Murder Conviction Upheld in US v. Fowler

In US v. Fowler, No. 08-15463, the court of appeals affirmed defendant's conviction for murder with the intent to prevent a person from communicating information about a federal offense to a federal law enforcement officer or judge of the U.S., holding that 1) nothing in 18 U.S.C. section 1512(a)(1)(C) required proof that a federal investigation was ongoing, imminent, or likely; and 2) several defendants involved in the conspiracy had committed federal crimes that could have led to a federal investigation and prosecution.

"Charles Andrew Fowler appeals his conviction for murder with the intent to prevent a person from communicating information about a federal offense to a federal law enforcement officer or judge of the United States, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1512(a)(1)(C). Fowler argues that the government failed to present sufficient evidence to support his conviction. We affirm."

Related Resources

• Full Text of US v. Fowler, No. 08-15463
• 18 U.S.C. section 1512