Court Opinion

ID: 9458021
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 20:40:51.523302+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:35:36.711174
License: Public Domain

HOLLOWAY, Circuit Judge
(concurring and dissenting):
I agree with the Court’s opinion and disposition on all issues except the issue of consideration of a separate robbery offense in connection with appellant’s sentencing.
Among other things, on this issue appellant alleged that he had never been convicted of a felony previously; that the remark of the District Court referring to a Utah motel robbery “constituted prejudice” and an abuse of discretion; and that the Court relied heavily, if not solely, on a “totally imaginary Utah ‘State’ motel robbery as a determining factor” in imposing an excessive sentence. Our record shows reference to the matter in the District Court’s discussion with appellant at sentencing. The Court referred to appellant’s having committed an armed robbery the night before the instant bank robbery offense, and asked if appellant recalled the motel robbery and appellant replied “some of it.” The Court stated he was not sentencing appellant on that matter, but that it would show his intent. Thus, the record seems clear that the Court took account of the motel robbery matter as a part of the defendant’s prior record, which he was entitled to consider.
To me appellant’s allegations denying any prior conviction or involvement in the motel robbery raised a substantial due process issue. It is true that these allegations were stated in a “Petition for Modification of Sentence.” Nevertheless, looking to the substance instead of the form of the pro se instrument, I believe it should be treated as a motion to vacate the sentence, calling for examination of the facts. See Andrews v. United States, 373 U.S. 334, 337-338, 83 S.Ct. 1236, 10 L.Ed.2d 383; Aldridge v. United States, 405 F.2d 831 (9th Cir.); and Bennett v. Allen, 396 F.2d 788, 790 (9th Cir.). It is enough if appellant presented allegations and supporting facts which, if borne out by proof, would entitle him to relief. Price v. Johnston, 334 U.S. 266, 292, 68 S.Ct. 1049, 92 L.Ed. 1356.
Looking at the substance of the allegations, there should be a resentencing if it develops that the Court was furnished incorrect information and appellant “. . . was sentenced on the basis of assumptions concerning his criminal record which were materially untrue.” United States v. Tucker, 404 U.S. 443, 447, 92 S.Ct. 589, 592, 30 L.Ed. 592; cf. Townsend v. Burke, 334 U.S. 736, 68 S.Ct. 1252, 92 L.Ed. 1690. Since the record does not conclusively show that appellant was entitled to no relief on this issue, I would remand the case for such further proceedings as the District Court finds appropriate to develop the facts, and if called for by such facts, a resentencing.