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News (Media Awareness Project) - US: High Court Upholds Life Terms Of 5 In Drug Dealing
Title:US: High Court Upholds Life Terms Of 5 In Drug Dealing
Published On:2002-05-21
Source:Baltimore Sun (MD)
Fetched On:2008-01-23 07:18:20
HIGH COURT UPHOLDS LIFE TERMS OF 5 IN DRUG DEALING

Justices, By 9-0, Overturn Appeals Panel On City Men

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously yesterday that the life sentences
of five convicted Baltimore drug dealers should not be reduced
because of errors in their indictments. Chief Justice William H.
Rehnquist wrote the 9-0 opinion, explaining that there was enough
evidence against the five men to uphold the 1998 sentences, despite
an omission in their federal indictments about the quantity of drugs
they were dealing.

"The error did not seriously affect the fairness, integrity, or
public reputation of judicial proceedings," Rehnquist wrote,
overturning a decision last year of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of
Appeals in Richmond, Va.

Yesterday's ruling stemmed from the case of Stanley "Boonie" Hall
Jr., who worked with his brothers, parents and grandfather to build
what authorities described as a million-dollar crack cocaine ring in
East Baltimore.

When investigators arrested Hall -- who had his own "Batman" brand
and logo for his drugs -- they seized a $47,000 Acura, $60,000 in
men's jewelry and more than 380 grams of crack.

A jury convicted Hall, then 26, and eight others of conspiring to
distribute a "detectable amount" of cocaine, which is punishable by
up to 20 years in prison. But a federal judge in Baltimore handed
down life sentences to Hall and four co-defendants after determining
that they were eligible for stiffer penalties because they had
trafficked more then 50 grams of cocaine.

Defense lawyer Timothy J. Sullivan argued to the Supreme Court last
month that his clients were wrongfully sentenced.

After learning of the ruling yesterday, Sullivan said he was
disappointed and called it "tragic" that the five men will spend
their lives in prison.

"Our position is that you shouldn't be sentenced for something you're
not indicted for," he said.

He said it was especially troubling because a federal appeals panel
ruled 2-1 last year that the judge sentenced them "for a crime with
which they were never charged."

The judges of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the
sentences should be cut to 20 years.
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