Opinion ID: 2976069
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Reckless Risk of Death or Serious Bodily Injury

Text: Pursuant to § 2B1.1(b)(12), a two-level sentencing enhancement is appropriate where “the offense involved . . . the conscious or reckless risk of death or serious bodily injury.” In seeking the enhancement, the government need only prove that Defendant’s conduct created a risk of death or serious bodily injury by a preponderance of the evidence. United States v. Dupree, 323 F.3d 480, 491 (6th Cir. 2003). In the instant case, the district court applied this enhancement, over the objection of Defendant, after crediting the testimony of Dr. Mace Rothenburg, an expert witness for the government. Dr. Rothenburg testified that partial doses of chemotherapy medication, such as Procrit, would not result in the full beneficial effect of treatment such that the “patient is at higher risk for having their cancer progress or return and potentially die from that.” (J.A. at 1378-1379) Based on the evidence that was before the district court with respect to risk of death or serious bodily injury, we conclude that there was no error in its application of the two-level enhancement. No. 06-5581 United States v. Moon Page 11