Opinion ID: 1928076
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the trial court's rulings on the motions for judgment of acquittal

Text: At the end of the government's case, both Zanders and Harris moved for judgment of acquittal. Harris also renewed the motion at the end of all testimony. The trial judge denied Zanders' motion on the grounds that the check-in at the hotel with Dr. Sokolov's credit card revealed possession of recently stolen property; he had the gold bracelet on his person at the time of arrest; he was found with a walkman; he had Mr. Routson's credit card on his person; and he was aiding and abetting Harris in the commission of the crimes involving the robbery of Dr. Sokolov and the use of his credit card. The trial judge denied Harris' motion because he was identified as being at the desk of the hotel; he had two gold chains on his person at the time of arrest; he started running when the police came; he was identified by Mr. Nandwani as the person who signed for the merchandise; and he was aiding and abetting. The trial judge gave no reasons for denying Harris' renewed motion for judgment of acquittal. However, except for the testimony of the FBI special agent concerning handwriting exemplars, Harris put on no defense. Zanders called no witnesses.