Opinion ID: 499510
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Appeal from Denial of Motion for New Trial on Grounds of

Text: Newly Discovered Evidence 23 Defendant claims that on March 24, 1986, he told Ms. Patillar he only had a limited amount of cash with him and that he had used it to pay for his motel room. After the trial, defendant submitted a receipt for his motel room payment which, he argues, shows that he had no money with which to purchase cocaine. Defendant argues this new evidence entitles him to a new trial. 24 To overturn the trial court's denial of his motion for a new trial, defendant must show the trial court abused its discretion. United States v. Latimer, 780 F.2d 868, 870 (10th Cir.1985). The Government states that Ms. Patillar gave defendant $300 (which she obtained from the FBI) toward the purchase of cocaine on March 24, and that defendant gave Ms. Royal, the seller, $375 for the cocaine. Defendant claims he had no money but does not contest these allegations stated in the Government's brief and accompanied by cites to the record. Therefore, the new evidence does nothing more than corroborate defendant's statement that he paid the motel bill in cash. The jury could have inferred that defendant also paid $75 for the cocaine, even though he paid the motel bill in cash. Defendant does not elaborate on how exactly the court abused its discretion. 25 Defendant also argues that the verdicts in counts 9 and 10 are inconsistent and that the newly discovered evidence could clear up conflicting accounts of the events on the evening of March 24. The jury found defendant guilty of count 9, using a telephone to facilitate the distribution of cocaine, and of count 10, possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Apparently plaintiff wonders how he can be convicted of using a telephone to facilitate distribution of cocaine when the underlying offense is not distribution of cocaine but only possession with intent to distribute. Possession with intent to distribute and distribution are violations of the same statute, 21 U.S.C. Sec. 841(a)(1) (1982); and pursuant to 21 U.S.C. Sec. 843(b) (1982), the plaintiff can be convicted for using a telephone to facilitate any act or acts constituting a felony under any provision of this subchapter.... Thus, plaintiff's conviction on count 9 could be based on either distribution or possession with intent to distribute. The verdicts on counts 9 and 10 are not inconsistent. Furthermore, defendant does not explain how the new evidence would shed any light on the jury's alleged inconsistency or would be likely to change the verdict. Thus, the court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion. 26