UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,
v.
JAMES LOUIS WILLOZ, DEFENDANT-APPELLANT
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The court held that the district court's findings of fact regarding the absence of duress were supported by the record and the applicable evidentiary standard.
Following a prior appeal, the district court conducted an evidentiary hearing to determine if a supplemental tax return was filed under duress. The di…
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PER CURIAM:
By the mandate of this court, United States v. Willoz, 449 F. 2d 1321 (5th Cir., 1971), the district court was ordered to conduct an evidentiary hear ing to determine the circumstances under which appellant submitted a supplemental special wagering tax return (Formll-C). We said:
“If, upon remand, the district court finds that the supplemental Form 11-C was the product of duress by Agent Perry rather than a voluntary exercise of the will of the defendant Willoz, then the verdict and consequent judgment must be vacated and the indictment against Willoz dismissed. If the Court reaches a contrary determination, the conviction shall stand affirmed by this court as entered.”
The district court 340 F.Supp. 383, has held the hearing and concluded that the supplemental form was not the “fruit of unlawful governmental duress, coercion, or misrepresentation”, and thereupon ordered that the mandate of this court which issued on October 19, 1971, be put into effect. Willoz appeals.
Appellant is again asserting issues which were raised on the initial appeal and adversely determined by this court. The sole issue we now consider is whether the district court’s findings of fact with respect to the duress defense of United States v. Knox, 396 U.S. 77, 90 S.Ct. 363, 24 L.Ed.2d 275 (1969), are supported by the record. In Lego v. Twomey, 404 U.S. 477, 92 S.Ct. 619, 30 L.Ed.2d 618 (1972), the Supreme Court held the evidentiary standard in the Jackson v. Denno, 378 U.S. 368, 84 S.Ct. 1774, 12 L.Ed.2d 908 (1964), determination of voluntariness proceeding was by the preponderance of the evidence. Proof beyond a reasonable doubt of all elements of an offense, including the voluntariness of the offense itself, however, is required here. In re Winship, 397 U.S. 358, 90 S.Ct. 1068, 25 L.Ed.2d 368 (1970). Applying that standard and after review of the record developed in the district court during the evidentiary hearing, we find that the district court’s findings are fully supported by the evidence. The mandate of this court issued on October 19, 1971 and directed to be executed by the district court’s order of March 30, 1972 shall be put into effect forthwith.
After review of the record developed in the district court during the evidentiary hearing, we find that the district court’s findings are fully supported by the evidence. The mandate of this court issued on October 19, 1971 and directed to be executed by the district court’s order of March 30, 1972 shall be put into effect forthwith.
The order of the district court is affirmed.
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Citator
Authorities Cited
- Isbell Enters., Inc. v. Citizens Cas. Co. OF NEW York, 431 F.2d 409 (5th Cir. 1970)
- In re Winship, 397 U.S. 358 (U.S. 1970)
- Jackson v. Denno, 378 U.S. 368 (U.S. 1964)
- Lego v. Twomey, 404 U.S. 477 (U.S. 1972)
- United States v. Knox, 396 U.S. 77 (U.S. 1969)
- United States v. Willoz, 449 F.2d 1321 (5th Cir. 1971)