Opinion ID: 159199
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: The following facts were alleged at trial: On May 13, 1998, Mr. Coplen approached Alice Woodrome in the parking lot of a motel in downtown Oklahoma City, pointed a loaded gun at her, and said something that left Ms. Woodrome with the impression that he meant to take her truck with her in it. She began screaming and Mr. Coplen backed up and appeared as though he was confused and did not know what to do next. Kishor Patel, the owner of the motel, came out and shouted that he would call the police. Mr. Patel testified that he saw Mr. Coplen try to push Ms. Woodrome, although Ms. Woodrome testified that she did not recall whether Mr. Coplen pushed her. Mr. Coplen never verbally threatened Ms. Woodrome. After she screamed and Mr. Patel threatened to call the police, Mr. Coplen ran away. A few minutes later and a block away, Mr. Coplen pointed his gun at a second victim, Randy Patterson, who was loading paint into a van, and said, “Give me your wallet.” Rec. vol. II, at 33. Mr. Patterson gave Mr. Coplen his -2- wallet to which Mr. Coplen replied, “Okay, let’s go.” Id. at 34. Mr. Coplen then shut the back doors and side door of Mr. Patterson’s van. Mr. Patterson fled into a school building and Mr. Coplen drove off in the van. Mr. Coplen was convicted on all five counts with which he was charged. On appeal he argues that there was insufficient evidence of intent to cause death or serious bodily harm, as required by the federal car jacking statute.