Opinion ID: 796856
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Trial, Conviction, and Appeal

Text: 10 Myers and Winkle were indicted for conspiracy to commit bank fraud (Count 1) and bank fraud (Count 2), in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 1344. Myers pleaded guilty before going to trial. Winkle's trial began on May 11, 2004. On that same day, the case was assigned to Judge Potter, although Judge Katz had been presiding over the case prior to trial. The record does not show that either party objected to the assignment of the case to Judge Potter for trial. 11 Following a three-day trial, a jury convicted Winkle on both counts. On August 5, 2004, the case was assigned to Judge Katz for sentencing. The record does not show that either party objected to the return of the case to Judge Katz. Judge Katz conducted the sentencing hearing on September 10, 2004, and sentenced Winkle to 60 months on Count 1 and 78 months on Count 2, with the sentences to run concurrently. Judge Katz also imposed a three-year term of supervised release and ordered restitution in the amount of $8,054,000. Winkle was sentenced under the then-mandatory Sentencing Guidelines. At the Government's request, Judge Katz imposed an alternative, identical sentence in the event the Sentencing Guidelines were struck down. 12 Winkle filed a timely notice of appeal.