United State Of America V. Harris

Defendant-Appellant Tyransee Harris appeals his conviction and sentence for possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and for being a felon in possession of a firearm. On appeal, Harris argues that: (1) the district court improperly denied his motion to suppress the physical evidence found on his person; (2) the district court erred in denying his Batson challenge during jury selection; (3) the district court erred in allowing a police officer to offer expert testimony at trial; and (4) there was insufficient evidence presented at trial to allow the jury to find that Harris intended to distribute the crack cocaine in his possession. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm the district court's decision in all respects save the Batson issue. Because we find that the district court engaged in an improper analysis in concluding that the government did not purposefully discriminate during jury selection, we remand the case to the district court for a proper determination.