Opinion ID: 165851
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Two-inference language

Text: 80 Naylor's third argument has merit. He contends that by allowing two inferences, guilt and innocence, where the evidence does not decisively favor one outcome, the instruction improperly diluted the government's burden of proof by suggesting there is a quantum of proof sufficient to convict above innocent but below beyond a reasonable doubt. 81 The Second Circuit has long disapproved of the instruction: 82 The two-inference language, that if the jury believes the evidence permits either the inference of innocence or of guilt, the jury should adopt the former, is obviously correct as far as it goes. But such an instruction by implication suggests that a preponderance of the evidence standard is relevant, when it is not. . . . It instructs the jury on how to decide when the evidence of guilt or innocence is evenly balanced, but says nothing on how to decide when the inference of guilt is stronger than the inference of innocence but no[t] strong enough to be beyond a reasonable doubt. . . . Therefore, . . . the two-inference language should not be used because, standing alone, such language may mislead a jury into thinking that the government's burden is somehow less than proof beyond a reasonable doubt. 83 United States v. Khan, 821 F.2d 90, 93 (2d Cir.1987) (emphasis added); see also United States v. Jacobs, 44 F.3d 1219, 1226 (3d Cir.1995) (disapproving use of two-inference language). 84 Our circuit has yet to address the narrow question as to the propriety of using this two-inference language. We agree with the Second and Third Circuits that, standing alone, the language is imprecise and should not be used. The mischief from the instruction comes from the risk that a jury may focus on narrow portions of the instruction and not its overall thrust. In light of this risk, we agree that the instruction should be modified to delete the two-inference language. 85 The saving grace for the instruction is that overall it adequately directed the jury to the applicable burden of proof. Applying the plain error standard, there is little doubt the jury properly understood its constitutional duty. The instructions as a whole told the jury not to convict Naylor unless the government proved his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. For example, Instruction 12 explained to the jury that the government had the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, specifically defined reasonable doubt, and distinguished reasonable doubt from a preponderance of the evidence. Considered in context, we cannot conclude the jury was misled by the instruction. See Victor, 511 U.S. at 6, 114 S.Ct. 1239. 86 Accordingly, the district court did not plainly err when it issued this instruction.