Legal Document

471 U.S. 154 105 S.Ct. 2006 85 L.Ed.2d 120 Barry MINTZES, Wardenv.Nealy BUCHANON No. 84-501 Supreme Court of the United States April 15, 1985 On writ certiorari to Appeals for Sixth Circuit. PER CURIAM. 1 The is advised that respondent died in Ingham County, Mich., on December 7, 1984. Court's order granting certiorari, see 469 1033, 503, 83 395 (1984), therefore vacated, and petition dismissed. See Warden v. Palermo, 431 911, 97 2166, 53 221 (1977). 2 It so ordered. 3 Chief Justice BURGER, dissenting. 4 In this case, District Circuit ordered either be released or given a new hearing degree his crimes resentencing. This was despite passage 25 years since respondent's convictions two murders committed while he fugitive escape from prison. Both courts held laches did not bar claim knowingly intelligently waive right counsel at sentencing 1956. Understandably troubled by possible ramifications such drastic holding concerned even particular case it would prejudiced its defense allegations, loss records, faded memories, intervening deaths, State Michigan sought review judgment Appeals. We granted State's set argument. (1984). 5 POWELL took no part decision case. 6 Now, having been informed has died, simply directs our vacated dismissed, thereby leaving opinion standing. reaching surprising result, relies upon single authority which, clear analysis, does support, let alone require disposition, And ignores one precedent which directly control question. McMann Ross, 396 118, 90 395, 24 303 (1969) (per curiam ); Richardson, 397 759, 760, n. 1, 1441, 763 (1970). 7 only have presented precise issue we here, remanded with instructions dismiss habeas corpus as moot. I would, petitioner urges, dispose same way. course chosen pursue every civil becomes moot pending after except if were correct plainly distinguishable. Thirty-five ago, noted 8 "[t]he established practice dealing court federal system become way here merits reverse vacate below remand direction dismiss." Munsingwear, Inc., 340 36, 39, 71 104, 106, 95 L.Ed. 36 (1950) (footnote omitted) (emphasis added). 9 Indeed, said Duke Power Co. Greenwood 299 259, 267, 57 202, 205, 81 178 (1936), "duty" Court. Such disposition "clears path future relitigation issues between parties." supra, U.S., 40, S.Ct., 107. possible, example, applying collateral estoppel offensively, relatives defendant might well invoke Circuit's subsequent suit damages. Moreover, vacating Appeals' remanding moot, "eliminat[e] judgment, prevented through happenstance." procedure "the rights all parties are preserved." Ibid. 10 mistakenly believes 4-line requires petition. do understand how Palermo can possibly regarded controlling here. significantly different least obvious respect—there, had certiorari. So also Dove States, 423 325, 96 579, 46 531 (1976), relied dismissal Palermo. While some circumstances may wish treat cases similarly those merely filed inconceivable me ever consider ourselves bound these patently categories identically. 11 my view, higher duty when learns than discovers being former instance, has, grant writ, asserted jurisdiction over brought lower before it. If vacates forces problems avoids sake own convenience. action today leaves unclear, whether remains their successors any proceeding. likewise unclear generally precedential value Finally, there considerable uncertainty required permitted opinion. suppose will question otherwise modify opinion, still lodged court; very least, should Cf. Westinghouse Electric Corp. Vaughn, 466 521, 104 2163, 80 (1984); Colorado Nunez, 465 324, 1257, 79 338 Gillette Miner, 459 86, 103 484, 74 249 (1982). status limbo. believe an institutional obligation avoid confusion. easily achieved following what heretofore, exception "established practice." 12 Even accepts dubious proposition duty-bound identical where pending, incorrect because am convinced disposed improperly. true, us entirely, however, Dove, direct review, habeas. necessary result Durham 401 481, 91 858, 28 200 (1971), defendant's indictment turn effect "wip[ing] slate entirely clean conviction unsuccessfully appealed throughout entire appeal process entitled right," id., 861 (BLACKMUN, J., dissenting). alternative surely unsatisfying one—would decide case-by-case incorrect, accordingly. 13 But dilemma obtained objectives eliminating final clearing litigation achievable—and incidentally, without time embracing principle indictments 14 recognized validity distinguishing context review; carefully limited 482-483, 859-860. Our contemplated distinction. overruled "[t]o extent [Durham ] inconsistent with" 579. removed doubt McMann—which thought intended overrule—was valid precedent. Under circumstances, especially inapposite but failed acknowledge McMann, not, does, read limiting dismissal. 15 implicitly must believe, now overrule "overrule" latter. search rationale. 16 Because compound evils bad repeating error dissent.

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