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United States v. Joshua William Sanders
41 F.3d 480
9th Cir.
1994
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*1 480 spent a million from the Borrower.” This off-

Bаnk of the West not collected against apply, Technical does not million litigating dollars claim set because $1.14 underwriter, dropped Chubb, then it Equities’ Eq- from not Technical was collected receiving Valley National penny. without uities. this as argues split it not have that should Valley conclude that National We “extraordinary expense,” pursu because not to an was entitled offset for the $1.14 ing litigation dropping then it was liability million in This falls with insurance. was not But there no evidence “reasonable.” general principal indemnitors vigorously pur After of unreasonableness. pay legal its expenses must all the of indem claim, suing lawyers Bank of the West’s nitee, if al even the indemnitеe’s insurer thought dropping They ease. advised ready paid expenses. Long for the See They problematic. the case was feared Keller, 318, 163 312, Cal.App.3d Cal.Rptr. 104 on the underwriter would tend to attack (1980); Tillman v. Rec. Wheaton-Haven against weaken the defense the Technical Ass’n, Inc., 1222, F.2d Cir. Equities investors. The would underwriter 1978). subrogated An to the insurer be pay anything in not settlement. Bank of indemnity from policyholder’s right to a third best, at lawyers thought West’s the bank Lesmark, Pryce, party. See Inc. v. F.2d attorneys’ of fees “spending

would be a dollar (D.C.Cir.1964). so, If that is there (Ex every expected recovery.” dollar anyone. if the is no windfall to Even insurer 382). any There was no of this evidence subrogation, cаlling not is entitled analysis wrong, Bank or that of the West insurance windfall misstates the somewhat attorneys. overspent on is noth There case. Bank of the West chose bear the ing inherently dropping unreasonable about insurance, expense liability of purchasing the appears case it to be a Rea because loser. Valley National did not contract to share throwing money good son not does command must so in the benefit. We remand after bad. There was no reason to submit judgment by district court can correct the question jury. eliminating against this offset Bank claim. West’s Against Extraordinary D. Insurance Offset part, part Expenses AFFIRMED in REVERSED in and REMANDED. Bank the West succeeded in hav insurеr, Chubb, liability its pay $1.14 million toward loss. Chubb insured liability against

Bank of the West lenders’

claims of the sort which Bank the West spent defending settling. million $11 ¶ (See 106). 4; Supp Ex 703 Ex district The America, UNITED STATES of money court subtracted this from “extraordi Plaintiff-Appellee, nary Valley thereby got expenses.” National liability half of Bank West’s insurance recovery. SANDERS, argues Bank the West Joshua William have Defendant-Appellant. should not had to share the benefit liability itself, paid insurance it for its No. 93-10780. protection. own Appeals, United States Court of participation agreement Ninth Circuit. say anything about the collateral source applies “expenses rule. It incurred Argued May and Submitted 1994. only by Lender.” The sustained reference Nov. Decided agreement against to offsets extraordi nary expenses are the statement that by Valley only

to be “to reimbursed National Extraordinary Expenses

the extent such *2 GOODWIN, POOLE, and

Before: REINHARDT, Judges. Circuit GOODWIN; by Judge Partial Opinion *3 by Judge REINHARDT. Dissent GOODWIN, Judge: Circuit appeals his convic- William Sanders Joshua mailing a on two counts of tion and sentence threatening communication. 18 U.S.C. argues that the district court § He (1) concluding that his offense did erred: instance not constitute deliberation,” ‍‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​‍ U.S.S.G. little (2) 2A6.1(b)(2); failing notify him that § reject presentence report’s it intended (3) 2A6.1(b)(2); on add- recommendation history score ing points to his criminal (4) offenses; juvenile inadequately consequences chang- informing him of the plea. We affirm. I. April,

In Sanders wrote two “letters” entirely consisting epithets of raciаl almost language. derogatory He addressed first of these letters to “N.I.G.G.E.R.S.” chapter it to the Fairfield mailed the Advancement of National Association for NAACP”). (“the People On the en- Colored might out this velope, Sanders wrote ‘Watch b_,” “die,” Africa,” “go back to be letter derogatory letter and other remarks. itself, an Afri- drew a caricature of person variety and wrote a can-American racial slurs. the second letter

Sanders addressed Pussy’s” and mailed [sic] “Jewish Congregation in Fair- B’Nai Avraham Jewish (“the Congregation”). He deco- field Jewish envelope and letter with various rated the threats, drawings, and offensive anti-Semitic phrases. address, the return Both letters bore McClintock, Ann Asst. Federal Public C. (i.e. Aryan “Fairfield W.A.R.” White Resis-

Defender, Sacramento, CA, for defendant- tance), post regis- and a Fairfield office box appellant. handwriting matched tered Sanders. agents After FBI confronted Sanders’. Atty., Miguel Rodriguez, Sacra- Asst. U.S. match, Sanders admitted Sanders with mento, CA, plaintiff-appellee. letters, explaining that sending he both early mailed both letters one written and morning while drunk. reduction, resulting charged guidelines two counts of level in a with communication, threatening

mailing range twenty-one felo- of fifteen months. The count of inter- ny, 18 and one U.S.C. court sentenced two concurrent misdemeanor, fering housing rights, a prison fifteen-month terms followed three 3631(a). The misdemeanor U.S.C. years supervised release. charge alleged that the NAACP office which communication was

received Sanders’ first II. A REDUCTION FOR chapter president’s home. also SINGLE INSTANCE EVIDENCING LITTLE OR NO DELIBERATION I, initially pled ‍‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​‍guilty to Count mailing a communication to the challenges Sanders first the district court’s III, congregation, and interfer- Jewish Count *4 to award him a refusal four-level reduction plea, housing rights.1 with Based on this 2A6.1(b)(2). § under U.S.S.G. We review report presentence calculated a sentence interpretation the district court’s of the rele range of to sixteen months and recom- ten novo, guidelines accepting vant de its under custody, mended a sentence of five months lying findings clearly factual unless errone confinement, community five months McAninch, ous. United States v. 994 F.2d However, years supervised release. three — denied, (9th 1380, Cir.), cert. U.S. that, report expressed opinion also —, 394, (1993). 114 S.Ct. 126 L.Ed.2d 342 I II pled guilty to Counts Sanders Fine, (9th United States 975 F.2d (the felony mailing threatening a two commu- Cir.1992) (en banc). than to Counts I charges), nication rather III, applicable guidelines range Single Instance A.

would have been six to twelve months and The district court found that con- eligible straight would have been duct “single did not constitute a instance” probation. meaning § within the because Sanders therefore moved to withdraw his “enough distinguishes prepara- [the letters’] guilty plea guilty plea and substitute a new mailing they tion and cannot bе de- II, I felony the two counts of Counts ” comprising scribed as one ‘instance.’ Sen- mailing a communication. The (Dec. 2,1993). tencing Memorandum at 5 government opposed this motion. particular, the court noted that the letters the district court to with- allowed Sanders were plea, expressing draw his concern about the groups two addressed to different of vic- noting misdemeanor’s factual basis and locations, tims, they were sent to different government presented any had not evi- deposited were in different mail box- dence that Sanders knew that the NAACP es, the contents of each letter differed private a office was residence. Sanders then significantly, specifically both were tailored pled guilty to the two felonies. religious to the different racial or charac- presentenee report A revised calculated a victims, groups teristics of the of intended guidelines range of six to twelve months and and each letter contained a different threat recommended serve of violence. imprisonment, community months six months Id. at 5-6. confinement, years supervised and three re- report argues lease. The revised also recommended that the district court mis Guidelines, interpreted construing “single receive a four-level reduction in “single offense level because his offense a instance” as threat” rather than “sin “involv[ed] on United single evidencing gle episode.” primarily instance little or no deliber- He relies Pacione, 2A6.1(b)(2). States ation.” After full 950 F.2d U.S.S.G. — denied, issue, however, Cir.1991), —, cert. briefing hearing and a on the U.S. (1992), the district court denied Sanders the four- S.Ct. 120 L.Ed.2d 920 in which return, government agreed oppose dencing 1. In or no U.S.S.G. not little deliberation.” acceptance responsibility 2A6.1(b)(2). a reduction or a "single four-level decrease for a instance evi- automatically agent not that his offense twice an IRS mean threatened the defendant “single “Single a in- comprises to the IRS instance.” phone then went over the by- only temporal not rela- (according to a connotes later and stance” office an hour stander) purpose” or “sin- going tionship, “single but also told his friend that he Especially considered gle at 1351. Sand- scheme.” when up the IRS office. Id. blow together no deliberation” received the “little or emphasizes Pacione ers 2A6.1(b)(2)reduction, re- despite making requirement, suggests mul- the term apply threats, indica- whose and cites the case as an duction should to defendants tiple single impulse, involves multi- are the of a conduct that threats tion that “offense ‘single single thoughtless response to illegal involve a or are a ple acts still particular event. little or no deliberation’ instance 2A6.1(b)(2).” meaning Pet. within Thus, “single reduction instance” Sanders, con- Aсcording R’hg at 9. required might not be where a defendant Pacione’s, duct, place over a few like took threats, involving several unrelated made and thus constitutes short hours victims, if these different even several misconduct, if it involved even instance” relatively threats occurred within a short ¡ threats. several might period of time. reduction *5 only published defendant, circuit Pacione is the example, While a with- apply, for where 2A6.1(b)(2) addressing hours, reasons, §a reduc- opinion but a few for unrelated tion,2 hardly controlling. The the case both his ex-wife and a business threatened validity Likewise, did not address the might apply Circuit not Seventh associate. it 2A6.1(b)(2) reduction, merely men- the defendаnt made a number of simi- where passing discussing time, tioning the reduction in period over an of lar threats extended Pacione, Bellrichard, issue. 950 F.2d at an unrelated See F.Supp. at 265. as Thus, contrary arguments, Sanders’ contrast, apply in might In the reduction Pacione’s Circuit did not affirm the Seventh Pacione, cases such as where the defendant 2A6.1(b)(2) reduction or hold that Pacione’s single a victim several times with- threatened “single a instance evi- conduct constituted time, very period reacting in a short of dencing little or no deliberation.” throughout single stress- misconduct to a case, the deci- ful event —in Pacione’s IRS’s Nonetheless, agree “single that we levy during paycheck her sion wife’s necessarily “single does not mean instance” hospitalization lung for cancer. Pacione’s involving that several threat” and conduct a response particular were all to one threats may single instance or threats constitute a they made traumatic situation and were all 2A6.1(b)(2). meaning of episode within period over a short of time.3 threats, argues, related As Sanders several circumstances, may com depending on contrast, conduct, it Sanders’ while threatening single episode of conduct. prise a hours, place period over a has took of a few However, “single targeted that two mere fact Sanders’ no such motive.” He sрan groups, separate sets place separate took within a time based on two conduct short published only other cases even mention- 3. Sanders assumes that Pacione's misconduct 2. The Lowenstein, 2A6.1(b)(2) hour, ing § bystander are States v. United an covered at least because (6th Cir.1993) (affirming an 1 F.3d 453-54 threatening that one testified hour after departure upward wrote a where the defendant call, telling phone office Pacione was at the IRS letters); huge of United volume up going that he was the IRS his friend to blow Jimenez-Otero, (1st 898 F.2d States However, nothing opinion office. in the indi- Cir.1990) (affirming upward adjustment ‍‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​‍un- an the district that this state- cates that court found 2A6.1(b)(1) involv[ing] any der an “offense threаt, pres- ment was it was made in the carry an out such conduct intent agent, anything of the IRS it was but ence or that where the defendant brandished a screw- threat” Thus, expression anger. private Pacione of threats); making driver while United States solely may the two have been sentenced Bellrichard, (D.Minn.1992) F.Supp. during phone made call. threats (denying § de- reduction where the wrote a number of letters to several fendant victims). different say separate sets of mo- we cannot as a matter of prejudices, and two law express Although letters racial tives. both Sanders’ letters show “little or no delib- hatred, writing just letters two different two eration.” Sanders not mail a did note to partic- lеtter to the groups tailoring each stating going a familiar “I am address to kill religious ular characteristics of the you.” or racial particular up He looked addresses of group suggests less instance” organizations particular and selected victims. conduct more a chronic tenden- aberrant letters, short, relatively His while contain a cy group persons to threaten because their variety of racist and anti-Semitic statements .membership. district court not did and drawings, particu- each of his tailored to clearly finding err in Sanders’ conduct lar victims. These statements calculated single did not involve a instance of miscon- frighten particular upset groups two letters duct that his two constituted imply of victims and to should take instances, time, by separated not but vic- seriously. his threats group Sanders’ use of tim. supremacy insults and to white references groups suggests frighten intent numer- B. Little or No Deliberation persons. writing ous Although such letters finding err in certainly intelligent Nor did the court require thought, does not requires Sanders’ conduct evidenced deliberation. some time and attention. court, According to the clearly The district court did err writings [t]he contents of the themselves finding that Sanders’ conduct showed delib- demonstrate that some deliberation went “thought” eration. While not be the Moreover, preparation. [Sand- into their most accurate characterization victims, groups ers] selected two distinct effort, mental circumstances the let- their he selected them for race and reli- *6 planning ters showed some and a clear intent gion, the and he tailored contents of his target groups. harass the religion. and [He] letters to their race addresses, then obtained the victims’ at- III. NOTICE INTENTION proper postage, deposited

tached and the OF TO REJECT THE drop two letters in mail box- PRESENTENCE two different REPORT es. These actions show a deliberate thought than process impulsive rather an Sanders also contends that the court action. notify depart failed to him it intended to Sentencing (citing at 7 Bell- Memorandum presentenee report’s from the recommenda 265). richard, at F.Supp. 801 2A6.1(b)(2). notes, concerning § tion As he alleges Sanders that the district court in- 6A1.3(a), requires § p.s. sentencing U.S.S.G. ordinary ferred deliberation from the and give parties adequate opportu courts to “an steps mailing essential involved a letter. nity present regarding “any information” Sanders, According to under the district important sentencing factor determi deliberation, interpretation court’s of a de- reasonably in dispute.” nation [which] § fendant 18 convicted of a U.S.C. 876 viola- Moreover, 6A1.3(b), requires § courts p.s. 2A6.1(b)(2) § tion a could never receive re- sentencing disputed “resolve factors in accor duction, mailing as a communiсa- 32(a)(1), dance with Rule Fed.R.Crim.Pro necessarily addressing tion an envel- involves ..., notify parties of its tentative find ope, and affixing postage, mailing a letter. ings provide opportunity and a reasonable objections agree mailing

We mere act of for submission of oral written itself, not, necessarily imposition letter of before of sentence.” See also 844, require agree Brady, We also that the United States v. 928 F.2d 847 deliberation. (9th Cir.1991) (defendant contents of letters do not evidence must have notice Sanders’ depart intelligent “deliberation” in sense of the court from the intends contrary, recommendation); thought presentence report’s Sanders’ offensive —on Nuno-Para, 1409, epithets racial and caricatures demonstrate United States v. 877 F.2d (9th Cir.1989). thoughtful an 1415 obvious lack of consideration.

486 adjudged guilty). that he not learn of fendant must have been contends did reject government proving intention to bears burden the district court’s prior of a until the fact conviction. United States report recommendation presentence Newman, 1119, (9th sentencing.” Appellant’s Br. at 912 F.2d 1122 Cir. “the close 1990). ques- However, first the district court 13. 2A6.1(b)(2) § at applicability tioned juve argues, As California plea hearing, more than change of Sanders’ adjudication 10, nile is not a “conviction.” See sentencing. 1993 Tr. Nov. month before D., 467, Cal.App.4th In re Asean 14 17 Cal. government specif- hearing, at 8. At (1998). 572, However, a Rptr.2d 577 n. 11 ically oppose it would a reduc- indicated may 2A6.1(b)(2) be a ward of the court as child declared argued both tion based on only government a “law violator” after the sepa- constituted “two that Sanders’ conduct “beyond shows a reasonable doubt” that the great was a rate and that “there instances” has a criminal child violated law. Cal.Welf. thought to make threats.” deal of taken these Thus, ju & Inst.Code 701. Sanders’ first parties sentencing, Id. at Before both adjudication, 2A6.1(b)(2) in which de venile the court relevance of filed briefs on the court, him a an clared ward of involved argued to the court. the issue adjudication guilt and used be Thus, failed to even if the district court Booten, history. calculating his criminal sentencing, findings” before issue “tentative F.2d at 1355. opportunity ample notice an litigate Unit- issue. Cf. juvenile a California court Palmer, 946 F.2d ed States may modify wardship order without a sub ‍‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​‍Cir.1991). Any was harmless. error J., adjudication sequent guilt. In re Glen Cal.App.3d Cal.Rptr. IV. CRIMINAL HISTORY POINTS (1979). Thus, juvenile adju Sanders’ second OFFENSES FOR JUVENILE dication, in which the California court “con challenges his criminal histo- Sanders next wardship, tinued” did not necessari score, ry contending that court the district ly guilt. adjudication involve Absent juvenile of- adding points erred proof juvenile that the California court found pre- accepted doubt, fenses. The district court guilty beyond a reasonable *7 report’s that sentence recommendation Sand- adjudication may not be increase used to a point ers receive one for 1987 California history criminal Sanders’ score. juvenile declaring him a ward court decision court, for point resentencing

of the one a 1988 decision We un must remand whole, “continuing” wardship.4 review de his We less “the record as a [reveals] harmless, a novo a district court’s determination that not error was i.e. the error did adjudication prior scope falls within the affect the district court’s selection of the imposed.” Sentencing United States sentence Williams v. Guidelines. United Cir.1992). (9th Robinson, 287, States, 193, -, 1112, 292 967 F.2d 503 112 U.S. S.Ct. (1992) 1121, 117 (interpreting L.Ed.2d 341 18 dispute not the fact 3742(f)(1)); see also U.S.C. Unitеd States juvenile adjudications, but contends that his 1418, Rodriguez-Razo, F.2d 1423-25 meaning not convictions within the Cir.1992) (9th (noting im that this standard notes, As he under of the Guidelines. “exacting poses party burden” on the 4A1.2(a)(l), prior a sentence U.S.S.G. sentence). defending the history only if purposes “counts” criminal adjudication “imposed upon guilt, Subtracting point it was one from Sanders’ crimi- trial, by plea, plea history of nolo guilty change whether or nal score will not Sanders’ history category applicable contendere.” v. Boo criminal or See also United States (9th (de- Cir.1990) ten, 1352, previous guidelines range: 914 F.2d score Sanders’ knife,” “DUI, According presentence report, the first involved Viola- 4. the latter a ¶ 1128, “petty possession of incident theft tion of Probation.” PSI I at 29. [and] involved Maree, 196, Category III five5 and includes scores States v. 934 F.2d Cir. 1991). though Pt. A. four six. U.S.S.G. Ch. disappointment While Sanders’ is un- Thus, point, with or without the contested derstandable, plain he has not shown error. sentencing range is fifteen twen- Sanders’ AFFIRMED. ty-one district court sentenced months. The months, to fifteen the minimum un- Nothing in the record der the Guidelines. REINHARDT, Judge, Circuit dissenting (or suggests that the court would have could part: have) imposed lighter sentence absent the Pacione, the defendant in Unlike Joshua Thus, error. the error was harmless and a present particularly sym- Sanders fails unnecessary. remand is United States v. Cf. pathetic figure. His threats were not the (9th Cir.1994). Rutledge, 28 F.3d illness, fаmily of traumatic and his PLEA agent. V. GUILTY victim was not an insensitive IRS Rather, Sanders was drunk and motivated Finally, contends that animosity. Although racial Sanders’ conduct him district court failed to warn of the conse considerably compassion evoke less pleading guilty quences of to the two felonies. defendant, pity than that of the Pacione he is 11(c)(1). not Fed.R.Crim.P. He does chal equally deserving of a lawful sentence for his convictions, lenge factual basis of his application fair sentencing crime and a of the specifically that both con concedes letters guidelines to his criminal conduct. meaning tained “threat” within of 18 Rather, emphasizes he U.S.C. disagree majority’s I with the and thе dis- presentence report led him to believe trict court’s conclusion that Sanders was changing plea would reduce his sent entitled to a four-level reduction in offense ence.6 sentencing. my opinion, level at the de- accepting before Sanders’ illegal termination acts did not change plea, specifically the district court constitute a instance little advised that “there are no assur- misinterpre- deliberation” based on a as to what the will be on the ances Guidelines Sentencing tation of two felonies.” Tr. Nov. 1993 at 17-18. Guidelines. “might that it The court also warned even point preliminarily

find for some reason that because there are I would out thаt our felonies, higher disagreement proper interpretation the Guidelines are than over the they would have been for the misdemeanor Sentencing in this Guidelines case felony.” and the Id. complexity apply- exemplifies inherent in Guidelines, predicament and the challenge validity Sanders did not *8 complexity poses this for defendants. The plea in court his the district and has thus presentence report originally government’s any objections except those fall waived which suggested pled guilty if Sanders to two exceptions within narrow one of the the felonies, felony than a and a rather misde- plain or constitute waiver rule error. United meanor, would a lowеr level he have offense Flores-Payon, F.2d States v. 558-60 light In of the Cir.1991). and thus lower sentence. Sanders has shown neither. counsel, report, and on of the advice Sanders presentence report pre- Because the is not guilty plea withdrew his to the misdemeanor pared pleads guilty, until after the defendant felony, pled guilty and to the second believ- [a] a court cannot “inform defendant of the ing by doing so he could reduce his guide- minimum sentence available under the time proba- accepting plea. imprisonment lines” his from five months to before United of points original plea agreement, the 5. Sanders received three for adult of 6. Under Sanders' fenses, including driving а 1989 government promised applica- conviction not to contest the (one suspended point) with a license and a 1990 2A6.1(b)(2). bility §of Sanders lost the benefit deadly weapon conviction of assault with a not a changed plea. agreement of this when he (two points). firearm Single to A Instance only.1 up being ended sentenced tion He only This be- 15 months instead. occurred declining “single to extend Sanders the sentencing hearing, no original at cause the reduction, appar- the district instance” court judge, nor either counsel— one—not the “instance,” interpreted ently the word as predict any accuracy what would could with “threat,” meaning “episode.” than Al- rathеr consequence of Sanders’ the ultimate be though majority the concedes that change plea. in too com- The Guidelines are may enough instance” be broad to include ex- plicated for As the district court that. single episode encompassing of conduct more Sanders, plained to both with candor and threat, it than one discrete concludes prescience, “I degree some of wouldn’t with must be term evaluated reference you expect [the Guidelines] to understand of as well time motivation the threats as the lawyers judges argue and about because span in which occurred. It then en- all them the time.”2 appellate fact-finding in a bit gages of artful Although separate in enacted and determines that motiva- the Guidelines were arbitrary underlay By doing un- supposedly tions actions. reaction the so, majority predictable prior unregulated of the the cheese thin results the shoes far too sentencing I regime, the of the de- as far as am concerned. Sanders’ two treatment by application clearly are linked as fendant here shows letters motivation time, view, and, easily produce my in Guidelines can results that well as constitute arbitrary unpredictable. single as Cer- incident. at least tainly, suggest few would that the manner drunk, returning at night After home proceedings the here which were handled wrote the twо hate at the letters candor, equitable. fair or I was Nor in all time, trip them on the same mailed same add, is must such a state of affairs unusual town, asleep by and was 3 or 4 All a.m. the era. Guidelines very occurred the relevant conduct within a Moreover, majority period. phrase

The finds that “a sin- the the the brief letters were gle single impulse feelings instance little or no delibera- of a vent tion,” 2A6.1(b)(2), bigotry. as broad Both used is not letters contained swastikas slurs, enough envelopes equal- to cover a drunken writ- individual’s the contained remarkably ly simplistic derogatory phrases. puer- of two short and similar hate drawings time I dis- during period. letters a brief ile and stick-like inside could each agree. grader. same have been drawn the third empha- Attorney guidelines veiy complicated presumed the were 1. As Assistant United States argument, surely sized at oral trial counsel appellate right. Sanders' that Thus, court it had that, given parties’ disagreement 2A6.1(b)(2), ‍‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​​‍knew over he Sanders because released application there was originally end of the sentenced the minimum guarantee change plea that Sanders’ would then-applicable range, appel- and under the new result in sentence. advice to lower Counsel’s formulation, already late served change plea may Sanders to have hazard ten minimum months. (as clearly retrospect). been mistaken was in Subsequently, government papers A review some of Sanders' trial filed a motion other that, issue, this "typographical” disposi- indicates aside from error correct legal not have benefited from most effective government’s granted sep- tion. Because we Nonetheless, situation, with assistance. in this disposition, publish arate motion to for- *9 factors, lawyers these even variable the best present motion addressed. mer was not In the given than an could have Sanders more disposition, published this "erroneous” footnote guess regarding educated his under the sentence Presumably majority been has eliminated. the Guidelines. appli- now feels confident that months is the sentencing range cable minimum for the under a sentencing saga 2. The in Sanders' were twists reading sentencing guidelines. correct of the by unpublished complicated original our further not, way or dealt Correct the courts have disposition remanding resentenc- in this case sentencing in this does not with the issue case footnote, ing. majority erroneously In a stat- the sentencing promote either the re- confidence in history ed that calcula- under revised criminal justice system. gime the or tion, applicable guidelines range to the was 10 remand, magistrate months. the said the On synagogue trived intellectual exercises is to sustain a of a Fairfield choice result, sentence, closely just relat- plain Fairfield NAACP was and a and the representatives of a they were both ed: wrong. Although “Aryan supremacy.” to

threat Significant Deliberation distinct African-Americans are two Jews and artificial, highly well as groups, it is as social The district court examined the defen- suppositious, suggest to that Sanders’ dero- letters, sending dant’s conduct in the and groups was “based on gation of these two conduct into all of dissected that its constitu- sep- prejudices, and two separate sets of so, steps. Having having ent done and found Maj. op. at 14353. arate sets of motives.” letter, steps respect several to each the hardly sophisticated enough tо “significant court found deliberation” as to thoughts. Howev- separate sets of have two scrutiny, each. under the er, of his ignore if we wish to the content any mailing letter would be the in- pitiful writings pretend and that he was Any significant requires deliberation. letter sophisticated being, then we must deed a addressee, writing something, selecting the recognize groups of the involved that both address, finding attaching the addressee’s non-Aryan, being link of share the common stamp, putting it in a and mailbox. Because by were motivated and that Sanders’ letters prohibits mailing 18 U.S.C. the of a animosity singular express desire communication, threatening non-Aryan steps the enu- peoples. towards “inferior” merely merated the district court are majority attempts to minimize the The ordinary essential and ones for a violation of by emphasiz- commonality of Sanders’ letters the statute. “tailoring .... to ing that the letters show a particular religious or racial characteris- Recognizing argu- that the district court’s group.” “tailoring” tics of the The term much, proves majority attempts ment too crafting, an atten- connotes a kind of careful finding by the deliberation dissect- bolster majority Again, fit. tion to detail and steps delivering any constituent dealing thinking writes as if we were with a threat, steps and declares these demon- person pair and a rational of letters. That is every and attention.” For strate “timе and careful far from the case.3 abstract communication, defendant analysis majority purports apply must “select” a victim and make some state- messages, and the rationali- to the two idiotic designed upset and elicit fear from ment ty imputes and intellectual conduct that it clear, therefore, recipients. It seems defendant, nothing have to do with what purposes that at a minimum deliberation for actually plain occurred. The facts are 2A6.1(b)(2) requires showing some be- simple. A unth- drunken boor sat down and yond any the deliberation inherent inten- inkingly wrote two hate letters that delivered threat, ugly message. engaged majority’s in no the same He tional and that the rational- “tailoring.” analysis performed subtle izations do not cure the district court’s error. him, To African-Americans Jews were Moreover, there is no reasonable basis for say To these unfortunate same. concluding any element of Sanders’ be- messages racial or reli- were tailored havior satisfied even the erroneous definition gious recipients not characteristics of the majority. by the of “deliberation” established only ignores the nature of the defendant’s hardly in angry, Sanders was drunk engage in ramblings, requires but us to hand- a deliberative state. The letters were parsing ambiguous abstract and cum- short, written, extremely misspellings,4 full of All bersome sentences of the Guidelines. еpithets typical of outbursts of accomplished by that is these futile and con- and contained higher degree reproduction nary would evidence a of delibera- 3. A of the letters can be found in *10 appendix. the attached here. tion than shown irrelevant, misspellings might 4. The seem but looking up even the act of words in the dictio- clearly surely They no there must be better uses for our

bigotry. were already prisons, which are more than filled to deliberation at all.5 capacity verge exacerbating on the as the district court did To the law stretch local, state, governments’ our and federal majority case, now in this and as point. breaking economic distress also, practical sense. We send a makes part In in ease lies in the error this young person prison 15 months for judge’s district construction of the Guide- and, his getting stupor, in drunken drunk part my in lines —in it lies the refusal of hate mailing two irrational letters. The de- his colleagues treat error in the manner at of mind the time he com- fendant’s state required by law. most fundamental may best mitted the offense be demonstrated all, however, problem of lies with the Sen- the fact he affixed his return address Guidelines, attempt tencing and their to set Surely, missives. there are both more rigid produce in standards that the end far society ways for sensible deal confusion and than more unfairness existed conduct; young surely, defendant’s there are prior adoption. Congress Only to their can try ways try to rehabilitate him better problem, correct fundamental and re- citizen; surely, him useful make of we grettably there is little reason to believe that, try to him if should at least first teach will. cured, bigotry not soon will be cause of his own destruction rather than part the de- I therefore dissent concur despises; groups stupidly part. he struction contrast, Pacione, her, agent, gathered the defendant's the IRS conduct called threatened out, granted, help together which four-level reduction was a friend to him drove to office, Pacione, significantly conveyed evidences There, more deliberation. IRS new threat. hours, during working the defendant 950 F.2d at 1351.

APPENDIX

Case Details

Case Name: United States v. Joshua William Sanders
Court Name: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Date Published: Nov 23, 1994
Citation: 41 F.3d 480
Docket Number: 93-10780
Court Abbreviation: 9th Cir.
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