United States v. Barnes

Defendants Barnes, Jones, and Hall appealed their convictions for (1) conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 500 or more grams of methamphetamine, less than fifty kilograms of marijuana, and some amount of cocaine all in violation of 21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1) and 846; (2) maintaining a drug-involved premises in violation of 21 U.S.C. 856(a) and 18 U.S.C. 2; (3) conspiracy to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in violation of 18 U.S.C. 924(o) and 2; and (4) possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime in violation of 18 U.S.C. 924(c)(1)(A) and 2. The court concluded that a reasonable jury could find that Jones and Barnes were guilty of the charged offenses; Hall’s challenge to the introduction of Facebook and text messages at trial is without merit; the district court acted within its discretion in limiting Hall’s cross-examination of witnesses; the district court did not abuse its discretion in denying defendants’ motion to strike a witness’s testimony; the district court did not abuse its discretion in admitting evidence of the Smith Triple Murder; and the district court did not err in instructing the jury that a “place” under 21 U.S.C. 856 can be both a “house” and the “yard area” to a house. Accordingly, the court affirmed the judgment. View "United States v. Barnes" on Justia Law