Scott and Coleman Cox tried a federal case two years ago where the client was charged with possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
There was only one eyewitness to the defendant allegedly possessing the drugs and firearm. That witness had a felony criminal record and repeatedly asked law enforcement if they would help him in his pending criminal cases in exchange for his testimony in the federal case. The trial court limited our ability to cross examine this witness about any benefits he would receive for his cooperation.
The Sixth Circuit held that this violated our client's Sixth Amendment right to fully confront and cross examine the government's witness and reversed the defendant's conviction. The case was remanded to the district court for a new trial and the trial court was ordered to permit the defendant to fully exercise his Confrontation Clause rights under the Sixth Amendment.
