Opinion ID: 3064565
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Pasadena Robbery

Text: Carter, O’Neal, Washington, Hughes, Allen, Askew, and Alexander were indicted on three counts — conspiracy to commit bank robbery, armed bank robbery, and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence. A nine-day jury trial commenced on October 14, 2003. On October 15, 2003, Hughes and Askew entered guilty pleas, and Washington pled guilty the following day. Allen, Carter, and Hector proceeded to trial. Before opening arguments were made, Carter’s attorney, Scott Furstman, informed the court during a sidebar that there was a conflict between himself and Carter regarding trial strategy. Furstman explained the conflict as follows: I have raised to the court that there may be a con- flict as developed between Mr. Carter and myself with regard to the presentation of certain evidence and the strategy to be relied upon. Mr. Carter has always been prepared to accept responsibility for count one and count two — count two not being an armed bank robbery. I have explained to him the elements and the fact that he simply can’t plead guilty to a count that is not charged. That being the case, however, Mr. Carter, for example, in my opening statement wanted me to basically admit all elements UNITED STATES v. CARTER 3829 that would make out the government’s case as to count one and count two. I don’t believe that is in Mr. Carter’s best interest at this juncture. I told him that I would reserve opening statement to see how the government’s evidence plays out; and if he believes it is in his best evidence [sic] to present to the jury an impression that he is guilty of the rob- beries, so be it. I don’t think it’s in his best interest. I assume there are other issues that do bear on the foreseeability aspect with regard to the 924(c) and Mr. Carter’s desire and it’s his right to testify, potentially. Given the prior conviction that Mr. Carter has and the fact that he had the prior bank robbery that didn’t come in, I do not believe that would be in his best interest either. As I say, that’s his constitutional right. I can’t prevent him from exercising it. But there are some other strategies with regard to potential defense evidence that Mr. Carter and I have discussed that he may wish me to put forth. Again, I do not believe it is in his interest. . . . Your Honor, we have been through another trial with Mr. Carter. I have appeared before Your Honor for a long time on many occasions. I don’t think I’ve ever come before Your Honor and said that because of this potential conflict and a breakdown because of this difference in terms of trial strategies and the stakes before Mr. Carter are huge. Huge. 25 years alone on this one 924(c), so I’m con- cerned. Tr. of 10/16/03 Hr’g at 7-9. Carter told the court that Furstman “basically said everything I needed to say for the record.” Furstman “formally” moved to withdraw, and the court then denied the motion with no explanation or inquiry. Carter moved for a judgment of acquittal pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 29, based on the insuffi3830 UNITED STATES v. CARTER ciency of the evidence with respect to the § 924(c) charge. Furstman argued that Carter did not bring a weapon to the meeting, that there were only two weapons used during the robbery, and that neither was used “in direct proximity” to Carter. He further argued that no weapon was recovered from Carter and, in fact, no weapon was ever recovered. The court denied the motion. Carter was convicted on all three counts.