Opinion ID: 3046655
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Acceptance-of-Responsibility Deduction

Text: Dullum’s final argument is that he should have received the three-level deduction for acceptance of responsibility recommended in the PSR. See U.S.S.G. § 3E1.1. The District Court only reduced his offense level by one because he pled guilty and avoided going to trial. It refused to grant the additional two levels because it found that Dullum did not “clearly demonstrate[] acceptance of responsibility for his offense.” 8 Id. 8 Section 3E1.1 is set up such that a one-level deduction for avoiding trial under subsection (b) can only be applied if the defendant qualifies for a two-level deduction for “clearly demonstrat[ing] acceptance of responsibility” under subsection (a). Dullum argues that the Court “necessarily had to find him eligible for the reduction” under subsection (a). We doubt this given its strong statements against Dullum’s full acceptance of 18 At sentencing, the Court extensively discussed its disdain for Dullum’s conduct. It found that he refused to take full responsibility for his behavior based on his pre-sentencing letter to the Probation Office and his statements before the Court. He reiterated that he was just trying to help people and that he “believed he was acting in the best interest of Cetrulo and carrying out DeSacia’s wishes.” In support of its ruling, the Court stated that the acceptance of responsibility deduction was not a matter of “right.” See id. App. N. 3 (“[E]vidence of acceptance of responsibility . . . . may be outweighed by conduct of the defendant that is inconsistent with such acceptance of responsibility. A defendant who enters a guilty plea is not entitled to an adjustment under this section as a matter of right.”); see also United States v. O’Neal, 969 F.2d 512, 515 (7th Cir. 1992) (affirming denial of acceptance-of-responsibility deduction because “neither the defendant’s letter to the probation officer purporting to accept responsibility, nor his written statement purporting to show acceptance of responsibility, recognized that he was at fault and responsible for the kidnapping and resultant batteries. If anything, his statement sought to blame the victim for the crime.”). responsibility at the sentencing hearing. Thus, Dullum may not have been eligible for the one-level deduction the Court granted. While the Government points this out, Gov’t Resp. Br. at 41, it simply argues that “Dullum, therefore, cannot claim to have been aggrieved by the District Court’s error.” Id. at 42. We too go no further. 19 Application Notes 4 and 5 apply to Dullum as well. Note 4 states that “[c]onduct resulting in an enhancement under § 3C1.1 (Obstructing or Impeding the Administration of Justice) ordinarily indicates that the defendant has not accepted responsibility for his criminal conduct.” 9 U.S.S.G. § 3E1.1 App. N. 4. (As noted, Dullum received a two-level enhancement at sentencing under § 3C1.1.) Note 5 states that “[t]he sentencing judge is in a unique position to evaluate a defendant’s acceptance of responsibility. For this reason, the determination of the sentencing judge is entitled to great deference on review.” Id. App. N. 5; see also United States v. Stewart, 452 F.3d 266, 273 (3d Cir. 2006). In this context, the Court was well within its discretion to vary from the PSR recommendation in granting a one-level deduction.