Court Opinion

ID: 3031323
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-13 22:45:47.148298+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:40:32.066184
License: Public Domain

United States Court of Appeals
                            FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT
                                    ___________

                                    No. 02-3020
                                    ___________

United States of America,              *
                                       *
            Plaintiff-Appellee,        *
                                       * Appeal from the United States
      v.                               * District Court for the District
                                       * of Minnesota.
Terrence Williams, also known as Rico, *
also known as Terron Darrel Williams, *        [PUBLISHED]
                                       *
            Defendant-Appellant.       *
                                 ___________

                            Submitted: February 11, 2003
                               Filed: April 14, 2003
                                   ___________

Before WOLLMAN, R. ARNOLD, and MELLOY, Circuit Judges.
                         ___________

PER CURIAM.

       Defendant-Appellant Terrance Williams pled guilty to conspiracy to distribute
cocaine and crack cocaine. Based on the drug quantity, William's role in the
conspiracy, his acceptance of responsibility, and his criminal history, he was assessed
a total offense level of 39 and a criminal history of category VI. The applicable
guideline range was therefore 360 months to life imprisonment. The district court1
granted a downward departure for substantial assistance based on the government's
motion under U.S.S.G. § 5K1.1 and sentenced Williams to 168 months imprisonment.
The district court refused to depart further downward to the 120 month statutory
minimum urged by Williams. On appeal, Williams challenges the district court's
refusal to grant a further departure.

       In general, the extent of a downward departure is not subject to review. United
States v. McCarthy, 97 F.3d 1562, 1577 (8th Cir. 1996); United States v. Goodwin,
72 F.3d 88, 91 (8th Cir. 1995); United States v. Dutcher, 8 F.3d 11, 12 (8th Cir. 1993)
("[W]e may not review the extent of the district court's downward departure,
regardless of the district court's reasons for refraining from departing further."). A
refusal to depart downward may, however, become reviewable if a "defendant
[makes] a 'substantial showing' that the district court's refusal to depart 'was based on
an unconstitutional motive.'" McCarthy, 97 F.3d at 1578 (quoting Wade v. United
States, 504 U.S. 181, 186 (1992)). Here, Williams argues that the district court
improperly relied on evidence of his involvement in a crime for which he was not
charged, namely, the murder of four-year-old Davisha Gillum by William's fellow
gang members. Williams does not allege that the district court's refusal to depart
further was the result of an unconstitutional motive. Accordingly, the extent of his
departure remains unreviewable, and the judgment of the district court is affirmed.

      A true copy.

             Attest.

                     U.S. COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT

      1
       The Honorable Donovan W. Frank, United States District Judge for the
District of Minnesota.

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