Listen to Oral Argument in Blind Mule Case (U.S. v. Flores)

On February 5, 2013 federal defense attorney Russell Babcock argued what is probably the most important blind mule case in many years to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena, California. Russell will reserve comment on the case until the the three judge panel has a chance to issue their written decision (opinion) in this matter.

The court will decide for the entire Western United States the important questions of 1) The propriety of government agents testifying as expert witnesses that blind mules don't exist and 2) whether a defendant should be allowed to put on evidence of his financial means to show that he would not be predisposed to smuggle drugs for financial motives. The first speaker in the argument is San Diego criminal attorney Russell Babcock.

Arguing the case for the government is Assistant United States Attorney Mark Rehe. The judge who is firing most of the questions at the attorneys is the Honorable Judge Clifton. Also participating in the decision will be Honorable Judges Trott and O'Scannlain.