No. 19-7879

Luis D. Rivera-Carrasquillo, et al. v. United States

Lower Court: First Circuit
Docketed: 2020-03-05
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP Experienced Counsel
Tags: 18-usc-1959 18-usc-924 categorical-approach crime-of-violence first-degree-murder penal-code plain-error puerto-rico-penal-code racketeering sentencing-enhancement violent-crimes-in-aid-of-racketeering
Latest Conference: 2020-04-17
Question Presented (from Petition)

1. Is first degree murder, as broadly and idiosyncratically defined under the 2004 Puerto Rico Penal Code: (a) included in the category of "murder" as used in 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a), prohibiting "Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering"; or (b) categorically a "crime of violence," as interpreted in this Court's cases, for the purpose of applying the enhanced penalty under 18 U.S.C. § 924(j), particularly insofar as the 2004 Penal Code definition of "intent" encompasses killings committed "recklessly"?

2. Did the Court of Appeals misapply the "plain error" rule, Fed.R. Crim.P. 52(b), when it refused, for two invalid reasons, to address the "crime of violence" issue that was raised for the first time on appeal, that is, because: (i) petitioners argued the four "plain error" factors only once and not twice in support of this point, where they had presented two legal arguments in support of the same, single claim of "error" in the instructions; and (ii) petitioners could not cite "controlling precedent," even though their position is clearly correct under the governing statutes (interpreted in light of this Court's cases).

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Is first degree murder under the 2004 Puerto Rico Penal Code a 'crime of violence' for the purpose of 18 U.S.C. § 924(j)?

Docket Entries

2020-04-20
Petition DENIED.
2020-04-15
Supplemental Brief of Luis D. Rivera Carrasquillo, et al. submitted.
2020-03-26
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 4/17/2020.
2020-03-18
Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
2020-03-02
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due April 6, 2020)
2019-12-17
Application (19A694) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from January 1, 2020 to March 1, 2020, submitted to Justice Breyer.
2019-10-20
Application (19A694) granted by Justice Breyer extending the time to file until March 1, 2020.

Attorneys

Luis D. Rivera Carrasquillo, et al.
Peter Goldberger — Petitioner
United States
Noel J. FranciscoSolicitor General, Respondent