Opinion ID: 1456224
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Sufficient Evidence Supports Canady's Sentence

Text: Canady also challenges the district court's application of the sentencing guidelines. In a situation where a defendant used a firearm in connection with the commission or attempted commission of another offense, U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1(c) (the guideline for unlawful possession of a firearm) allows the court to sentence the defendant according to the guideline for the attempt of the second offense, but only if the new base offense level is higher than it would have been under the original guideline. As a result, the district court found that the correct guideline to use was U.S.S.G. § 2A2.1(a)(2) because Canady used the gun in connection with the attempted murder of Vance. Canady argues that the cross-reference was improper because the evidence linking him to the attempted murder was unreliable. We review the district court's application of the sentencing guidelines de novo, United States v. Abbas, 560 F.3d 660, 662 (7th Cir.2009), but where the court's application of the guidelines are based on factual findings, we review for clear error, United States v. Wagner, 467 F.3d 1085, 1089 (7th Cir.2006). Although Vance identified Canady as the shooter, Canady argues that the court erred in making this finding. Canady claims that Vance's statements to the police were unreliable because he was a suspect under the threat of police punishment and that none of the evidence before the court corroborated his accusations. These circumstances do not help Canady's case, however, because a motive to lie, or even a record of telling lies, does not render Vance's statements incredible as a matter of law. Cf. United States v. Meyer, 234 F.3d 319, 326 (7th Cir.2000) (holding that sentencing judge was not precluded from relying on testimony from witnesses who had impure motives, criminal histories, and a record of telling lies); see also United States v. Johnson, 489 F.3d 794, 797 (7th Cir.2007) ([E]ven the testimony of a potentially biased witness is sufficient to support a finding of fact.) (citing United States v. Zehm, 217 F.3d 506, 514 (7th Cir.2000)). Also, Krause's description of the armed intruder (which bore a striking resemblance to Canady), the discovery of Vance's blood on Canady's jacket, and Officer Pucillo's testimony easily corroborate Vance's statements. The district court also provided alternate grounds for the sentencing enhancements, but we need not address them because the record clearly supports its initial finding that Canady committed attempted murder. The district court properly applied the cross-reference in section 2K2.1(c) and Canady is not entitled to a remand for resentencing.