United States v. Brand

ALDRICH, Senior Circuit Judge.

Appellants Aponte, Pulliza, and Brand raise several claims of error on appeal of then- convictions for various substantive offenses in connection with a cocaine importation and distribution scheme. Finding none meritorious, we affirm.

I. Reconstruction of Trial Record

After persistent efforts by appellate counsel to obtain a complete trial transcript, the trial court determined that certain portions— closing arguments and the court’s jury charge — had been permanently lost. Appellants then moved this court for summary reversal, which we denied without prejudice in…