United States v. Troy L. Castile

WELLFORD, Circuit Judge.

Defendant Troy L. Castile appeals from his conviction on four counts of mail fraud under 18 U.S.C. § 1341 in connection with a scheme to defraud an insurance company by deliberately burning a restaurant for the purpose of collecting the proceeds of a fire insurance policy. The defendant contends on appeal that insufficient evidence was offered to convict him of mail fraud and that he was denied a fair trial due to limitations on voir dire, the district court’s refusal to allow an opening statement, and the alleged hostility of the district court.

I. FACTS

Defendant Troy…