UNITED STATES v. GREER (2021)

LaGrant Greer appeals the district court's order denying his motion for compassionate release pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A)(i). For the reasons that follow, we vacate and remand.

A district court may grant a compassionate release motion upon finding “that extraordinary and compelling reasons warrant such a reduction,” “that such a reduction is consistent with applicable policy statements issued by the Sentencing Commission,” and that the relevant 18 U.S.C. § 3553(a) sentencing factors weigh in favor of relief. 18 U.S.C. § 3582(c)(1)(A). Here, from the district court's summary order, we cannot discern whether the court concluded that Greer failed to establish extraordinary and compelling reasons for release, that the § 3553(a) factors counseled against a sentence reduction, or both. As a result, we cannot meaningfully review the district court's decision.

Accordingly, we vacate the district court's order and remand for a fuller explanation.^* See United States v. Martin, 916 F.3d 389, 398 (4th Cir. 2019). We deny as moot Greer's motion to supplement the record. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented in the materials before this court and argument would not aid the decisional process.

VACATED AND REMANDED

FOOTNOTES

FOOTNOTE.   By this disposition, we express no view on the merits of Greer's motion.

PER CURIAM:

Vacated and remanded by unpublished per curiam opinion. Unpublished opinions are not binding precedent in this circuit.