Opinion ID: 566845
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Limitations on Opening Statement

Text: 44 The district court has discretionary control over opening statements, including the power to exclude irrelevant matters. United States v. Zielie, 734 F.2d 1447, 1455 (11th Cir.1984), cert. denied sub nom., Gustafson v. United States, 469 U.S. 1189, 105 S.Ct. 957, 83 L.Ed.2d 964 (1985). Poindexter argues that the district court abused its discretion by ruling that counsel could not claim, with respect to the alleged violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), that Poindexter used the gun in self-defense. 45 As we have said, section 924(c) prescribes a mandatory five year term of imprisonment for anyone who during and in relation to any crime of violence or drug trafficking crime ... uses or carries a firearm. It is indisputable that in shooting Officer Vaughn, Poindexter used a gun to protect his home in which he had previously sold and was currently storing drugs. 46 If the firearm is within the possession or control of a person who commits an underlying crime as defined by the statute, and the circumstances of the case show that the firearm facilitated or had a role in the crime, such as emboldening an actor who had the opportunity or ability to display or discharge the weapon to protect himself or intimidate others, whether or not such display or discharge occurred, then there is a violation of the statute. 47 United States v. Stewart, 779 F.2d 538, 540 (9th Cir.1985) (emphasis added), cert. denied, 484 U.S. 867, 108 S.Ct. 192, 98 L.Ed.2d 144 (1987). Because self-defense is irrelevant to a section 924(c) violation, the district court did not abuse its discretion in preventing Poindexter's counsel from claiming self-defense.