Opinion ID: 783023
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Revisiting United States v. LaFleur

Text: 51 Miguel and Jose assert that a proper interpretation of 18 U.S.C. § 1111 should allow a district court to depart downward to something less than life in prison. 57 They acknowledge that United States v. LaFleur 58 controls this case and assert that we should seek en banc review to overrule LaFleur. We decline their invitation. 52 Interpreting § 1111, the LaFleur court determined that the minimum sentence for someone convicted of murder is life. 59 Dissenting, Judge Norris concluded that life was not the minimum, resting his analysis on statutory construction and the rule of lenity. 60 We refused to hear LaFleur en banc after the panel's decision. 61 53 LaFleur has been the law of this circuit for more than ten years. Other circuits agree with LaFleur's interpretation. 62 Although room for disagreement exists, LaFleur's rationale is sound. We see no reason to seek en banc review to overrule it now.