United States v. Michael Porcaro

KEETON, District Judge.

Defendant-appellant Michael Porcaro appeals from his conviction of federal conspiracy, attempted extortion, and racketeering, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1951 (“the Hobbs Act”) and § 1962(c) and (d) (“RICO”). 1 Appellant argues that (1) the district court erred in denying appellant’s motion to sequester the jury, (2) newspaper articles appearing during the trial were so prejudicial as to deprive appellant of a fair trial, (3) the evidence was insufficient to support appellant’s conviction on either of the two counts of attempted extortion under the Hobbs Act (which…