United States v. Bell

FILED
United States Court of Appeals
Tenth Circuit

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS August 26, 2008
Elisabeth A. Shumaker
TENTH CIRCUIT Clerk of Court

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Plaintiff - Appellee, No. 07-5074
v. (N.D. Oklahoma)
MICHAEL DEWAYNE BELL, (D.C. No. CR-06-140-HDC)

Defendant - Appellant.

ORDER AND JUDGMENT *

Before BRISCOE, MURPHY, and HARTZ, Circuit Judges.

I. Introduction

Michael Bell was convicted of aggravated bank robbery, in violation of 18

U.S.C. § 2113(a) and (d), and carrying a firearm during and in relation to a crime

of violence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(ii). Although the court

appointed trial counsel for the defense, Bell insisted on proceeding pro se. The

court granted the defendant’s request, but appointed Michael McGuire as stand-by

counsel to assist upon Bell’s request. Following the guilty verdict, Bell filed a

*
This order and judgment is not binding precedent except under the
doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. It may be cited,
however, for its persuasive value consistent with Fed. R. App. P. 32.1 and 10th
Cir. R. 32.1.
pro se motion for judgment of acquittal. Several days later, Bell requested that

the court reappoint McGuire as counsel to represent Bell in pursuing post-trial

motions. McGuire thereafter filed a motion for a new trial. The district court

denied the motions for a judgment of acquittal and new trial.

On appeal, Bell raises multiple claims of error and challenges his

conviction and his sentence. We exercise our jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §

1291 and 18 U.S.C. § 3742(a). Because Bell’s appeal is without merit, we affirm

the district court.

II. Background

On the morning of February 28, 2006, Bell entered Arvest Bank in Tulsa,

Oklahoma, carrying a weapon. Together with Mark Brown, Bell had devised a

plan to rob the bank. Brown served as look-out as Bell entered the bank. Bell

proceeded to a bank teller, Annette Wagner, pointed a gun at her, and demanded

money. When Wagner did not hurry, Bell became very angry and aggressive. He

admonished Wagner, telling her to “Hurry up. Hurry Up. Don’t make me shoot

you.” Following the robbery, Bell drove to a cemetery outside of Tulsa where he

met Brown. At the cemetery, the two men split the proceeds of the robbery.

Brown received $1,000 for his efforts.

At trial, the government presented numerous witnesses to support its case

against Bell. The government introduced surveillance video tape, including a still

photo enlargement of the robber. Ashley Hill, an Arvest Bank teller, testified that

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she saw the robber point a gun at her co-worker. She later picked the defendant

out of a photo line up and also made an in-court identification. A second bank

employee, Kristen Casey, made an in-court identification of Bell as the robber.

Brown testified as to how he and Bell planned the robbery, what Bell was

wearing, and how he watched from his car as Bell entered the bank and

committed the robbery. Michael Stokes also testified against Bell. He was Bell’s

cell mate at the David L. Moss Correctional Center during Bell’s pre-trial

detention. Stokes testified that during the time of detention, Bell admitted to

robbing the bank and taking approximately $3,000 from the teller. Stokes also

testified Bell had informed him that he was going to use Catherine Caviness,

Bell’s ex-girlfriend, as his alibi witness.

Bell, representing himself, called Caviness as his alibi witness. She

testified that she could not remember whether she was, indeed, with Bell on the

day of the robbery. Bell also presented the testimony of Tulsa Police Officer

Bruce Alexander. Alexander, while investigating this case, used an Oklahoma

Department of Corrections photograph of Bell taken when he had been previously

incarcerated. Alexander testified that the photograph of Bell depicted a small

scar or blemish on Bell’s chin. He also testified that early in his investigation he

had identified another suspect, Derrick Williams, who resembled the robber in the

surveillance video. During the investigation, Alexander interviewed a woman

who identified Williams, not Bell, as the man in the surveillance video. In fact,

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Williams had been charged with robbing Arvest Bank, before the charges were

dropped and the investigation focused on Bell. Finally, Bell took the stand in his

own defense. He testified he spent the day of the robbery visiting the cemetery

where his mother and grandmother are buried with his girlfriend, Caviness.

Bell attempted to subpoena a second alibi witness, Janice Marsh, to testify

in his defense. He asserted that Marsh would be able to confirm that on the day

of the robbery, he had called her to ask directions to the cemetery. The

government, in its response to Bell’s motion for a new trial, stated that according

to U.S. Marshal records, a deputy U.S. Marshal went to Marsh’s address three

times—April 26, 27, and 28—and found no one home. Although the Marshal left

a business card with a request to call, Marsh never called. Instead, Caviness

phoned and advised that Marsh knew about the subpoena and believed Marsh

would attend the trial on April 30, 2007. Upon learning that Marsh would be

called as an alibi witness, the FBI called her by phone. Marsh informed the FBI

that the defendant called her sometime in January or February of 2006 to ask for

directions to the cemetery. Marsh neither confirmed the exact date nor if the

defendant was in fact with his girlfriend.

On May 2, 2007, the jury found Bell guilty of aggravated bank robbery, in

violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a) and (d), and carrying a firearm during and in

relation to a crime of violence, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1)(A)(ii). Bell

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was sentenced to life imprisonment pursuant to the “Three Strikes” provision of

18 U.S.C. § 3559(c). He appeals his convictions and sentence.

III. Discussion

A. Sufficiency of the Evidence

Bell argues insufficient evidence existed to support his convictions. “We

review de novo whether the government presented sufficient evidence to support a

conviction.” United States v. Summers, 414 F.3d 1287, 1293 (10th Cir. 2005).

We view the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, neither

weighing nor second-guessing the fact-finding decisions of the jury. Id. “[O]ur

role is limited to determining whether a reasonable jury could find guilt beyond a

reasonable doubt, based on the direct and circumstantial evidence, together with

the reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom.” Id. at 1293-94 (quotation

omitted).

In denying Bell’s motion for a judgment of acquittal, the district court

concluded sufficient evidence supported the convictions. We agree. The

government presented video surveillance, including a close-up of the robber, at

trial. Two bank employees identified Bell in court and from a photo array.

Further, the government introduced evidence that Bell admitted robbing the bank

to a cell mate. Brown also implicated the defendant in the robbery by recounting

the events of that day and testifying that Bell had committed the robbery. Related

to the firearm charge, the surveillance video clearly shows the robber carrying a

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firearm. Moreover, two eyewitnesses testified that they saw the robber with a

firearm and Brown testified that Bell stated he was in possession of a firearm

prior to the robbery. Although Bell questions the credibility of several witnesses,

credibility is a determination for the jury. United States v. Bowen, 527 F.3d 1065,

1076 (10th Cir. 2008). In viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the

government, it is clear the prosecution met its burden of presenting direct and

circumstantial evidence sufficient to support the two convictions.

B. Motion for a New Trial

Bell argues the district court erred in denying him a new trial. Rule 33 of

the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure authorizes district courts to grant new

trials “if the interest of justice so requires.” This court reviews the denial of a

motion for a new trial for an abuse of discretion. United States v. Gwathney, 465

F.3d 1133, 1144 (10th Cir. 2006), cert. denied, 127 S. Ct. 2151 (2007). “A

decision is an abuse of discretion only if it is arbitrary, capricious, whimsical, or

manifestly unreasonable.” Id. (quotation omitted).

Bell contends a new trial is warranted because Janice Marsh was not

subpoenaed to appear at trial. In order for Bell to show a denial of compulsory

process, he must show that the witness’s testimony would have been both

“favorable and material.” United States v. Valenzuela-Bernal, 458 U.S. 858, 872

(1982). The district court concluded that the defendant waived the issue and that,

in any event, he “has not shown any actual prejudice from Ms. Marsh’s failure to

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testify. Ms. Marsh’s proposed testimony would be of questionable value.” We

agree. Even if Bell did not waive the issue by not raising it at trial, he failed to

make an offer of proof as to why Marsh’s testimony would have been favorable

and material. Bell claims that Marsh would have testified that he called her on

the date of the robbery to get directions to the cemetery. As the district court

concluded, this testimony would not have established an alibi for Bell as it fails to

prove that Bell was at the cemetery at the time of the robbery.

Bell also seeks a new trial, arguing that witnesses were harassed into not

cooperating with the defense. He presented no evidence to the district court on

this matter. Instead, he offered nothing more than conclusory allegations that the

government acted inappropriately. We therefore hold the district court did not

abuse its discretion in denying Bell’s motion for a new trial.

C. Evidentiary Issues

In the course of its investigation, the police created a photo array which

included a picture of Bell taken when he had been previously incarcerated. This

photo array was used by bank employees to identify Bell as the robber. Officer

Alexander testified about using this photograph and remarked that Bell had a scar

or blemish on his chin. Further, when Alexander compared Bell’s photograph

with the surveillance video, he remarked that both individuals had the same mark

in the same spot. At this point, Bell asked the court for a pair of clippers so that

he could shave off his facial hair. This request was a turn-about for Bell, who had

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objected to the government’s request for Bell to shave his facial hair before the

trial. Bell argues the district court abused its discretion by admitting this

photograph into evidence. He also maintains the district court erred in denying

him hair clippers.

We generally review evidentiary rulings for an abuse of discretion. United

States v. Ramirez, 479 F.3d 1229, 1245 (10th Cir. 2007). A party may not,

however, “induce[] action by a court and later seek[] reversal on the ground that

the requested action was error.” United States v. Edward J., 224 F.3d 1216, 1222

(10th Cir. 2000). Bell cannot claim the use of the photo at trial was in error

because he introduced the photo himself. Thus, even if its introduction was in

error, it was invited. Bell also claims the district court’s denial of clippers was in

error. He cites to no law supporting the proposition that the district court had an

affirmative duty to provide him access to hair clippers. We therefore conclude

that the district court did not err in admitting the photo array or by failing to

provide clippers to the defendant.

D. Sixth Amendment

Pursuant to the Sixth Amendment, a criminal defendant “shall enjoy the

right . . . to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.” U.S. Const. amend.

VI. As the Supreme Court has explained, the right to counsel “means at least that

a person is entitled to the help of a lawyer at or after the time that judicial

proceedings have been initiated against him.” Maine v. Moulton, 474 U.S. 159,

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170 (1985) (quotation omitted). Once judicial proceedings have begun, the

government is prohibited from deliberately eliciting incriminating statements

from the defendant without the assistance of counsel. Id. at 171-73; Massiah v.

United States, 377 U.S. 201, 206 (1964). Thus, post-indictment, the government

may not direct a jailhouse informant to deliberately elicit information about the

crime from the defendant. United States v. Henry, 447 U.S. 264, 270-74 (1980);

see also United States v. Geittmann, 733 F.2d 1419, 1427 (10th Cir. 1984)

(“Massiah and Henry condemn deliberate efforts by the government to create

situations in which indicted defendants are likely to make incriminating

statements to seemingly independent others in the absence of counsel.”).

To establish the government violated Bell’s Sixth Amendment right to

counsel, “a court must find that defendant’s statements (1) were made to a

government agent, and (2) were deliberately elicited.” United States v. Johnson,

4 F.3d 904, 910 (10th Cir. 1993) (quotation omitted). We review the district

court’s factual determinations for clear error and its constitutional legal rulings de

novo. Id. Michael Stokes shared a cell with Bell during the defendant’s pre-trial

incarceration. Stokes testified at trial that Bell admitted to robbing Arvest Bank

and then attempted to create an alibi by driving south. Specifically, Stokes

testified that Bell planned on using Caviness as his alibi witness. Although

Stokes later relayed this information to the government, he testified that no one in

the government had contacted him about obtaining information from Bell.

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 Undoubtedly, Bell’s right to counsel had attached. He has presented no

evidence, however, that Stokes was a government agent. In fact, the only

testimony at trial established that Stokes sought out the government after Bell

confessed to him. In United States v. Taylor, this court held “the protections of

the Sixth Amendment right to counsel enunciated in Massiah and Henry are

inapplicable when . . . statements by a defendant are made to an individual who is

not an agent for the Government, although he may be a Government informant.”

800 F.2d 1012, 1015 (10th Cir. 1986). We therefore conclude Bell’s Sixth

Amendment right to counsel was not violated.

E. Motion to Sever

Bell filed two pro se motions requesting a separate trial from his co-

defendant, Mark Brown. Before the trial, Brown pleaded guilty in this case.

Thus, at the pre-trial hearing, the government ruled that Bell’s motions to sever

the trial were moot. On appeal, Bell appeals the district court’s ruling. His

counsel, however, admits that the motion to sever was moot and therefore the

claim is without merit. We agree.

F. Sentencing

Bell challenges his sentence on two grounds. First, he argues his prior

convictions do not qualify as predicate violent felonies, and therefore do not

trigger a mandatory life sentence under 18 U.S.C. § 3559(c)(1). Under the Three

Strikes law, the “district court must sentence to life in prison any defendant who

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(1) is convicted in a federal court of a ‘serious violent felony’ and (2) ‘has been

convicted,’ on prior separate occasions, of two or more ‘serious violent felonies’

in federal or state courts.” United States v. Romero, 122 F.3d 1334, 1341 (10th

Cir. 1997) (quoting 18 U.S.C. § 3559(c)(1)(a)). Second, he argues a life sentence

for robbery violates the Eighth Amendment’s ban on cruel and unusual

punishment. We review a sentence imposed pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3559(c) de

novo. Romero, 122 F.3d at 1342. We also review de novo the question of

whether a criminal sentence violates the Eighth Amendment. United States v.

Angelos, 433 F.3d 738, 750 (10th Cir.), cert. denied, 127 S. Ct. 723 (2006).

Bell makes numerous challenges to his prior convictions, which served as

the predicates for his life sentence under § 3559(c)(1). After reviewing the

record, we are convinced the district court properly determined Bell was

previously convicted of at least two prior violent felonies. On May 2, 1994, Bell

robbed Love’s Country Store. On May 9, Bell robbed Happy Foods Grocery

Store and a Kwick Stop Convenience Store. In October of 1994, he pleaded nolo

contendere to two counts of robbery for the Love’s and Kwick Stop convenience

store robberies and was sentenced to twenty-five years’ imprisonment. The next

year, he pleaded guilty to robbery by force or fear, arising from the Happy Foods

Grocery robbery. He was sentenced to twenty-five years’ imprisonment, to run

concurrently with his other robbery sentence. Bell contends that because his

sentences were consolidated to run concurrently, the convictions should be

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considered a single prior felony. This argument is without merit. Although the

sentences ran concurrently, the crimes represent independent felony convictions

and alone, establish the requisite prior strikes. See, e.g., United States v. Jones,

898 F.2d 1461, 1463-64 (10th Cir. 1990) (explaining in the context of U.S.S.G. §

4A1.2(a)(2) prior felony convictions that are unrelated are not counted as a single

felony merely because the sentences run concurrently). Bell’s prior convictions,

therefore, satisfy § 3559(c)(1) and the district court was required to sentence the

defendant to life imprisonment. 1

Bell’s Eighth Amendment claim also fails. “[T]he Eighth Amendment

prohibits imposition of a sentence that is grossly disproportionate to the severity

of the crime.” Ewing v. California, 538 U.S. 11, 21 (2003) (quotation omitted).

It is only in the “exceedingly rare” and “extreme” case, however, that a non-

capital sentence will be disproportionate to the crime such that it violates the

Eighth Amendment. Id. (quotation omitted); Lockyer v. Andrade, 538 U.S. 63, 72

(2003). We must “examine the sentence at issue in relation to the crime only for

gross disproportionality.” United States v. Gurule, 461 F.3d 1238, 1247 (10th

Cir. 2006) (quotation omitted). If we find the sentence is not grossly

disproportionate, our analysis ends. Harmelin v. Michigan, 501 U.S. 957, 1005

1
Bell was also convicted in Oklahoma of Riot. In his brief, he makes at
least four challenges to the use of this conviction as a predicate offense. Because
Bell’s two prior felony robbery convictions are sufficient to sustain his life
sentence, we need not address these arguments.

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(1991) (Kennedy, J. concurring); United States v. Jones, 213 F.3d 1253, 1261

(10th Cir. 2000).

In Jones, we held a life sentence plus a consecutive term of forty-five years

under the Three Strikes provision did not violate the Eighth Amendment. 213

F.3d at 1261-62. In that case, the defendant had been convicted of multiple

offenses involving robbery, extortion, and the use of firearms. Id.; see also

Gurule, 461 F.3d at 1242, 47-48 (holding life sentence under Three Strikes law

was not grossly disproportionate where defendant was convicted of car jacking

and had two prior robbery convictions). Further, we explained that because the

sentence was required by statute under § 3559(c), “[w]e must grant substantial

deference to the broad authority that legislatures necessarily possess in

determining the types and limits of punishments for crimes.” Jones, 213 F.3d at

1262 (quotation omitted). Therefore, we cannot conclude Bell’s sentence is

grossly disproportionate to his crime or that his case is “exceedingly rare” or

“extreme.”

IV. Conclusion

For the foregoing reason, we affirm Bell’s conviction and sentence.

ENTERED FOR THE COURT

Michael R. Murphy
Circuit Judge

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