Federal Judiciary

Raffanello Trial: Charges against former DEA chief survive ? for now

The defense in Miami maintains the destruction of papers in a 95-gallon bin was part of a routine shredding schedule and that the documents were duplicated on the firm?s computer servers. ?The evidence is at best thin,? said visiting Judge Richard Goldberg. He said he would let the trial go forward but may reconsider the request for a directed verdict of acquittal later. The prosecution rested Monday, and the defense called its first witness late this morning. Sitting at the defense table were prominent Miami criminal defense attorneys Richard Sharpstein and Ed Shohat, who jointly argued the motion, as well as former Miami U.S. Attorney Kendall Coffey and Jane Moscowitz. Scheduled character witnesses are former Miami U.S. Attorney Guy Lewis and Michael ?Pat? Sullivan, deposed Panamanian ruler Manuel Noriega?s lead prosecutor.

Full post as published by Southern District of Florida on February 09, 2010 (boomark / email).