May 23, 2014 - Third Circuit Court of Appeal Grants Oral Argument

The Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia has granted oral argument in Mr. Kent's appeal for client Maurice Phillips.  The oral argument is scheduled for May 23, 2014.  Mr. Phillips was convicted after a lengthy trial of drug conspiracy and murder for hire.  The Court of Appeals in a notice to the parties has asked Mr. Kent to focus his oral argument on two plain error sentencing arguments raised in his brief, both of which challenge life sentences imposed against Mr. Philliips.  One issue involves Double Jeopardy as applied to conspiracy and RICO, and the other involves required predicate acts for RICO.  Oral arguments are said to be rare in criminal cases in the Third Circuit and this is particularly remarkable considering that the Court has expressed interest in two plain error issues raised by Mr. Kent for the first time on appeal.