cannabisnews.com: Judge Says No New Trial in Marijuana Case





Judge Says No New Trial in Marijuana Case
Posted by FoM on September 10, 1999 at 11:05:19 PT
By John C. K. Fisher, Post staff reporter
Source: Kentucky Post
A federal judge has denied a motion for a new trial for a Cincinnati man who was convicted last year of being involved in a multi-million dollar marijuana ring in Northern Kentucky.
Eric Covington, who lived in Cincinnati before his conviction in June 1998, received a 10-year prison sentence last year. His co-defendant at the trial last year, Jimmy Klopfer, who lived in Boone County, was sentenced to 17 years and five months in prison.Both men were convicted of conspiracy to distribute marijuana. The indictment said the drug ring operated from January 1996 through December 1997.Covington maintained his innocence during a five-day trial in June 1998 in Lexington before U.S. District Judge Henry R. Wilhoit Jr.In his request for a new trial, Covington's lawyer, Hal Arenstein, argued that prosecutors failed to give him enough time to study information about witness David J. Durso of Cincinnati.Durso, along with Anthony Rademaker of Fort Thomas, provided prosecutors with information on others. Both pleaded guilty early in the case and Durso testified against both Covington and Klopfer.Arenstein said he didn't have enough time to properly cross-examine Durso during the trial because prosecutors failed to give him information about Durso in a timely manner.Wilhoit ruled that prosecutors provided information to the defense attorneys in time for their cross-examination and said Covington received a fair trial.Publication date: 09-10-99 Kentucky Post
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Post Comment


Name: Optional Password: 
E-Mail: 
Subject: 
Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message]
Link URL: 
Link Title: