Opinion ID: 31923
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Andrade Appellants

Text: 59 The Andrade Appellants' opening brief raises only one issue: whether Judge Smith abused his discretion in denying their motion for recusal. Responding to the government's emphasis on their limited appellate gambit, Appellants offered in their reply brief a four-page account of eleven alleged trial errors, asserting that many more could be documented. Additionally, they argue that allegations of bias effectively relieve them of the obligation to charge error, presenting only one case, Maurino v. Johnson, 210 F.3d 638, 645 (6th Cir.2000)(judicial bias infects the entire trial process), in support of this proposition. 60 The Andrade Appellants are skillfully represented by experienced counsel who surely knew that in this court, briefing issues for the first time in a reply brief is not allowed. Lockett v. EPA, 319 F.3d 678, 690 n. 51 (5th Cir.2003). Neither thoughtlessly nor coincidentally did they attempt to show trial errors in such a way that, even if non-cognizable, the mere allegations could influence this court while depriving the government of an opportunity to respond. We must infer from these tactics that Appellants concluded there were no colorable appellate issues concerning Judge Smith's rulings, as opposed to his alleged bias. 61 That Appellants apparently reached this conclusion is a testament, however unintended, to the judge's overall capability. Real judicial bias, it is true, infects the entire judicial process, Maurino, 210 F.3d at 645, but a harmless error standard of review applies nevertheless. See In re Continental Airlines Corp., 901 F.2d 1259, 1263 (5th Cir.1990). Appellants' argument for reversal is misplaced.