IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA

UNITED STATES

v.

LOUIS STILLIS, also known as 

“LOU BOP”

CRIMINAL ACTION

NO. 04-680-03

DuBois, J. May 14, 2015

M E M O R A N D U M

I. INTRODUCTION

On January 18, 2007, a jury found defendant Louis Stillis guilty of conspiracy to 

distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine and other substantive cocaine distribution 

offenses. Additionally, after a separate bench trial on January 19, 2007, the Court found Stillis 

guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On October 5, 2007, the Court sentenced 

Stillis, inter alia, to a total sentence of 235 months’ imprisonment. Presently before the Court are: 

(1) Stillis’ pro se Motion Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 to Vacate, Set Aside, or Correct Sentence 

(“original § 2255 Motion”); (2) Stillis’ pro se Motion to Amend Pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(c) 

(“Motion to Amend”); and (3) Stillis’ pro se Amended Motion Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 

(“Amended § 2255 Motion”). For the reasons set forth below, Stillis’ Motion to Amend is 

granted, his original § 2255 Motion is dismissed, and his Amended § 2255 Motion is dismissed 

and denied without an evidentiary hearing.

II. BACKGROUND

A. Facts and Procedural History

On April 13, 2005, a Grand Jury in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania returned a FiftyThree Count Superseding Indictment against defendant Stillis and eight other co-defendants. In 

Count One, the Superseding Indictment charged that the defendants participated in a conspiracy 

Case 2:04-cr-00680-JD Document 755 Filed 05/14/15 Page 1 of 19
2

to distribute more than five (5) kilograms of cocaine in Philadelphia and Delaware Counties from 

in or about July 2003 through in or about October 2004, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) 

and (b)(1)(A). Each defendant was also charged in separate counts with distribution of cocaine in 

violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C), and distribution of cocaine within 1,000 feet 

of a school in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(b)(1)(C) and 860(a). 

Additionally, Count Fifty-Three of the Superseding Indictment charged that on or about 

April 22, 2004, defendant Stillis, having previously been convicted of a crime punishable by 

imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, knowingly possessed, in or affecting interstate 

commerce, a firearm, that is a loaded Lorcin 9mm semiautomatic pistol, serial number 133831, 

in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1). 

The Superseding Indictment described the drug conspiracy as a pyramid structure with 

defendant Tyrone Smith at the top. Smith was alleged to be “a supplier of large quantities of 

cocaine, ranging from approximately 250 grams to approximately one kilogram, which he 

distributed to defendant William Green . . . and others for redistribution in Delaware County, 

Pennsylvania.” (Superseding Indict., at 3.) At the next level, the Superseding Indictment charged

that defendant Green distributed the cocaine he received from defendant Smith to defendant 

Stillis and others for further distribution. At the bottom, the Government averred that defendant 

Stillis “distributed cocaine to numerous buyers in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and used 

other members of the conspiracy,” including defendants Kenneth Wilson, Sherron Moore, 

Tyrone Trader, Jamal Rideout, Richard Robinson, and Larry Davis, “to distribute cocaine to 

numerous street-level buyers, and to transport cocaine and to collect money from the sales of 

cocaine.” (Id. at 3–4.) The activities of defendant Stillis and those members of the conspiracy 

Case 2:04-cr-00680-JD Document 755 Filed 05/14/15 Page 2 of 19
3

who purchased cocaine from him for resale centered in the Toby Farms neighborhood of Chester 

Township in Delaware County, Pennsylvania. 

On January 3, 2007, defendants Stillis, Trader, Davis, and Rideout proceeded to trial 

before a jury.1 By agreement of the parties, Count Fifty-Three against defendant Stillis was 

severed from the remainder of the charges. On January 18, 2007, the jury found Stillis and his 

three co-defendants guilty of all charges against them. The following day, January 19, 2007, 

defendant Stillis waived his right to a jury trial on Count Fifty-Three, the government accepted 

his waiver, and the Court approved the waiver. The Court then tried the severed gun charge and 

found defendant Stillis guilty of that charge.

B. Stillis’ Motion for Judgment of Acquittal or, in the Alternative, New Trial

At the close of evidence on January 16, 2007, Stillis presented an oral motion for 

judgment of acquittal pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 29, contending that the 

evidence was insufficient to support the jury’s verdict with respect to Count One of the 

Superseding Indictment (charging all defendants with conspiracy to distribute more than five 

kilograms of cocaine). The Court denied Stillis’ oral motion the same day. 

Thereafter, on February 14, 2007, Stillis filed a Motion for Judgment of Acquittal

Pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 29, or, in the Alternative, for a New Trial 

Pursuant to Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 33. In that Motion, Stillis renewed his oral 

motion for judgment of acquittal with respect to Count One, and sought a new trial under Rule 

33 with respect to his conviction on Count Fifty-Three (charging Stillis with possession of a 

firearm by a convicted felon). Specifically, with respect to Count One, Stillis challenged the 

 

1 Defendants Tyrone Smith, William Green, Sherron Moore, Richard Robinson, and 

Kenneth Wilson entered guilty pleas, and, with the exception of Tyrone Smith, testified against 

defendants Stillis, Trader, Davis, and Rideout at trial under cooperating plea agreements with the 

Government.

Case 2:04-cr-00680-JD Document 755 Filed 05/14/15 Page 3 of 19
4

sufficiency of the evidence as it related to: (1) the charged dates of the conspiracy, and (2) the 

charged drug quantities. With respect to Count Fifty-Three, Stillis argued that there was newly 

discovered evidence in the form of testimony from a witness named John Mumford, which 

entitled him to the granting of a new trial.

By Memorandum and Order dated July 16, 2007, the Court denied that part of Stillis’ 

Motion which challenged his conviction on Count One and reserved ruling on that part of Stillis’

Motion in which he sought a new trial on Count Fifty-Three based on alleged newly discovered 

evidence. In rejecting Stillis’ challenge to his conviction on Count One, the Court ruled that the 

evidence was sufficient to “support[] the jury’s finding that [Stillis] conspired to distribute at 

least five kilograms of cocaine” on the dates charged in the Indictment. United States v. Stillis, 

No. 04-680-03, 2007 WL 2071899, at *6 (E.D. Pa. July 16, 2007), aff’d, 437 F. App’x 78 (3d 

Cir. 2011). Following a hearing, the Court denied Stillis’ Motion for New Trial on Count FiftyThree by Order dated July 25, 2007, on the ground that the alleged newly discovered evidence 

upon which he relied was merely impeaching and was unlikely to produce an acquittal at a new 

trial.

C. Sentencing and Direct Appeal

Sentencing was conducted on October 5, 2007. At sentencing, Stillis’ trial counsel, 

Steven G. Laver, argued, inter alia, that the Court should not apply any aggravating role 

enhancements under § 3B1.1 of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines (“Sentencing Guidelines”). After 

hearing argument, the Court rejected trial counsel’s contention, finding that “Stillis’ role in the 

offense warrant[ed] . . . a three-level enhancement under 3B1.1(b) as a manager or supervisor but 

not an organizer or leader” of five people (Kenneth Wilson, Sherron Moore, Tyrone Trader, 

Jamal Rideout, and Richard Robinson) in the drug conspiracy. (Sentencing Tr., October 5, 2007, 

Case 2:04-cr-00680-JD Document 755 Filed 05/14/15 Page 4 of 19
5

at 29.) Trial counsel also argued for a two-level reduction for acceptance of responsibility 

pursuant to § 3E1.1 of the Sentencing Guidelines, but the Court denied that request. (Id. at 47–

48.) The Court sentenced Stillis, inter alia, to concurrent sentences of 235 months’ imprisonment 

on Counts One, Sixteen, Twenty, and Twenty-Three, and a concurrent sentence of 120 months’ 

imprisonment on Count Fifty-Three.

On October 11, 2007, through his appellate counsel, Steven G. Laver, Stillis timely 

appealed his conviction and sentence to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Stillis 

raised three issues on direct appeal: “(1) that the evidence was insufficient to prove beyond a 

reasonable doubt that the conspiracy involved five or more kilograms of cocaine; (2) that a new 

trial on Count 53 was required due to newly discovered evidence; and (3) that the District Court 

clearly erred by denying his motion for a downward departure for acceptance of responsibility [at 

sentencing].” United States v. Stillis, 437 F. App’x 78, 80 (3d Cir. 2011). The Third Circuit 

affirmed this Court’s decision in all respects.

Stillis filed a petition for a writ of certiorari to the Supreme Court of the United States.

Stillis v. United States, 132 S. Ct. 343 (2011). His petition was denied on October 3, 2011.

D. Motions Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255

Stillis timely filed his original § 2255 Motion on October 3, 2012.2Thereafter, Stillis 

requested a temporary stay in the proceedings and, there being no objection from the 

Government, the Court granted that request “so as to give [Stillis] sufficient time to file an 

 

2

“The federal ‘prisoner mailbox rule’ provides that a document is deemed filed on the date 

it is given to prison officials for mailing.” Pabon v. Mahanoy, 654 F.3d 385, 391 (3d Cir. 2011). 

Thus, the Court deems Stillis’ original § 2255 Motion filed on October 3, 2012, the date on 

which Stillis signed it. Butler v. Walsh, 846 F. Supp. 2d 324, 329 (E.D. Pa. 2012) (DuBois, J.); 

see Hodge v. Klopotoski, No. 08-455, 2009 WL 3572262, at *15 (W.D. Pa. Oct. 26, 2009) (“In 

the absence of contrary evidence, a court will typically assume that a prisoner presented his or 

her petition to prison authorities for filing on the same date that he or she signed it.”).

Case 2:04-cr-00680-JD Document 755 Filed 05/14/15 Page 5 of 19
6

amended motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255.” Order dated June 27, 2013; see also Order dated 

August 12, 2013 (extending the temporary stay). Stillis filed a Motion to Amend and an 

Amended § 2255 Motion on September 3, 2013.3

III. DISCUSSION

In Stillis’ Amended § 2255 Motion, he raises four grounds for relief: (1) trial counsel was 

ineffective in failing to object to the Court’s handling of an allegation of juror misconduct; 

(2) the Government committed prosecutorial misconduct in the rebuttal portion of its closing 

argument, and trial counsel was ineffective in failing to object to that misconduct; (3) the 

evidence was insufficient to establish that Stillis was a member of the drug conspiracy, and trial 

and appellate counsel were ineffective in failing to argue that Stillis was not a 

manager/supervisor in the drug conspiracy; and (4) the Government violated Stillis’ Sixth 

Amendment rights by failing to call as witnesses at trial the laboratory technicians who weighed 

and tested the drug evidence, and trial counsel was ineffective in failing to object to the 

testimony of police officers which discussed the results of the laboratory reports. 

Additionally, Stillis moves to “preserve his right to challenge his sentence in future proceedings 

under 28 U.S.C. § 2255(f)(4) in the event [he] is successful in challenging predicate offenses 

used to enhance [his] Criminal History Category (“CHC”).” Stillis has also requested an 

evidentiary hearing. For the reasons that follow, the Court dismisses and denies all of Stillis’ 

claims without an evidentiary hearing.

 

3

In his Motion to Amend, Stillis requests leave to file an amended § 2255 motion “in place 

of his previously filed § 2255” because, inter alia, he “inadvertently incorporated meritless 

arguments in his original pleading.” (Mot. to Amend 1.) The Government has not objected to the 

granting of Stillis’ Motion to Amend, and it has responded exclusively to the grounds for relief 

raised in his Amended § 2255 Motion. Accordingly, the Court grants Stillis’ Motion to Amend, 

dismisses his original § 2255 Motion, and considers only those arguments raised in his Amended 

§ 2255 Motion.

Case 2:04-cr-00680-JD Document 755 Filed 05/14/15 Page 6 of 19
7

A. Legal Standard

1. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

“Strickland v. Washington supplies the standard for addressing a claim of ineffective 

assistance of counsel.” United States v. Smack, 347 F.3d 533, 537 (3d Cir. 2003). “The 

benchmark for judging any claim of ineffectiveness must be whether counsel’s conduct so 

undermined the proper functioning of the adversarial process that the trial court cannot be relied 

on as having produced a just result.” Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 686 (1984).

The Strickland standard requires a two-part inquiry. “First, the defendant must show that 

counsel’s performance was deficient,” id. at 687, that is, “that counsel’s representation fell below 

an objective standard of reasonableness,” id. at 688. The measure for counsel’s performance 

under the first prong is “whether counsel’s assistance was reasonable considering all the 

circumstances,” including “[p]revailing norms of practice.” Id. “Second, the defendant must 

show that [counsel’s] deficient performance prejudiced the defense.” Id. at 687. With respect to 

the prejudice prong, the defendant is required to demonstrate that “there is a reasonable 

probability that, but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have 

been different.” Id. at 694. A “reasonable probability” is one that is “sufficient to undermine 

confidence in the outcome.” Id. Furthermore, “[t]he effect of counsel’s inadequate performance 

must be evaluated in light of the totality of the evidence at trial: ‘a verdict or conclusion only 

weakly supported by the record is more likely to have been affected by errors than one with

overwhelming record support.’” United States v. Gray, 878 F.2d 702, 711 (3d Cir. 1989)

(quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 696).

2. Procedural Default

A motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 cannot be used as a substitute for a direct appeal. Gov’t 

of the Virgin Islands v. Nicholas, 759 F.2d 1073, 1074 (3d Cir. 1985). Accordingly, a federal 

Case 2:04-cr-00680-JD Document 755 Filed 05/14/15 Page 7 of 19
8

prisoner is procedurally barred from collaterally attacking his sentence under § 2255 insofar as 

the attack is based upon issues that could have been, but were not, raised on direct appeal. See 

United States v. Frady, 456 U.S. 152, 164–65 (1982); United States v. Essig, 10 F.3d 968, 978–

79 (3d Cir. 1993). Claims of ineffective assistance of counsel are an exception to the general rule 

of procedural default. Massaro v. United States, 538 U.S. 500, 504 (2003).

Procedural default will be excused if a defendant can demonstrate cause and prejudice or 

that a failure to consider his claims will result in a miscarriage of justice. Coleman v. Thompson, 

501 U.S. 722, 750 (1991). With respect to the cause and prejudice requirement, courts have held 

that cause exists when a defendant demonstrates “some objective factor external to the defense 

[that] impeded counsel’s efforts to comply with the . . . procedural rule.” Slutzker v. Johnson, 

393 F.3d 373, 381 (3d Cir. 2004) (quoting Murray v. Carrier, 477 U.S. 478, 488 (1986)). The 

cause must be “something that cannot fairly be attributed” to the defendant. Coleman, 501 U.S. 

at 753. Prejudice means that the alleged error worked to the defendant’s “actual and substantial 

disadvantage.” Frady, 456 U.S. at 170. To show a fundamental miscarriage of justice, a 

defendant must present new evidence that he is actually innocent of the crime for which he has 

been convicted. Cristin v. Brennan, 281 F.3d 404, 412 (3d Cir. 2002). To establish the requisite 

probability of actual innocence, the defendant must show that “it is more likely than not that no 

reasonable juror would have convicted him in light of the new evidence.” Schlup v. Delo, 513 

U.S. 298, 327 (1995).

B. Ground One: Trial Counsel Was Ineffective in Failing to Object to the 

Court’s Handling of an Allegation of Juror Misconduct

In his first ground for relief, Stillis argues that his trial counsel was ineffective in failing 

to object to the manner in which the Court handled an allegation of juror misconduct that was 

raised during the course of the trial. The allegation at issue was raised by Juror No. 10, and, as 

Case 2:04-cr-00680-JD Document 755 Filed 05/14/15 Page 8 of 19
9

described by the Court, involved a claim that other jurors “were talking and not paying attention 

and [were] not being, quote, professional, end of quote.” (Trial Tr., January 8, 2007, at 3.) The

Court addressed the allegation at a sidebar conference with counsel, and although the Court 

noted that it “didn’t hear anyone talking” and that the jurors “seem to be paying attention today,” 

the Court told counsel: “we’re going to stop these informal contacts,” referring to the conduct 

about which Juror No. 10 spoke. (Trial Tr., January 8, 2007, at 3.) Stillis contends that his trial 

counsel was ineffective in failing to ask the Court to do more, such as request that the Court 

conduct voir dire of the jurors in order to “uncover the full extent of the misconduct.” (Amended 

§ 2255 Mot. 6.) The Court rejects this argument.

Trial counsel’s decision not to object to the Court’s handling of the matter was reasonable 

in view of the fact that “the trial court exercises broad discretion” in determining the way in 

which to address allegations of “improper intra-jury misconduct.” United States v. Resko, 3 F.3d 

684, 690 (3d Cir. 1993) (emphasis deleted). Unlike an allegation of an improper “extra-jury 

influence,” which “pose[s] a far more serious threat to the defendant’s right to be tried by an 

impartial jury,” id. (emphasis in original), the allegation raised by Juror No. 10 concerned an 

intra-jury matter. The Court adequately addressed the allegation at a sidebar conference with 

counsel and acted well within its discretion in declining to conduct voir dire of individual jurors. 

Moreover, the reasonableness of trial counsel’s representation is further underscored by 

the fact that the Court repeatedly admonished the jury throughout the trial not to “discuss the 

case amongst yourselves . . . until after all the evidence is received, you hear closing arguments, 

[and the Court’s] charge.” (Id. at 208.) In doing so, the Court reminded the jury of its obligation 

not to engage in premature deliberations. The record also reflects that the issue was not raised 

again by any jurors or by counsel for either party, and the Court did not observe any jurors acting 

Case 2:04-cr-00680-JD Document 755 Filed 05/14/15 Page 9 of 19
10

inappropriately in the courtroom throughout the course of the trial. Under such circumstances, 

Stillis cannot show that trial counsel’s performance “fell below an objective standard of 

reasonableness.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687–88. Accordingly, the Court denies Stillis’ claim that 

trial counsel was ineffective in not objecting to the manner in which the Court handled Juror No. 

10’s allegation of juror misconduct.

C. Ground Two: Alleged Prosecutorial Misconduct Committed by the 

Government During the Rebuttal Portion of its Closing Argument

The Court construes Stillis’ second ground for relief as raising two separate claims: (1) a 

claim that the Government committed prosecutorial misconduct during the rebuttal portion of its 

closing argument; and (2) a claim that Stillis’ trial counsel was ineffective in failing to object to 

that prosecutorial misconduct. Specifically, Stillis contends that the Government’s rebuttal 

contained prejudicial and inflammatory language that “likely tainted the jury and affected the 

outcome of the proceed[ings].” (Amended § 2255 Mot. 3.) The challenged portion of the 

Government’s rebuttal is emphasized in the following excerpt:

The evidence in this case does not show that Jamal Rideout is an independent 

contractor, a friendly competitor. Mr. Stillis would not have trusted Mr. Rideout 

with the information that he told him on those calls that you heard. He certainly 

wouldn’t have discussed eliminating a rival, that guy, Jay West, that he seemed to 

indicate was maybe an informant or I think he said he was a cop. He’s talking 

about knocking that guy off on the phone with Jamal Rideout. He’s going to do 

that with a friendly competitor? No. No, ladies and gentlemen. No, we don’t have 

as many calls with Jamal Rideout as we do with the others, but there’s no 

question, Jamal Rideout is in exactly the same position in this organization as is 

Tyrone Trader, and Larry Davis, and Sherron Moore, and Richard Robinson, and 

Kenny Wilson. He, too, works for Louis Stillis.

(Trial Tr., January 18, 2007, at 38–39) (emphasis added). The Court addresses each of Stillis’ 

claims in turn.

Case 2:04-cr-00680-JD Document 755 Filed 05/14/15 Page 10 of 19
11

1. Claim of Prosecutorial Misconduct

To the extent that Stillis is raising a substantive claim of prosecutorial misconduct, this 

claim is procedurally defaulted because he did not raise it on direct appeal. See Nicholas, 759 

F.2d at 1074. Stillis has not offered any argument or presented any evidence to demonstrate 

cause as to why he did not raise this issue on appeal, nor has he presented any evidence showing 

prejudice or that a failure to consider this claim would result in a fundamental miscarriage of 

justice. Accordingly, this claim is dismissed.

Assuming arguendo that this claim was not procedurally defaulted, it fails on the merits. 

The Third Circuit has stated that “an AUSA is afforded considerable leeway in fashioning a 

summation, and that the government is entitled to summarize its case graphically and forcefully.” 

United States v. Bates, 46 F. App’x 104, 110 (3d Cir. 2002) (non-precedential). “In order for 

prosecutorial misconduct to merit a reversal . . . [the] Court must find that it is more probable 

than not that the alleged misconduct influenced the jury’s ultimate verdict. . . [A] conviction will 

be set aside when the prosecutor’s misconduct ‘so infected the trial with unfairness as to make 

the resulting conviction a denial of due process.’” Id. (citations omitted). It is also relevant to 

consider whether the Government “manipulate[d] or misstate[d] the evidence,” or “implicate[d]

other specific rights of the accused such as the right to counsel or the right to remain silent.” See

Darden v. Wainwright, 477 U.S. 168, 181–82 (1986).

When the challenged portion of the Government’s rebuttal is read in context, it is clear 

that it constituted proper argument. The Government did not “manipulate” or “misstate” the 

evidence, nor did it implicate “other specific rights of the accused.” Id. To the contrary, the 

Government’s argument was based on direct evidence in the record — a recording of a telephone 

conversation between Stillis and co-defendant Jamal Rideout — and it was clearly directed at 

rebutting the argument put forth by Rideout that he was not a member of the same drug 

Case 2:04-cr-00680-JD Document 755 Filed 05/14/15 Page 11 of 19
12

conspiracy as Stillis, but rather was a “friendly competitor.” (Gov’t Resp. to Amended § 2255 

Mot. 23.) The Government’s reference to the discussion of “knocking off” a rival may have been 

“graphic[] and forceful[],” Bates, 46 F. App’x at 110, but it does not rise to the level of 

prosecutorial misconduct.

2. Alleged Ineffectiveness of Counsel

Stillis further argues that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to object to the allegedly 

inflammatory statements made by the Government in its rebuttal. As discussed above, the 

statements made by the Government in its rebuttal were proper, and “there [thus] would have 

been no basis for [an] objection.” Thomas v. Horn, 570 F.3d 105, 121 n.7 (3d Cir. 2009), as 

corrected (July 15, 2009). Counsel cannot be ineffective in such a situation. Id. (citing Moore v. 

Deputy Comm’r(s) of SCI-Huntingdon, 946 F.2d 236, 245 (3d Cir. 1991)). Accordingly, the 

Court denies Stillis’ claim that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to object to allegedly 

inflammatory statements in the Government’s rebuttal.

D. Ground Three: Alleged Insufficiency of the Evidence Relating to Stillis’ Role 

in the Drug Conspiracy and Alleged Ineffectiveness of Counsel in Failing to 

Argue that Stillis was not a Manager/Supervisor in the Drug Conspiracy

In his third ground for relief, Stillis asserts that the evidence presented at trial established 

that he “was acting independently of others engaged within the conspiracy” and that he was 

“only responsible for providing drug[s] to other independent sellers.” (Amended § 2255 Mot. 4.) 

Stillis further contends that his trial and appellate counsel were ineffective in failing to argue that 

he was not a manager/supervisor in the drug conspiracy. The Court construes this part of Stillis’

Amended § 2255 Motion as raising two separate claims: (1) a claim that the evidence at trial was 

insufficient to establish that he was a member of the drug conspiracy; and (2) a claim that trial 

and appellate counsel were ineffective in failing to contest the Court’s application at sentencing 

Case 2:04-cr-00680-JD Document 755 Filed 05/14/15 Page 12 of 19
13

of a three-level aggravating role enhancement under § 3B1.1 of the Sentencing Guidelines. The 

Court addresses each claim in turn.

1. Sufficiency of the Evidence Relating to Stillis’ Role in the Drug 

Conspiracy

To the extent that Stillis contends that the evidence presented at trial was insufficient to 

establish that he was a member of the drug conspiracy, this claim fails because it has already 

been adjudicated by this Court and the Third Circuit. Specifically, in a post-trial motion filed 

pursuant to Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure 29 and 33, Stillis challenged the sufficiency of 

the evidence as it related to: (1) the charged dates of the conspiracy, and (2) the charged drug 

quantities. The Court denied Stillis’ Motion by Memorandum and Order dated July 16, 2007, 

concluding that the evidence was sufficient to “support[] the jury’s finding that [Stillis] 

conspired to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine” on the dates charged in the Indictment. 

Stillis appealed the Court’s decision to the Third Circuit, and the Third Circuit affirmed this 

Court’s decision in all respects. In order to affirm this Court’s decision, the Third Circuit 

necessarily had to have found that there was sufficient evidence to support the jury’s finding that 

Stillis was a member of the drug conspiracy.

Accordingly, insofar as Stillis is seeking to re-litigate the issue of whether the evidence 

was sufficient to sustain his conviction for conspiracy, the Court dismisses this claim. See In re 

City of Philadelphia Litig., 158 F.3d 711, 718 (3d Cir. 1998) (concluding that the law of the case 

doctrine precludes review of those legal issues decided in a prior appeal); United States v. Wiley, 

245 F.3d 750, 752 (8th Cir. 2001) (concluding that “[i]ssues raised and decided on direct appeal 

cannot ordinarily be relitigated in a collateral proceeding based on 28 U.S.C. § 2255”).

Case 2:04-cr-00680-JD Document 755 Filed 05/14/15 Page 13 of 19
14

2. Alleged Ineffectiveness of Counsel

Stillis further argues that trial and appellate counsel were ineffective in failing to argue 

that he was not a “manager” or “supervisor” within the meaning of § 3B1.1 of the Sentencing 

Guidelines. This argument is unavailing.

With respect to trial counsel, contrary to Stillis’ argument, counsel did in fact argue at 

sentencing that the Court should not apply any aggravating role enhancements under § 3B1.1. As 

relevant here, trial counsel argued as follows:

[W]hat you can glean from the totality of the testimony was a loose confederation 

of people distributing drugs within that neighborhood, Toby Farms, not that 

there’s a[n] organization with structure which says that Mr. Stillis directed or 

organized or controlled the activities of the other people mentioned. What the 

evidence showed was these people were working together . . . but [there] was not 

a business organization that shows Mr. Stillis as the organizer, rather someone 

who participates in a confederation . . . I would concede that the jury found a 

conspiracy with the required number of participants. But again there was no 

finding that [Stillis] was an organizer or supervisor/manager.

(Sentencing Tr., October 5, 2007, at 24–25.) The fact that the Court ultimately rejected trial 

counsel’s argument and found that there was sufficient evidence to establish that Stillis was a 

“manager” or “supervisor” within the meaning of § 3B1.1 does not render trial counsel 

ineffective.

With respect to appellate counsel, although he did not challenge the Court’s application 

of § 3B1.1 on direct appeal, the Court concludes that this was reasonable in light of the amount 

and strength of the evidence supporting the Court’s decision. The Court’s application of § 3B1.1 

was amply supported by the evidence presented at trial, which established, inter alia, that “Stillis 

directed his distributors to meet his customers . . . to sell them cocaine; he called to inquire if 

they sold all the cocaine or if they needed more; he harangued them if they were selling too 

slowly . . .; and was angry when on one occasion, a distributor went to another supplier to obtain 

cocaine.” (Gov’t Resp. to Amended § 2255 Mot. at 32–33.) Counsel cannot be ineffective under 

Case 2:04-cr-00680-JD Document 755 Filed 05/14/15 Page 14 of 19
15

such circumstances. See, e.g., Gov’t of Virgin Islands v. Lewis, 620 F.3d 359, 372 (3d Cir. 2010)

(citing Thomas, 570 F.3d at 121 n.7) (counsel cannot be ineffective for failing to raise issues that 

lack merit).

Accordingly, the Court denies Stillis’ claim that trial and appellate counsel were 

ineffective in failing to argue that he was not a manager/supervisor in the drug conspiracy.

E. Ground Four: Alleged Violation of Stillis’ Sixth Amendment Right to 

Confront Witnesses Under the Confrontation Clause

In his fourth ground for relief, Stillis contends that the Government violated his Sixth 

Amendment right to confront the witnesses against him because the Government did not call as 

witnesses at trial the laboratory technicians who weighed and tested the drug evidence used 

against him. He further contends that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to object to the 

testimony of police officers who were asked to “authenticate” the laboratory reports prepared by 

those technicians. The Court construes this part of Stillis’ Amended § 2255 Motion as raising 

two separate claims: (1) a claim that the Government violated Stillis’ rights under the 

Confrontation Clause by not calling the laboratory technicians as witnesses at trial; and (2) a 

claim that Stillis’ trial counsel was ineffective in failing to object to testimony which referred to 

the results of the laboratory reports. The Court addresses each claim in turn.

1. Alleged Confrontation Clause Violation

To the extent that Stillis argues that the Government violated his rights under the 

Confrontation Clause of the Sixth Amendment, this claim is procedurally defaulted because he 

did not raise it on direct appeal. See Nicholas, 759 F.2d at 1074. Stillis has not offered any 

argument or presented any evidence to demonstrate cause as to why he did not raise this issue on 

appeal, nor has he presented any evidence showing prejudice or that a failure to consider this 

claim would result in a fundamental miscarriage of justice. Accordingly, this claim is dismissed.

Case 2:04-cr-00680-JD Document 755 Filed 05/14/15 Page 15 of 19
16

Assuming arguendo that this claim was not procedurally defaulted, it fails on the merits 

because Stillis stipulated to the admission of the lab reports into evidence before trial. The

stipulation was read into the record during the course of the trial, and it provided in relevant part 

that:

The defendants and Government agree that the substances obtained by the 

Pennsylvania State Police and/or the Drug Enforcement Administration and 

analyzed pursuant to the lab report numbers set forth below, confiscated on the 

dates noted, contain a detectable amount of Schedule II controlled substance, 

namely cocaine. And weighed the amounts indicated below within the meaning of 

Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a) and (b), Section 846 and Section 

860 . . . The defendants and Government agree and stipulate that this stipulation 

and its attachments are admissible in evidence without the necessity of calling the 

individual chemists to verify the chemical composition and the weights of the 

substances listed above.

(Trial Tr., January 12, 2007, at 153–55.) In light of the stipulation, the Government was not 

required to call the lab technicians as witnesses at trial. See United States v. Williams, 403 F. 

App’x 707, 708 (3d Cir. 2010) (non-precedential) (defendant waived Sixth Amendment right to 

confront laboratory technicians by stipulating to the admissibility of the laboratory evidence).

2. Alleged Ineffectiveness of Counsel

Stillis further argues that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to object to the testimony 

of “several state troopers” whom the Government called as lay witnesses at trial and asked to 

“authenticate laboratory reports of examinations conducted on certain drug evidence.” (Amended 

§ 2255 Mot. 9.) Stillis did not identify the specific testimony to which he was referring, but the 

Government identified the following passage as an example of the relevant testimony on this 

issue:

Ms. Stark: And what is Government Exhibit Number 54?

Trooper Miscannon: It’s a report of drug property collected. Which is basically 

 a lab report from the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Ms. Stark: And with respect to the weight of the controlled substance 

 contained in Government Exhibit 54, and the content of 

 the controlled substance, what was the content of the 

Case 2:04-cr-00680-JD Document 755 Filed 05/14/15 Page 16 of 19
17

 controlled substance?

Trooper Miscannon: The active ingredient of cocaine, hydrochloride.

(Trial Tr., January 8, 2007, at 20–21.)

The Court rejects Stillis’ argument that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to object to 

such testimony. As discussed above, Stillis stipulated to the admission of the lab reports into 

evidence before trial, and he expressly agreed that there would be no need to call the “individual 

chemists to verify the chemical composition and the weights of the substances” in the lab reports. 

(Trial Tr., January 12, 2007, at 153–55.) In light of the stipulation, there would have been no 

need for the Government to “authenticate” the lab reports, see, e.g., United States v. Rodriguez, 

No. 97-224-03, 1999 WL 718076, at *2 (E.D. Pa. Aug. 30, 1999), and, in any event, it is clear 

from Trooper Miscannon’s testimony that he was not seeking to “authenticate” the reports. 

Rather, he was merely discussing the results of those reports, i.e. that the substance in question 

was cocaine. As there would have been “no basis for [an] objection” to such testimony, trial 

counsel was not ineffective in failing to make an objection. See Thomas, 570 F.3d at 121 n.7.

Accordingly, the Court denies Stillis’ claim that trial counsel was ineffective in failing to object 

to the testimony of police officers in which they referred to the results of the laboratory reports.

F. Stillis’ Request to Preserve his Right to Challenge his Sentence in Future 

Proceedings

At the conclusion of his Amended § 2255 Motion, Stillis moves to “preserve his right to 

challenge his sentence in future proceedings under 28 U.S.C. § 2255(f)(4) in the event [he] is 

successful in challenging predicate offenses used to enhance [his] Criminal History Category 

(“CHC”).” (Amended § 2255 Mot. 10.) The Government objects to Stillis’ request on the ground 

that he does not claim that any of his underlying predicate convictions have been successfully 

challenged or that any such challenges are in progress. (Gov’t Resp. to Amended § 2255 Mot. 

38.) The Government further notes that the appeal period for all of Stillis’ previous convictions 

Case 2:04-cr-00680-JD Document 755 Filed 05/14/15 Page 17 of 19
18

has expired. (Id.) The Court denies Stillis’ request on the ground that if Stillis wishes to 

challenge his underlying sentence in a future § 2255 motion, he must first seek leave from the 

Third Circuit to file a second or successive habeas motion. See 28 U.S.C. § 2255(h) 

(incorporating the certification requirements of 28 U.S.C. § 2244(b)(3)).

G. Request for an Evidentiary Hearing

Stillis requests that the Court hold an evidentiary hearing with respect to his claims. 

Under 28 U.S.C. § 2255, “the question of whether to order a hearing is committed to the sound 

discretion of the district court.” Virgin Islands v. Forte, 865 F.2d 59, 62 (3d Cir. 1989). In 

exercising that discretion, “the [C]ourt must order an evidentiary hearing to determine the facts 

unless the motion and files and records of the case show conclusively that the movant is not 

entitled to relief.” Id.; see also United States v. Day, 969 F.2d 39, 41–42 (3d Cir. 1992). The 

Court denies Stillis’ request for an evidentiary hearing because the record conclusively 

establishes that he is not entitled to the relief sought in his Amended § 2255 Motion.

H. Certificate of Appealability

A certificate of appealability shall issue only if the movant establishes “that jurists of 

reason would find it debatable whether the [motion] states a valid claim of the denial of a 

constitutional right and that jurists of reason would find it debatable whether the district court 

was correct in its procedural ruling.” See Slack v. McDaniel, 529 U.S. 473, 484 (2000); Morris 

v. Horn, 187 F.3d 333, 340 (3d Cir. 1999); 28 U.S.C. § 2253(c). The Court concludes that Stillis 

has not made such a showing with respect to his Amended § 2255 Motion. Thus, a certificate of 

appealability shall not issue.

Case 2:04-cr-00680-JD Document 755 Filed 05/14/15 Page 18 of 19
19

IV. CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, the Court grants Stillis’ Motion to Amend, dismisses his 

original § 2255 Motion, and dismisses and denies his Amended § 2255 Motion without an 

evidentiary hearing.

An appropriate order follows.

Case 2:04-cr-00680-JD Document 755 Filed 05/14/15 Page 19 of 19