Opinion ID: 396287
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Withdrawal Charge

Text: 17 During the charge conference held at the close of trial, the court discussed jury instructions regarding conspiracy and withdrawal with counsel for both the government and the defense. No objection was raised to the final version. Since the appellant failed to object to the instruction at trial, this court cannot reverse unless there were plain errors or defects affecting substantive rights of the defendant. F.R.Cr.P. 52(b); United States v. Jimenez, 622 F.2d 753, 757 (5th Cir. 1980). 18 The appellant now asserts that the court committed plain error in failing to inform the jury that the respective burdens on the government and the defendant to prove participation in, and withdrawal from, the conspiracy are different. 19 The trial court carefully instructed the jury that the government had to prove beyond a reasonable doubt the existence of the conspiracy and Diaz's membership in it. The court continued the charge as follows: 20 This is not the case with reference to the defense of withdrawal from the alleged conspiracy. The burden of establishing withdrawal is on the Defendant. In order for such defense to prevail, a Defendant must demonstrate some type of affirmative action which disavows or defeats the purpose of the conspiracy either by making a clean breast to the authorities or communication of the abandonment in a manner reasonably calculated to reach co-conspirators. A withdrawal defense requires that the abandonment be complete and in good faith. A withdrawal that is caused by a Defendant's fear of immediate apprehension is not a bonda (sic) fide defense to the charge of conspiracy. 21 Trial transcript, vol. III at 332. 22 This instruction, patterned closely on that approved in United States v. Jimenez, 622 F.2d at 757, appears a correct recitation of the law. See United States v. United States Gypsum Co., 438 U.S. 422, 98 S.Ct. 2864, 57 L.Ed.2d 854 (1978). Accordingly, we find no basis for the appellant's contention of plain error as to the court's charge to the jury.