United States Third Circuit

Defendant's conviction for two robberies of business owners in their homes in violation of the Hobbs Act, are affirmed where: 1) there was sufficient evidence to find beyond a reasonable doubt that the theft of business assets in two robberies had an actual or potential de minimis effect on interstate commerce; and 2) district court did not abuse its discretion in rejecting defendant's proposed instruction that the jury find a substantial connection between the individual robbed and a business engaged in interstate commerce for conviction, as the district court's instruction accurately stated circuit law on the Hobbs Act's jurisdictional nexus.

Appellate Information

• Decided 08/30/2012
• Published 08/30/2012

Judges

• Scirica

Court

• United States Third Circuit

Counsel