Opinion ID: 204352
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Motion for Downward Departure or Variance

Text: Mateo also filed a motion for a downward departure and/or variance. Mateo argued that a downward departure was warranted: (1) under U.S.S.G. § 5K2.13 based on his diminished capacity; and (2) under U.S.S.G. § 4A1.3 because his criminal history category overstated the seriousness of his criminal history. Mateo attached a copy of Dr. Holmes’s evaluation of Mateo, which stated that: (1) Mateo “displayed evidence of scholastic and cognitive difficulties”; (2) Mateo was only able to read at a first-grade level; and (3) Mateo’s “ability to exercise the power of reason is significantly impaired.” Dr. Holmes concluded that “[b]ased on this and 7 his history of reliance on and/or manipulation by others . . . his diminished capacity contributed substantially to the commission of the offense.”