United States v. Harris

192 F. Supp. 3d 337, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 79544, 2016 WL 3429669
CourtDistrict Court, W.D. New York
DecidedJune 17, 2016
Docket6:14-CR-6149 EAW
StatusPublished

This text of 192 F. Supp. 3d 337 (United States v. Harris) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, W.D. New York primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Harris, 192 F. Supp. 3d 337, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 79544, 2016 WL 3429669 (W.D.N.Y. 2016).

Opinion

DECISION AND ORDER

ELIZABETH A. WOLFORD, United States District Judge

BACKGROUND

Defendant Willie Harris (“Defendant”) was charged by a five-count Indictment as follows: (1) possession of cocaine with intent to distribute in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) & (b)(1)(C); (2) use of premises to manufacture, distribute and use a controlled substance in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 856(a)(1); (3) felon in possession of firearms and ammunition in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 922(g)(1) & 924(e); (4) possession of a short-barreled shotgun in violation of 26 U.S.C. §§ 5822, 5845(a), 5861(c) & 5871; and (5) possession of an unregistered short-barreled shotgun in violation of 26 U.S.C. §§ 5841, 5845(a), 5861(d) & 5871. (Dkt. 11).

A jury trial commenced on March 14, 2016. (Dkt. 76). On March 18, 2016, the jury convicted Defendant of counts 1, 3 and 5, but acquitted Defendant of counts 2 and 4. (Dkt. 81).

On March 25, 2016, Defendant filed a motion pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 29 (Dkt. 84) seeking an acquittal on the grounds that the Government failed to present sufficient evidence to 'prove beyond a reasonable doubt each and every element of counts 1, 3 and 5. On that same date, Defendant filed a motion seeking a new trial pursuant to Fed. R. Crim. P. 33. (Dkt. >83). In addition to contending that [340]*340the evidence was insufficient to support the convictions with respect to counts 1, 3 and 5, Defendant contends that a conviction on count 5 was inconsistent with the acquittal on count 4, and that the jury then based its conviction on count 3 on the improper conviction on count 5.

The Government filed its papers in opposition to the motions on April 25, 2016. (Dkt. 91).

Then, while the Rule 29 and 33 motions were still pending, on May 9, 2016. Defendant filed a motion to be released from custody pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3143, pending sentencing, presently scheduled for July 12, 2016. (Dkt. 92). The Government filed its papers in opposition to that motion on May 17,2016. (Dkt. 94).

For the reasons set forth below, Defendant’s motions (Dkt. 83, 84, 92) are denied.

DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

I. MOTION PURSUANT TO RULE 29

A. LEGAL STANDARD

Fed. R. Crim. P. 29(c) provides that “[a] defendant may move for a judgment of acquittal, or renew such a motion, within 14 days after a guilty verdict. ...” Fed. R. Crim. P. 29(c)(1). Defendant filed his motion on March 25, 2016, seven days following the return of the guilty verdict by the jury. Accordingly, Defendant’s motion is timely.

The standard on a motion for a judgment of acquittal is stringent, and a defendant claiming that he was convicted based on insufficient evidence “‘bears a very heavy burden.’” United States v. Blackwood, 366 Fed.Appx. 207, 209 (2d Cir.2010) (quoting United States v. Desena, 287 F.3d 170, 177 (2d Cir.2002)). “In considering a motion for judgment of acquittal, the court must view the evidence presented in the light most favorable to the government.” United States v. Guadagna, 183 F.3d 122, 129 (2d Cir.1999). Accordingly, “[a]ll permissible inferences must be drawn in the government’s favor.” Id.

If any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime, the conviction must stand.” United States v. Puzzo, 928 F.2d 1356, 1361 (2d Cir.1991) (internal quotation and citation omitted) (emphasis in original). “The test is whether the jury, drawing reasonable inferences from the evidence, may fairly and logically have concluded that the defendant was guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id. (internal quotation and citations omitted). The evidence must be viewed “in its totality, not in isolation,” United States v. Huezo, 546 F.3d 174, 178 (2d Cir.2008), “as each fact may gain color from others.” Guadagna, 183 F.3d at 130. The Court may enter a judgment of acquittal only if the evidence that the defendant committed the crime is “nonexistent or so meager that no reasonable jury could find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id. (internal quotation and citation omitted).

A district court must be careful not to usurp the role of the jury. “Rule 29(c) does not provide the trial court with an opportunity to ‘substitute its own determination of... the weight of the evidence and the reasonable inferences to be drawn for that of the jury.’ ” Id. at 129 (quoting United States v. Mariani, 725 F.2d 862, 865 (2d Cir.1984)). “A jury’s verdict will be sustained if there is substantial evidence, taking the view most favorable to the government, to support it.” United States v. Nersesian, 824 F.2d 1294, 1324 (2d Cir.1987). The government is not required “ ‘to preclude every reasonable hypothesis which is consistent with innocence.’ ” United States v. Chang An-Lo, 851 F.2d 547, 554 (2d Cir.1988) (citing United States v. [341]*341Fiore, 821 F.2d 127, 128 (2d Cir.1987)). Further, a jury’s verdict may be based entirely on circumstantial evidence. See United States v. Martinez, 54 F.3d 1040, 1043 (2d Cir.1995).

B. SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE1

The Government presented evidence at trial that on June 10, 2014, Defendant-was interviewed by law enforcement outside his residence at 49 Troup Street, Apartment 21, Rochester, New York, as part of an investigation into alleged sex trafficking of a minor. During the discussion, Defendant was informed that the officers had a search warrant for his residence. Defendant was asked if there was a gun in his residence, and according to testimony presented at trial, he responded admitting that he had a gun and describing it as a sawed off rifle, a sawed off little thing.” Evidence was also presented that Defendant told the officers that drugs were in his residence and he was selling drugs “to make a little money.”

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Bluebook (online)
192 F. Supp. 3d 337, 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 79544, 2016 WL 3429669, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-harris-nywd-2016.