USA v. Manuel Penaloza-Duarte

Dec 20, 2006

OUTCOME: Conviction reversed and vacated and Judgment of Acquittal rendered

Defendant was convicted of aiding and abetting the possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute. U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the conviction "because the circumstantial ... evidence equally supports a theory of innocence of the crime charged", and the evidence was insufficient to sustain the jury's verdict of guilt.