Opinion ID: 3002723
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: conclusion

Text: In sum, we hold that the evidence of the DEA chemist’s mishandling of evidence related solely to the strength of the Government’s case and did not present a fair and just reason for Mr. Bryant to withdraw his guilty plea. Therefore, the district court did not abuse its discretion in rejecting Mr. Bryant’s motion to withdraw his guilty plea. Furthermore, we conclude that the district court appropriately addressed the issues of whether the 18 See, e.g., R.183-11 at 14-15 (“I think if the government tried to say this was delivery of a controlled substance, you would be well within your rights to come back and say, ‘Wait a minute. He pled guilty to possession, and that’s all you can do,’ so if it made a difference.”). 19 See, e.g., R.183-11 at 15 (“I don’t have enough information to say that it is part of this conspiracy. . . .”). 30 No. 07-3608 charged conspiracy involved crack cocaine and whether an obstruction of justice enhancement was appropriate. Nevertheless, we vacate Mr. Bryant’s sentence and remand for resentencing so that the district court may take into account the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine when sentencing Mr. Bryant. On remand, the district court will also have the opportunity to address fully whether Mr. Bryant is entitled to an acceptance of responsibility adjustment and whether Mr. Bryant’s state-court conviction for possession of cocaine constitutes relevant conduct for sentencing purposes. Therefore, Mr. Bryant’s conviction is affirmed, but his sentence is vacated and his case is remanded to the district court for resentencing. A FFIRMED in part, V ACATED and R EMANDED in part 2-26-09