United States v. Shawn Henderson

MEMORANDUM

Shawn Henderson appeals his conviction for felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922 (g)(1) and 924(a)(2). Having jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291 , we affirm.

Henderson argues that the government presented inconsistent theories at his trial. A prosecutor violates a defendant’s due process rights by pursuing fundamentally inconsistent theories against separate defendants for the same crime if the prosecutor knowingly uses false evidence or acts in bad faith. Nguyen v. Lindsey, 232 F.3d 1286, 1240 (9th Cir.2000). The government did not act in bad faith or use false evidence when it argued that Henderson possessed the same handgun that his co-defendant admitted to possessing in the factual basis of his plea agreement; and, these were not fundamentally inconsistent theories. See id. (“[Although] the prosecutor made different arguments at each trial, ... [there was no due process violation because] these arguments were consistent with the evidence actually adduced at each trial.”).

Henderson also argues that the district court improperly rejected his motion to dismiss counsel, which he raised for the first time after trial…