Court Opinion

ID: 9487204
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 12:10:56.815906+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:52:09.025694
License: Public Domain

WIGGINS, Circuit Judge,
concurring separately.
I write separately to emphasize that reckless endangerment during flight includes more than merely driving recklessly from the crime scene.
In this case, it includes the initial retreat from the bank to the parking lot where the red van was parked, and includes the actions by the defendants in seeking to escape after the van had crashed.
We focus in the opinion on the reckless driving of Johnson. We question whether there is evidence that Young and Rogers “aided or abetted, counseled, commanded, induced, procured or willfully caused” Johnson’s admittedly reckless driving. Because we do not find support in the record for such a finding, we properly remand.
But we may be overlooking the separate conduct of Young and Rogers, both before and after the high speed chase. Such conduct does not require the findings necessary to hold the actors for the conduct of others.
A remand for resentencing is proper. The sentencing court should be invited to make explicit findings why Young and Rogers should be held accountable for the reckless driving of Johnson. But in resentencing the appellants, the district court should also make findings as to their independent conduct, as well.
I concur.