Two Booker pipeline cases of note from the DC Circuit

The DC Circuit, perhaps because of the size of its docket, has had the fewest post-Booker sentencing rulings. But the DC Circuit, perhaps because of the size of its docket, makes sure that all of its post-Booker sentencing rulings are worth reading. 

Today we get two sentencing decisions of note from that DC Circuit: US vs. Gomez, No. 04-3063 (DC Cir. Dec. 13, 2005) (available here) and US vs. Simpson, No. 04-3129 (DC Cir. Dec. 13, 2005) (available here).  Both Gomez and Simpson principally address Booker pipeline issues — Gomez is about plain error, Simpson is about alternative sentencing.  And because both Gomez and Simpson cover these Booker pipeline issues thoughtfully and in detail, both rulings merit a close read by anyone still dealing with such issues.