United States v. Alexander Lashaun Bohannon

240 F. App'x 329
Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit·Decided July 18, 2007·No. 06-15904·Unpublished

Opinion

PER CURIAM:

Appellant Alexander Lashawn Bohannon appeals his convictions for carjacking, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2119, and using a firearm during the commission of a crime of violence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), and his resulting consecutive life sentences. Bohannon argues on appeal that, in light of Holloway v. United States, 526 U.S. 1, 119 S.Ct. 966, 143 L.Ed.2d 1 (1999), there was insufficient evidence to allow a reasonable jury to conclude that he intended to take the car when the victim was shot, and that taking the victim’s car was a mere afterthought. Bohannon therefore argues also that the evidence was insufficient to convict him of carjacking and using a firearm during a carjacking.

Bohannon next argues that his consecutive sentences of life imprisonment are unreasonable. Specifically, he argues that his sentence is unreasonable because the second life sentence amounts to a variance that is well above the 25-year sentence set forth in the guidelines for violating § 924(c).

We review a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence de novo. United States v. Gunn, 369 F.3d 1229, 1234 (11th Cir.2004). When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, the inquiry is “whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.” Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 2789, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979). In so doing, we resolve all reasonable inferences and credibility choices in favor of the jury’s verdict. United States v. Rodriguez, 218 F.3d 1243, 1244 (11th Cir.2000). Moreover, as long as the testimony is not incredible as a matter of law, we must accept the jury’s conclusions. *331 United States v. Calderon, 127 F.3d 1314, 1325 (11th Cir.1997).

“In order to be convicted of carjacking under 18 U.S.C. § 2119, the government must prove that the defendant (1) with intent to cause death or serious bodily harm (2) took a motor vehicle (3) that had been transported, shipped or received in interstate or foreign commerce (4) from the person or presence of another (5) by force and violence or intimidation.” United States v. Diaz, 248 F.3d 1065, 1096 (11th Cir.2001). The required mens rea element for carjacking was later clarified by the Supreme Court in Holloway v. United States, 526 U.S. 1, 119 S.Ct. 966, 143 L.Ed.2d 1 (1999): “The intent requirement of [18 U.S.C. § ] 2119 is satisfied when the Government proves that at the moment the defendant demanded or took control over the driver’s automobile[,] the defendant possessed the intent to seriously harm or kill the driver if necessary to steal the ear[.]” Id. at 12, 119 S.Ct. at 972. “The defendant’s intent is to be judged objectively from the visible conduct of the actor and what one in the position of the victim might reasonably conclude.” United States v. Fulford, 267 F.3d 1241, 1244 (11th Cir.2001).

We have also held that “any defendant who possesses a firearm within the meaning of section 2119 necessarily uses or carries it as defined in § 924(c)(1).” United States v. Moore, 43 F.3d 568, 572 (11th Cir.1994) (internal quotation and citation omitted). Therefore, if sufficient evidence supports a conviction for carjacking, it necessarily follows that sufficient evidence supports a conviction for possessing a firearm. See id.

Here, the record demonstrates that there was sufficient evidence for a reasonable jury to conclude that Bohannon intended to harm the victim if necessary to steal his car. Although Bohannon argues that the victim was not in the car, the testimony of two witnesses placed the victim in or near the car when the struggle between the victim and Bohannon began. The jury could have reasonably inferred that the victim was in the car when the struggle began. See Rodriguez, 218 F.3d at 1244. Bohannon’s argument that he essentially intended to rob the victim, and that he took the car as a mere afterthought, fails. First, even if a robbery had been the primary objective, it does not automatically render the taking of the car as an afterthought. The car could have been an integral part of the robbery as a necessary means of escape. See Diaz, 248 F.3d at 1096 (noting that gaining control of the victim’s car was an essential element in an extortion scheme and not a mere afterthought). Second, Bohannon’s previous conviction for carjacking that was introduced at trial also supports the finding of intent. Third, Bohannon’s suggestion that the victim’s previous drug conviction supported the conclusion that Bohannon’s intent was to rob the victim for his drug proceeds is without merit because Bohannon presented no evidence that the victim had possession of any drugs or cash at the time of the shooting. Fourth, Bohannon’s reliance on a witness’s testimony that she anticipated a robbery is misplaced because the witness admitted that she could not hear the verbal exchange between Bohannon and the victim, and only saw them fighting. The witness’s characterization of the incident as a robbery is not dispositive. Fifth, the victim’s statement to Bohannon that he did not have anything supports the conclusion that the victim did not realize Bohannon wanted the car, but it does not necessitate the conclusion that Bohannon merely intended to rob the victim, as opposed to harming him in order to take the car. Finally, quickly disposing of the car does nothing to negate Bohannon’s intent *332 to harm the victim, because the jury could have inferred that it showed Bohannon realized he needed to seek medical attention and create an alibi. See Rodriguez, 218 F.3d at 1244. Based on the foregoing, a rational juror could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that Bohannon intended to harm the victim in order to take the car. See Jackson, 443 U.S. at 319, 99 S.Ct. at 2789.

Moreover, since there is sufficient evidence to support Bohannon’s conviction for carjacking, it necessarily follows that there is sufficient evidence to support Bohannon’s conviction for using a firearm during a carjacking. See Moore, 43 F.3d at 572.

The Supreme Court’s decision in United States v. Booker,

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United States v. Alexander Lashaun Bohannon, 240 F. App'x 329 (11th Cir. 2007).

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Related

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218 F.3d 1243 (Eleventh Circuit, 2000)
United States v. Diaz
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United States v. Fulford
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United States v. Manuel Gunn
369 F.3d 1229 (Eleventh Circuit, 2004)
United States v. John Kevin Talley
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United States v. Jermaine Hunt
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Jackson v. Virginia
443 U.S. 307 (Supreme Court, 1979)
Holloway v. United States
526 U.S. 1 (Supreme Court, 1999)
United States v. Booker
543 U.S. 220 (Supreme Court, 2004)
United States v. Norman J. Moore Rodney Hewlett
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United States v. Alberto Calderon
127 F.3d 1314 (Eleventh Circuit, 1997)
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456 F.3d 1353 (Eleventh Circuit, 2006)