Opinion ID: 197077
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Jury Instruction on Conspiracy Charge

Text: 25 Royal contends that the district court's jury instruction on the charge of conspiracy was in error and that error lessened the government's burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt. In deciding whether the trial court submitted erroneous instructions to the jury, we determine whether [the instruction] tended to confuse or mislead the jury on the controlling issues. Brown v. Trustees of Boston Univ., 891 F.2d 337, 353 (1st Cir. 1989), cert. denied, 496 U.S. 937 (1990). We consider the instructions as a whole; portions of it are not to be treated in isolation. Id. We find that the instructions, as a whole, were not erroneous. In fact, as discussed below, the double intent instruction may have heightened the government's burden. Consequently, not only did the instruction not prejudice Royal, it in fact benefitted Royal. There was no error. 26 The statutory provision under which Royal was charged finds a violation of the law [i]f two or more persons conspire either to commit any offense against the United States, or to defraud the United States, or any agency thereof in any manner or for any purpose, and one or more of such persons do any act to effect the object of the conspiracy . . . . 18 U.S.C. Section(s) 371 (1966). The district court's instruction on the charge of conspiracy was, in pertinent part, as follows: 27 In order to establish that the defendant is guilty of this charge of conspiracy, the Government must prove these essential elements beyond a reasonable doubt: 28 First: That two or more persons knowingly conspired, combined or agreed to commit an offense against the United States, the purpose of which was to commit mail fraud, and that the conspiracy was formed or existing at or about the time alleged in the indictment. 29 Second: That the defendant knowingly and intentionally became a member of the conspiracy. 30 Third: That one of the conspirators knowingly did some act to effect the object of the conspiracy. 31