Opinion ID: 203446
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Second VICAR Count

Text: Brandao alleges there was insufficient evidence to show, under the second VICAR count, that his shooting of Alcides Depina, on May 14, 1999, was motivated by a purpose of maintaining or increasing his position in Stonehurst. VICAR prohibits assault with a dangerous weapon for the purpose of . . . maintaining or increasing position in an enterprise engaged in racketeering activity. 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a). This circuit has defined the motive requirement in VICAR as a general one, satisfied by proof either that the crime was committed in furtherance of defendant's membership in the enterprise or because it was expected of him by reason of his membership. United States v. Tse, 135 F.3d 200, 206 (1st Cir. 1998); accord Nascimento, 491 F.3d at 47. In light of the congressional purpose -25- in VICAR of curtailing violent activity associated with racketeering enterprises, we rejected a reading that the government must prove this was the sole purpose. Tse, 135 F.3d at 206. The government argues there was a basis in the evidence for the jury to find either that the crime was committed in furtherance of Brandao's membership or that it was expected by him by reason of his membership. The defendant argues that his motive was personal, and not gang affiliated. He says Depina was not an enemy of Stonehurst, and Depina was shot as a result of Brandao's relationship with DeSoto, which led to Brandao's dispute with Gomes, which led to the shooting. Brandao cites to two cases holding there can be no VICAR liability for purely personal matters. United States v. Bruno, 383 F.3d 65, 85 (2nd Cir. 2004); United States v. Thai, 29 F.3d 785, 818 (2nd Cir. 1994). But those cases are inapposite, involving vastly different facts. This question of motive under VICAR was for the jury to resolve. The jury had sufficient evidence to support a conclusion that a general motive was that Brandao did what he did, in large part or even solely, to improve his standing or because it was expected of him in Stonehurst or both. By the time of the Depina shooting in May of 1999, Brandao had, a jury could find, been a member of Stonehurst for just two months and, anxious to earn his spurs, he had been helping with shootings. Soon after Lopes, the gang leader, told Brandao about problems with Gomes and Dias, -26- Brandao was out with other gang members shooting at Depina, using a gun and a car previously used in gang shootings. A jury could easily conclude that Brandao did so to impress and further ingratiate himself with the gang leader.