United States v. Ricardo Murillo

Ricardo Murillo appeals his conviction and life sentence for participation with three other persons in the murder-for-hire of Patricia Margello. The district court’s jurisdiction was grounded upon 18 U.S.C. § 1958 (a), which prohibits the use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire. After a seven-day trial, Murillo was convicted of both the conspiracy count and the participation count. The appeal challenges the thirteen-month delay between indictment and trial, and an alleged “Batson” error in excusing a juror at the request of the prosecution. Other alleged errors were briefed and argued. None requires reversal.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

In summer 1998, Christopher Moseley, a Delaware resident, sent his troubled stepson Dean MacGuigan, a forty-year old unemployed drug addict, to Las Vegas to establish residency and obtain a quick divorce. Moseley hired Diana Hironaga, Joseph Balignasa, and Murillo to help MacGuigan “straighten out his life.” Moseley directed activities from Delaware. The three hired hands were to help MacGuigan find a job and obtain a divorce attorney. “Operation Dean,” as it was called, however, soon escalated to its darker side, the…