U.S. v. Martin

The Seventh Circuit affirmed the defendant’s conviction and life sentence for drug conspiracy and for carrying, using, and discharging a firearm during and in connection with the drug charge. In doing so, the appellate court reaffirmed prior cases in which the court held that a defendant need not object at sentencing in order to preserve for appeal an error believed to have occurred during sentencing itself. The Seventh Circuit explained that a defendant is not required to object during the sentencing or to raise the issue at some point before the preceding concludes in order to preserve the issue on appeal. (BRENNAN and MALDONADO, concurring)