United States v. Garabet Mezian, AKA Garabet Mezkloukian

26 F.3d 134 NOTICE: Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3 provides that dispositions other than opinions or orders designated for publication are not precedential and should not be cited except when relevant under the doctrines of law of the case, res judicata, or collateral estoppel. UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Garabet MEZIAN, aka Garabet Mezkloukian, Defendant-Appellant. No. 93-50630. United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. Submitted May 24, 1994. * Decided May 27, 1994. Before: HUG, D.W. NELSON, and FERNANDEZ, Circuit Judges. 1 MEMORANDUM ** 2 Garabet Mezian appeals his conviction and the 18-month sentence imposed following his jury trial for possessing counterfeit plates and partial counterfeit government obligations in violation of 18 U.S.C. Sec. 474 . Mezian argues, first, that the prosecutor deprived him of a fair trial by improperly shifting the burden of proof during closing argument, and, second, that the district court erred by failing to adjust his sentence based on his minor role in the offense. We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. Sec. 1291 , and we affirm. 3 * Closing Argument 4 "Prosecutorial comments to which defendant objects are reviewed for…