2 from KYSC - Hall & Maupin

Michael Maupin v.Commonwealth, 16-SC-448-DG (rendered 3/22/18)(to be published). 

Mr. Maupin was convicted of failure to register a change in address with the sex offender registry, KRS 17.510, and PFO first degree, and received a ten year sentence.  Throughout the trial, the trial court observed the evidence for the Commonwealth was scant, but declined to grant the directed verdict motions.  After conviction, the defense filed a motion for judgment of acquittal notwithstanding the jury verdict, and the trial court granted the motion.  The Commonwealth appealed.  The Court of Appeals reversed the trial court, and reinstated the judgment of conviction and sentence.  
 

The Supreme Court granted Mr. Maupin’s motion for discretionary review, and ultimately held the Commonwealth could not appeal from a trial court’s judgment of acquittal following a jury verdict of guilt, thus overruling Commonwealth v. Brindley, 724 S.W.2d 214 (Ky. 1986).  Section 115 of the Ky. Constitution clearly states “the Commonwealth may not appeal from a judgment of acquittal in a criminal case, other than for the purpose of securing a certification of law.”  

The Court specifically announced, “We hold that Section 115 of the Kentucky Constitution bars.the Commonwealth from appealing a judgment of acquittal, and so we need not

reach the merits of this case. We reverse the Court of Appeals and reinstate the trial court's judgment. We also overrule any precedent stating that Section 115 derives itself from Section 13 of the Kentucky Constitution and that the Commonwealth may appeal a judgment n.o.v.”

Susan Balliet and Emily Rhorer of Appeals represented Mr. Maupin on direct appeal to the Kentucky Supreme Court, and Bob Friedman, Lexington North, represented Mr. Maupin at trial.   


Carliss Hall v. Comm., Affirming in part, Reversing in Part, KSC, To-be-published (3/22/2018): 

Hall was convicted at trial of (among other crimes) theft over $500 for grabbing a police cruiser to get away from police who were chasing him from a WalMart, and then leaving it in the middle of the road at an abandoned strip mine. On appeal, the Kentucky Supreme Court dismissed Hall’s conviction and sentence for stealing the police cruiser, finding that he did not “intend to deprive” the police of their cruiser permanently. The Court also reversed Hall’s conviction for resisting arrest due to a non-unanimous verdict and threw out an illegal $50 fine. 

Susan Balliet represented Hall on appeal, Frank Riley preserved the police cruiser issue at trial.

6th Circuit Update

U.S. v. Hernandez, No. 17-5448, 2018 WL 443764 (2018)(to be published).

Facts. Hernandez was involved in large scale marijuana distribution. On at least 3 occasions, Hernandez arranged a location as delivery point for a 1,000 pound shipment of marijuana. Hernandez was paid $5,000 for his efforts. When the supplier fell behind on payments to Hernandez, the supplier offered Hernandez 2 kilograms of a 28 kilogram cocaine shipment. Hernandez accepted the deal, but the shipment never came through. After a conversation with supplier, Hernandez used the internet to check on the shipment. Hernandez learned from a subordinate that the DEA had seized the cocaine. Several months later, the DEA spoke to Hernandez about his drug involvement. Hernandez confessed and entered a guilty plea to conspiring to distribute 2 kilograms of cocaine. However, the judge at sentencing punished Hernandez for all 28 kilograms of cocaine because Hernandez expanded his role in the conspiracy.

Use of the internet can further a conspiracy. Hernandez argued for a lesser sentence because he claimed to have an interest in only 2 of the 28 kilograms. The 6^th Circuit disagreed. The Court acknowledged it is not illegal to use the internet. However, it is illegal to assist in the commission of a crime, to assist another in avoiding punishment, to try and conceal a felony, or to do any act in furtherance of a conspiracy, regardless of whether the person uses the internet. Using the internet in an attempt to discover what happened to a shipment of illegal drugs furthered the conspiracy. Therefore, the district judge did not err in holding Hernandez responsible for all 28 kilograms of cocaine.

U.S. v. Harris, 881 F.3d 945 (6^th Cir. 2018).

Facts. Harris was a stock broker. He participated in a scheme to recommend purchase of stock in a particular company in exchange for undisclosed commissions. A jury found Harris guilty of conspiracy to commit securities fraud, wire fraud, and obstruction of justice.

The difference between KRE 608 and KRE 613. While KRE 608 and KRE 613 differ somewhat from the FRE, this case is useful for explaining the difference between the two. Harris was convicted of obstruction of justice because a co-conspirator testified that Harris told the co-conspirator to tell the FBI “remember, we sold watches” as the explanation for where the money came from. Before the case went to trial, a defense investigator questioned the co-conspirator. The investigator asked the co-conspirator if Harris said “just tell the truth and leave it at that.” The co-conspirator responded that “it was more of the nature.” At trial, the judge refused to allow the Harris to impeach the coconspirator with his prior statement based on FRE 608, which involves challenging a witness’ character for truthfulness. The 6^th Circuit determined the trial judge erred by not applying FRE 613, which allows a witness to be impeached with a prior statement. The Court ruled the defense should have been allowed to impeach the witness. The error was not harmless because the co-conspirator’s testimony regarding obstruction was uncorroborated by other witnesses or evidence such as text messages. This case demonstrates the importance of consulting both rules when challenging a witness’ testimony.

Hearing required due to a juror’s use of social media during trial. Harris’ case was remanded for a hearing to determine whether a juror was prejudiced by an extraneous influence. During Harris’ trial, he received an email from LinkedIn that someone named Goleno had viewed his LinkedIn profile. The defense discovered evidence from Facebook that Goleno had a romantic relationship with a juror and that they lived together. The defense requested a hearing to determine whether the juror had been improperly exposed to prejudicial extraneous information. The defense argued that a Google search of Harris’ name revealed details of the investigation that had been excluded from his trial. The trial judge denied the motion. The 6^th Circuit reversed. In order to safeguard a criminal defendant’s right to a panel of impartial jurors under the Sixth Amendment, when a defendant presents a colorable claim of extraneous influence, the court has a duty to investigate and to determine whether there may have been a violation of the constitutional guarantee. 

Contributed by Sam Potter