United States v. Lentz

MEMORANDUM OPINION

ELLIS, District Judge.

In the pretrial phase of this kidnapping and murder prosecution, defendant has refused to comply with a Court order compelling him to provide the' government with specific handwriting exemplars. At issue prior to trial, therefore, is whether defendant’s refusal to provide these handwriting exemplars entitles the government to a jury instruction concerning inferences that may be drawn from defendant’s refusal.

I

A brief summary of the case is helpful to place the issue in context. 1 On April 24, 2001, defendant Jay E. Lentz (Lentz) was charged with the…