United States v. Robbin Lee Coleman

Coleman appeals his conviction on nine counts arising out of a conspiracy to murder Jeffrey Payne and recover the proceeds from fraudulently obtained life insurance policies on Payne’s life. One count charged a conspiracy to commit mail fraud, and four counts involved mail fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1341. The remaining counts involved the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. §§ 4181 , 4182, 5801-5872: two counts of making a destructive device without complying with the statutory registration requirements under 26 U.S.C. §§ 5822 , 5861(f), and 5871; and two counts of transferring a destructive device without complying with statutory registration requirements under 26 U.S.C. §§ 5812 , 5861(e), and 5871. On appeal, Coleman claims that certain acts and omissions by his trial lawyer amounted to ineffective assistance of counsel, and that the separate sentences for making and transferring a destructive device constituted an illegal multiple punishment under the National Firearms Act. We affirm.

I

This case involves a conspiracy between Coleman and Janice Payne to insure the life of Janice’s husband, Jeffrey, naming Janice as the beneficiary, and then to murder him and collect the proceeds of…