US v. Missy Smith
Filing
920081202
Opinion
UNPUBLISHED UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT
No. 07-4426
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff - Appellee, v. MISSY SMITH, Defendant - Appellant.
No. 07-4451
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Plaintiff - Appellee, v. STACY C. SMITH, Defendant - Appellant.
Appeals from the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, at Roanoke. Glen E. Conrad, District Judge. (7:05-cr-00028-gec)
Submitted:
October 22, 2008
Decided:
December 2, 2008
Before MICHAEL, SHEDD, and DUNCAN, Circuit Judges.
Affirmed by unpublished per curiam opinion.
Joseph Graham Painter, Jr., JOSEPH GRAHAM PAINTER, JR., P.C., Blacksburg, Virginia; Steven Paul Hanna, Richmond, Virginia, for Appellants. John L. Brownlee, United States Attorney, R. Andrew Bassford, Assistant United States Attorney, Roanoke, Virginia, for Appellee.
Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.
- 2 -
PER CURIAM: Missy Smith and Stacy Smith* were convicted of conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846 (2000). They appeal on separate grounds from We affirm.
their convictions and sentences.
Missy Smith argues that the district court erred in denying her motion for judgment of acquittal, Fed. R. Crim. P. 29, because the Government did not present sufficient evidence that she was personally involved in the distribution, rather than
consumption, of more than 500 grams of methamphetamine.
She also
contends that the Government did not present sufficient evidence to prove that Smith's knowledge of her coconspirators' activities made it foreseeable to her that the conspiracy would be responsible for the distribution of more than 500 grams of methamphetamine. We review de novo the district court's decision to deny a Rule 29 motion. Cir. 2006). United States v. Smith, 451 F.3d 209, 216 (4th
A jury's verdict must be upheld on appeal if there is Glasser v.
substantial evidence in the record to support it. United States, 315 U.S. 60, 80 (1942).
"[A]n appellate court's
reversal of a conviction on grounds of insufficient evidence should be confined to cases where the prosecution's failure is clear." United States v. Jones, 735 F.2d 785, 791 (4th Cir. 1984) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). In determining whether the
*
The defendants are not related. - 3 -
evidence in the record is substantial, we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the government and inquire whether there is "evidence that a reasonable finder of fact could accept as adequate and sufficient to support a conclusion of a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt." United States v. Burgos, 94 F.3d 849, "A defendant challenging the United
862-63 (4th Cir. 1996) (en banc).
sufficiency of the evidence . . . bears a heavy burden."
States v. Beidler, 110 F.3d 1064, 1067 (4th Cir. 1997) (internal quotation sufficiency marks of and the citation evidence, omitted). this court In does evaluating not review the the
credibility of the witnesses and assumes that the jury resolved all contradictions in the testimony in favor of the government. United States v. Kelly, 510 F.3d 433, 440 (4th Cir. 2007). At trial, the government presented extensive and
corroborating evidence that supported the jury's verdict against Missy Smith. In summary, this included the following: Martin
Garcia, a codefendant, testified that, for six months, he sold two ounces of methamphetamine per week to Missy Smith. Smith was aware that another codefendant, Rigo Martinez, supplied methamphetamine to Garcia, and she also purchased distribution quantities of methamphetamine from codefendants Terry Bartlett, Gary Todd,
Tabitha Isom, and Lisa Alley.
Smith knew that Bartlett, Todd, and
Alley were being supplied with methamphetamine by Garcia, and that Isom was being supplied by Garcia and Martinez. Taken together,
- 4 -
the testimony of Isom, Alley, Bartlett, and Todd provided evidence that Smith was selling methamphetamine and paying for her own purchases with the proceeds. Dustin Harmon, a Special Agent with
the Drug Enforcement Administration, testified that in his opinion, based upon his experience investigating methamphetamine dealers and users, the quantities of methamphetamine that Smith purchased were consistent consumption with resale distribution, testimonial and not with at personal trial was
alone.
The
evidence
sufficient to prove that Missy Smith was conspiring to distribute, rather than solely consuming, methamphetamine, and that sales of at least 500 grams of methamphetamine were reasonably foreseeable to her. See Pinkerton v. United States, 328 U.S. 640, 647-48 (1946). Stacy Smith raises five claims on appeal. contends that the district court should have First, Smith dismissed a
prospective juror who was ultimately seated on the jury because she was married to a police officer who was involved in a case that Smith's counsel was working on. A trial judge's decision regarding whether to remove a juror for cause will not be overruled except for a "manifest abuse of . . . discretion." Poynter v. Ratcliff, 874 F.2d 219, 222 (4th
Cir. 1989). A district court's determination not to excuse a juror for cause is entitled to "special deference." Patton v. Yount, 467 U.S. 1025, 1038 (1984). The critical issue in deciding a challenge for cause is whether the juror "could be fair and impartial and
- 5 -
decide the case on the facts and law presented." Capers, 61 F.3d 1100, 1105 (4th Cir. 1995).
United States v.
A challenge to a juror
for cause is usually limited to demonstrations of actual bias, with the doctrine of implied bias applying only to "extreme situations" where the circumstances make it highly unlikely that the average person could remain impartial. 111, 117 (4th Cir. 2004). The district court questioned the prospective juror United States v. Turner, 389 F.3d
regarding her potential bias and she answered that she could be fair and impartial. The juror's relationship does not rise to the
level of an "extreme situation" that would imply she was unlikely to remain impartial. Accordingly, the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Smith's motion to strike. Next, Smith argues that the district court erred in refusing to allow his counsel to interview a juror who expressed concern to the court that the jury did not deliberate objectively and with adequate consideration. "[C]ourts have consistently rejected juror affidavits or testimony about mental processes unless `extraneous prejudicial information' or `outside influence' is clearly present." States v. Acker, 52 F.3d 509, 516 (4th Cir. 1995). United
Smith has made
no showing of "extraneous prejudicial information" or "outside influence" being brought to bear on any juror. Therefore, the
district court did not err in denying Smith's motion for permission
- 6 -
to interview the juror who expressed concern to the court.
See
Tanner v. United States, 483 U.S. 107, 119-28 (1987) (finding efforts to impeach jury verdicts by post-trial contact with such jurors are disfavored); United States v. Gravely, 840 F.2d 1156, 1159 (4th Cir. 1988) (upholding the denial of a defendant's request to interview jurors to determine if the pressure or lack of adequate time for deliberation was self imposed or the result of outside influence because the defendant made no threshold showing of improper outside influence). Next, Smith contends that the district court erred in denying his motion for a new trial based upon newly discovered evidence. The new evidence consisted of Isom's statement regarding her testimony at Smith's trial, made to Alley and Kimberly Perry, another witness and codefendant, in their shared cell after Isom testified. Isom exclaimed when she was returned to the cell that
she "could not believe" two of the questions that she was asked. Alley and Perry did not respond to Isom. Smith argues that he
could have used the evidence to impeach their credibility because both Isom and Alley testified on the following day that they had not discussed their testimony with anyone. When questioned
regarding her statements in the cell, Isom did not deny making the statements, but answered that she did not believe she had discussed the case with anyone when she was questioned at trial because her cellmates did not respond to her statements in any way. Isom
- 7 -
explained that her understanding of the word discussion is that it involves "people talking back and forth." Perry testified that she did not recall Isom's statements to her. A district court may grant a defendant's motion for a new trial "if the interest of justice so requires." 33(a). Fed. R. Crim. P.
A district court "`should exercise its discretion to grant
a new trial sparingly,' and . . . should do so `only when the evidence weighs heavily against the verdict.'" United States v.
Perry, 335 F.3d 316, 320 (4th Cir. 2003) (quoting United States v. Wilson, 118 F.3d 228, 237 (4th Cir. 1997). This court reviews the United
denial of a Rule 33 motion for abuse of discretion. States v. Adam, 70 F.3d 776, 779 (4th Cir. 1995).
In order to
warrant a new trial based on newly discovered evidence, a defendant must show that: (1) the evidence is newly discovered; (2) the
defendant used due diligence; (3) the evidence is not merely cumulative or impeaching; (4) the evidence is material; and (5) the evidence would probably result in an acquittal at a new trial. United States v. Lofton, 233 F.3d 313 (4th Cir. 2000). Unless the
defendant demonstrates all five of these factors, the motion should be denied. 1989). Because the evidence at issue would not have resulted in an acquittal at a new trial, but was merely impeachment evidence of United States v. Chavis, 880 F.2d 788, 793 (4th Cir.
- 8 -
relatively minor significance, the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying Smith's motion for a new trial. Smith next argues that the district court erred in enhancing his offense level for obstruction of justice, based upon its finding that Smith gave materially false testimony on the stand, because the district court did not make adequate findings concerning his alleged perjury. The sentencing court must impose a two-level adjustment under U.S. Sentencing Guidelines Manual ("USSG") § 3C1.1 (2007) if the defendant willfully obstructed or impeded the administration of justice during the investigation, prosecution, or sentencing of the offense of conviction and any relevant conduct relating to the offense of conviction. The adjustment applies when the district
court determines that a defendant committed perjury. USSG § 3C1.1, comment. (n.4(b)); see also United States v. Dunnigan, 507 U.S. 87, 94 (1993). The adjustment for perjury is not applicable merely
because the defendant testified and was subsequently convicted. Id. at 95. The court must find that the defendant gave false
testimony under oath "concerning a material matter with the willful intent to provide false testimony, rather than as a result of confusion, mistake, or faulty memory." Id. at 94; United States v. Smith, 62 F.3d 641, 646-47 (4th Cir. 1995). court finds that a defendant has When the sentencing perjury, it is
committed
preferable if the court addresses all the elements of perjury
- 9 -
separately and clearly, but a finding that "encompasses all of the factual predicates for a finding of perjury" is sufficient.
Dunnigan, 507 U.S. at 95. The district court found, based upon the weight of other testimonial evidence presented at trial and credited by the jury in reaching its verdict, that Smith testified falsely that he did not sell methamphetamine or assist the methamphetamine distribution conspiracy. The issue of whether or not Smith sold methamphetamine or was involved in the conspiracy was obviously material. The
district court found that Smith knowingly testified falsely, not as a result of confusion, mistake, or faulty memory. The court did
not commit any error in enhancing Smith's sentence for obstruction of justice. Finally, Smith contends that he was entitled to a
downward adjustment in his offense level based upon his minor role in the conspiracy. "A defendant seeking a downward adjustment for
his minor role in a criminal offense bears the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that he is entitled to such adjustment." United States v. Nelson, 6 F.3d 1049, 1058 (4th Cir. The standard of review for factual
1993)(citation omitted).
determinations, such as whether the appellant's conduct warrants a minor role sentencing reduction, is clear error. Daughtrey, 874 F.2d 213, 218 (4th Cir. 1989). United States v.
A defendant who is
only a "minor participant" in a criminal activity may have his
- 10 -
offense level reduced by two levels.
USSG § 3B1.2(b).
This
applies to a defendant "who is less culpable than most other participants, but whose role could not be described as minimal." USSG § 3B1.2(b), comment. (n.5). However, the court should not
only compare the defendant's culpability to that of the other participants, but also measure it against the elements of the offense of conviction. (4th Cir. 1995). United States v. Reavis, 48 F.3d 763, 769
"The critical inquiry is thus not just whether
the defendant has done fewer `bad acts' than his codefendants, but whether the defendant's conduct is material or essential to
committing the offense."
United States v. Palinkas, 938 F.2d 456,
460 (4th Cir. 1991), vacated, 503 U.S. 931 (1992), reinstated, United States v. Kochekian, 977 F.2d 905 (4th Cir. 1992). The Government presented evidence that Smith lived with Isom, sold methamphetamine, provided security and transportation
services for the conspirators, and knew several other members of the conspiracy, including high-level distributors. The district court did not err in finding that Smith did not meet his burden of proving that his conduct was not material or essential to the conspiracy, based upon his close relationship with Isom and his interactions with other conspirators. For the reasons stated above, we affirm the Appellants' convictions and sentences. We deny Missy Smith's motion for We dispense
preparation of a transcript at government expense.
- 11 -
with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process. AFFIRMED
- 12 -
Disclaimer: Justia Dockets & Filings provides public litigation records from the federal appellate and district courts. These filings and docket sheets should not be considered findings of fact or liability, nor do they necessarily reflect the view of Justia.
Why Is My Information Online?