Opinion ID: 2975603
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Interstate Commerce Element of Arson Statute

Text: On appeal, Rayborn argues that his prosecution and conviction for arson under 18 U.S.C. § 844(i) was an unconstitutional exercise of Congress’s commerce power. Specifically, Rayborn argues that the evidence in this case fails to establish that the New Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church was sufficiently used in interstate commerce. This argument is not well-taken. A previous Sixth Circuit panel concluded that based on the facts alleged in the indictment and stipulated to by the parties, there was sufficient evidence of the church’s interstate commerce activity, and therefore, Rayborn’s prosecution under this statute could go forward. See Rayborn, 312 F.3d at 235. Under the law of the case doctrine, “when a court decides upon a rule of law, that decision should continue to govern the same issues in subsequent stages in the same case.” Westside Mothers v. Olszewski, 454 F.3d 532, 538 (6th Cir. 2006) (quoting Arizona v. California, 460 U.S. 605, 618 (1983)). The doctrine precludes reconsideration of issues “decided at an early stage of the litigation, either explicitly or by necessary inference from the disposition.” Id. (quoting Coal Res., Inc. v. Gulf & Western Indus., Inc., 865 F.2d 761, 766 (6th Cir. 1989)). The law of the case doctrine “is ‘directed to a court’s common sense’ and is not an ‘inexorable command.’” Hanover Ins. Co. v. Am. Eng’g Co., 105 F.3d 306, 312 (6th Cir. 1997) (quoting Petition of U.S. Steel Corp., 479 F.2d 489, 494 (6th Cir. 1973)). There are three exceptional circumstances under which a court will reconsider a previously decided issue: “(1) where substantially different evidence is raised on subsequent trial; (2) where a subsequent contrary view of the law is decided by the controlling authority; or (3) where a decision is clearly erroneous and would work a manifest injustice.” Westside Mothers, 454 F.3d at 538. None of these exceptional circumstances is present here. First, the evidence before the district court regarding the church’s interstate commerce activities is not materially different from the evidence considered by the previous Sixth Circuit panel. Both the previous opinion and the parties’ stipulation at trial emphasize the church’s regular use of radio broadcasts in Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee as part of its evangelism, the church’s membership consisting of residents of all three states, a gospel choir concert hosted at the church for which admission was charged, and the regularly-sponsored church events to which the general public was invited. See Rayborn, 312 F.3d at 234-35. In addition, no contrary view of the law has been decided by the Sixth Circuit or 1 The first mail fraud count referred to Rayborn’s causing Grange to mail him a blank Sworn Statement In Proof of Loss. The second mail fraud count referred to Rayborn’s mailing of the completed Sworn Statement In Proof of Loss back to Grange. 2 In another case brought against Rayborn, he was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering under 18 U.S.C. §371, two counts of aiding and abetting mail fraud under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1341 and 2, and one count of money laundering under 18 U.S.C. § 1957. Rayborn was sentenced to 9 months’ imprisonment. His convictions were affirmed by this Court in United States v. Rayborn, No. 05-6742, 2007 U.S. App. LEXIS 15742 (6th Cir. July 2, 2007). No. 05-6894 United States v. Rayborn Page 8 the Supreme Court, and no legislation has amended the federal arson statute. Finally, the previous panel’s decision cannot be described as “clearly erroneous” such that it would require reconsideration. In sum, because the same evidence that was before the prior panel was presented at trial, and no other exceptional circumstances exist, the law of the case doctrine bars us from reexamining the interstate commerce element of the federal arson statute. We hold that there exists sufficient evidence of the church’s effect on interstate commerce.