Source: https://casetext.com/case/us-v-davidson-41
Timestamp: 2018-12-10 04:28:11
Document Index: 278543850

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 846', '§ 1', '§ 4', '§ 1', '§ 4', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 1', '§ 3']

U.S. v. Davidson, 195 F.3d 402 | Casetext
195 F.3d 402 (8th Cir. 1999)
United States Court of Appeals, Eighth CircuitOct 20, 1999
…We have repeatedly affirmed district court findings that prior drug possession offenses were “separate and…
…Mickelson&apos;s argument focuses on whether the evidence was sufficient to prove a conspiracy — he claims there…
holding "a defendant in a drug conspiracy case is responsible for all contraband within the scope of criminal activity jointly undertaken by the defendant and reasonably foreseeable to her" (internal quotation and alterations omitted)
Summary of this case from United States v. Rees
holding conduct underlying defendant&apos;s prior convictions for possession of methamphetamine is not relevant conduct to the conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, and the district court did not err in considering the prior convictions in her criminal history category
noting that prior possession of methamphetamine is relevant to prove knowledge in conspiracy cases
Nos. 98-1711, 99-1421
Counsel who presented argument on behalf of the appellee was Gregg R. Coonrod, AUSA, of Springfield, MO. Michael S. Oliver, AUSA, and Stephen L. Hill, Jr., U.S. Attorney, also appeared on appellee's brief.
Counsel who presented argument on behalf of the appellant was Michael P. Joyce of Kansas City, MO.
Before McMILLIAN and MURPHY, Circuit Judges, and TUNHEIM, District Judge.
Susan Davidson was convicted of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846 and sentenced by the district court to 151 months imprisonment. Davidson now appeals from her conviction and sentence and seeks a judgment of acquittal or a new trial and resentencing. We affirm.
Numerous witnesses testified at trial to facts linking Davidson to a conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine in the Kansas City area. The evidence connected Davidson to four separate methamphetamine laboratories, including three labs in apartments or houses she occupied and a fourth located in a house belonging to co- conspirator James Cates. Searches of the labs were conducted under a warrant and by consent and resulted in the discovery of approximately 25 grams of methamphetamine; 454 grams of pseudoephedrine, a methamphetamine precursor chemical; and paraphernalia associated with the production of methamphetamine. Evidence of these discoveries was introduced, and a law enforcement officer testified that he had observed Davidson buy iodine and red phosphorus and deliver iodine to James Cates (iodine and red phosphorus are other precursor chemicals). Certified records of Davidson's two prior convictions for possession of methamphetamine were also placed into evidence.
Following the close of the government's case, Davidson moved for a judgment of acquittal on the ground that there was insufficient evidence of her participation in the conspiracy. The motion was denied, and Davidson was convicted by jury verdict. After Davidson was sentenced she filed a timely notice of appeal as well as a motion to dismiss the indictment on the ground that her right to a speedy trial had been violated. The district court denied the motion, and her appeal from that decision is dismissed since she has not briefed it. Riley v. St. Louis County, 153 F.3d 627, 630 n. 4 (8th Cir. 1998).
In order to convict Davidson of conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine, the government needed to prove that (1) a conspiracy existed; (2) Davidson knew of the conspiracy; and (3) she knowingly became a part of the conspiracy. United States v. Rork, 981 F.2d 314, 316 (8th Cir. 1992) (citation omitted). However, "[o]nce a conspiracy has been established, only slight evidence is needed to link a defendant to the conspiracy." United States v. Pena, 67 F.3d 153, 155 (8th Cir. 1995). The jury reasonably could have inferred from the evidence that Davidson participated in the manufacture of methamphetamine at the three labs discovered in her house and apartment. It also could have inferred from Davidson's delivery of iodine to James Cates that she intended to participate in the manufacture of methamphetamine at the lab in his home: "Participation by a defendant in a single act may in fact demonstrate membership in a conspiracy if the act itself will justify an inference of knowledge of the broader conspiracy." United States v. Tran, 16 F.3d 897, 904 (8th Cir. 1994) (citing United States v. Kirk, 534 F.2d 1262, 1272 (8th Cir. 1976)). We conclude there was sufficient evidence to sustain the jury's verdict. Davidson is therefore not entitled to a judgment of acquittal, and the district court did not err in denying her motion seeking one.
Davidson claims that she is entitled to a new trial because the district court failed to pursue a potential conflict with her counsel. On the first day of trial, Davidson indicated to defense counsel that she wanted to plead guilty. Counsel discussed the matter with the prosecution and then informed the court. The court excused the jury and began a plea colloquy with Davidson. Davidson told the court at first that she was satisfied with her counsel, but then indicated that pressure from them was causing her to plead guilty. Upon hearing that, Judge Fenner said he would not accept a guilty plea and ordered the jury brought back.
Q: [The court] And have you had an opportunity to discuss the charges against you with your attorney, Mr. Farris? A: Yes.
A: I do feel like I am — well —
Q: Well, do you have some complaint that you would like to make or do you have —
Q: — or do you have some problem that you would like to discuss with me in regard to the services that your attorneys have provided for you?
"[A]n accused who is forced to stand trial with the assistance of appointed counsel with whom he has become embroiled in an irreconcilable conflict is denied effective assistance of counsel. The trial court, when confronted by such an allegation, has an obligation to inquire thoroughly into the factual basis of the defendant's dissatisfaction." United States v. Swinney, 970 F.2d 494, 499 (8th Cir. 1992) (citations omitted). An accused is not guaranteed perfect representation or even a "meaningful relationship" with counsel, and "[j]ustifiable dissatisfaction sufficient to merit substitution of counsel includes `a conflict of interest, an irreconcilable conflict, or a complete breakdown in communication between the attorney and the defendant." Id. (internal citations and quotation marks omitted). The defendant has the burden to show "justifiable dissatisfaction with his appointed counsel." United States v. Sayers, 919 F.2d F.2d 1321, 1323 (8th Cir. 1990). A decision whether to grant a continuance or to allow substitution of counsel is reviewed for abuse of discretion. Swinney at 499.
Under FED. R. EVID. 404(b), evidence of "other crimes, wrongs, or acts" is admissible to show "proof of motive, opportunity, intent, preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident[.]" Evidence of other crimes is admissible if "(1) it is relevant to a material issue; (2) it is similar in kind and not overly remote in time to the crime charged; (3) it is supported by sufficient evidence; and (4) its potential prejudice does not substantially outweigh its probative value." United States v. Green, 151 F.3d 1111, 1113 (8th Cir. 1998). The admission of a defendant's "other crimes, wrongs, or acts" under this rule is reviewed for abuse of discretion. United States v. Oates, 171 F.3d 651, 659 (8th Cir. 1999). This court "will reverse only when such evidence clearly had no bearing on the case and was introduced solely to prove the defendant's propensity to commit criminal acts." United States v. Brown, 148 F.3d 1003, 1009 (8th Cir. 1998).
Davidson claims that the district court erred in calculating her criminal history category. She argues that her two prior convictions for possession of methamphetamine should have been considered only as conduct related to her conviction under U.S. Sentencing Guideline Manual §§ 1B1.3 and 4A1.2(a)(1) ("U.S.S.G."), and not in calculating her criminal history.
Davidson concedes that she failed to raise this objection below and that her point is now reviewed for plain error. Under that standard she cannot prevail unless (1) the district court erred; (2) the error was plain or clear under then current law; and (3) the error affected her substantial rights. Fed.R.Crim.P. 52(b); United States v. Montanye, 996 F.2d 190, 192 (8th Cir. 1993) (citing United States v. Olano, 507 U.S. 725, 732-35 (1993)). When a forfeited error satisfies these requirements, we have the discretion to order correction. Id. Because we find that the district court did not err, we need not consider the second and third prongs of the analysis.
In determining a defendant's criminal history category under U.S.S.G. § 4A1.2(a)(1), the district court is to consider "any sentence previously imposed . . . for conduct not part of the instant offense." "[C]onduct not part of the instant offense" under this section is defined as conduct other than "relevant conduct" as defined by U.S.S.G § 1B1.3(a)(1)(A). U.S.S.G. § 4A1.2(a)(1) application note 1. "Relevant conduct" under U.S.S.G. § 1B1.3(a)(1)(A) includes "all acts . . . that occurred during the commission of the offense of conviction, in preparation for that offense, or in the course of attempting to avoid detection or responsibility for that offense." Conduct resulting in a prior conviction is not relevant conduct to the instant offense when it is a "`severable, distinct offense.'" United States v. Copeland, 45 F.3d 254, 256 (8th Cir. 1995) (quoting United States v. Blumberg, 961 F.2d 787, 792 (8th Cir. 1992)). Several factors are relevant to determine whether a prior conviction represents a "severable, distinct offense," including temporal and geographical proximity to the offense for which the defendant is being sentenced and the presence of a common scheme or plan or common victims. Id.
The possession convictions that Davidson now asserts were improperly considered by the district court resulted from conduct that took place on October 5, 1995 and February 29, 1996. Davidson was charged in this case with conspiring to manufacture methamphetamine between April 22, 1996 and December 18, 1996, so her prior offenses occurred well before the conduct charged. Neither of these prior convictions took place "during the commission of the offense of conviction[,]" U.S.S.G. § 1B1.3(a)(1)(A), and neither were connected to the conspiracy offense. No common plan or victim linked them, and simple possession of an amount of methamphetamine consistent with personal use is not in itself preparation or furtherance of a conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. See, e.g., United States v. Torres-Diaz, 60 F.3d 445, 448 (8th Cir. 1995). The conduct underlying these convictions was thus not "relevant conduct" to the conspiracy offense, and the district court did not err in considering them in her criminal history category.
In calculating Davidson's base offense level, the district court found Davidson responsible for 286 grams of methamphetamine. In calculating that amount, the district court relied on evidence at trial that the Cates lab was found to have 25 grams of methamphetamine and 454 grams of pseudoephedrine. An affidavit submitted at the sentencing hearing indicated the potential methamphetamine yield from 454 grams of pseudoephedrine was 261 grams. The affiant was made available for cross-examination at the hearing, but Davidson chose not to question him. The district court then calculated the quantity to be 286 grams, the sum of the 25 grams and the estimated yield of 261 grams.
"[I]n the case of jointly undertaken criminal activity," a defendant is criminally responsible for "all reasonably forseeable acts . . . in furtherance of the jointly undertaken criminal activity." U.S.S.G. § 1B1.3(a)(1)(B). Under this guideline a defendant in a drug conspiracy case is responsible for all contraband "within the scope of criminal activity jointly undertaken by [the defendant] and reasonably foreseeable to [her]." United States v. Strange, 102 F.3d 356, 359 (8th Cir. 1996) (quoting United States v. Townley, 929 F.2d 365, 370 (8th Cir. 1991)). The evidence at trial was more than sufficient to establish Davidson's connection to the Cates lab. It showed that Davidson ordered, picked up, and delivered to James Cates 12 pounds of black iodine, a methamphetamine precursor chemical. A government witness testified that the amount of precursor chemicals Davidson delivered to Cates, when combined with a third ingredient, was sufficient to produce up to 2,500 grams of methamphetamine. The production of the Cates lab was both within the scope of the criminal activity contemplated by the conspiracy Davidson joined and was reasonably forseeable to her. The district court's finding as to Davidson's criminal responsibility for the production of the Cates lab was not clearly erroneous. See, e.g., United States v. Sales, 25 F.3d 709, 711 (8th Cir. 1994).
If a defendant was "a minor participant" in a criminal activity, she is entitled to a two level reduction in her offense level. U.S.S.G. § 3B1.2(b). A minor participant is "any participant who is less culpable than most other participants, but whose role could not be described as minimal." Id., application note 3. The defendant bears the burden of proof on this issue. United States v. Surratt, 172 F.3d 559, 566 (8th Cir. 1999) (citation omitted). We review the district court's findings with respect to a participant's role in the offense for clear error. United States v. Correa, 167 F.3d 414, 416 (8th Cir. 1999) (citation omitted).