Court Opinion

ID: 9496749
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 16:34:41.526021+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:57:46.913748
License: Public Domain

NYGAARD, Circuit Judge,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent. Given the totality of the evidence, I believe the sequence of *292events proven by the government sufficiently supports the inference that Cartwright was aware he was involved in a drug transaction. Cartwright was in direct proximity to the drugs and, while in such direct proximity, had a conversation of unknown substance with Jackson, who was in knowing possession of those drugs. Additionally, Cartwright first appeared in the parking lot at the same time Jackson reappeared with the drugs. After his conversation with Jackson, Cartwright immediately took up a look-out position over the ensuing drug transaction. This sequence of events creates, in my opinion, a “logical and convincing connection between the facts established and the conclusion” that Cartwright was aware he was involved in a drug deal. United States v. Idowu, 157 F.3d 265, 269 (3d Cir.1998)(internal citation and quotations omitted).
For these reasons I would affirm the District Court’s judgment.