United States v. Morales, No. 09-2863 (7th Cir. 2011)
Annotate this CaseIn 2002, state and federal authorities began investigation of gang violence in Aurora, Illinois, centered on the Insane Deuces, as one member had agreed to serve as a confidential informant. Defendants participated in the gang's activities. They were convicted of racketeering conspiracy; some were also convicted of related charges, including narcotics distribution and conspiracy, illegal firearm possession, and assault and murder in furtherance of their racketeering activities. The Seventh Circuit affirmed the convictions and sentences, first rejecting challenges to empanelment of an anonymous jury. The court's error in failing to articulate its reasons was harmless. The court acted within its discretion in denying various motions to severe. The court was not required to hold a hearing on allegations of intra-jury misconduct, in the form of premature deliberation, which arose only after the jury returned its general verdicts as to each defendant. The court also rejected challenges to evidentiary rulings, brought by individual defendants.
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