Opinion ID: 768314
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Motion to Suppress and Trial.

Text: 9 The case proceeded to a joint trial against Rogers, Lauria and Pappas. Bellucci pled guilty to retaliating against a witness and cooperated with the government. 10 In a pre-trial motion to suppress the evidence seized from his apartment, Rogers argued that the search consent form was signed under duress exerted by the police. The district court did not credit Rogers's testimony, and denied the motion. 11 At trial, the following four government witnesses testified against Rogers: 12 1. Ronald Fassett, who agreed to cooperate with the government after pleading guilty to another drug conspiracy, testified that Lauria sometimes instructed him to get drugs from Rogers's apartment, where he would meet Rogers or other men named Gary or Eddie, and where he saw Lauria and Pappas rerocking (or cutting) cocaine while Rogers was on watch at the closed-circuit television cameras. 13 2. Edward Derenzo testified that he obtained drugs on four occasions by calling Rogers, who provided him with Lauria's beeper number. Lauria later told Derenzo to contact Rogers, and Rogers delivered the drugs to Derenzo near Nancy's Caf. 14 3. Bellucci testified that beginning in August or September 1996, Bellucci frequented the apartment above Nancy's Caf twice a day, where he would see Lauria and Pappas weighing and rerocking drugs while Rogers monitored the closed-circuit television cameras. On September 20, 1996, Bellucci flew into Newark Airport, was driven by Lauria and Rogers to Nancy's Caf, and spent the following days driving Rogers around to drop off cocaine and to pick up money. On September 24, 1996, approximately one hour before his arrest, Bellucci was in the apartment and saw Lauria rerock cocaine in the presence of Pappas, Rogers and two customers. 15 4. Agent Wardrop testified about the September 24, 1996 search of Rogers's apartment. 16 The jury convicted Rogers, Lauria and Pappas of all charges on July 29, 1997. 17