Opinion ID: 628547
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Adjustment for Physical Injury

Text: 27 Under the Guidelines, a judge must take into account specific offense characteristics when sentencing for obstruction of justice. The convicted individual will have her sentence adjusted if the offense [of conviction] involved causing or threatening to cause physical injury to a person ... in order to obstruct the administration of justice. U.S.S.G. Sec. 2J1.2(b)(2) (emphasis added). Both Judy and Rosemary were convicted of a conspiracy to obstruct justice. Each may be held responsible for any threats of or actual physical injuries involved in the conspiracy whether or not they executed them. All the Guidelines require is that the threats or acts of injury were involved in the crime. 28 The sentencing judge found that Rosemary beat Tamara Jones about the face and head, causing a swollen lip and a black eye ... in retaliation for her cooperation in identifying Judy Smith as a drug importer. Rosemary's Excerpt of Record at 153. The judge further found that it was foreseeable to Judy Smith that Rosemary Smith would threaten and cause physical injury to Tamara Jones in an effort to intimidate her. Judy's Excerpt of Record at 94. The Government and defendants agree that Rosemary informed Tammy she would not see her next day. Rosemary's Opening Brief at 9; Government's Brief at 22-23. The judge imputed liability to Judy on the grounds that she could foresee the conspiracy would involve threats or acts of physical injury. Under the Guidelines mere involvement suffices. Further, the language of the Guidelines contradicts Judy's argument that she may not be sentenced for imputed liability. See United States v. Moody, 977 F.2d 1420, 1425 (11th Cir.1992) (statements need not be made directly to victim by person held liable to constitute threats to cause injury within the meaning of Sec. 2J1.2(b)(2)). Moreover, imputed liability is frequently a consequence of a conspiracy conviction. A coconspirator may be found guilty of a conspiracy involving threats and physical injury (as charged in the Smiths' indictment) whether or not she personally performed any of those acts in furtherance of the conspiracy. We agree that the 8-level increase to Judy's and Rosemary's base offense levels was appropriate. 6 29