United States v. Donald F. Bettenhausen and Bernice A. Bettenhausen

499 F.2d 1223, 34 A.F.T.R.2d (RIA) 5415, 1974 U.S. App. LEXIS 7862
CourtCourt of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
DecidedJuly 1, 1974
Docket73-1426, 73-1427
StatusPublished
Cited by67 cases

This text of 499 F.2d 1223 (United States v. Donald F. Bettenhausen and Bernice A. Bettenhausen) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Donald F. Bettenhausen and Bernice A. Bettenhausen, 499 F.2d 1223, 34 A.F.T.R.2d (RIA) 5415, 1974 U.S. App. LEXIS 7862 (10th Cir. 1974).

Opinion

HOLLOWAY, Circuit Judge.

Donald F. and Bernice A. Bettenhausen, husband and wife, appeal their convictions under a multiple count indictment of making an income tax return containing written declarations not believed to be true, and making and using false writings, in the form of altered checks and other documents, to substantiate improper deductions to the Internal Revenue Service. Mr. Bettenhausen was convicted of filing such returns containing untrue declarations for 1966, 1967 and 1968, in violation of 26 U.S.C.A. § 7206(1) and 18 U.S.C.A. § 2. Mrs. Bettenhausen was convicted of the same offense by their joint return for 1968 only. Both were convicted on eight counts under 18 U.S.C.A. § 1001 and 18 U.S.C.A. § 2 for making and using of false writings. The defendants were each given three year concurrent sentences on all convictions.

Numerous propositions are seriously pressed as grounds for reversal. It is convenient to discuss the facts separately in treating these arguments.

1. Venue of the offenses under 26 U.S.C.A. § 7206(1)

Defendants object that venue was not properly laid in the District of Kansas for the offense of making the returns in violation of 26 U.S.C.A. § 7206(1). They say that there could be no offense without filing of a return and that since this occurred at the Internal Revenue Service Center at Austin, Texas, venue was improper in the District of Kansas. Reliance is placed on the constitutional guaranty of the Sixth Amendment, and Travis v. United States, 364 U.S. 631, 81 S.Ct. 358, 5 L.Ed.2d 340 and United States v. Lombardo, 241 U.S. 73, and similar authorities.

Article 3, Section 2 of the Constitution affords the fundamental guaranty that trial of all crimes “ . . . shall be held in the State where the said Crimes shall have been committed . ” The Sixth Amendment reinforces the guaranty, providing for trial “ . . . by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed . . . ” Carrying out the constitutional mandate, Rule 18 F.R.Crim.P. provides that prosecution “ . . . shall be had in a district in which the offense was committed.”

We are persuaded by the reasoning in United States v. Hagan, 306 F.Supp. 620 (D.Md.). The court there said it might be true, as argued, that the offense was not complete and could not have been prosecuted if the return had never been filed. But the court pointed out that the key verbs defining the offense under 26 U.S.C.A. § 7206(1) are “makes” and “subscribes.” Id. at 621-622; see also United States v. Slutsky, 487 F.2d 832, 839 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 416 U.S. 937, 94 S.Ct. 1937, 40 L.Ed.2d 287. Therefore, under Rule 18, it was held that the defendant could be prosecuted in the district where the return was made and subscribed.

We feel that Travis v. United States, 364 U.S. 631, 81 S.Ct. 358, 5 L.Ed.2d 340, and United States v. Lombardo, 241 U.S. 73, 36 S.Ct. 508, 60 L.Ed. 897, do not support the objection to venue here. They were decided under statutes requiring filing with a particular Government agency, which was stressed. See 364 U.S. at 632, n. 2, 81 S.Ct. 358; 241 U.S. at 76, 78, 36 S.Ct. 508; cf. United States v. Bithoney, 472 F.2d 16 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 412 U.S. 938, 93 S.Ct. 2771, 37 L.Ed.2d 397.

Here the returns were made and subscribed in the District of Kansas, although mailed to Austin as required. We feel venue in Kansas was proper un *1227 der Rule 18 and in accord with the constitutional guaranties.

2. Refusal of the trial court to submit the issue of Mr. Bettenhausen’s sanity

Mr. Bettenhausen argues that reversible error occurred when the trial court refused to submit the issue of his competence to commit the offenses and charged the jury that the issue was not available and should not be considered by the jury (Tr. 1366-67). The Government says that there was no proof offered during the retrial which raised the sanity issue and that the prosecution was entitled to rely on the presumption of sanity. Thus it contends the trial court’s instruction was proper.

These convictions occurred on a retrial following an earlier mistrial declared in February, 1972, when the jury was unable to agree. Before the first trial Mr. Bettenhausen’s counsel gave notice at two omnibus hearings in 1971 that insanity would be a defense. Medical examinations arranged by the defense followed. In November, 1971, the Government requested an examination to determine Mr. Bettenhausen’s competence to stand trial. In November the trial court conducted a hearing at the Government’s request and determined that Mr. Bettenhausen was competent to stand trial. The defense did not then, and does not now, assert that Mr. Bettenhausen was not competent to stand trial at either trial.

The first trial followed in February, 1972. At that trial a psychiatrist and a psychologist testified for the defense that Mr. Bettenhausen had not been competent to commit the offenses. Among others the sanity issue was submitted to the jury. They were unable to agree and a mistrial was declared.

In March the Government requested that Mr. Bettenhausen be examined by a psychiatrist. An examination was ordered in November, 1972, and conducted by three physicians, one being a psychiatrist, for the Government. In the Government’s opening statement at the second trial in December, 1972, the insanity issue was discussed. And during the presentation of its case the Government developed lay testimony attempting to show that Mr. Bettenhausen was competent.

In cross-examination Mr. Bettenhausen’s superior at Boeing, Mr. Robbins, testified that about the middle of 1971 he first learned that Mr. Bettenhausen had come under the care of a psychiatrist, and that he knew he was away from work, hospitalized and under the care of a psychiatrist (Tr. 1129-30). The offenses had allegedly occurred, at various dates from April, 1967, into May, 1969. The defense cross-examined repeatedly on the issue to attempt to develop proof of insanity, but no other evidence of substance was obtained by cross-examination.

From these and other circumstances the defense argues that from the outset of the second trial the burden was' on the Government to prove Mr. Bettenhausen’s sanity. The defense says that the Government has the burden of proving the defendant’s sanity when evidence of insanity is produced, from whatever source. And it is argued that once the Government has notice of the mental condition of the accused, it has the burden of proof in the first instance as to the sanity of the accused. Reliance is placed primarily on several Tenth Circuit cases, which we have considered, 1 and a ruling by the trial judge who tried the first case. 2

*1228 As to mental responsibility to plead or stand trial — which as stated is not at issue here — the trial court’s duty flows from constitutional requirements of due process, Pate v.

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499 F.2d 1223, 34 A.F.T.R.2d (RIA) 5415, 1974 U.S. App. LEXIS 7862, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-donald-f-bettenhausen-and-bernice-a-bettenhausen-ca10-1974.