United States v. Michael Mitchell Paul

TROTT, Circuit Judge:

Michael Mitchell Paul was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1112. The district court instructed the jury using the Ninth Circuit model jury instructions for voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. We hold that the district court’s instructions constituted plain error because they failed to adequately distinguish the different mental state requirements of voluntary and involuntary manslaughter. Therefore, we reverse Paul’s conviction.

BACKGROUND FACTS

On July 18,1992, Darlene Paul died during a fight with her husband Michael Paul at their home…