Akin Secures Trial Win for Cambodian Government Official
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(Washington, D.C.) – Akin has secured a significant trial win for Cambodian Government official Masphal Kry in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Kry, the Director of the Cambodian Department of Wildlife and Biodiversity, faced charges of conspiracy with seven co-defendants for unlawfully importing wild-caught long-tailed macaques into the United States.
Akin, along with co-counsel Schertler Onorato Mead & Sears partner Mark MacDougall and Maderal, Byrne & Furst partner John Byrne, demonstrated that Kry acted in accordance with a lawful order from the Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Additionally, the defense team successfully argued that Kry’s statements had been unlawfully obtained by U.S. Fish and Wildlife agents, leading to their suppression prior to trial and further strengthening their defense.
As a result of the defense team’s strong evidence-based arguments, the government voluntarily dismissed five smuggling counts, and the court dismissed the sixth count. After a full day of deliberation, the jury acquitted Kry on the remaining conspiracy and smuggling charges.
The Akin defense trial team was led by environment & natural resources partner Stacey Mitchell and included litigation counsel Allison Coffin and Dakota Kann, environment & natural resources associate Nicole Franklin and litigation associate Janie Mahan with Schertler Onorato Mead & Sears associate Paola Pinto.
Akin is a leading international law firm with more than 900 lawyers and advisors in offices throughout the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
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