United States v. Charles Lee Young

Charles Lee Young, and his codefendants William Forry and Daniel Dean Bryan, appeal their convictions and sentences for methamphetamine trafficking. 21 U.S.C. § 841 (a)(1). Young argues primarily that the district court erred in denying his motion for a new trial based on the government’s use of false evidence against him. We agree and reverse.

I.

On November 21, 1991, at approximately five a.m., Riverside County deputy sheriffs executed a warrant to search a certain residence in Quail Valley, California. The search uncovered a fully functional methamphetamine laboratory in a back room. Codefend-ants Young, Bryan and Forry were arrested on the scene and indicted for (1) possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and (2) methamphetamine manufacture. 21 U.S.C. § 841 (a)(1).

At their joint trial, the government described the methamphetamine lab and presented physical evidence relating to methamphetamine manufacture. Two police officers testified that Bryan and Forry were in the living room when police entered, but immediately ran into the back room containing the laboratory. Because all three defendants were ultimately arrested in the back room, this testimony…