FERGUS FALLS, Minn. — The two men found guilty of human smuggling in the case of a family from India who froze to death while trying to walk across the Canada-U.S. border in Manitoba in 2022 are seeking acquittal, or new trials.
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The two men, Harshkumar Patel and Steve Shand, were convicted by a Minnesota jury in November.
Lawyers for Patel and Shand made their cases for acquittal or a new trial in separate motions filed on Friday in the United States District Court of Minnesota.
Patel’s and Shand’s lawyers argue that the evidence presented to the jury was insufficient to prove the men’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The lawyers argue that if acquittals aren’t granted, then new trials should be ordered for the same reason.
Patel and Shand were expected to be sentenced in March.