Moore Claims Judicial, Other Errors, Asks for New Trial

Claiming judicial errors and prosecutorial misconduct, former Compton City Councilwoman Patricia Moore has filed a motion in Los Angeles federal court asking that her recent extortion conviction be set aside and requesting a new trial.

In her motion, Moore said she was denied due process and suffered extreme prejudice when U.S. District Judge Consuelo B. Marshall refused to suppress her earlier confession and grand jury testimony.

Those admissions were made in 1994 while Moore was cooperating with the government under terms of a plea agreement negotiated by her then attorney.

In return for helping the FBI investigate political corruption in Compton, she was allowed to plead guilty to one felony and one misdemeanor.

Moore collaborated with the government for several months but pulled out of the deal and was charged with 25 counts of extortion and failing to file income tax returns.

Her motion for a new trial also accused the government of outrageous conduct by employing undercover agents “to exploit the vulnerabilities, common needs, goals and hopes of African Americans in Compton.”

She said the defense was prejudiced when it was denied permission to call as a witness Assistant U.S. Atty. John M. Potter, the chief prosecutor in her trial. The defense accused Potter of withholding evidence and tricking Moore into signing her 1994 plea agreement.

Most of the issues cited by Moore were raised during pretrial proceedings or the trial.

No date was set for a hearing on the new motion. Moore is free on bond, awaiting sentencing in January after her conviction on 15 criminal counts.