Document: 506 U.S. 255 113 S.Ct. 748 122 L.Ed.2d 25 Michael CROSBY, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 91-6194. Argued Nov. 9, 1992. Decided Jan. 13, 1993. Syllabus * Although petitioner Crosby attended various preliminary proceedings, he failed to appear at the beginning of his criminal trial. The Federal District Court permitted proceedings go forward in absence, and was convicted subsequently arrested sentenced. In affirming convictions, Appeals rejected argument that trial prohibited by Rule Criminal Procedure 43, which provides a defendant must be present every stage "except as otherwise provided" lists situations right may waived, including when defendant, initially present, "is voluntarily absent after has commenced." Held: 43 prohibits absentia who is not Rule's express use limiting phrase clearly indicates list proceed without exclusive. Moreover, restatement law existed time it adopted 1944. Its distinction between flight before during also rational, marks point costs delaying are likely increase; helps assure any waiver knowing voluntary; deprives option terminating if seems verdict will against him. Because dispositive, Crosby's claim Constitution reached. Pp. ____. 951 F.2d 357, reversed remanded. BLACKMUN, J., delivered opinion for unanimous Court. Mark D. Nyvold, St. Paul, Minn., appointed this Court, petitioner. Richard H. Seamon, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice BLACKMUN 1 This case requires us decide whether permits absconds prior its beginning. We hold does not. 2 April 1988, federal grand jury Minnesota indicted others on number counts mail fraud. indictment alleged codefendants had devised fraudulent scheme sell military-veteran commemorative medallions supposedly fund construction theme park honoring veterans. appeared magistrate June 15, and, upon plea guilty, conditionally released from detention agreeing post $100,000 bond remain State. Subsequently, pretrial conferences hearings with attorney advised scheduled begin October 12. 3 did 12, however, nor could found. United States deputy marshals reported house looked though been "cleaned out," neighbor petitioner's car backed halfway into garage previous evening, were packing trunk. As day wore on, court remarked several times pool 54 potential jurors being kept waiting, delay would interfere court's calendar. prosecutor noted three commented difficulty she have rescheduling case, should later appear, because some her many witnesses elderly health problems. 4 When raised subject conducting objected. Nevertheless, days fruitless search Crosby, court, formal request Government, decided commence 17. ordered forfeited stated record findings given adequate notice date, absence deliberate, requiring Government try separately extreme witnesses, counsel, court. It further concluded waived constitutional trial, public interest proceeding outweighed proceedings. Trial began 17, counsel actively participating, continued until November 18, returned verdicts guilty charges two codefendants. See v. Cheatham, 899 747 (CA8 1990). One codefendant acquitted. 5 Approximately six months later, Florida brought back Minnesota, where sentenced 20 years prison followed probation specified conditions. convictions upheld Appeals, forbids 917 362, 364-366 Noting other Courts considered question found permissible,** acted within discretion electing proceed. Id., 365-366. granted certiorari. --- ----, 112 1261, 117 490 (1992). II relevant part: 6 "(a) Presence Required. shall arraignment, plea, impaneling return verdict, imposition sentence, except provided rule. 7 "(b) Continued Not progress prevented whenever 8 "(1) commenced. . ." 9 concedes specifically authorize argues, nonetheless, "Rule purport contain comprehensive listing circumstances under waived." Brief 16. Accordingly, contends, position rests provisions but solely maxim expressio unius est exclusio alterius. Ibid. disagree. necessary invoke order conclude allow full trials absentia. declares explicitly: "The rule" (emphasis added). marked exclusive "expression one" circumstance, rather phrase. respect language structure more clear. 10 urges look guidance existing law, meant restate, adoption Advisory Committee's Notes Fed.Rule Crim.Proc. 18 U.S.C.App., p. 821. That inquiry assist Government. "It well settled common personal presence essential valid conviction charge felony. If absent, set aside." W. Mikell, Clark's 492 (2d ed. 1918); accord, Goldin, Defendant Rendition Verdict Felony Cases, 16 Colum.L.Rev. (1916); F. Wharton, Pleading Practice 388 (9th 1889); J. Bishop, New 178-179 (4th 1895), cases cited there. generally unwaivable felony cases. 492; 175 178. canon premised notion fair take place only met face-to-face those testifying so presence. 392; thought "contrary dictates humanity let prisoner 'waive advantage view sad plight might give him inclining hearts listen defence indulgence.' " Ibid., quoting Prine Commonwealth, Pa. 103, 104 (1851). 11 Diaz States, 223 442, 32 250, 56 L.Ed. 500 (1912), concerned absented himself occasions ongoing Philippines, authorized limited exception general rule, an codified eventually 43(b). 'not seem consonant sense accused person, large bail, liberty, pleased, withdraw courts country break up already commenced,' U.S., 457, S.Ct., 254, Falk 15 App.D.C. 446, 454 (1899), cert. denied, 181 618, 636, 21 923, 45 1030 (1901), held: 12 "[W]here offense capital custody, if, begun presence, absents himself, nullify what done or prevent completion but, contrary, operates leaves free like manner effect present." 455, 254 13 Committee drafted 43. explained: second sentence rule that, cases, defeat absenting commenced presence." There no reason believe drafters intended further. Commenting version Judge John B. Sanborn, member Committee, stated: 14 "I think inadvisable conduct defendant. never practice, wants attend not, I compelled present. If, disappears, there is, course, why him." M. Wilken N. Triffin, Drafting History Rules 236 (1991). recognized addressed situation fails commencement concluded: anomalous attach significance defendant's than important substantive portions trial." F.2d, 365. While true "talismanic properties differentiate stages," Virgin Islands Brown, 507 186, 189 (CA3 1975), we do find pre- midtrial farfetched convince cannot mean says. matter, suspending way greater cost postponing yet begun. clear line drawn marking outweigh interests society having least plausible draw line. Hopt Utah, 110 574, 579, 202, 204, 28 262 (1884) (discussing public's strict enforcement statutory requirement trial). additional practical reasons distinguishing Diaz, treats voluntary Whether constitutionally circumstances—and here subject—the initial serves indeed knowing. "Since still shock most lawyers, hardly appropriate impute knowledge occur their clients." Starkey, Absentia, N.Y.St.B.J. 30, 34, n. (1982). unlikely, hand, 'that flees courtroom midst trial—where judge, jury, lawyers ready continue—would know consequence continue absence.' Taylor 414 20, 94 194, 196, 38 174 (1973), Chief Coffin's opinion, 478 689, 691 (CA1 1973), case. allows disappears gambling acquittal can terminate him—an preferable costly, perhaps unnecessary, path becoming fugitive outset. 17 language, history, logic support straightforward interpretation reach Constitution. judgment remanded consistent opinion. 19 ordered. syllabus constitutes part prepared Reporter Decisions convenience reader. Detroit Lumber Co., 200 321, 337, 26 282, 287, 50 499. ** cited, among authorities, Peterson, 524 167 (CA4 423 1088, 96 881, 47 99 (1976); 1975); Tortora, 464 1202, 1208 (CA2), denied sub nom. Santoro 409 1063, 93 554, 34 516 (1972). Boreman, Sufficiency Showing Defendant's "Voluntary Absence" From Purposes Authorizing Continuance Notwithstanding Such Absence, A.L.R.Fed. 906, 915-918 (1974 1991 Supp.),

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