Opinion ID: 390209
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Forgery

Text: 8 Count 1 charged Jones with forging the endorsement of Dr. Camblin in order to obtain a sum of money from the United States. 18 U.S.C. § 495 (West 1976). Forgery has been defined as the false making or materially altering, with intent to defraud, of any writing, which, if genuine, might apparently be of legal efficacy, or the foundation of legal liability. Hubsch v. United States, 256 F.2d 820, 823 (5th Cir. 1958); Carr v. United States, 278 F.2d 702, 703 (6th Cir. 1960). 9 Appellant concedes all the elements of forgery are present except the intent to defraud. Appellant contends that the government has no evidence establishing intent to defraud as to the forgery count. Appellant's Brief at 7. 10 We have noted in other contexts that no one has a window to a man's mind; hence, intent must often be proved by indirect evidence. United States v. Richards, 638 F.2d 765, 768 (5th Cir. 1981). Johnson v. Wright, 509 F.2d 828, 831 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 423 U.S. 1014, 96 S.Ct. 445, 46 L.Ed.2d 384 (1975). The essence of forgery is in the lack of genuineness of execution. United States v. Wilson, 441 F.2d 655, 656 (2d Cir. 1971); See Carr v. United States, 278 F.2d 702, 703 (6th Cir. 1960). Here, a handwriting analysis conclusively demonstrated that Jones endorsed the check in Dr. Camblin's name. Jones had no authority to do so. Furthermore, Jones falsely represented that the check belonged to his uncle. From these facts a jury could conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that Jones had an intent to defraud when he signed Dr. Camblin's name. See United States v. Singleton, 600 F.2d 553, 555 (5th Cir. 1979).