United States v. Powell

469 U.S. 57 (1984)

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United States v. Powell

United States Supreme Court
469 U.S. 57 (1984)

RL

Facts

Betty Lou Powell (defendant) was tried on multiple federal counts related to her role in a drug distribution scheme operated by her husband and son. The jury acquitted Powell on a charge of conspiracy to intentionally possess and distribute cocaine and a charge of possession with intent to distribute. The jury found Powell guilty of using the telephone to facilitate a conspiracy to intentionally possess and distribute cocaine. Powell appealed on the ground that the guilty verdicts in the telephone facilitation charges were inconsistent with the acquittals on the other offenses because proof of the same facts was a necessary element of all the charges. The court of appeals reversed Powell’s conviction. The United States (plaintiff) petitioned the United States Supreme Court for review.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Rehnquist, J.)

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