United States v. Robert Snyder ( 2019 )

Case: 18-30400 Document: 00514836114 Page: 1 Date Filed: 02/14/2019
IN THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
United States Court of Appeals
Fifth Circuit
No. 18-30400 FILED
Summary Calendar February 14, 2019
Lyle W. Cayce
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, Clerk
Plaintiff - Appellee
v.
ROBERT LEE SNYDER,
Defendant - Appellant
Appeal from the United States District Court
for the Western District of Louisiana
USDC No. 1:14-CR-41-1
Before BARKSDALE, DENNIS, and SOUTHWICK, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM: *
Robert Lee Snyder appeals his jury convictions for possession of
methamphetamine with intent to distribute, two counts of possession of a
firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of an unregistered firearm, in
violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), and, 26 U.S.C.
§ 5861(d). He presents four claims.
* Pursuant to 5th Cir. R. 47.5, the court has determined that this opinion should not
be published and is not precedent except under the limited circumstances set forth in 5th Cir.
R. 47.5.4.
Case: 18-30400 Document: 00514836114 Page: 2 Date Filed: 02/14/2019
No. 18-30400
Because Snyder did not raise them in district court, review of each of the
four issues is only for plain error. E.g., United States v. Broussard, 669 F.3d
537, 546 (5th Cir. 2012). Under that standard, Snyder must show a forfeited
plain (clear or obvious) error that affected his substantial rights. Puckett v.
United States, 556 U.S. 129, 135 (2009). If he does so, we have the discretion
to correct the reversible plain error, but should do so only if it “seriously
affect[s] the fairness, integrity or public reputation of judicial proceedings”. Id.Regarding his competency hearing, Snyder asserts the district court:
used the wrong standard to find him competent to stand trial; failed to find the
psychologist who testified at the hearing was licensed or certified; and failed
to give him an opportunity to testify at the hearing.
The district court used the proper standard to determine whether Snyder
was competent to stand trial. The court first correctly stated the standard for
competence, as provided in 18 U.S.C. § 4241(a). Although the court also cited
the standard in § 4241(d), it applied the proper standard, finding Snyder was
able to: understand the nature of the proceedings against him; consult
competently with counsel; and, assist in the preparation of his own defense.
Snyder has not shown the requisite clear or obvious error. (Assuming such
error, he also has not shown, under the affects-substantial-rights prong of
plain-error review, that it affected those rights, as he has not shown that, but
for the error, the court would have found he was not competent to stand trial.
See Puckett, 556 U.S. at 135.)
After granting Snyder’s motion for a competency hearing, the district
court ordered he be transferred to a facility designated by the Bureau of
Prisons for a psychiatric or psychological examination by a licensed or certified
psychiatrist or psychologist to determine his competence to stand trial. Dr.
Johnson, Ph.D., a licensed psychologist, evaluated Snyder, prepared a report,
2
Case: 18-30400 Document: 00514836114 Page: 3 Date Filed: 02/14/2019
No. 18-30400
and testified at the competency hearing. Dr. Johnson had been licensed to
practice since 1992, and Snyder’s counsel stipulated Dr. Johnson was qualified
based on his education, training, and expertise. In view of the foregoing, the
court committed no clear or obvious error in not making an additional finding
at the competency hearing that Dr. Johnson was licensed or certified or in
allowing him to testify as an expert and submit his report to the court. See
Puckett, 556 U.S. at 135.
The record does not support Snyder’s assertion the court failed to give
him an opportunity to testify at the competency hearing. The court
understandably instructed Snyder not to speak when he interrupted the cross-
examination of Dr. Johnson; but, at the close of that testimony, it gave Snyder
the opportunity to call witnesses, present evidence, and testify. Snyder’s
counsel then stated he had no witnesses to present. Therefore, Snyder has not
shown the district court committed a clear or obvious error. See Puckett, 556
U.S. at 135.
Regarding his trial, Snyder contends the court erred in admitting
testimony by Louisiana State Police Officer Ledet, concerning legal
conclusions. As stated supra, review is again only for plain error.
Snyder asserts the court erred in admitting the Officer’s testimony that
a drug user would typically have a very small quantity of drugs, would use it
all on the day of purchase, and, unlike Snyder, would not have hidden the
drugs. Snyder also contends the court erred in admitting the Officer’s
testimony that Snyder’s actions, in leading officers to the location of one
firearm, and his statements made after drugs were found in a nonoperational
vehicle outside, amounted to confessions.
The court did not commit the requisite clear or obvious error in admitting
the Officer’s challenged testimony. See, e.g., United States v. Gonzalez-
3
Case: 18-30400 Document: 00514836114 Page: 4 Date Filed: 02/14/2019
No. 18-30400
Rodriguez, 621 F.3d 354, 363 (5th Cir. 2010); United States v. Gutierrez-Farias,
294 F.3d 657, 663 n.5 (5th Cir. 2002). (In the alternative, Snyder has not
shown that any error in admitting the testimony affected his substantial
rights, in view of the overwhelming evidence against him. See Puckett, 556
U.S. at 135.)
AFFIRMED.
4