United States v. Terra Running Crane

MEMORANDUM

Terra Lee Brandy Running Crane (“Running Crane”) appeals her jury trial conviction and fifty-seven-month sentence for Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1153 (a) and 113(a)(3), and Assault Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1153 (a) and 113(a)(6). We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , and we affirm.

There was no error in the district court’s refusal to give a “missing witness” instruction. Even reviewing for abuse of discretion, Running Crane did not demonstrate that the missing witness was “peculiarly within the power of the [government],” or that “an inference of unfavorable testimony” against the government was natural and reasonable. United States v. Ramirez, 714 F.3d 1134, 1137 (9th Cir.2013) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted).

Nor did the district court prohibit Running Crane’s attorney from highlighting the missing witness’s absence to the jury. The only instruction on this score was not to argue beyond the record, and Running Crane’s lawyer was still able to remind the jury of the witness’s absence twice during closing arguments.

Finally, in light of the totality of the…