United States First Circuit

The cumulative weight of evidence supporting arson-related convictions is overwhelming, and the introduction of evidence of a gas leak eighteen months before the fire would not have been enough to undermine confidence in the outcome of this case, thus plaintiff's ineffective assistance of counsel claim is denied.

Appellate Information

• Decided 08/07/2003
• Published 08/07/2003

Judges

• RICHARD S. ARNOLD, Senior Circuit Judge., Before LYNCH, Circuit Judge, RICHARD S. ARNOLD, Senior Circuit Judge, and HOWARD, Circuit Judge.

Court

• United States First Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• John F. Palmer, for appellant Santo Ruiz., Melvin Norris, for appellant Virgilio Ruiz.


• For Appellees:
  
• Timothy Q. Feeley, Assistant United States Attorney, with whom Michael J. Sullivan, United States Attorney, was on brief for appellees.