Court Opinion

ID: 3034330
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-13 22:50:55.504472+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:17:39.103128
License: Public Domain

United States Court of Appeals
                            FOR THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT
                                   ___________

                                   No. 03-1186
                                   ___________

United States of America,               *
                                        *
             Appellee,                  *
                                        * Appeal from the United States
      v.                                * District Court for the Western
                                        * District of Missouri.
Antonio C. Macias,                      *
                                        *    [UNPUBLISHED]
             Appellant.                 *
                                   ___________

                             Submitted: April 6, 2004

                                  Filed: April 15, 2004
                                   ___________

Before MELLOY, HANSEN, and COLLOTON, Circuit Judges.
                           ___________

PER CURIAM.

       Antonio Macias challenges the judgment entered by the district court1 upon a
jury conviction for drug offenses and forfeiture of property. His counsel has filed a
brief and moved to withdraw under Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967),
asserting that the district court erred in accepting Macias’s waiver of his right to
testify. We affirm.

      1
       The Honorable Scott O. Wright, United States District Judge for the Western
District of Missouri.
       In a 22-count grand jury indictment, Macias, among others, was charged with
conspiring to distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine and 500 grams or more of
methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(A), and 846; with
distributing cocaine or methamphetamine, in violation of section 841(a)(1); and with
the forfeiture of drug proceeds.

       At trial, after the government closed its case, defense counsel stated that
Macias did not wish to testify and that the defense would present no evidence. The
district court then addressed Macias personally, asking whether he understood that
he had the right to testify. Macias initially answered that he understood his right to
testify. The district court further explained that Macias could take the stand and “tell
his story,” but also that he had the right not to testify. During his ensuing colloquy
with the court, Macias stated first that he was confused about his right to testify, then
that he did not want to testify, then that he did want to testify, and finally that he did
not want to testify. Last, the court warned Macias that he could testify “now or
never.” Macias answered, “Never.” The jury returned a verdict that Macias was
guilty on all charged counts of the indictment.

       We conclude that Macias knowingly and voluntarily waived his right to testify.
See United States v. Bernloehr, 833 F.2d 749, 751 (8th Cir. 1987) (only defendant is
empowered to waive his right to testify; waiver should be made voluntarily and
knowingly). Even though Macias stated he was confused, he demonstrated that he
understood his right to testify by asserting that right at one point. Cf. United States
v. Blum, 65 F.3d 1436, 1444 (8th Cir. 1995) (defendant was clearly aware of right to
testify because she belatedly attempted to assert it after close of evidence). The
district court repeatedly explained to Macias that he could testify and “tell his story”
to the jury, but in the end Macias affirmatively chose “never” to testify. Cf. id.
(defendant who desires to testify must act affirmatively and express to court that
desire at appropriate time, or knowing and voluntary waiver is deemed to have
occurred.)

                                           -2-
       Having carefully reviewed the record, we have found no nonfrivolous issues.
See Penson v. Ohio, 488 U.S. 75, 80-82 (1988). Accordingly, we affirm. We also
grant counsel’s motion to withdraw.
                       _____________________________

                                       -3-