05-3040 — United States of America v. William R. Slaughter, Appellant

U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals
(April 12, 2006)


BRIEFS

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CASE SUMMARY (prepared at Washburn Law)

Nature of the Case
Mr. Slaughter was indicted, tried and convicted of one count of each of possession with intent to distribute 100 grams or more of heroin, possession with the intent to distribute marijuana, and travel in interstate commerce to promote an unlawful activity. Mr. Slaughter is appealing the possession of heroin with intent to distribute conviction.

Issue Statement
Mr. Slaughter argues that insufficient evidence was presented to support his conviction of possession of heroin with the intent to distribute.

Defendant/Appellant's Position
Mr. Slaughter argues that because he testified that he did not know about the heroin found in the trunk of the car he was driving and because his fingerprints were not found on the packaging of the heroin, there is insufficient evidence to lead a reasonable jury to find that he ever had knowledge or was ever in possession of the heroin. Mr. Slaughter admitted to purchasing and possessing the marijuana and his fingerprints were found on that packaging; however, he contends that this is insufficient to connect him with the heroin wrapped in the same packaging. Mr. Slaughter requests the convictions to be vacated because of insufficient evidence.

United States/Appellee's Position
The government argues that sufficient evidence was introduced in this case to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Mr. Slaughter possessed, either actually or constructively, heroin and marijuana found in the trunk of the car; that he possessed, knew he possessed and intended to distribute the heroin and marijuana found; and that he aided and abetted the commission of the unlawful activity. The government contends that sufficient evidence necessary in cases involving joint occupancy of vehicles was presented supporting at least a plausible inference that Mr. Slaughter knew about the heroin. The government, also, contends that sufficient evidence was presented to prove Mr. Slaughter aided and abetted the unlawful activity because of the inconsistencies in his testimony and having his mother rent a car for his short trip to California with the co-defendant, about whom Mr. Slaughter claimed to know very little. The government request that the convictions are affirmed.

INFORMAL CASE SUMMARY

Please Note: This informal case summary is not intended for official use and does not purport to be exhaustive of the issues or defenses presented by the parties.

Defendant Slaughter was convicted of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of heroin with intent to distribute, and interstate transportation in aid of racketeering. While the defendant was driving with a companion from California to Missouri, he was stopped for a traffic violation. During a search following the stop, the police found marijuana and heroin, which were wrapped separately. The marijuana was in the defendant's duffle bag and the heroin was concealed behind the rear panel in the trunk. The defendant admitted to the officer and later at trial that the marijuana was his, but denied any knowledge of the heroin. The defendant argues on appeal that there was insufficient evidence to support the heroin conviction.