Legal Document

414 U.S. 17 94 Supreme Court Reporter 194 38 United States Reports Lawyer’s Edition 2d Series KF101.8 U54 174 Richard Judge TAYLOR, Jr.v.UNITED STATES. Number 72—6915. Nov. 5, 1973. PER CURIAM. 1 On the first day of his trial on four counts selling cocaine in violation 26 Code KF62 § 4705(a) (1964 ed.), petitioner failed to return for afternoon session. He had been present at expiration morning session when court announced that lunch recess would last until 2 p.m., and he told by attorney courtroom time. The judge recessed following morning, but still did not appear. His wife testified she left previous with after session; they separated sharing a taxicab Roxbury; appeared ill; and, finally, heard from him since. then denied motion mistrial defense counsel, who asserted jurors' minds be tainted petitioner's absence continuation deprived Sixth Amendment right confront witnesses against him. Relying upon Fed.Rules Crim.Proc. 43,1 which expressly provides defendant's voluntary 'shall prevent continuing trial,' found absented himself voluntarily proceedings. Throughout remainder trial, admonished jury no inference guilt could drawn absence. Petitioner was guilty all counts. Following subsequent arrest, sentenced statutory five-year minimum. Appeals affirmed conviction, 478 Federal Reporter, 2nd 689 (CA1 1973), we now grant leave proceed forma pauperis petition certiorari judgment Appeals. 3 There is challenge court's conclusion voluntary,2 claim authorized Rule 43. Nor are persuaded 43 unconstitutional or any constitutional rights circumstances before us. has remained unchanged since adoption Rules Criminal Procedure 1945; respect consequences it reflects longstanding rule recognized this Diaz versus States, 223 442, 455, 32 250, 254, 56 L.Ed. 500 (1912): 4 '(W)here offense capital accused custody, prevailing been, if, begun presence, absents himself, does nullify what done completion but, contrary, operates as waiver leaves free like manner effect if were present.' (Citations omitted.) 5 Under rule, District correctly rejected claims. 6 Petitioner, however, insists mere cannot construed an effective waiver, is, 'an intentional relinquishment abandonment known privilege,' Johnson Zerbst, 304 458, 464, 58 1019, 1023, 82 1461 (1938), unless demonstrated knew warned only also continue thereby effectively foreclose testify personally him.3 7 Like Appeals, accept position. interrupt absence, implicitly concedes urging should have such existed issue present, question becomes whether waived Consistent Diaz, conclude was. 8 It wholly incredible suggest petitioner, liberty bail, attended opening duty see Stack Boyle, 342 1, 4—5, 72 3—4, 96 (1951), entertained doubts about every stage trial. seems equally us, 'that defendant flees midst trial—where judge, jury, lawyers ready continue—would know consequence absence.' F.2d, 691. Here noted questioned sentencing regarding flight, never contended unaware flight without Moreover, voluntariness disappearance ever raised. As recently noted, 'there can doubt whatever governmental prerogative may defeated conduct prevents going forward.' Illinois Allen, 397 337, 349, 90 1057, 1063, 25 353 (1970) (Brennan, J., concurring). here, properly applied conviction. 9 Affirmed. provides, pertinent part: 'The shall arraignment, including impaneling verdict, imposition sentence, except otherwise provided these rules. In prosecutions offenses punishable death, commenced presence verdict.' independent review transcripts hearing, concluded entitled during product choice. 689, 691 n. (1973). This substantially holding McPherson, 137 U.S.App.D.C. 192, 195, 421 1127, 1130 (1969), relies. But case us disagreed our view, rightly so. McPherson itself appears strayed recent precedent Columbia Circuit, Cureton 130 22, 396 671 (1968), well older authority. See Falk 15 App.D.C. 446, 454—461 (1899). Cureton, supra, Fahy stated controlling rule: '(I)f remains away clearly established voluntary. must aware processes taking place, obligation sound reason remaining away.' U.S.App.D.C., 27, 676 (citation omitted).

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