Caldwell v. United States

992 F. Supp. 363, 1998 WL 31874
CourtDistrict Court, S.D. New York
DecidedJanuary 26, 1998
DocketNo. 97 Civ. 2125 (HB)
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 992 F. Supp. 363 (Caldwell v. United States) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, S.D. New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Caldwell v. United States, 992 F. Supp. 363, 1998 WL 31874 (S.D.N.Y. 1998).

Opinion

OPINION AND ORDER

BAER, District Judge.

Petitioner Wilíiám Caldwell (“Caldwell”) moves this court pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255. for a modification of his sentence so that he may serve the remainder of his prison sentence in home detention because he was diagnosed with leukemia after sentencing. For-the reasons set forth below, Caldwell’s motion is DENIED.

I. Background

On June 11, 1996, Caldwell, a former captain of the New York City Housing Police, was charged in a four count indictment stemming from his dealings with the New York City Parking Violations Bureau (“PVB”). The indictment charged that Caldwell defrauded the City of New York by obtaining improper dismissals and reductions on parking tickets issued to others. On September 19, 1996, Caldwell pleaded guilty to count one of the indictment (conspiracy to commit wire fraud). He was then sentenced to a term of imprisonment of one year and one day.1 He began serving his sentence on [365]*365November 7, 1996. Caldwell did not appeal his conviction or sentence. On February 5, 1997, Caldwell was diagnosed with stage II chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

II. Discussion

Caldwell moves to amend his sentence based on 28 U.S.C. § 2255, Fed.R.Crim.P. 33, the inherent power of the court, and the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution. Caldwell contends that his sentence should be amended on the ground that he was diagnosed with leukemia after sentencing. He argues that had the Court considered his leukemia at the time of sentencing, it would have granted him a downward departure under the Sentencing Guidelines.

A This Court Lacks Jurisdiction to Modify Caldwell’s Sentence

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c), a court may modify a sentence in three limited circumstances, none of which are present here: (1) when the Bureau of Prisons moves the Court for such a reduction; (2) when the sentence was based on a guideline range that has since been lowered; and (3) when the court is so authorized by the Fed.R.Crim.P. 35.

Rule 35(c) permits the sentencing court to correct its own sentences within seven days of the imposition of the sentence and only with respect to corrections that result from arithmetical, technical or other clear error. See Fed.R.Crim.P. 35(c). Because Caldwell has brought this motion well beyond seven days after the September 19 sentencing' date, this court is barred from modifying Caldwell’s sentence.2 See United States v. Werber, 51 F.3d 342, 348 (2d Cir. 1995); United States v. Abreur-Cabrera 64 F.3d 67, 73 (2d Cir.1995). Therefore, this court lacks jurisdiction to modify Caldwell’s sentence pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c).

B. This Court Cannot Modify Caldwell’s Sentence Under the Other Doctrines, Rules and Provisions Cited by Caldwell

1. The Courts Inherent Powers

Caldwell argues that his motion should be granted based on this Court’s inherent powers to review prior sentences. However, this Circuit has found that a sentencing court’s inherent power to review pri- or sentences must be read in conjunction with Fed.R.Crim.P. 35(c). In United States v. Werber, the court found that the cases that defendants cited that recognized the court’s inherent power to “correct an erroneous sentence as long as the time for appeal has not yet run” were inapposite because they were decided before the 1991 addition of Rule 35(c) which shortened this “inherent power” to correct sentences to a seven day window. 51 F.3d at 348-49. Therefore, Caldwell’s motion cannot be granted based on this argument.

2. Fed.R.Crim.P. 33

Caldwell also argues that his motion should be granted under Rule 33. This rule provides that “[f]he court on motion of a defendant may grant a new trial to that defendant if required in the interest of justice.” Fed.R.Crim.P. 33. When such a motion is made on the ground of newly discovered evidence, it should only be granted “if ... the evidence is ‘such that it would probably lead to an acquittal’ ... and would otherwise create a ‘reasonable doubt that did not otherwise exist.’ ” United States v. Diaz, 922 F.2d 998, 1006 (2d Cir.1990) (citations omitted), cert. denied, 500 U.S. 925, 111 S.Ct. 2035, 114 L.Ed.2d 119 (1991). This Rule is inapplicable here since there was no trial in [366]*366this case, as Caldwell pleaded guilty to the charges. Furthermore, even if Rule 33 were applicable to Caldwell, he does not claim that the newly discovered evidence (the diagnosis of leukemia) is exculpatory evidence such that it would probably lead to an acquittal. Caldwell cannot, therefore, find the relief he seeks pursuant to Fed.R.Crim.P. 33.

3. Amendment of Sentence Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255

A prisoner may move the sentencing court to vacate the sentence if, among other reasons, the sentence is subject to collateral attack. This Circuit has held that:

collateral attack on a final judgment in a criminal ease is generally available under § 2255 only for a constitutional error, a lack of jurisdiction in the sentencing court, or an error of law or fact that constitutes ‘a fundamental defect which inherently results in complete miscarriage of justice.’

Graziano v. United States, 83 F.3d 587, 589-90 (2d Cir.1996). In assessing a plaintiffs motion to vacate his sentence because the court imposed a fine that exceeded the applicable range established by the Sentencing Guidelines, the Graziano court held that “absent a complete miscarriage of justice, such claims will not be considered on a § 2255 motion where defendant failed to raise them on direct appeal.” Id. at 590.

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992 F. Supp. 363, 1998 WL 31874, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/caldwell-v-united-states-nysd-1998.