United States v. Melvin Taplet, Jr.

Opinion for the Court filed by Circuit Judge BROWN.

BROWN, Circuit Judge.

Melvin Taplet Jr. was convicted of soliciting murder for hire using interstate commerce facilities in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1958. We affirm.

I

A

Danielle Buck did what most good friends do. When her friend and neighbor, Kimberly McLaughlin, began a romantic liaison with Taplet and allowed him to move in, Buck noticed unhealthy changes in her friend’s demeanor. She encouraged her to end the relationship.

Her friend listened. But while the relationship ended, Taplet’s rage toward Buck festered and grew. In August 2008, Ta-'…