United States v. Richard Marion Dota, AKA Dickie Stevens
Opinion
Opinion
Wiggins, J.
Richard Dota appeals his conviction and sentence for conspiracy, murder for hire, and use of a firearm during a crime of violence. We affirm.
FACTS
Though disputed in some instances, testimony showing the following facts was presented at Dota’s jury trial.
Julius Sehill was president of APS, a company that made and sold self-operated photo booths and business card machines. Cynthia Asher was Schill’s secretary. Sehill tried to give Asher gifts in exchange for her companionship and sexual favors. Though she accepted some items from Sehill, she claims to have rejected his overtures in July, 1991. At the time, Asher had a boyfriend named Wilbur Constable.
In August, 1991, Sehill met with Richard Dota. Defense witnesses said Sehill meant to hire Dota as a salesman. Dota had some contact with mall and casino owners/operators and had placed APS machines before. At the August meeting, Sehill signed a contract hiring Dota. After the meeting, Sehill instructed an APS employee to prepare a $21,000 cheek for Dota.
The government argued at trial that the August meeting was a sham and that the $21,000 was payment to Dota in exchange for Dota arranging Constable’s murder. Shortly after the…