Court Opinion

ID: 9489656
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 13:20:40.249353+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:53:38.578207
License: Public Domain

MERRITT, Circuit Judge,
concurring in part and dissenting in part.
Basically what we have in this case is a draconian sentence of over 15 years for possession of a shotgun. There is no evidence that the defendant committed any offense with the shotgun. I have a serious doubt that involuntary manslaughter — the unintended, accidental killing of another in an automobile accident or otherwise — should be classified as a “crime of violence.” Involuntary manslaughter is a crime that can be committed without any intent to harm or any intent to assault or perpetrate a physical injury. Therefore, the reasoning of my dissenting opinion in United States v. Kaplanshy, 42 F.3d 320 (6th Cir.1994), would appear to apply.