Opinion ID: 203518
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Denial of the Right to Testify

Text: Defendant contends that the district court erred in denying his motion for a new trial because he was not permitted to testify in his own defense. We review the denial of a motion for a new trial for abuse of discretion. United States v. Montilla-Rivera, 115 F.3d 1060, 1064 (1st Cir.1997). The district court's findings of fact are reviewed for clear error. Awon v. United States, 308 F.3d 133, 141 (1st Cir.2002)(noting that the trial court's credibility determinations should be given special deference). In this case, the district court held a hearing and considered testimony from both the defendant and trial counsel. The defendant testified that he did not knowingly waive his rights, and that he did in fact intend to testify in his own defense. Trial counsel testified that he informed the defendant of his right to testify and conducted a mock examination, and that the defendant decided against testifying. Further, trial counsel testified that he briefly conferred with the defendant during the course of the trial at which time he again indicated that he did not intend to testify. Crediting the testimony of trial counsel, the court found that the defendant had been adequately informed of his rights. The district court's findings of fact were made after a full hearing, and are not clearly erroneous. Based on these facts, the court did not abuse its discretion in denying defendant's motion for a new trial.