Document: 401 U.S. 481 91 S.Ct. 858 28 L.Ed.2d 200 George Washington DURHAMv.UNITED STATES. No. 5928. March 8, 1971. PER CURIAM. 1 Petitioner was convicted of having knowingly possessed a counterfeit $20 bill. After the Court Appeals for Ninth Circuit affirmed his conviction he filed this petition writ certiorari. We are now advised that petitioner has died. 2 It is true certiorari out time under our Rule 22(2), though timeliness rules, course, presents no jurisdictional question. Subsequent to affirmance below, timely rehearing. Upon inquiry informed would be notified as disposition soon court acted. When several months passed without any word, again wrote court. In reply, on September 1970, received copy order dated 5, denying Within three weeks from receipt denial docketed in Court. On these facts waiver 22 proper. 3 Our cases where dies while review pending not free ambiguity. recent mandamus action died and we granted certiorari, vacated judgment ordered complaint dismissed. Fletcher v. Bryan, 361 126, 80 263, 4 180. state habeas corpus case so could take whatever it deemed Garvin Cochran, 371 27, 83 122, 123, 9 4. practice direct convictions been dismiss proceedings. See Gersewitz New York, 326 687, 66 89, 90 L.Ed. 404. an earlier announced appeal had abated, Johnson Tennessee, 214 485, 29 651, 53 1056, another stated cause abated. List Pennsylvania, 131 396, 794, 33 222. federal criminal developed dismissing remanding below. Singer United States, 323 338, 346, 65 282, 286, 89 285; American Tobacco Co. 328 781, 815 n. 11, 1125, 1141, 1575; States Johnson, 319 503, 520 1, 63 1233, 1241, 87 1546. have cited Pomeroy, Cir., 152 F. 279, rev'd sub nom. York Central & H.R.R. Co., 164 324, Dunne, 173 254, suggesting such remand 'as law justice require,' but beyond basically allowed scope abatement determined by lower courts. 5 The status caused death recently discussed Eighth Crooker 325 F.2d 318. reviewing concluded courts were unanimous rule applied: abates only also all proceedings prosecution its inception.* Id., at 320. As supra, 'cause abated.' 6 unanimity which worked with problem over years Pomeroy impressive. believe they adopted correct rule. Accordingly, motion leave proceed forma pauperis granted. below remanded District directions indictment. 7 ordered. 8 Judgment directions. Mr. Justice MARSHALL, whom THE CHIEF JUSTICE STEWART join, believes should disposed follows: 10 before Court, moot note records. 11 BLACKMUN, dissenting. 12 This here Durham's after resulted violation 18 U.S.C. § 474. Solicitor General suggested November 20, prior Court's taking upon way grant or denial. 13 untimely. Circuit's opinion 12, 1969, rehearing denied 1970. A appeals timely, when within 30 days entry additional time, exceeding days, good shown. 26, thus more than five months. 14 Further, situation one decedent possessed, exercised, right then pending. That contrasting very different typical confronts concerned 318 (1963), per curiam opinion. 15 I merely decedent's rather dismissal seems me appropriately reflect rulings 815, 1575 (1946); 1546 (1943). contrast, indictment wipes slate entirely clean unsuccessfully appealed throughout entire process entitled right. 16 If, chance, suggestion some consequence survivor rights third party (a fact apparent Court), affected make own appeals. * because involved appeal, deal is, matter decisions petitions wholly discretionary. Congress, however, given exercised No decision made death. Since will prevent merits, whether distinction between two seem important present purposes.

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