Opinion ID: 3063879
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: issues

Text: The appellants assert several issues on appeal. We address the following issues: (1) appellants’ Batson challenge, (2) the admission of Douglas Ross’ testimony, and (3) issues regarding the calculation of Moon’s sentence. We have considered the other issues asserted by appellants but find them to be without merit. STANDARDS OF REVIEW When reviewing the district court’s resolution of a Batson challenge, we give “great deference to a district court’s finding as to the existence of a prima facie case.” United States v. Allen-Brown, 243 F.3d 1293, 1296 (11th Cir. 2001)(quoting Cent. Ala. Fair Hous. Ctr., Inc. v. Lowder Realty Co., 236 F.3d 629, 635 (11th Cir. 2000))(internal quotation marks omitted). We will not disturb a district court’s finding as to why a juror was excused “unless it is clearly erroneous or appears to have been guided by improper principles of law.” Id. at 1297 (quoting United States v. Williams, 936 F.2d 1243, 1246 (11th Cir. 1991)). We review the district court’s evidentiary rulings for abuse of discretion. United States v. Brown, 415 F.3d 1257, 1264-65 (11th Cir. 2005). “An abuse of discretion can occur where the district court applies the wrong law, follows the 6 wrong procedure, bases its decision on clearly erroneous facts, or commits a clear error in judgment.” Id. at 1266. With regard to sentencing determinations, we review a district court’s finding that a defendant used sophisticated means for clear error. Robertson, 493 F.3d at 1329-30. We also review the district court’s determination of whether a defendant qualifies for a minor role adjustment for clear error. United States v. Rodriguez De Varon, 175 F.3d 930, 934 (11th Cir. 1999)(en banc). “A factual finding is clearly erroneous ‘when although there is evidence to support it, the reviewing court on the entire evidence is left with the definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been committed.’” Robertson, 493 F.3d at 1330 (quoting Anderson v. City of Bessemer City, 470 U.S. 564, 573 (1985))(internal quotation marks omitted).