U.S. v. Henley, 74-1238

Citation502 F.2d 585
Decision Date09 October 1974
Docket NumberNo. 74-1238,74-1238
PartiesUNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Paul Darrell HENLEY and Stanley Paul Rutkowski, Defendants-Appellants. Summary Calendar.* *Rule 18, 5th Cir., see Isbell Enterprises, Inc. v. Citizens Casualty Co. of New York et al., 431 F.2d 409, Part I (5th Cir.1970).
CourtUnited States Courts of Appeals. United States Court of Appeals (5th Circuit)

John D. Shofi, Tampa, Fla. (Court-appointed), for Henley.

Raymond E. LaPorte, Tampa, Fla., for Rutkowski.

John L. Briggs, U.S. Atty., Jacksonville, Fla., D. Frank Winkles, Asst. U.S. Atty., Tampa, Fla., for plaintiff-appellee.

Before COLEMAN, DYER and RONEY, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM:

After a jury trial defendants were convicted of importation and possession with intent to distribute 14,550 pounds of marijuana. 21 U.S.C.A. 952(a), 960(b)(2) and 21 U.S.C.A. 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B). We have examined the briefs and record in respect to the errors assigned on this appeal. None of these points warrants disturbance of the District Court decision. The prosecutor's statements, acts, and conduct were in reply to defense arguments, and were, in totality, not unfairly prejudicial to defendants. See United States v. Rhoden, 453 F.2d 598 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 406 U.S. 947, 92 S.Ct. 2050, 32 L.Ed.2d 334 (1972).

The overwhelming evidence of possession of more than seven tons of marijuana justified the court's refusal to instruct the jury on the lesser included offense of simple possession. See Sansone v. United States, 380 U.S. 343, 85 S.Ct. 1004, 13 L.Ed.2d 882 (1965).

Evidence as to defendant Henley's reputation was properly allowed after he testified and introduced the defense of entrapment. Rocha v. United States, 401 F.2d 529 (5th Cir.), cert. denied, 393 U.S. 1103, 89 S.Ct. 905, 21 L.Ed. 796 (1969).

In United States v. Gaines, 489 F.2d 690 (5th Cir. 1974), we rejected the argument that the government must prove the seized marijuana was Cannabis Sativa L.

The evidence amply warrants the finding of guilt and no error of law is perceived in the trial.

Affirmed.

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16 cases
  • U.S. v. Hernandez
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Ninth Circuit
    • 14 Febrero 2007
    ...district court properly refused to provide a simple possession instruction. This is not the case of several tons of marijuana, see Henley, 502 F.2d at 586, or several million dollars worth of cocaine. See Espinosa, 827 F.2d at 615. Rather, we conclude that this is a case where a rational ju......
  • U.S. v. Sherriff
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Fifth Circuit
    • 26 Enero 1977
    ...were in reply to defense arguments and were not unfairly prejudicial to the defendant, they were not improper. See United States v. Henley, 5 Cir., 1974,502 F.2d 585; Montford v. United States, 5 Cir., 1959, 272 F.2d 395, cert. denied, 361 U.S. 962, 80 S.Ct. 591, 4 L.Ed.2d 543 (1960). 3 Fur......
  • U.S. v. Alvarez, 82-5780
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Eleventh Circuit
    • 2 Julio 1984
    ...(5th Cir.), cert. denied sub nom, Taglione v. United States, 431 U.S. 943, 97 S.Ct. 2662, 53 L.Ed.2d 263 (1977); United States v. Henley, 502 F.2d 585, 585-86 (5th Cir.1974). The assistant district attorney made several collective references to the defendants and to their attorneys during t......
  • U.S. v. Anello
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — First Circuit
    • 21 Agosto 1985
    ...indeed, police arrested these three defendants in or near a truck filled with more than one ton of marijuana. See United States v. Henley, 502 F.2d 585, 586 (5th Cir.) ("The overwhelming evidence of possession of more than seven tons of marijuana justified the court's refusal to instruct th......
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