Opinion ID: 699083
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Consideration of Newly Obtained Evidence

Text: 34 Whittenburg's final contention is that the district court erred at resentencing because, as part of the basis to depart upwards from the guidelines, the court considered testimony of Harry Acor and John Wynn which was obtained after Whittenburg's initial sentencing on August 27, 1992. Whittenburg argues that the district court erroneously relied upon the September 18, 1992 testimony of Acor and the April 9, 1993 testimony of Wynn that was attached to the Government's memorandum in support of the motion for an upward departure at resentencing. We review challenges to the legality of a sentence de novo. United States v. Turner, 898 F.2d 705, 708 (9th Cir.), cert. denied, 495 U.S. 962 (1990). 35 Whittenburg's argument lacks merit. The district court expressly stated that it would consider only evidence available at the time of the August 27, 1992 sentencing: 36 Well, counsel, you've presented a great many arguments as to how this matter should be handled at this time. It includes a recapitulation by the government as to the bases for which an upward departure should be imposed. And in the process the government does, as Ms. Cartledge says, refer to events that have developed or factors, testimony, statements which have been developed since the original sentencing. It's an interesting issue as to whether or to what extent this Court can rely on those post-August 27, 1992 statements. And I want to make sure that the record is clear in that regard. 37 I tend to think that the Court could properly do that; I don't see a due process violation attended with it. However, to make certain that there is no confusion and no unfairness as a result of that interpretation to Mr. Whittenburg, I think it's more appropriate in this case to try to hold the line at the time at which the original sentencing occurred on August 27th, 1992. 38 (emphasis added). 39 Whittenburg, however, argues that the district court reversed itself by relying on the testimony of Acor and Wynn obtained after the initial sentencing on August 27, 1992. In support of his position, Whittenburg points to the following statement: 40 It in my judgment is far more than that, and I'm not putting my head in the sand and ignoring in a sense what has happened since August 27, 1992, but the testimony at trial -- and I do think for example the particular event which is eluded [sic] to in Count 8, the 1100 kilograms, while the jury may not have returned a specific finding as to the precise amount as to that count, the evidence at the time of trial certainly supported that amount, the 1100 kilograms. 41 (emphasis added). 42 A complete review of the transcript of the sentencing proceedings following remand reveals that the district court did not rely upon the testimony of Acor and Wynn in making its findings. The district court made reference to their testimony solely to indicate that this evidence was consistent with the district court's findings at the original sentencing proceeding. 43 AFFIRMED.