United States v. Maddox, Edward

Opinion for the Court filed by Circuit Judge RANDOLPH.

RANDOLPH, Circuit Judge:

The principal issue in this appeal is whether the conviction of Edward Maddox, after a jury trial, for unlawful possession of a'firearm by a felon (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)) should be set aside because of the prosecutor’s improper closing argument.

Maddox’s trial lasted less than an hour. The government presented one witness, the defense none. Officer Riddle testified that he and six other officers drove in three police cars to an area known for narcotics trafficking and violence. Riddle said he spotted Maddox and two…