United States v. Shawn Henderson

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
United States v. Shawn Henderson, 597 F. App'x 412 (9th Cir. 2015)

United States v. Shawn Henderson

Opinion

MEMORANDUM **

Shawn Henderson appeals his conviction for felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2). Having jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291, we affirm.

Henderson argues that the government presented inconsistent theories at his trial. A prosecutor violates a defendant’s due process rights by pursuing fundamentally inconsistent theories against separate defendants for the same crime if the prosecutor knowingly uses false evidence or acts in bad faith. Nguyen v. Lindsey, 232 F.3d 1286, 1240 (9th Cir. 2000). The government did not act in bad faith or use false evidence when it argued that Henderson possessed the same handgun that his co-defendant admitted to possessing in the factual basis of his plea agreement; and, these were not fundamentally inconsistent theories. See id. (“[Although] the prosecutor made different arguments at each trial, ... [there was no due process violation because] these arguments were consistent with the evidence actually adduced at each trial.”).

Henderson also argues that the district court improperly rejected his motion to dismiss counsel, which he raised for the first time after trial (and after the jury acquitted him on one count and failed to reach a verdict on another). We consider three factors when assessing whether a motion to dismiss counsel was properly denied: (1) whether the district court’s inquiry was adequate, (2) the extent of the conflict between the defendant and his counsel, and (8) the timeliness of the defendant’s motion weighed against any inconvenience or delay that would result from granting the motion. United States v. Corona-Garcia, 210 F.3d 973, 976 (9th Cir. 2000). Based on these factors, the district court did not abuse its discretion in rejecting Henderson’s motion. See id. at 976-77.

AFFIRMED.

**

This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.

Reference

Full Case Name
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Shawn Lorin HENDERSON, Defendant-Appellant
Status
Unpublished