Firm Obtains Acquittal in Federal Drug Conspiracy

Scot Morris obtained a judgment of acquittal for his client, Rochelle Stokes, who had been charged with conspiracy to distribute powder and “crack” cocaine in U.S. District Court in Baltimore. Such acquittals are very rare in federal court, especially in drug cases. However, Mr. Morris convinced U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett that Ms. Stokes’ case should not be sent to the jury because the government had failed to present sufficient evidence to prove that Ms. Stokes had conspired with others to distribute drugs. Mr. Morris successfully argued that the evidence introduced by the government proved only that Ms. Stokes was a drug user and not a drug dealer. Thus, under the “buyer-seller” rule, Ms. Stokes could not be found guilty of drug distribution or conspiracy. Judge Bennett agreed and, after entering a judgment of acquittal, ordered Ms. Stokes to be released from custody.