Pubdate: Tue, 21 May 2002
Source: Baltimore Sun (MD)
Copyright: 2002 The Baltimore Sun, a Times Mirror Newspaper.
Contact:  http://www.sunspot.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/37
Author: Allison Klein

HIGH COURT UPHOLDS LIFE TERMS OF 5 IN DRUG DEALING

Justices, By 9-0, Overturn Appeals Panel On City Men

The Supreme Court ruled unanimously yesterday that the life sentences 
of five convicted Baltimore drug dealers should not be reduced 
because of errors in their indictments. Chief Justice William H. 
Rehnquist wrote the 9-0 opinion, explaining that there was enough 
evidence against the five men to uphold the 1998 sentences, despite 
an omission in their federal indictments about the quantity of drugs 
they were dealing.

"The error did not seriously affect the fairness, integrity, or 
public reputation of judicial proceedings," Rehnquist wrote, 
overturning a decision last year of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of 
Appeals in Richmond, Va.

Yesterday's ruling stemmed from the case of Stanley "Boonie" Hall 
Jr., who worked with his brothers, parents and grandfather to build 
what authorities described as a million-dollar crack cocaine ring in 
East Baltimore.

When investigators arrested Hall -- who had his own "Batman" brand 
and logo for his drugs -- they seized a $47,000 Acura, $60,000 in 
men's jewelry and more than 380 grams of crack.

A jury convicted Hall, then 26, and eight others of conspiring to 
distribute a "detectable amount" of cocaine, which is punishable by 
up to 20 years in prison. But a federal judge in Baltimore handed 
down life sentences to Hall and four co-defendants after determining 
that they were eligible for stiffer penalties because they had 
trafficked more then 50 grams of cocaine.

Defense lawyer Timothy J. Sullivan argued to the Supreme Court last 
month that his clients were wrongfully sentenced.

After learning of the ruling yesterday, Sullivan said he was 
disappointed and called it "tragic" that the five men will spend 
their lives in prison.

"Our position is that you shouldn't be sentenced for something you're 
not indicted for," he said.

He said it was especially troubling because a federal appeals panel 
ruled 2-1 last year that the judge sentenced them "for a crime with 
which they were never charged."

The judges of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the 
sentences should be cut to 20 years.
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