Opinion ID: 171495
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Entrapment Defense at Trial

Text: At trial, Ford did not deny he sold Heavilin the three machine guns. Instead he argued he had been entrapped by the government. In support of the entrapment defense, Ford argued Heavilin continuously pressured him over a long period of time to acquire and sell the three machine guns crimes Ford was otherwise unwilling to commit. In particular, Ford's counsel highlighted the substantial number of contacts Heavilin initiated with Ford. The attorney summarized these contacts in a spreadsheet presented to the jury, and repeatedly referred to them during trial. For example, in his closing argument counsel stated the following: This is the exhibit that you have seen, at least the first page, you have seen it a lot. But what you need to focus on for a minute is the sheer number of contacts initiated by Keith Heavilin . . . . And what is he calling all of these times to do? He is calling all of these times to persuade and talk a man into selling him a gun who told him, no, I don't sell automatic weapons, I thought you were talking about a semiautomatic weapon, I can't help you. That is call after call, meeting after meeting, for one purpose only; to make him think you are a friend, and to persuade or talk him into selling you an automatic weapon. R., Vol. XV at 1832-33 (emphasis added). As counsel explained, This exhibit is a roadmap for entrapment. Id. at 1835.