Read US v. Reid, 06-4826

Conviction for conspiracy to distribute cocaine base and murder through the use of a firearm in the course of a drug trafficking crime is affirmed where: 1) although the district court erred in instructing the jury on the conspiracy charge, defendant failed to demonstrate that the error affected his substantial rights; and 2) substantial evidence supported both convictions.

Appellate Information

• Argued 02/01/2008
• Decided 04/16/2008
• Published 04/16/2008

Judges

• Before MICHAEL and SHEDD, Circuit Judges, and LIAM O'GRADY, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia, sitting by designation.

Court

• United States Fourth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellees:
  
• ARGUED:  David Bruce Betts, Columbia, South Carolina, for Appellant.  Mark C. Moore, Office of the United States Attorney, Columbia, South Carolina, for Appellee.   ON BRIEF:  Reginald I. Lloyd, United States Attorney, Columbia, South Carolina, for Appellee.