United States v. Baker

The appeal in these companion cases is from the conviction of both defendants in a single trial for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, amphetamine.1 Both appellants raise essentially identical issues although their arguments vary somewhat. The arrests and convictions were based primarily on information supplied by an informant which supported the issuance of a search warrant used to secure evidence for the prosecution and that informant's extensive testimony at trial. This appeal challenges the sufficiency of jury voir dire in preparation for appellant's trial, the validity of the search warrant and its execution, and the legality of a comment by the trial judge during the closing argument of counsel for appellant Reeder.