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United States v. Roy Edward Maynard, Jr.

Citations: 21 F.3d 433; 1994 U.S. App. LEXIS 15251; 1994 WL 118000Docket: 93-3878

Court: Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit; April 4, 1994; Federal Appellate Court

Narrative Opinion Summary

This case involves an appeal by the defendant, Roy Edward Maynard, Jr., who was convicted for assaulting a federal officer, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 111. The confrontation arose during an investigation conducted by DEA Special Agent John Cornille and MSHP Sergeant Bickers into a stolen vehicle operation, when Maynard aggressively confronted them and pursued them with a shotgun. Maynard's appeal challenged several aspects of the trial court's proceedings, including the refusal to provide a self-defense instruction, the non-disclosure of the DEA Agent's Manual, and restrictions on cross-examining the officers about civil damages. He also argued that the DEA agent was acting beyond his official capacity and contested the admission of prior similar acts evidence under Rule 404(b) of the Federal Rules of Evidence. Upon review, the appellate court determined that Maynard's arguments lacked merit and affirmed the District Court's judgment without a detailed opinion, noting that such elaboration would not offer precedential value.

Legal Issues Addressed

Admission of Prior Acts Evidence under Rule 404(b)

Application: The court admitted evidence of prior similar acts, which was contested by the defendant under Rule 404(b).

Reasoning: (5) the admission of prior similar acts evidence under Rule 404(b) of the Federal Rules of Evidence.

Assault of a Federal Officer under 18 U.S.C. § 111

Application: The defendant was convicted for assaulting a federal officer during an investigation involving a stolen vehicle operation.

Reasoning: Roy Edward Maynard, Jr. appeals his conviction for assaulting a federal officer under 18 U.S.C. § 111.

Disclosure Obligations in Criminal Trials

Application: The defendant argued that the failure to produce the complete DEA Agent's Manual was grounds for reversal.

Reasoning: (2) the failure to produce the complete DEA Agent's Manual.

Jury Instructions on Self-Defense

Application: The trial court's decision not to provide a self-defense instruction was challenged but ultimately upheld.

Reasoning: Maynard raises several arguments for reversal: (1) the trial court's refusal to provide a self-defense instruction.

Limits on Cross-Examination

Application: The court restricted cross-examination about civil damages sought by the officers, which was contested by the defendant.

Reasoning: (3) restrictions on cross-examination regarding the civil damages sought by Bickers and Cornille.

Scope of Federal Agent's Duties

Application: The defendant claimed the DEA agent was acting outside his official duties during the assault, which was dismissed by the court.

Reasoning: (4) a claim that Cornille was outside his duties as a DEA agent during the assault.