Opinion ID: 712987
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Multiplicity with Homicide Count

Text: 63 Generally, a conspiracy charge and a substantive charge are separate offenses, and one offense is not a lesser included offense of the other. See United States v. Horn, 946 F.2d 738, 744-45 (10th Cir.1991). The situation is even more clear where the substantive offense is not the object of the conspiracy. In this case, Mr. McCullah was convicted of drug conspiracy under § 846 and capital murder under § 848(e). The conspiracy charge is separate and distinct from the murder charge, not a lesser included offense. 64 A violation of § 848(e) requires that the murder be committed by a person engaging in or working in furtherance of a continuing criminal enterprise. 21 U.S.C. § 848(e)(1)(A). A violation of § 846 requires that a person attempt or conspire to commit a drug offense. 21 U.S.C. § 846. Mr. McCullah seeks to equate the continuing criminal enterprise requirement of § 848(e) with conspiracy, claiming that furtherance of a continuing criminal enterprise necessitates participation in a conspiracy. However, as we discussed supra, a person may further a continuing criminal enterprise without necessarily being a full member of the underlying conspiracy. 65 Reliance on United States v. Stallings, 810 F.2d 973 (10th Cir.1987), is misplaced. In Stallings, the defendant was charged with engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise as well as conspiracy, but the conspiracy alleged was the continuing criminal enterprise. By contrast, here the continuing criminal enterprise requirement is part of a greater offense, capital murder, which is separate from the drug conspiracy charge. 66 Further, we note that under Missouri v. Hunter, 459 U.S. 359, 368-69, 103 S.Ct. 673, 679-80, 74 L.Ed.2d 535 (1983), Congress could specifically authorize cumulative punishment under two statutes even if both statutes prohibit the same conduct. Congress has clearly expressed its intention that the § 848(e) punishment be cumulative with any other applicable punishment, stating in the statute that the § 848(e) penalties are [i]n addition to the other penalties set forth in this section. See 21 U.S.C. § 848(e)(1). Thus, even if we found the offenses duplicative, cumulative sentences would still be appropriate.