Opinion ID: 3165795
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Argueta: Life Sentence

Text: Argueta argues for the first time on appeal that his concurrent life sentences violate the Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution because he did not personally commit the murder for which he was convicted. Ordinarily, an allegation that a sentence amounts to cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment raises a legal question subject to de novo review. See 28 Case: 14-11890 Date Filed: 12/28/2015 Page: 29 of 30 United States v. Flanders, 752 F.3d 1317, 1342 (11th Cir. 2014). “However, when a defendant fails to raise an Eighth Amendment challenge to a sentence in the district court, we review that challenge on appeal for plain error.” Id. “Plain error occurs if (1) there was error, (2) that was plain, (3) that affected the defendant’s substantial rights, and (4) that seriously affected the fairness, integrity, or public reputation of judicial proceedings.” United States v. Wright, 607 F.3d 708, 715 (11th Cir. 2010) (internal quotation marks omitted). An error is plain if it is clear or obvious. United States v. Olano, 507 U.S. 725, 734 (1993). We have explained that “where the explicit language of a statute or rule does not specifically resolve an issue, there can be no plain error where there is no precedent from the Supreme Court or this Court directly resolving it.” United States v. Chau, 426 F.3d 1318, 1322 (11th Cir. 2005) (internal quotation marks omitted). Argueta concedes that no precedent from the Supreme Court or this Court directly resolves the issue he raises.12 We agree. Thus, Argueta cannot show plain error. 12 Argueta adopts the Eighth Amendment argument raised by his codefendant Dimas Alfaro-Granados, who expressly conceded that “from a Supreme Court and Eleventh Circuit [perspective,] the cases do not support his position and that he will have to persuade the United States Supreme Court to reverse itself on these issues for any relief.” Br. of Appellant AlfaroGranados at 16 n.6, United States v. Alvarado-Linares, et al., No. 13-14994 (11th Cir. Mar. 17, 2014). 29 Case: 14-11890 Date Filed: 12/28/2015 Page: 30 of 30