Court Opinion

ID: 9460580
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 21:55:03.725043+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:36:41.603877
License: Public Domain

GIBBONS, Circuit Judge
(dissenting).
I agree with Judge Biggs’ statement of the governing law, and I can find no fault with his treatment of the record facts. But while I agree that the proof against Burrell outlined in his opinion is, as he says, exceptionally weak, mindful that after a verdict it must be looked at in the light most favorable to the government, I believe it to be sufficient. See United States v. Kenny, 462 F.2d 1205, 1226-1227 (3d Cir.), cert. denied, 409 U.S. 914, 93 S.Ct. 233, 34 L.Ed.2d 176 (1972); United States v. Alper, 449 F.2d 1223, 1226-1227 (3d Cir. 1971), cert. denied, 405 U.S. 988, 92 S.Ct. 1248, 31 L.Ed.2d 453 (1972); United States v. Carlson, 359 F.2d 592, 597 (3d Cir.), cert. denied, 385 U.S. 879, 87 S.Ct. 161, 17 L.Ed.2d 106 (1966). There are just too many coincidences of Burrell being at a critical place at a critical time in the movement of the stolen merchandise. I cannot disregard the cumulative effect of the circumstantial evidence of his involvement. It suggests to me more than that Burrell kept bad company.