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TENTH CIRCUIT
FEB 9 2004
PATRICK FISHER
Clerk
No. 03-7072
GARY L. GAINES,
Defendant-Appellant.
This order and judgment is not binding precedent, except under the doctrines of
law of the case, res judicata, and collateral estoppel. The court generally disfavors the
citation of orders and judgments; nevertheless, an order and judgment may be cited under
the terms and conditions of 10th Cir. R. 36.3.
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689 (10th Cir. 1996). The sentencing judge is in a unique position to evaluate a
defendants acceptance of responsibility. For this reason, the determination of the
sentencing judge is entitled to great deference on review. U.S.S.G. 3E1.1, application
n.5. The district court is in a better position than the appellate court to weigh the
defendants sincerity of remorse and contrition. United States v. Ochoa-Fabian, 935
F.2d 1139, 1143 (10th Cir. 1991). Because of our deference to the trial courts
assessment of credibility and the clearly erroneous standard we apply, the judgment of the
district court on this issue is nearly always sustained. United States v. Whitehead, 912
F.2d 448, 451 (10th Cir. 1990).
We are not persuaded that the district court committed clear error in refusing to
adjust Gaines offense level downward for acceptance of responsibility. Gaines
statements at sentencing were more in the nature of an attempt to mitigate his conduct
than an acceptance of full responsibility or an expression of remorse for his conduct.
AFFIRMED.
Entered for the Court
Mary Beck Briscoe
Circuit Judge