Opinion ID: 657348
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Fairness of Trial Due to Error in Jury Instructions

Text: 30 Walker further argues that the trial court denied him a fair trial by improperly instructing the jury on the elements of mail fraud and the burden of proof. The disputed portion of the jury instruction read as follows: First, that the defendant knowingly devised a scheme to defraud obtained by means of false pretenses and representations as described in the indictment. Tr. 398. The government concedes that the judge erred and that this section of the instruction should have read: that the defendant knowingly devised the scheme to defraud or obtain money or property by means of false pretenses, representations, or promises, as described in the indictment. Federal Criminal Jury Instructions, Seventh Circuit Committee, Volume II at p. 88 (1984). 31 Walker failed to preserve this issue for appeal by not raising it below. Although the instruction was unartfully worded, it does not constitute plain error. The instruction accurately advised the jury as to the first element of mail fraud--a defendant's participation in a scheme to defraud. Cosentino, 869 F.2d at 308. In addition, the instruction expressly refers to the scheme described in the indictment. The indictment, which was provided to the jury, charges that Walker devised and intended to devise a scheme to defraud and to obtain money and property from the Companies by means of false and fraudulent pretenses and representations. Thus, when read in conjunction with the indictment, the jury instruction clearly informed the jury that the government had to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Walker devised the scheme charged in the indictment. 32 Walker also claims that the following jury instruction denied him a fair trial: 33 The defendant is presumed to be innocent of the charges. This presumption remains with the defendant throughout every stage of the trial and during your deliberations on the verdict, and is not overcome unless from all the evidence in the case you are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty. 34 The government has the burden of proving the guilt of the defendant beyond a reasonable doubt, and this burden remains on the government throughout the case. The defendant is not required to prove his innocence or to produce any evidence. 35 Tr. 395. Walker argues that this standard Seventh Circuit pattern jury instruction advised the jury that he had produced no evidence. However, he has obviously misconstrued the instruction. It clearly and accurately admonishes the jury that the burden of establishing the defendant's guilt remains on the government throughout the trial. Shortly before reading this instruction, the trial judge instructed the jury that a defendant has an absolute right not to testify or offer evidence. Tr. 395. Nowhere in the instructions did the court intimate that Walker had produced no evidence. Accordingly, we refuse to reverse his conviction on this ground.