United States Sixth Circuit

Conviction of defendants for their involvement in a large-scale methamphetamine drug distribution ring and sentences of life imprisonment are affirmed in part, reversed in part and remanded where: 1) there was sufficient evidence from which a rational trier of fact could determine that defendants were involved in a conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine between February 2004 and February 2007; 2) there was sufficient evidence from which a rational trier of fact could determine that defendants aided and abetted each other to knowingly and intentionally possess with the intent to distribute an unspecified amount of methamphetamine; 3) there was sufficient evidence from which a rational trier of fact could determine that defendants knowingly and intentionally possessed with the intent to distribute methamphetamine; 4) district court did not abuse its discretion in denying defendants' motions for a mistrial based on prosecutorial misconduct; 5) because a juror's letter does not reference any exception recognized in Rule 60(b), the district court properly disregarded his statements; 6) district court correctly sentenced defendants to mandatory minimum life sentences on Count I; and 7) defendant's life sentence on Counts II and IV and co-defendant's life sentences on Counts III and IV are vacated and remanded for resentencing.

Appellate Information

• Argued 06/10/2010
• Decided 08/30/2010
• Published 08/30/2010

Judges

• GRIFFIN

Court

• United States Sixth Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Shawn P. Hooks, Monica Wheatley