d 1142, 1148-49 (10th Cir. 2010)

(remanding to determine if the trial court could make a retroactive competency

determination and, if so, to make such a determination).

We see no reason to create an exception to our established rule that complete

deprivation of counsel during a critical stage warrants automatic reversal without

consideration of prejudice. See Van, 475 F.3d at 311-12. It is unclear on this record

whether or not standby counsel satisfied Cronic’s requirement that his representation of
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 17

2

Ross must, of course, be represented by counsel before and during this determination.

3

Although we need not conduct a harmless error analysis, we do observe that Ross’s appellate

counsel’s brief raises plausible challenges to Dr. Nixon’s report which could have been raised at the

competency hearing.

4

Although we are remanding Ross’s case for an evidentiary hearing, we will consider his

remaining claims for the sake of possible further appellate review or in the event that Ross’s conviction

is affirmed after the hearing. For organizational clarity, we review the issues in the order presented in

Ross’s brief with Burston’s overlapping issues included, followed by Burston’s remaining issues.

Ross provided “meaningful adversarial testing” of Ross’s competency. Accordingly, we

must remand the case to the district court for an evidentiary hearing to determine

whether Ross was unconstitutionally deprived of representation.2 Satisfaction of this

standard requires evidence, at a minimum, that standby counsel (1) conducted an

adequate investigation into Ross’s competency, including reading and analyzing Dr.

Nixon’s report, and preparing for the hearing and (2) chose not to contest Ross’s

competency based on his own strategic decision rather than a belief that he simply had

no obligation to do so over Ross’s instructions.3

 If the court determines that the Cronic

standard was satisfied, Ross was not unconstitutionally deprived of counsel and his

conviction is affirmed. Otherwise, the conviction and sentence are vacated. See Klat,

156 F.3d at 1267.

In coming to this conclusion, we note that the prosecutor was expressly (and

commendably) attempting to protect the record against this very result through the two

motions for competency hearings. We do not wish to discourage motions for or grants

of competency hearings when the matter is in any doubt but instead seek to provide

guidance on the constitutional and statutory requirements to be followed so that hearings

at this critical stage are not empty formalities but are meaningful adversarial

determinations that generate a record sufficient for appropriate review on appeal.

B. Admission of polygraph evidence

Ross’s second and Burston’s fourth claim4

 is that the district court erred in

admitting evidence regarding a polygraph test which allowed the prosecutor to

impermissibly vouch for a witness’s credibility. Gabriel Lemus, an alleged coconspirator, signed a plea agreement in which he agreed to submit to a polygraph
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 18

examination upon request from the Government, although no such request occurred.

The agreement was received in its entirety without objection from either party.

Before the polygraph portion of the agreement was discussed in Lemus’s

testimony, Ross’s standby counsel objected. At a bench conference, standby counsel

stated: “[T]hat thing about a polygraph should be redacted because that suggests to the

jury that, hey, maybe they did a polygraph on him.” The prosecutor responded that the

witness’s willingness to commit to a polygraph is not objectionable because it supports

the witness’s credibility. The court ruled as follows: “The objection is overruled and we

can take it up at the break, since it is overruled, okay?”

Shortly after the bench conference, the following exchange took place between

the prosecutor and Lemus:

Q. And you agreed to submit to a polygraph examination if

we wanted you to, right—

A. Yes.

Q. —to verify your truthful cooperation, but we didn’t

ask you to take a polygraph, did we?

A. No.

The prosecutor then asked questions about Lemus’s plea obligation to testify truthfully

at trial and made no further mention of the polygraph provision or any actions or

decision-making by the Government relating to that provision.

This Court reviews a district court’s evidentiary rulings for abuse of discretion.

United States v. Boyd, 640 F.3d 657, 668 (6th Cir. 2011). Although the Government

contends that plain error review should apply because neither party objected to the

prosecutor’s question, the context of the prior, overruled objection made clear that

Ross’s standby counsel was attempting to exclude precisely the kind of testimony

elicited. See United States v. Haywood, 280 F.3d 715, 725 (6th Cir. 2002) (holding that

an objection to evidence as irrelevant and prejudicial was sufficient to preserve Fed. R.

Evid. 404(b) issue).
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 19

A prosecutor’s mere question as to whether a witness agreed to take a polygraph

test as a plea agreement condition does not constitute prosecutorial misconduct. United

States v. Trujillo, 376 F.3d 593, 608-09 (6th Cir. 2004). However, questions about

whether a polygraph test was administered may rise to the level of improper bolstering

of the witness’s credibility, depending on the surrounding circumstances. See Barnier

v. Szentmiklosi, 810 F.2d 594, 597 (6th Cir. 1987); see also United States v. Gantley,

172 F.3d 422, 430-31 (6th Cir. 1999) (finding that defendant’s unsolicited testimony that

“you know I’m telling the truth” because he had taken a polygraph test improperly

bolstered his own credibility and prejudiced the government). “Improper bolstering

occurs when the prosecutor implies that the witness’s testimony is corroborated by

evidence known to the government but not known to the jury.” Passino v. Tessmer,

61 F. App’x 124, 126 (6th Cir. 2003) (alteration, citation, and internal quotation marks

omitted).

In deciding whether the improper statements were sufficiently flagrant to warrant

reversal, this Court must examine: (1) whether the statements tended to mislead the jury

or prejudice the defendants; (2) whether the statements were isolated or among a series

of improper comments; (3) whether the statements were deliberately or accidentally

placed before the jury; and (4) the total strength of the evidence against the defendants.

United States v. Manthey, 92 F. App’x 291, 296 (6th Cir. 2004).

In context, it appears the prosecutor’s question was intended to address the

concern of Ross’s standby counsel that a jury might think the Government did request

a polygraph and then be curious as to result. Cf. Gantley, 172 F.3d at 430 n.6 (“‘[I]t

would have to be a pretty unsophisticated jury not to figure out that he had passed the

test or it wouldn’t have been mentioned.’”). The prosecutor never directly stated or

suggested that the Government’s decision not to request a polygraph was because it had

knowledge of additional evidence to corroborate the witness’s veracity. Accordingly,

we hold that the district court did not abuse its discretion in allowing the plea agreement

to be entered into evidence or the prosecutor to ask questions concerning its polygraph

provision. See Trujillo, 376 F.3d at 608-09.
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 20

C. Speedy Trial Act

Ross’s third issue presented is that the district court erred in not dismissing the

indictment for pre-indictment delay and committed violations of the Speedy Trial Act.

“The Supreme Court recognizes that the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment

protects against oppressive pre-indictment delay.” United States v. Schaffer, 586 F.3d

414, 424 (6th Cir. 2009) (citing United States v. Marion, 404 U.S. 307, 324-25 (1971)).

“In this circuit, dismissal for pre-indictment delay is warranted only when the defendant

shows substantial prejudice to his right to a fair trial and that the delay was an intentional

device by the government to gain a tactical advantage.” Id. (citation and internal

quotation marks omitted). There is no merit to Ross’s pre-indictment delay claim

because Ross has made no allegation that any such delay was intentional or in bad faith.

Ross filed a motion to dismiss under the Speedy Trial Act on May 28, 2008,

which was denied in an order dated June 17, 2008. Ross filed another Speedy Trial Act

motion after the trial, which was also dismissed. This Court may only consider the

alleged Speedy Trial Act violations contained in the first motion because any such

claims not raised before trial are waived. 18 U.S.C. § 3162(a)(2); United States v.

Stewart, 628 F.3d 246, 253 (6th Cir. 2010). The Speedy Trial Act violations raised on

appeal which were alleged in Ross’s first motion include the court’s orders extending

the trial date and excluding the difference in days from the previous trial dates on

December 17, 2007, February 1, 2008, April 28, 2008, and May 1, 2008. Ross argues

that each order failed to consider the appropriate statutory factors.

Delays due to continuances granted by the court may be excluded from the time

within which a trial must start under the Speedy Trial Act if “the ends of justice served

by taking such action outweigh the best interest of the public and the defendant in a

speedy trial.” 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(A). The trial court must state “in the record of the

case, either orally or in writing, its reasons” for so finding. Id. As the Government

correctly observes, these orders either expressly state the reasons for the various

continuances, or reference parts of the record that do, and contain express findings that
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 21

the ends of justice outweigh the best interests of the public and the defendant to a speedy

trial.

The first order appropriately noted the requests from all parties to receive

additional time for preparation due to the “voluminous discovery.” See Stewart, 628

F.3d at 253-54. The second order appropriately noted the need for Ross’s new attorney

to prepare for trial. See 18 U.S.C. § 3161(h)(7)(B)(iv); United States v. White, 129 F.

App’x 197, 202 (6th Cir. 2005). The third order, pursuant to a previous order,

appropriately excluded the time until another attorney could be appointed. See White,

129 F. App’x at 202. Ross argues that the final order excluding time until “the new trial

date” created an open-ended time period which served no purpose and that there was no

need for this continuance because an ends-of-justice continuance had issued days earlier.

When read in context, it is clear that the court was merely correcting an error from the

previous order which inadvertently stated that the exclusionary period began on April

8, 2008 rather than April 2, 2008, which was the day after a new attorney was appointed.

Moreover, the latter order’s reference to “the new trial date” was not an “open-ended

period” but was merely a reference to the new, June 24, 2008 trial date specified in the

former order. These orders satisfy the statutory requirements.

To the extent Ross’s arguments rely on this Court’s holding in United States v.

Tinklenberg, 579 F.3d 589, 598 (6th Cir. 2009), that “a pretrial motion must actually

cause a delay, or the expectation of a delay, of trial in order to create excludable time,”

the delay requirement was expressly rejected by the United States Supreme Court in an

appeal of that decision, see 131 S. Ct. 2007, 2010-16 (2011).

D. Compulsory process

Ross’s fourth issue presented is that he was denied the right to compulsory

process when the district court rejected his request to subpoena two victims of the

scheme who sold their vehicles for bad checks. Ross alleges that these individuals,

Brian Hemker and Keith Colasanti, would have testified that alleged co-conspirator

Gabriel Lemus was present during the fraudulent transactions in contrast to Lemus’s

testimony that he merely printed the fraudulent checks. According to Ross, this evidence
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 22

demonstrating Lemus’s greater involvement in the conspiracy would have “describe[d]

the whole modus operandi of all the people” involved in the scheme, impeached Lemus’s

testimony, and supported Ross’s ongoing theory that the Government’s investigation was

biased against him by concealing evidence of additional culpability of others.

District courts should issue subpoenas at an indigent defendant’s request “if the

defendant shows . . . the necessity of the witness’s presence for an adequate defense.”

Fed. R. Crim. P. 17(b). This Court reviews a district court’s denial of a Rule 17(b)

motion for abuse of discretion and “should not reverse unless the exceptional

circumstances of the case indicate that defendant’s right to a complete, fair and adequate

trial is jeopardized.” United States v. Flynn, 265 F. App’x 434, 446 (6th Cir. 2008)

(quoting United States v. Moore, 917 F.2d 215, 230 (6th Cir. 1990)).

Ross does not explain how Lemus’s greater contact with the victims would

minimize Ross’s own culpability. Lemus’s participation in these two transactions would

not have been mutually exclusive of Ross’s involvement in the scheme because the

Government never alleged that Ross was present during the fraudulent purchases instead

of Lemus. To the extent that these witnesses’s testimony might have impeached the

Government’s investigation, the court allowed Ross to subpoena multiple law

enforcement officers in addition to those called by the prosecution in order to present

that argument. See United States v. Cannon, 475 F.3d 1013, 1022-23 (8th Cir. 2007)

(finding no denial of compulsory process when intended witness’s testimony would have

been cumulative). Indeed, the court allowed Ross to subpoena thirty of the 104

witnesses he requested and to question each of the witnesses called by the Government.

Ross has not pointed to any authority to support his claim that the failure of the court to

authorize subpoenas under these facts prevented him from presenting “an adequate

defense.” For these reasons, we conclude that the district court did not abuse its

discretion in refusing to issue the two subpoenas.
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 23

5

As a representative example, the court replied in response to an “asked and answered” objection

from the Government: “Well, it has been, and the question is argumentative, Mr. Ross. You got an answer.

You didn’t like the answer. You asked it again in an argumentative way and the answer is the same. It’s

been that way for about a week now and it’s not working, so you need to try something else.”

6

Although we have implied a lower standard should apply when raising a contemporaneous

objection “would have exacerbated the situation,” id., Ross does not present this argument in his brief and

concedes plain error review.

E. Judicial bias against Ross

Ross’s fifth issue presented is that his Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial was

violated by “the apparent bias of the trial judge” in making several interruptions during

Ross’s cross-examinations which “were often demeaning, sarcastic, and in a few

instances, hostile.” The examples offered by Ross consist mostly of terse statements

suggesting that Ross was asking a question which had already been answered.5 This

Court generally reviews a trial court’s purportedly biased conduct for plain error when

the defendant does not make a contemporaneous objection. United States v. Hynes,

467 F.3d 951, 957-58 (6th Cir. 2006).6

“Judicial misconduct is found where the judge’s remarks clearly indicate a

hostility to one of the parties, or an unwarranted prejudgment of the merits of the case,

or an alignment on the part of the Court with one of the parties.” United States v. Blood,

435 F.3d 612, 629 (6th Cir. 2006) (citations and internal quotation marks omitted). Even

sarcastic comments which “could have been phrased more diplomatically” do not

amount to misconduct when they “primarily evidence the judge’s effort to seek

additional information from witnesses and not any prejudice or bias.” Id.; see United

States v. Powers, 500 F.3d 500, 511 (6th Cir. 2007) (“A trial court judge . . . may

interject himself into the trial, speak to counsel, and question witnesses in order to clear

up confusion regarding the evidence or aid in its orderly presentation.”).

Although the trial court’s comments to Ross certainly suggest some frustration

with Ross’s often redundant and scattered questions throughout the lengthy trial, we

believe these statements in context evidence an attempt to direct Ross’s crossexaminations to relevant inquiries in recognition of Ross’s lack of trial experience. This

view is supported by the following instruction to the jury during Ross’s closing
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 24

argument, without any prompting from Ross, after the prosecutor objected to Ross’s

argument as being outside the evidence:

Members of the jury, Mr. Ross is entitled to make his arguments to you

and he is entitled to comment on the evidence. What he says is not

evidence and what he says is not testimony to you, but he is entitled to

the respect that all the lawyers are entitled to, and please pay careful

attention to him as he discusses the evidence in the case.

After a careful review of the record, we find no improper prejudice or bias by the trial

court judge.

F. Improper argument of prosecutor 

Ross’s sixth argument presented and Burston’s fifth is that they were denied a

fair trial by the prosecutor’s improper arguments. This Court reviews only for plain

error because neither defendant objected to any of the prosecutor’s statements during the

trial. United States v. Owens, 426 F.3d 800, 806 (6th Cir. 2005). Plain error results from

prosecutorial misconduct when the prosecutor makes improper comments that are so

flagrant that they “undermine the fundamental fairness of the trial and contribute to a

miscarriage of justice.” United States v. Young, 470 U.S. 1, 16 (1985). In the context

of prosecutorial remarks made to a jury, this Court has developed four factors to

determine if the prosecutor’s comments are so flagrant that they threaten fundamental

fairness: “(1) whether the conduct and remarks of the prosecutor tended to mislead the

jury or prejudice the defendant; (2) whether the conduct or remarks were isolated or

extensive; (3) whether the remarks were deliberately or accidentally made; and

(4) whether the evidence against the defendant was strong.” United States v. Modena,

302 F.3d 626, 635 (6th Cir. 2002) (quoting United States v. Carter, 236 F.3d 777, 783

(6th Cir. 2001)).

The only argument Burston cites as improper was the following statement in the

prosecutor’s closing argument:

The second thing that Mr. Lemus told you was that as time went by Mr.

Burston would also, first, stop by to pick up checks with Mr. Ross, but

then Mr. Ross sent him to pick up checks. Just like Mr. Ross spilled
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 25

water on the table and told Mr. Burston to clean it up just now, Mr.

Burston was involved in this conspiracy and was taking orders from

Bryan Ross.

The prosecutor’s statement was clearly just a metaphor to sum up his case theory.

Burston cites no authority to demonstrate how such a comment was improper and no

explanation as to how it was “an impermissible attack on Burston’s character.”

Moreover, the court properly instructed the jury that the closing arguments are not

evidence. See United States v. Crosgrove, 637 F.3d 646, 664 (6th Cir. 2011) (noting that

such an instruction “can generally correct” an improper argument). Accordingly we find

no merit to Burston’s allegation of improper argument.

Ross’s claims of improper argument all stem from comments allegedly not

supported by the evidence. First, Ross argues that the prosecutor improperly implied

that a phone record proved that Ross owned a phone which was used to call one of the

victims. However, the telephone record introduced at trial identified Ross as the owner

of the account associated with that number. Kimberly Beneteau, a victim, testified that

her “caller ID” displayed “313-220-2780” as the originating number of a phone call

regarding the sale of her car. This is the same number which appears as a “subject

number” on the phone record introduced at trial as Exhibit 122 to show Ross’s

ownership. The phone company custodian who authenticated the phone record testified

that he was asked to provide subscriber information for that number, but, when

identifying the exhibit, stated that the document contained subscriber information for a

slightly different number which also appears on the document, “313-220-2151.” Ross

never suggested at trial that the exhibit itself was inaccurate or that the phone number

did not belong to him. Similarly, Ross presents no argument or evidence on appeal that

the exhibit itself was incorrect. Thus, the prosecutor’s argument was supported by the

record.

Second, Ross argues the prosecutor improperly implied Ross “invented the

scheme” and made thousands of dollars. Although Ross is correct that no witness

testified to the exact amount earned by Ross as opposed to one of his accomplices,

multiple witnesses testified that they had given Ross thousands of dollars after selling
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 26

one or more vehicles. Thus, in light of the co-conspirators’ testimony that Ross

conceived of the scheme, it was a reasonable inference that Ross had in fact pocketed

at least several of the thousands of dollars obtained from the victims.

Third, Ross argues the prosecutor “improperly appealed to the passions of the

jurors” and contradicted witness testimony when he told the jury that Ross “used and hid

behind his ex-girlfriend Aliska Walton [and put] her up front.” In fact, Walton herself

testified that Ross instructed her to “portray a significant other” of an accomplice as part

of the scheme to mislead victims when negotiating purchases. The statement was a

reasonable inference. Fourth, Ross argues the prosecutor lacked evidentiary support to

tell the jury that Ross involved Burston in the scheme because Burston “agreed to do

[Ross’s] bidding.” However, there was ample testimony from the co-conspirators that

Burston participated in the scheme and followed Ross’s instructions. Finally, Ross

argues that the prosecutor falsely implied that Dewayne Eli was incarcerated as a result

of his role in Ross’s scheme. However, we agree with the Government that this fact was

presented through the testimony of two different witnesses. Thus, we find no merit to

each of Ross’s allegations of improper argument.

G. Discovery violations

Ross’s seventh issue presented is that he was denied a fair trial as a result of the

Government’s suppression of exculpatory evidence in violation of Brady v. Maryland,

373 U.S. 83, 87 (1963). “[T]here is some confusion in this circuit with respect to the

appropriate standard of review to apply to the denial of a motion for a new trial based

on Brady violations.” United States v. Douglas, 634 F.3d 852, 860 (6th Cir. 2011)

(alteration in original) (quoting United States v. Heriot, 496 F.3d 601, 605 (6th Cir.

2007)). We need not decide between the two standards because the result is the same

under either.

Brady violations have three elements: “[1] [t]he evidence at issue must be

favorable to the accused, either because it is exculpatory, or because it is impeaching;

[2] that evidence must have been suppressed by the State, either willfully or

inadvertently; and [3] prejudice must have ensued.” Strickler v. Greene, 527 U.S. 263,
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 27

281-82 (1999). To establish prejudice, “the nondisclosure [must have been] so serious

that there is a reasonable probability that the suppressed evidence would have produced

a different verdict.” Id. at 281.

Ross’s first allegation—that he was not provided with records for his telephone

number—relies upon the same inadvertent misstatement by the records custodian

referenced in the previous section. However, the exhibit on its face clearly states that

the phone number that was identified by the victim was owned by Ross. Ross’s next

allegation is that the Government failed to provide him with subpoenas and telephone

records for numbers linked to two co-conspirators. Ross asserts that these records would

show that the other co-conspirators were calling each other—but not him—which would

have enabled him to impeach witnesses about their involvement and help prove his

defense that he was not behind the scheme. However, the prosecutor told the court that

subpoenas drafted by state authorities for the two phone numbers were never actually

executed, meaning that no records were obtained nor were any suppressed. Moreover,

Ross cannot demonstrate prejudice because there is no evidence that the records would

have revealed the facts he alleges. Even if they did, the prosecution’s theory was that

Ross instructed several of the co-conspirators to act on his behalf to conceal his

involvement, so the existence of activity beyond his direct participation would not have

meant he was innocent of the charges for which he was convicted.

Third, Ross alleges that the Government “unfairly surprised” him at trial by

failing to provide him with any information regarding witness Djanada Montgomery

until immediately before her testimony, including the fact that she was going to discuss

a description of an occasion in which Ross purportedly searched her person for a

recording device. His fourth allegation is that the Government did not disclose before

trial that witness Gabriel Lemus had made several corrections to the investigator’s

interview notes and Ross did not learn of this fact until the prosecutor asked Lemus

about it during his testimony. Neither of these “unfair surprise” claims create reversible

error because this Court has held that “[a]ny disadvantage that a defendant might suffer

because of the tardiness of impeachment material can be cured by asking for a recess.”
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 28

United States v. Crayton, 357 F.3d 560, 569 (6th Cir. 2004). As in Crayton, Ross crossexamined the witnesses regarding the “new” information, and it is “difficult to imagine

that the jury would have reached a different result” had Ross been given the information

sooner. Id. Thus, to whatever extent the Government should have produced the

information at an earlier time, there was no violation of Ross’s constitutional rights

under Brady. See id.

Finally, Ross asserts that the “Government produced three boxes of discovery

just three days before trial was to begin . . . in bad faith.” The record reflects that the

local sheriff’s department presented the U.S. Attorney’s office with the documents and

records—the existence of which was previously unknown to the prosecutor—on

November 20, 2008, and that, immediately upon receipt, the prosecutor contacted the

defense teams of both co-defendants and requested a pre-trial conference with the judge

later that day. Ross had requested several of the documents contained therein on

previous occasions. The trial date was continued multiple times over a two-month span

in order to give the parties a chance to review the materials.

Ross cannot prevail on this claim because “Brady generally does not apply to

delayed disclosure of exculpatory information, but only to a complete failure to

disclose.” United States v. Davis, 306 F.3d 398, 421 (6th Cir. 2002) (citation omitted).

“[E]ven tardy disclosures of Brady material do not violate the defendant’s constitutional

rights unless he can demonstrate the delay denied him a constitutionally fair trial.”

Farrell v. United States, 162 F. App’x 419, 424 (6th Cir. 2006) (citing Davis, 306 F.3d

at 421)). Ross was not denied a fair trial because the prosecution was equally

disadvantaged by the late disclosure and both sides had several weeks to review the

material.

H. Ineffective assistance of counsel

Ross’s eighth and Burston’s second issue presented is that they were denied

effective assistance of counsel. Ross’s claim, assuming his waiver of counsel is upheld

upon remand, may be easily discarded because “a defendant cannot waive his right to

counsel and then complain about the quality of his own defense.” Wilson v. Parker, 515
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 29

F.3d 682, 696 (6th Cir. 2008); see also Holmes v. United States, 281 F. App’x 475, 480-

81 (6th Cir. 2008) (applying Wilson to direct criminal appeal). To the extent his standby

counsel was deficient, Ross “merely suffered the consequences of his decision to

proceed pro se.” Wilson, 515 F.3d at 697.

Burston did not waive his right to counsel and bases his ineffective assistance

claim on a combination of Ross’s conduct at trial and three errors by his trial counsel:

(1) failure to move for a severance, (2) failure to ensure that an exhibit was available to

the jury, and (3) failure to make an opening statement. However, “[i]neffective

assistance claims are more properly raised in a post-conviction proceeding brought

pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255, where the record regarding counsel's performance can be

developed in more detail. . . . This Court typically will not review a claim of ineffective

assistance on direct appeal except in rare cases where the error is apparent from the

existing record.” United States v. Lopez-Medina, 461 F.3d 724, 737 (6th Cir. 2006)

(citation omitted).

Although this Court has not explained exactly when an error is sufficiently

apparent, our ability to review ineffective assistance claims on direct appeal appears to

depend on whether there are any factual issues which could be resolved best by the

district court. Compare United States v. Meeker, 411 F.3d 736, 749 (6th Cir. 2005)

(declining review when court “can imagine several reasons” why trial counsel did not

request continuance), with United States v. Lewis, 605 F.3d 395, 400 (6th Cir. 2010)

(reviewing when trial counsel “provided his reasons” for declining to file motion and

district court “clearly indicated how it would have ruled” had motion been filed).

Burston argues this is a “rare case” fit for direct review because it “prevents a novel

question of law and forms the perfect storm under Strickland” due to the combination

of Ross’s prejudicial conduct during his self-representation and the deficiency of

Burston’s own trial counsel. We believe that the presentation of a novel legal question

makes it more necessary to ensure the record is sufficiently developed before reaching

an answer. Because further exploration and findings of facts would be helpful for

resolving these claims, we decline to consider Burston’s ineffective assistance arguments
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 30

on direct appeal but “observe that he is free to raise the issue in a postconviction

proceeding under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 where a more complete factual record may be

developed.” Meeker, 411 F.3d at 749. We will, however, consider Burston’s complaints

about Ross’s trial conduct as a stand-alone due process claim. See infra Part II.K.

I. Sufficiency of the evidence

Ross’s ninth and Burston’s sixth issue presented is that there was insufficient

evidence to prove their guilt. A sufficiency of the evidence claim is a “steep climb” in

which the defendants must show that, after construing the evidence in favor of the

Government, no rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of a crime

beyond a reasonable doubt. United States v. Stafford, 639 F.3d 270, 273 (6th Cir. 2011)

(citations and internal quotation marks omitted).

Burston’s entire sufficiency of the evidence argument is: “The pervasiveness of

the evidence suggested that the jury should find an agreement of any kind to satisfy that

element of the conspiracy. Burston’s association with Ross, without more, was

insufficient to prove him guilty.” To the contrary, we believe there was ample evidence

in the form of testimony by several accomplices that Burston participated in the

conspiracy by relaying information about the checks and assisting with the sale and

resale of multiple vehicles. In particular, a check bearing Burston’s fingerprint and the

testimony of Dennis Goode established that Burston personally cashed a check from a

car dealer obtained by Ross upon reselling one of the vehicles.

Ross attacks the sufficiency of the evidence for his convictions on multiple

grounds. He argues that, with respect to the conspiracy count, “the testimony of all the

witnesses was so inconsistent and so inherently incredible that no rational trier of fact

could find him guilty.” As with Burston, however, there was ample witness testimony

to support the conspiracy conviction, and this Court may not retrospectively assess the

credibility of witnesses. United States v. Henderson, 626 F.3d 326, 341 (6th Cir. 2010).

Ross next challenges the sufficiency of the evidence as to the transaction in the second

count of the indictment because there was “no evidentiary connection” between a phone

number on a victim’s phone and Ross. However, as discussed supra in Parts II.F-G, the
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 31

telephone record introduced at trial clearly identifies Ross as the owner of the account

associated with that number.

Ross also argues that one of the “overt acts” in the conspiracy count of the

indictment specified that he gave three counterfeit checks to “the owner” of a 1993

Chevrolet Corvette, and that this language “modified” substantive counts five, six, and

seven, which charged Ross for uttering each of the checks without reference to “the

owner.” Because the victim who received the bad checks was not the “titled owner of

the Corvette” and only had “possession if it to sell for a friend,” Ross asserts that his

convictions on those counts should be reversed. However, Ross cites no authority to

support the proposition that the terms of one count in an indictment can “modify” the

evidence required to prove a separate count, nor are we aware of any. Conspiracy and

counterfeiting are entirely separate offenses, see United States v. Kelly, 204 F.3d 652,

656 (6th Cir. 2000), and Ross does not dispute that the Government proved the

substantive counts as charged.

Finally, Ross argues that Burston’s acquittal on the substantive charge in count

three means that there was insufficient evidence to convict Ross of the same charge,

since he “could not have given a check to someone not involved.” This claim is without

merit because “inconsistent verdicts are generally held not to be reviewable.” United

States v. Lawrence, 555 F.3d 254, 261-62 (6th Cir. 2009) (citing United States v. Powell,

469 U.S. 57, 65 (1984)). Moreover, the verdicts are not necessarily inconsistent because

the jury could have found that Ross completed that particular transaction with another

co-conspirator or at least had a reasonable doubt as to whether Burston was the

accomplice with whom Ross carried out the act.

J. Unreasonableness of sentencing enhancements 

Ross’s tenth issue presented is that his sentence was unreasonable because the

court erred in applying certain guidelines enhancements. The district court did not ask

the Bostic question during the sentencing hearing. See United States v. Bostic, 371 F.3d

865, 872-73 (6th Cir. 2004). Thus, we review the district court’s sentencing

determination for reasonableness under a deferential abuse-of-discretion standard rather
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 32

than plain error. United States v. Chiolo, 643 F.3d 177, 180 n.1 (6th Cir. 2011).

Sentencing factors are to be determined by a preponderance of the evidence. United

States v. Miller, 161 F.3d 977, 984 (6th Cir. 1998).

Each of the four errors asserted by Ross in this claim is that the court lacked a

sufficient factual basis to apply the sentencing enhancements. However, we agree with

the Government that there was an adequate factual basis in the record to support each

enhancement. The court was justified in applying the obstruction enhancement because

of Ross’s continued attempts to get his appointed counsel removed. The leadership

enhancement was justified by the testimony of multiple witnesses that Ross created and

orchestrated the scheme. The enhancement for ten or more victims was supported by

evidence that fifteen victims had suffered pecuniary losses. Finally, the enhancement

for loss amount was also supported by evidence which, contrary to Ross’s argument, did

not have to be supported by the testimony of witnesses at trial so long as the “evidence

has sufficient or minimally adequate indicia of reliability and the defendant has an

opportunity to rebut such evidence that he perceives is erroneous.” United States v.

Christman, 509 F.3d 299, 305 (6th Cir. 2007). We find no abuse of discretion regarding

the sentencing enhancements.

K. Impact of Ross’s conduct on Burston’s right to a fair trial

Burston’s first issue presented is that the “cumulative effect of the aberrant trial

conduct” of Ross deprived him of a fair trial, in violation of his right to due process.

Burston’s argument is, in short: “Although Bryan Ross may have had a right to act as

his own attorney, he had no right to doom the defense of his codefendant.” The

Government responds that only a violation of cumulative errors creates a due process

violation, and no actual errors with respect to Burston occurred as a result of Ross’s selfrepresentation. Burston concedes that his failure to object at trial to Ross’s statements

means that this Court reviews only for plain error. Fed. R. Crim. P. 52(b); United States

v. Moore, 240 F. App’x 699, 711 (6th Cir. 2007).
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 33

Rule 8(b) of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure provides that defendants

may be indicted together “if they are alleged to have participated in the same act or

transaction, or in the same series of acts or transactions, constituting an offense or

offenses.” In turn, Rule 14(a) permits a district court to grant severance if joinder

“appears to prejudice a defendant or the government.” “[A]s a general rule, persons

jointly indicted should be tried together.” United States v. Driver, 535 F.3d 424, 427

(6th Cir. 2008) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). The Supreme Court has

stated that “a district court should grant a severance under Rule 14 only if there is a

serious risk that a joint trial would compromise a specific trial right of one of the

defendants, or prevent the jury from making a reliable judgment about guilt or

innocence.” Zafiro v. United States, 506 U.S. 534, 539 (1993). Even where the risk of

prejudice is high, “less drastic measures, such as limiting instructions, often will suffice

to cure any risk of prejudice.” Id. at 534. Indeed, “[a] request for severance should be

denied if a jury can properly compartmentalize the evidence as it relates to the

appropriate defendants.” Driver, 535 F.3d at 427 (citation and internal quotation marks

omitted). Thus, to prevail on his severance argument, Burston must show “compelling,

specific, and actual prejudice from [the] court’s refusal to grant the motion to sever.”

Id. (citation and internal quotation marks omitted).

Burston has not identified any specific prejudice he suffered as a result of Ross’s

self-representation. Although Ross may have done a poor job and even, as the trial judge

suggested, “unwittingly incriminat[ed]” himself, Burston does not point to any particular

statements made by Ross that incriminate Burston or suggest any activity between them.

See United States v. Atcheson, 94 F.3d 1237, 1244 (9th Cir. 1996) (finding no unfair

prejudice when co-defendant’s defense incriminated only himself). Moreover, this Court

has held that argument made by a co-defendant’s attorney during opening and closing

statements do not provide an evidentiary basis for severance because “[t]hat argument

was not evidence.” United States v. Davis, 170 F.3d 617, 621 (6th Cir. 1999). Here,

Ross did not testify and the trial court provided the jury with instructions that “[t]he

statements and arguments of the lawyers and Mr. Ross are not evidence. Their questions

to the witnesses, arguments and statements are not . . . made under oath [and] are not
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 34

evidence.” The court added that any objections made by the “lawyers for both sides and

Mr. Ross” should not be held “against either side.” The court also instructed the jury in

the middle of Ross’s closing argument that “[w]hat [Ross] says is not evidence and what

he says is not testimony to you.” Accordingly, the jury was appropriately instructed that

anything Ross did or said should not be used to convict Burston. See United States v.

Mikolajczyk, 137 F.3d 237, 241-42 (5th Cir. 1998) (holding that a jury instruction

alleviated prejudice resulting from sudden disappearance of co-defendant mid-trial). We

find that Ross’s conduct did not unconstitutionally deprive Burston of a fair trial.

L. Admission of photocopy of check into evidence

Burston’s third issue presented is that the trial court erred in admitting Exhibit

125, a photocopy of a check which bore an inked fingerprint that the bank required him

to produce before cashing the check. The only legal basis Burston cites in his brief for

this argument is Federal Rule of Evidence 1003, which now provides: “A duplicate is

admissible to the same extent as the original unless . . . the circumstances make it unfair

to admit the duplicate.” Burston argues that unfairness stems from the fact the

“destruction of the original prevented Burston from having the check analyzed to

determine whether he had personally handled the check, thereby leaving latent

fingerprints on it.”

Although Burston’s attorney did not specifically object to the check based on

Rule 1003, he did make a general objection to the authenticity of the check under the

“best evidence” rule. Accordingly, we review the district court’s evidentiary ruling for

abuse of discretion. United States v. Boyd, 640 F.3d 657, 668 (6th Cir. 2011). Burston

does not cite, nor have we been able to find, a single case in which this Court excluded

a copy of a document under Rule 1003. We do not believe this should be the first. Even

if Burston’s latent fingerprints were somehow not on the original check (or if someone

else’s were), he makes no showing that the inked fingerprint was fraudulent or could not

have been fairly matched to him. See United States v. Rose, 522 F.3d 710, 715 (6th Cir.

2008). Moreover, Burston’s accomplice, Dennis Goode, testified that he saw Burston
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 35

obtain the check and then submit the inked fingerprint before attempting to cash it. The

district court did not abuse its discretion in admitting a photocopy of the check.

III. CONCLUSION

For the reasons stated above, we AFFIRM Burston’s conviction. We REMAND

for an evidentiary hearing to determine whether Ross was unconstitutionally deprived

of representation during his competency hearing. If the district court determines that

Ross was not unconstitutionally deprived of counsel, his conviction and sentence are

affirmed. Otherwise, his conviction and sentence are vacated.
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 36

__________________________________________________

CONCURRING IN PART AND DISSENTING IN PART

__________________________________________________

BOGGS, Circuit Judge, concurring in part and dissenting in part. I concur in all

of the majority opinion in this case with the exception of Section II.A. 2, pages 8–12.

I cannot agree with a holding that would effectively oblige a trial court, before holding

a cautionary inquiry into the defendant’s continued competence to stand trial, to overrule

a prior decision that the defendant is competent to waive representation. Such a rule will

raise the legal and practical costs of the diligent pursuit of a trial judge’s ongoing duty

to ensure the defendant’s competence and is generally contradictory, confusing, and

unhelpful. I therefore respectfully dissent.

My reasoning rests on a careful examination of the sequence of events in the trial

proceedings, in which Ross’s mental capacity was always a lurking issue. As the court

properly points out at page 2, Ross had “exhibited bizarre and paranoid behavior which

led to the withdrawal of three court-appointed attorneys.” Nevertheless, when Ross

invoked his constitutional right to self-representation, the court ultimately undertook a

careful and proper inquiry into Ross’s knowledge and ability to represent himself, and

granted his motion, with the appointment of standby counsel.

Later, out of an abundance of caution, the trial court held a competency hearing,

without full-time counsel for Ross, and again found him competent to stand trial and

represent himself. Significantly, the court did not alter in any way its prior judgment

that Ross was capable of an intelligent and voluntary waiver of his right to counsel.

Though Ross now also challenges this judgment, the lead opinion, at pages 4–8,

correctly holds that the trial court did not err in finding Ross competent. At this initial

hearing, Ross’s ability to make a voluntary and intelligent waiver of his right to counsel

and his competence to defend himself were both at issue. It would make no sense to

permit him to waive counsel and represent himself if he were indeed incompetent to

represent himself.
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 37

The court may be right, and probably is, in stating at page 9 that there is a lower

threshold for the competence to waive counsel than for the competence to represent

oneself. But if the trial court did not err in allowing Ross to proceed without counsel in

the initial determination of whether he was able to waive counsel and represent himself,

I find it hard to see why there should be a rigid rule that a trial court must first appoint

full-time counsel, thus potentially upsetting the rapport with the defendant that may have

been established, before the court can undertake any further steps to satisfy itself that

nothing that has happened during trial should upset the judgments earlier made. In other

words, if counsel is now required, at a later stage in the proceeding, it is difficult for me

to see why, by the court’s reasoning, it should not equally have been required at the

initial determination, when Ross’s mental state was certainly in issue and the court had

significant evidence before it that Ross’s mental state could be questionable.

In addition to what seems to me to be the questionable logical basis for the

court’s opinion on this point, I believe it also creates practical difficulties for the

conscientious trial judge, and I see nothing in the record (or even in the court’s opinion)

to suggest that this trial judge was not conscientious. Today’s ruling means that a trial

judge may well be understandably reluctant—especially in marginal cases—to have any

type of proceeding focusing on a defendant’s competence to represent himself once

that judgment has initially been made.

The trial judge here did what seems to me to be a sensible thing in taking

additional evidence, but in not effectively prejudging the outcome by telling the

defendant that he must stand aside and allow himself to be represented by counsel that

he does not want. Such interposition by the judge may well make it more difficult for

the defendant to carry out his own representation, under the dynamic circumstances of

a trial proceeding.

This is not to say that there may not be circumstances in which a judge should

follow the course now required by this opinion. However, I believe that such judgments

are better made by the trial judge, who has all the circumstances before him or her. If

such a judgment is made unreasonably, the merits of that decision could ultimately be
Nos. 09-1852/1860 United States v. Ross, et al. Page 38

reviewed. But today’s decision is a recipe for less-informed judges and more difficult

judicial review. Had the court not granted any additional hearing, it seems plausible that

we would have been more reluctant to reverse a sub silentio holding that no further

inquiry was necessary. From the record as presented, there is no strong indication that

Ross’s condition at the time of the allegedly flawed hearing, as troublesome and at times

bizarre as it was, significantly differed from the behavior that he had displayed at various

points earlier in the proceedings. Thus, in effect, no good deed goes unpunished: the

trial court’s judgment is upset precisely because the judge saw a potential problem and

wished to satisfy himself that the trial could properly proceed with the defendant’s

chosen method of representation. I would thus affirm on this point, as well as on all the

other points, on which I agree with the court’s opinion.