Opinion ID: 3170092
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Justin Denig

Text: At the evidentiary hearing, Justin Denig invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination as to most of the relevant questions. The district court received as offers of proof reports of two prior interviews of Denig. Defense investigator Allard interviewed Denig on October 20, 2011, while Denig was in state custody because of a Florida probation violation. In that interview, Denig claimed that he was drinking with Shell on Christmas Eve. Denig said that around 1:30 a.m. Christmas morning, he saw Shell with his hand in his pants standing over the passed-out Caro. Fearing that Shell was going to sexually assault Caro and might have a weapon, Denig hit Shell in the head with a skillet. Denig told Allard that he and Caro dragged Shell outside and that Shell left in his own car, alone. Allard asked Denig if he shot Shell, perhaps in self-defense, and Denig responded that he had only “busted his head” with the skillet. J.A. 684. Denig then asked Allard, “If I did shoot him in self-defense, can you guarantee that I would not go to prison one hundred percent?” J.A. 684. Allard stated he could not make that guarantee, and Denig again denied shooting Shell. Denig added, “I wouldn’t shoot him because people would hear the gun go off,” and, “I was 10 probably just running my mouth if I told anyone I shot Garce.” J.A. 684-85. On November 16, 2011, Detective Owl interviewed Denig. Denig told Owl substantially the same story about hitting Shell in the head with a skillet. Denig denied shooting Shell, and he refused to take a polygraph.