United States First Circuit

Convictions and sentences for conspiracy and drug offenses while on board a vessel are affirmed over defendants' arguments that: 1) the US did not have jurisdiction over the vessel; 2) the court improperly allowed evidence into the record; 3) there was insufficient evidence to support the convictions; 4) they were denied the opportunity to choose a defense strategy in advance and participate in a fair trial because the court did not rule on the applicability of a duress defense until after the close of all evidence; 5) the court miscalculated their sentences; and 6) the district court committed Booker error.

Appellate Information

• Decided 03/22/2007
• Published 03/22/2007

Judges

• TORRUELLA, Circuit Judge., Before TORRUELLA, Circuit Judge, BALDOCK, Senior Circuit Judge, and STAHL, Senior Circuit Judge.

Court

• United States First Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Luis R. Lugo-Emanuelli, with whom Jorge Maldonado-Ríos was on brief, for appellants Alfre Luis Bravo and Jesús Antonio Martínez-Rosado., Marlene Aponte-Cabrera, for appellant Luis Antonio Mancilla-Patino., Lydia Lizarríbar-Masini, for appellant Josne Said Isaa-Morales.


• For Appellees:
  
• Nelson Pérez-Sosa, Assistant United States Attorney, Chief, Appellate Division, with whom Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez, United States Attorney, was on brief, for appellee.