Court Opinion

ID: 9957895
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-04-05 16:01:50.371902+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:16:01.919305
License: Public Domain

USCA11 Case: 23-10779    Document: 41-1      Date Filed: 04/05/2024   Page: 1 of 10

                                                    [DO NOT PUBLISH]
                                    In the
                 United States Court of Appeals
                         For the Eleventh Circuit

                           ____________________

                                 No. 23-10779
                           Non-Argument Calendar
                           ____________________

        UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
                                                       Plaintiﬀ-Appellee,
        versus
        CEDRICK DURHAM, JR.,

                                                    Defendant-Appellant.

                           ____________________

                  Appeal from the United States District Court
                       for the Middle District of Florida
                  D.C. Docket No. 8:22-cr-00170-TPB-MRM-1
                           ____________________
USCA11 Case: 23-10779      Document: 41-1     Date Filed: 04/05/2024     Page: 2 of 10

        2                      Opinion of the Court                23-10779

        Before ROSENBAUM, BRASHER, and ABUDU, Circuit Judges.
        PER CURIAM:
                Cedric Durham, Jr., appeals his sentence of 48 months of im-
        prisonment for possession of a firearm and ammunition after a fel-
        ony conviction, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). Durham was
        involved in a shooting outside of a bowling alley in Tampa, Florida,
        during which he exchanged gunfire with other individuals and suf-
        fered a gunshot wound to his right leg. Based on that conduct, the
        district court applied a four-level guideline enhancement under
        U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1(b)(6)(B) for possessing a firearm in connection
        with another felony offense. Durham maintains that the enhance-
        ment does not apply because his conduct was justified by defense
        of self and others. After reviewing available surveillance footage of
        the incident, the district court applied the enhancement because, in
        its view, Durham’s conduct went beyond self-defense. That find-
        ing is not clearly erroneous, so we affirm Durham’s sentence.
                                         I.
                On March 6, 2022, Durham and a group of friends, including
        Jamal Jackson, arrived at Pin Chasers Bowling Alley in Tampa,
        Florida, and began walking from the parking lot to the entrance.
        On the way, Durham stopped and exchanged words with members
        of another group who were standing in the parking lot, while Jack-
        son attempted to pull Durham away. Durham then followed the
        rest of his group toward the front entrance to the bowling alley.
USCA11 Case: 23-10779      Document: 41-1       Date Filed: 04/05/2024     Page: 3 of 10

        23-10779               Opinion of the Court                          3

               Surveillance footage shows that, as Durham’s group ap-
        proached the door, individuals in the other group fired shots to-
        ward the bowling alley’s front entrance. Durham’s group scat-
        tered, some running inside for shelter and others taking cover out-
        side. Durham retreated inside the bowling alley, firing shots back
        toward the parking lot with the firearm he had in his possession as
        he entered. After passing the check-in counter inside, Durham re-
        turned to the front doors with his gun drawn and continued shoot-
        ing into the parking lot, moving in and out of the front vestibule as
        he fired.
               Police recovered more than 30 spent rounds of 9mm ammu-
        nition at the front entrance. These rounds were forensically linked
        to Durham’s gun, which was equipped with a high-capacity maga-
        zine. Durham, Jackson, and one of their friends all sustained gun-
        shot wounds.
                                          II.
               Durham was charged with and pled guilty to one count of
        possession of a firearm and ammunition after having been con-
        victed of a felony, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1).
               Durham’s presentence investigation report (“PSR”) calcu-
        lated a total offense level of 21, which included a four-level increase
        for using a firearm or ammunition “in connection with another fel-
        ony offense” under U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1(b)(6)(B). According to the
        PSR, “[s]urveillance video recordings show that after retreating
        into the bowling alley, the defendant returned to the entrance sev-
        eral times and shot at least 32 rounds into the parking lot.” That
USCA11 Case: 23-10779          Document: 41-1         Date Filed: 04/05/2024          Page: 4 of 10

        4                          Opinion of the Court                         23-10779

        conduct, the PSR stated, could be “considered a number of felony
        offenses, including Aggravated Assault with a Firearm and Shoot-
        ing Into [a Building] or Throwing Deadly Missiles.”
               Durham objected to the § 2K2.1(b)(6) enhancement, con-
        tending that he had been the “victim of an attempted murder” and
        had “returned fire in an attempt to defend himself and his friends.”
        He also filed a sentencing memorandum, arguing that he was the
        victim of an “unprovoked attack” and that he was justified in using
        deadly force under Fla. Stat. § 776.012(2). In response, the proba-
        tion officer maintained that the enhancement was appropriate be-
        cause surveillance video showed that “after retreating into the rel-
        ative safety of the bowling alley, where the perpetrator(s) did not
        follow, the defendant returned to the entrance several times and
        shot at least 32 rounds into the parking lot” in a “reckless exchange
        of gunfire.”
                At sentencing, Durham maintained that he lacked the crim-
        inal intent necessary for aggravated assault or shooting into a build-
        ing and that his conduct was justified by defense of self and others.
        The government responded that Durham had “already retreated”
        and was “no longer in danger” when he chose to reengage and “dis-
        charge[] 30 rounds.” 1

        1 The parties also disputed whether Durham, during the initial verbal alterca-
        tion in the parking lot, lifted his shirt to display the firearm in his possession.
        The district court indicated that this dispute did not matter to its decision.
USCA11 Case: 23-10779      Document: 41-1      Date Filed: 04/05/2024    Page: 5 of 10

        23-10779               Opinion of the Court                        5

               The district court viewed the available surveillance videos of
        the incident—two videos of the parking lot from different angles,
        and one video from inside the bowling alley looking toward the
        front entrance—with some explanatory comments by the parties.
        Durham personally stated that, after he went inside, he returned to
        the front vestibule and continued shooting because his girlfriend
        and her best friend, who was shot, were still outside. Defense
        counsel likewise emphasized that Durham not only was protecting
        himself, but also “was trying to protect against his friends being
        shot who were still stuck outside in the open and still being shot
        at.”
               The district court overruled Durham’s objection, finding
        that he was “not engaging in self-defense after he came back into
        the bowling alley,” which the court described as a “breaking point.”
        Although it “happened very quickly,” the court stated, at that point
        he had “stopped at being on defense and go[ne] on offense.” The
        court applied the § 2K2.1(b)(6) enhancement and calculated a
        guideline range of 41 to 51 months based on a total offense level of
        21 and a criminal history category of II.
               Ultimately, the district court sentenced Durham to a within-
        guideline sentence of 48 months. The court explained that, while
        “there was a self-defense aspect” to Durham’s conduct and he had
        accepted responsibility, he had “just got out of prison for a gun”
        conviction and was “not allowed to have a gun at all, even for self-
        defense.” Durham appeals.
                                        III.
USCA11 Case: 23-10779       Document: 41-1      Date Filed: 04/05/2024      Page: 6 of 10

        6                       Opinion of the Court                  23-10779

               “We review the district court’s factual findings at sentencing
        under the clearly erroneous standard, while its application of law
        to those facts is subject to de novo review.” United States v. Jones, 32
        F.3d 1512, 1517 (11th Cir. 1994). “A factual finding is clearly erro-
        neous when although there is evidence to support it, the reviewing
        court on the entire evidence is left with the definite and firm con-
        viction that a mistake has been committed.” Morrissette-Brown v.
        Mobile Infirmary Med. Ctr., 506 F.3d 1317, 1319 (11th Cir. 2007) (quo-
        tation marks omitted). So long as the district court’s view of the
        evidence is “plausible in light of the record viewed in its entirety,”
        it “cannot be clearly erroneous.” Anderson v. City of Bessemer City,
        N.C., 470 U.S. 564, 574 (1985).
               In gun-possession cases, a four-level guideline enhancement
        applies if the defendant “used or possessed any firearm in connec-
        tion with another felony offense.” U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1(b)(6)(B). The
        phrase “another felony offense” includes state offenses punishable
        by imprisonment for a term of more than one year, regardless of
        whether the defendant was charged with that offense. United States
        v. Smith, 480 F.3d 1277, 1280 (11th Cir. 2007); see U.S.S.G. § 2K2.1,
        cmt. n.14. The government bears the burden of establishing by a
        preponderance of the evidence the facts necessary to support the
        sentencing enhancement. Smith, 480 F.3d at 1280.
                In Durham’s view, whether the § 2K2.1(b)(6)(B) enhance-
        ment applies depends on whether he was acting in defense of self
        or others. Durham maintains that his actions “were reasonable and
        justified to protect himself and his friends who were still outside,”
USCA11 Case: 23-10779         Document: 41-1         Date Filed: 04/05/2024         Page: 7 of 10

        23-10779                   Opinion of the Court                               7

        and that there is “insufficient proof” that his actions exceeded the
        bounds of self-defense. He asserts that our review is de novo, not
        for clear error, because the court’s findings were based on video
        evidence and not “the credibility of the witnesses,” and because the
        court’s ruling “involve[d] the application of the facts to the law.”
        The government, in response, does not dispute that the enhance-
        ment would not apply if Durham had acted entirely in self-defense,
        but it contends that the court’s contrary finding is supported by the
        record.
                The doctrine of self-defense “is an affirmative defense that
        has the effect of legally excusing the defendant from an act that
        would otherwise be a criminal offense.” Mosansky v. State, 33 So.
        3d 756, 758 (Fla. 1st DCA 2010). “A person may use deadly force
        in self-defense if he or she reasonably believes such force is neces-
        sary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm.” Rasley v.
        State, 878 So. 2d 473, 476 (Fla. 1st DCA 2004); see Fla. Stat.
        § 776.032(1). 2 But a “defendant who is engaged in unlawful activity

        2 Section 776.032(1) states,

                A person is justified in using or threatening to use deadly force
                if he or she reasonably believes that using or threatening to use
                such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great
                bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the
                imminent commission of a forcible felony. A person who uses
                or threatens to use deadly force in accordance with this sub-
                section does not have a duty to retreat and has the right to
                stand his or her ground if the person using or threatening to
USCA11 Case: 23-10779        Document: 41-1         Date Filed: 04/05/2024         Page: 8 of 10

        8                         Opinion of the Court                       23-10779

        . . . has a duty to retreat and must use all reasonable means in his
        power, consistent with his own safety, before his use of deadly
        force will be justified.” Jimenez v. State, 353 So. 3d 1286, 1288 (Fla.
        2d DCA 2023). It is undisputed that Durham was engaged in un-
        lawful activity—possession of a firearm as a convicted felon—and
        so had a duty to retreat.
                Durham has not shown that the district court erred in apply-
        ing the § 2K2.1(b)(6)(B) enhancement. For starters, our review of
        the court’s finding that Durham’s conduct went beyond self-de-
        fense is for clear error because, under Florida law, “[t]he question
        of self-defense is one of fact.” Dias v. State, 812 So. 2d 487, 491 (Fla.
        Dist. Ct. App. 2002). The mere fact that the court based its finding
        on video evidence rather than witness credibility does not mean
        we may exercise de novo review. See Anderson, 470 U.S. at 574 (ex-
        plaining that clear-error review applies “even when the district
        court’s findings do not rest on credibility determinations, but are
        based instead on physical or documentary evidence or inferences
        from other facts”). So we may not reverse the court’s findings as
        to self-defense so long as they were “plausible in light of the record
        viewed in its entirety.” Id.

               use the deadly force is not engaged in a criminal activity and is
               in a place where he or she has a right to be.
        Durham agreed below that the second sentence of this paragraph—the “stand
        your ground” component—did not apply because he was unlawfully pos-
        sessing a firearm when the events occurred.
USCA11 Case: 23-10779      Document: 41-1      Date Filed: 04/05/2024     Page: 9 of 10

        23-10779               Opinion of the Court                         9

                And here, based on the entire record, we are not left with a
        definite and firm conviction that the district court made a mistake
        in finding that Durham’s conduct at the bowling alley was not fully
        justified by self-defense. See Morrissette-Brown, 506 F.3d at 1319.
        The surveillance videos show that Durham, after firing several
        shots and retreating to the relative safety of the bowling alley, re-
        turned to the front entrance and reengaged in a gun fight, ulti-
        mately firing more than 30 rounds. Even assuming his initial use
        of deadly force was justified by self-defense, this evidence is “sus-
        ceptible of the view that the defendant could have extricated him-
        self from the situation without [further] using deadly force” by
        staying inside the shelter of the bowling alley, as Jackson had. Dias,
        812 So. 2d at 491; see also Jimenez, 353 So. 3d at 1288. Thus, the
        district court reasonably determined that Durham’s reengagement
        and continued use of deadly force was not justified.
               Durham maintains that he reengaged to protect his friends
        who had taken cover outside. But the issue is not whether Durham
        personally “believed that [others] w[ere] in danger.” Reimel v. State,
        532 So. 2d 16, 18 (Fla. 5th DCA 1988). Rather, the self-defense in-
        quiry “concerns a reasonably prudent person’s state of mind.” Id.
        So the court was not required to accept Durham’s testimony that
        it was necessary for him to reengage to protect his friends outside
        the front entrance. Plus, both the video evidence and Durham’s
        statements at sentencing indicate that Durham was the target, not
        his group as a whole. So by choosing to reengage in a gunfight at
        the front entrance, Durham may well have actually increased the
USCA11 Case: 23-10779     Document: 41-1      Date Filed: 04/05/2024    Page: 10 of 10

        10                     Opinion of the Court                23-10779

        danger for the people outside, as well as for others who may have
        been in the parking lot but not involved in the shooting.
               For these reasons, the district court offered a plausible view
        based on the evidence that Durham’s reengagement and use of
        deadly force after reaching the relative safety of the bowling alley
        was not justified by the doctrine of self-defense. While the evi-
        dence may support a contrary view, that is not enough to render
        the court’s finding clearly erroneous. See Anderson, 470 U.S. at 574.
        And Durham does not otherwise contend on appeal that the
        § 2K2.1(b)(6)(B) enhancement was inappropriate even if his con-
        duct lacked justification, or that his sentence is unreasonable. Ac-
        cordingly, we affirm Durham’s sentence.
              AFFIRMED.