Federal Defenders of New York Second Circuit Blog

“Innocent Possession” and “Entrapment By Estoppel” Did Not Apply To Defendant Allegedly Returning Gun Under State or Local Amnesty Program

United States v. Miles, No. 13-1158-cr (2d Cir. Apr. 10, 2014) (Wesley, Carney, and Rakoff) (per curiam), available here This summary was prepared by noted criminal defense attorney Francisco Celedonio, who is also a member of the Board of Directors of Federal Defenders of New York, Inc.: Defendant Miles appealed his conviction and sentence as a … Read more

The Fact of a Prior Felony Conviction Does Not Go to the Jury Even if It Increases a Defendant’s Statutory Mandatory Minimum

UNITED STATES V. ROSARIO, NO. 12-3963 (2D CIR. APR. 2, 2014) (WESLEY, CARNEY, AND RAKOFF) (SUMMARY ORDER), AVAILABLE HERE The defendant in this case appealed his jury conviction for conspiracy to distribute and possession with the intent to distribute heroin.  He argued that the evidence was insufficient to support the conspiracy conviction and that other errors denied … Read more

Summary Summary

Here’s a quick summary of noteworthy summary orders recently issued by the Circuit: United States v. Davis, No. 12-4836-cr (2d Cir. Apr. 2, 2014) (Katzmann, Livingston, and Carter) (summary order), available here The Circuit rejected Davis’s argument that the district court improperly sentenced him as a “career offender.” The district court, using the “modified categorical approach” … Read more

Forfeiture Is Limited to That Authorized by the Statute Listed in the Charged Count

United States v. Annabi, Nos. 12-4988-cr(L), 12-4990-cr(Con) (2d Cir. Mar. 25, 2014), available here This published decision holds that where the government fails to invoke an applicable forfeiture provision in the indictment, and fails to correct that error prior to entry of a final judgment, forfeiture must be limited to that authorized by the statute … Read more

Defense Lawyer’s Decision Not to Call a Witness Who Might Offer Exculpatory Evidence Is a Question of Trial Strategy

PIERRE V. ERCOLE, NO. 12-3506-PR (2D CIR. MAR. 27, 2014) (SACK, LIVINGSTON, AND LOHIER) (SUMMARY ORDER), AVAILABLE HERE This case involved an ineffective assistance of counsel claim following defendant’s murder conviction.  The defendant argued that his defense lawyer was ineffective for not calling a particular witness at trial and for failing to investigate a possible witness.  The Court disagreed … Read more

A District Court’s Failure to State in Open Court Reasons for the Sentence Imposed Is Not In and of Itself Plain Error

UNITED STATES V. PALMA, NO. 13-2230-CR (2D CIR. MAR. 27, 2014) (SACK, LIVINGSTON, AND LOHIER) (SUMMARY ORDER), AVAILABLE HERE This defendant claimed that the sentencing court committed procedural error by failing to articulate the reasons for the sentence imposed and not addressing the 3553(a) factors.  On plain error review, the first challenge failed.  The Court explained that … Read more

Promise of Jail Time by District Court at Plea Hearing Did Not Give Rise to “Air of Inevitability” at Subsequent Sentencing

UNITED STATES V. DELGIORNO, NO. 13-625-CR (2D CIR. MAR. 27, 2014) (STRAUB, SACK, AND LOHIER) (SUMMARY ORDER), AVAILABLE HERE This defendant appealed his sentence and claimed that the sentencing court committed procedural error by failing to calculate the guidelines, properly consider the 3553(a) factors, and adequately explain the sentence imposed.  All challenges failed.  The district court calculated … Read more