United States v. Hilton Jerry Kelton

Kelton appeals his conviction on four counts of distributing cocaine, asserting that it was error to allow the government to introduce into evidence letters he had written while in custody at the United States Penitentiary, Leavenworth, Kansas. For the reasons stated below, we affirm the decision of the district court. 1

While awaiting the trial of his conviction on four counts of distributing cocaine, Kel-ton was incarcerated at the penitentiary, serving time for previous federal convictions. During May and June of 1985, Kel-ton wrote and mailed numerous letters from the prison. Some…