United States v. James Miller , 728 F.3d 768 ( 2013 )

United States Court of Appeals
For the Eighth Circuit
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No. 12-2821
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United States of America
lllllllllllllllllllll Plaintiff - Appellee
v.
James Lavon Miller
lllllllllllllllllllll Defendant - Appellant
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Appeal from United States District Court
for the Southern District of Iowa - Davenport
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Submitted: April 10, 2013
Filed: August 27, 2013
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Before LOKEN and GRUENDER, Circuit Judges, and PHILLIPS,1 District Judge.
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PHILLIPS, District Judge.
Following a bench trial, James Lavon Miller was convicted of four counts of
making false claims against the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 287. He
1
The Honorable Beth Phillips, United States District Judge for the Western
District of Missouri, sitting by designation.
appeals his convictions, arguing that the district court2 erred by not renewing a Faretta
inquiry at the close of his case. Miller also challenges the sufficiency of the evidence
supporting his convictions. We affirm.
I. Background
Miller was charged in a four-count indictment with making false claims against
the United States. The Government alleged that the tax returns Miller filed for years
2005-2008 contained fraudulent amounts of interest income, tax withholding, and
refunds owed. At his initial appearance, Miller stated he wanted to represent himself.
Miller was appointed a federal public defender, but he later filed a document stating
he would not use the public defender’s services. The Government moved for a mental
evaluation and a competency hearing, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 4241. The Government
also moved for a hearing regarding Miller’s request to represent himself, pursuant to
Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806 (1975).
A combined competency and Faretta hearing was held on February 6, 2012.
The magistrate judge extensively questioned Miller about his understanding of the
trial process, the disadvantages of proceeding without counsel, and his desire to
proceed pro se. The magistrate informed Miller that she did not think his decision to
represent himself was in his best interest, and that a federal public defender offers “the
best experienced package available in terms of representing somebody on a federal
felony.” Miller affirmed that his decision was voluntary. Based on his mental
evaluation and responses to questions, the magistrate found Miller competent to stand
trial and to represent himself, and to have knowingly and voluntarily waived his right
to counsel.
2
The Honorable John A. Jarvey, United States District Judge for the Southern
District of Iowa.
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Thereafter, the Government sent Miller discovery materials. He returned them
with a handwritten note, stating: “This Law does not apply to James Lavon (Seal).”
As a result of this and other actions, the Government requested a supplemental Faretta
hearing. At the second hearing on March 30, 2012, the magistrate judge permitted the
Government to question Miller about his desire to represent himself, the sentences he
faced, and his understanding of the trial process. At the conclusion of the hearing, the
magistrate was satisfied with Miller’s acknowledgment that he understood the issues
facing him, and that his responses “in no way contradict[ed] the comprehensive order”
issued after the first hearing. The magistrate determined Miller could continue in his
pro se capacity.
Miller represented himself throughout the subsequent proceedings. Miller also
waived a jury trial. Stand-by counsel was present during his Faretta hearings and
trial.
While awaiting trial, Miller told a fellow inmate he was guilty but was
representing himself to appear innocent. Miller stated that “the right perception can
fool anyone,” and that he would look innocent because he was an older, well-spoken
Mennonite with supporters in the courtroom.
At trial on May 7, 2012, the Government submitted evidence of the following.
Miller is an Iowa farmer who did not file taxes for approximately ten years. In 2005,
he was held in civil contempt for failing to comply with an IRS summons for tax
information. In 2008 and 2009, Miller filed federal income tax returns for years
2005-2008. Miller filed two different 2005 returns on the same day. In every return,
Miller listed false amounts of interest income, tax withholding, and refunds owed.
During interviews with IRS agents, Miller described his different methods of
creating the interest income figures in his returns. In his 2006 return, Miller listed the
sum of his credit limits at various stores and banks. Miller listed the same amounts
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of interest income and withholding in his 2006 return as in his first 2005 return. In
his 2007 return, Miller listed the sum of his 2001-2007 bank deposits. In his 2008
return, Miller listed the sum of his 2008 bank deposits. Miller told the IRS agents that
his signature generated “credits” at these financial institutions. He also stated that the
interest income he claimed redeemed these credits. Based on these figures, Miller
claimed he was entitled to tax refunds.
Miller’s figures were inconsistent with IRS records. The IRS received no
records of interest payments to or federal withholding from Miller for 2005 and 2006.
The IRS also did not receive withholding records for 2007 and 2008. However, it did
receive records of minimal interest payments that Miller did not report in his 2007 and
2008 returns.
Additionally, Miller created sham financial instruments entitled “Bonded
Promissory Notes.” Miller submitted these to the IRS for payment in the amounts of
$10,000,000; $19,200; and $17,200. Miller stated to IRS agents that he wasn’t sure
if the notes had value, but he filed them “to see if they would work as payment” for
his tax debt. When the agents informed him that the notes were fictitious, Miller
stated he would continue to file them until he was proven wrong.
Miller did not testify or present evidence in his defense. When the district court
asked Miller for closing argument, the following exchange occurred:
THE COURT: Thank you. Mr. Miller, closing arguments, and one last
opportunity to attempt to persuade the decision maker that it should rule
in your favor. Would you like to say anything else in that regard?
THE DEFENDANT: Several comments. One is there is an IRS agent in
California by the name of Joe Banister that twice was brought before a
court case and he was a CID agent and won his case because the
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Government had—did not, could not prove that he was someone that was
required to be in that tax system; but—
THE COURT: This was a—if this was a failure to file case, they would
have to prove that you had taxable income. That is not this kind of case.
This case, they say that you fraudulently submitted information and that
is a different kind of case.
THE DEFENDANT: Okay. I do not understand this process completely
and I am not going to testify about it only to say that there was an
accountant that did this for me and apparently there were people getting
these refunds on a regular basis. I trusted this accountant—
THE COURT: This is not evidence. I understand. Go ahead.
THE DEFENDANT: I trusted this accountant to do these returns in this
fashion and if—and where I have made mistakes as I previously said, I
apologize, I am sorry. I was told it was legitimate; but back to the
paperwork that I had submitted to the Court, this is what I am standing
on, the paperwork that I would like for you to take judicial notice of
because that is how I currently—my position is and what I am standing
on, Executing as a Deed, Writ of Mandamus, Notice of Judgment,
Blackstone’s Book of Authority, the Plea to the Crown, and the
paperwork that I submitted last Friday.
THE COURT: Okay. Now, before you just made your last statement,
you know, you referred to an accountant and some—and your state of
mind. You understand there’s no evidence of that and I would let you
reopen your evidence if you want to testify about that. If you did that
you would be subject to cross-examination about who this person is and
everything else, but I want you to understand your statements that you
just made in your closing argument, because you didn’t offer them as
evidence when I asked you for evidence and testimony, it can’t be
considered. Do you understand that?
THE DEFENDANT: Right. Right.
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THE COURT: Do you want to testify or not? Either is fine with me.
THE DEFENDANT: No, I don’t, but I know they know I didn’t do these
returns.
The district court found Miller guilty on all counts. Miller was sentenced to
four concurrent 33-month prison terms, representing an 18-month downward variance
from the sentencing guideline range of 51-60 months.
II. Discussion
On appeal, Miller argues the district court erred by not renewing a Faretta
inquiry during his trial and by convicting him based upon insufficient evidence.
A. Renewed Faretta Inquiry
Miller contends the district court should have renewed a Faretta inquiry during
his trial because circumstances had changed since his previous Faretta hearing.
Specifically, Miller argues his closing argument revealed: 1) he did not understand
the proceedings; and 2) he possessed potentially exculpatory evidence of a trusted
accountant, but neither realized its importance nor how to present it. Miller argues the
district court’s failure to inform him about the knowledge element of and possible
defenses to his charges during any of his Faretta hearings, coupled with the time lapse
since his last Faretta hearing, exacerbated this change in circumstances.
We review de novo a district court’s decision to allow a defendant to proceed
pro se. United States v. Tschacher, 687 F.3d 923, 931 (8th Cir. 2012) (citation
omitted). “Under the Sixth Amendment, a criminal defendant has the right to
self-representation along with the right to the assistance of counsel.” Id. (internal
quotation omitted). Once invoked, a defendant’s right to self-representation “is not
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absolute.” Id. (quotation omitted). Whether the defendant’s waiver of his right to
counsel is adequate “depends on the particular facts and circumstances of each case,
including the background, experience, and conduct of the accused.” Id. (quotation
omitted).
To invoke his right to represent himself, the defendant must knowingly and
intelligently forgo the benefits of counsel. Id.; Faretta, 422 U.S. at 835. The trial
court must “rigorously convey warnings of the pitfalls of proceeding to trial without
counsel,” so the record will show the defendant “knows what he is doing and his
choice is made with eyes open.” Tschacher, 687 F.3d at 931 (quotations and
alterations omitted). The court must be satisfied that the defendant’s waiver of
counsel is voluntary and knowing. Id. However, “the competence that is required of
a defendant seeking to waive his right to counsel is the competence to waive the right,
not the competence to represent himself.” Id. (emphasis in original) (quotation
omitted). A defendant’s choice to waive counsel and proceed pro se “must be
honored, even though the defendant may conduct his own defense to his detriment by
relinquishing the benefits associated with the right to counsel.” Id. (quotation and
alterations omitted).
Our review of the record leads us to conclude that the district court did not err
by not conducting a third Faretta inquiry. Miller had the benefit of two prior
hearings, the last one occurring just five weeks before trial. During both hearings, the
pitfalls of self-representation were rigorously conveyed to Miller, and the court was
satisfied that his election to proceed pro se was knowing and voluntary under all the
circumstances. See Tschacher, 687 F.3d at 932 (“The district court warned Tschacher
that this was a ‘horrible mistake’ and asked him ‘seriously to reconsider [his] decision
to represent [himself].’”); United States v. Turner, 644 F.3d 713, 722 (8th Cir. 2011).
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Miller argues the district court should have discussed with him the knowledge
element of his charges and possible defenses. However, we have “rejected the idea
that a valid waiver of the right to counsel must invariably be accompanied by specific
warnings about the range of possible punishments, possible defenses, and lesser
included offenses.” Tschacher, 687 F.3d at 932 (quoting another source) (citing
United States v. Kiderlen, 569 F.3d 358, 364, 366-67 (8th Cir. 2009) (noting that the
“key inquiry” is “whether the accused was made sufficiently aware of his right to have
counsel and of the possible consequences of a decision to forgo the aid of counsel.”)).
“Neither the Supreme Court nor this court has ever adopted a list of essential points
that must be conveyed to a defendant in order for a waiver of counsel to be deemed
knowing and voluntary.” Id. (alteration omitted); Turner, 644 F.3d at 722; Kiderlen,
569 F.3d at 366-67. We decline to do so here.
Further, Miller’s statements during closing argument merely revealed flaws in
his self-representation, rather than changed circumstances necessitating another
Faretta inquiry. The district court offered Miller the opportunity to reopen his case
and present evidence about the accountant, but he declined to do so. Miller’s failure
to present evidence in his defense does not invalidate his voluntary election to
represent himself. Tschacher, 687 F.3d at 931 (“A defendant’s choice to proceed pro
se ‘must be honored,’ ‘[e]ven though [the] defendant may conduct his own defense
to his detriment by relinquishing the benefits associated with the right to counsel.’”)
(quotation omitted); United States v. Ladoucer, 573 F.3d 628, 634 (8th Cir. 2009)
(“Thus, while it is clear that [defendant] performed poorly in representing himself, his
performance at trial has no bearing on our conclusion that his waiver of counsel was
voluntary, intelligent and knowing.”). Instead, “[t]his court upholds the grant of a
defendant’s motion to represent himself ‘if the record shows either that the court
adequately warned him or that, under all the circumstances, he knew and understood
the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation.’” Turner, 644 F.3d at 722(quoting Kiderlen, 569 F.3d at 364). Upon review, we hold that this record clearly
shows both. The district court did not err.
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B. Sufficiency of the Evidence
Miller also challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support his convictions.
“We review the sufficiency of the evidence after a bench trial in the light most
favorable to the verdict, upholding the verdict if a reasonable factfinder could find the
offense proved beyond a reasonable doubt, even if the evidence rationally supports
two conflicting hypotheses.” United States v. Huggans, 650 F.3d 1210, 1222 (8th Cir.
2011) (quotation omitted). “We will reverse only if the factfinder must have had a
reasonable doubt concerning one of the essential elements of the crime.” Id.(quotation and alterations omitted).
To convict Miller of making false claims against the United States, the
Government must show Miller made or presented to any department or agency of the
United States “any claim . . . knowing such claim to be false, fictitious, or
fraudulent[.]” 18 U.S.C. § 287. Miller contends the Government did not prove he
knew his claims were false because he had a sincere belief that his returns–including
the false amounts of interest income, tax withholding, and refunds owed–reflected a
method of redeeming credits in his name.
However, after a review of the evidence presented at trial, Miller’s argument
fails. A review of the returns and how Miller created the figures therein establishes
he did not have a sincere belief that his claims were truthful. First, Miller admitted
to IRS agents that the figures were not actually interest income or tax withholding
from financial institutions. Further, Miller admitted he used different methods to
calculate the interest income reported in his various returns. For example, in 2005 and
2006, he listed the sum of his credit limits at various institutions. In 2007 and 2008,
he changed methods to instead report the sum of his bank deposits as interest income.
During all four years, the claims Miller submitted were incongruous. For example,
Miller’s first 2005 return claimed $161,100 in interest income, $161,099 in
withholding, and $130,851 as a refund. His second 2005 return claimed $1,132,522
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in interest income, $1,082,844 in withholding, and $715,899 as a refund. Miller also
stipulated that none of the financial institutions from which he reported interest
income and withholding would have any records of such transactions. Lastly, Miller’s
returns did not contain any reference to redeemed credits or the theory under which
he submitted his claims.
The evidence establishing that Miller knew the claims were false is
corroborated by Miller’s history of tax evasion. In addition to the 2005 finding of
civil contempt for his failure to comply with an IRS summons for tax information,
Miller repeatedly filed sham financial instruments with the IRS. When informed by
IRS agents that the instruments were fictitious, Miller defiantly stated that he would
continue to file them until he was proven wrong. Finally, Miller’s statements to a
fellow inmate that he was guilty and was representing himself to appear innocent
further corroborate the Government’s evidence of Miller’s guilt.
Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, we conclude
that a reasonable factfinder could convict Miller of making false claims against the
United States.
III. Conclusion
Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the district court.
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