US v. Mathews, No. 19-56110 (6-13-22)(Forrest w/Kelly & M. Smith). The petitioner gets relief under Davis, 139 S. Ct.2319 (2019). A conviction under 18 USC 844(i) (property-damage destruction) is not a categorical “crime of violence” for 924c(3). The destruction could be to one’s own property and not solely the property of another. While the district court tried to use past precedent to divine congressional intent (an explosive bomb seems a COV), a categorical approach must be applied. The 9^th joins the 4^th, 6^th, and 10^th Circuits.

Congrats to Kara Hartzler, Fed Defs of San Diego.

https://cdn.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastore/opinions/2022/06/13/19-56110.pdf