United States v. Hillsman

PATRICK E. HIGGINBOTHAM, Circuit Judge:

Defendant argues that his Sixth Amendment right to counsel was violated when the district court responded to a jury note without first giving defense counsel an opportunity to object to the response. We affirm.

I

John Hillsman was indicted with three counts of possession of crack cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and felon in possession. He pleaded guilty to the last count, but denying possession of crack, demanded a jury trial on counts one and two.

He was convicted on both counts. The prosecution’s case turned…