Court Opinion

ID: 9449891
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 16:26:58.479581+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:32:02.525251
License: Public Domain

EDGERTON, Senior Circuit Judge-
(dissenting).
The court recognizes not only the fact, that “the only valid charge on which parole could have been revoked was the-matter of [appellant’s] failure to report”, but also “the possibility that in good faith he believed he had no obligation to-report to the Federal authorities.” That he believed this seems to me not only possible but almost certain. As the court, says, he “stated to the parole officer that *529he did not do any reporting as he felt that he ‘definitely did not have any Federal supervision, since the state took me into custody.’ ” There was no evidence that he “felt” differently or that he had any other reason for failing to report. The court says “he took it upon himself to decide the legal questions”, but I see no evidence that he had any idea there were legal questions. For several years he had been under no obligation to report to the federal authorities because he was in state custody. It was entirely natural and even reasonable for him to think of himself as having altogether ceased to be a federal prisoner on parole. It seems to me unjust to punish him for his innocent error. I think the Board abused its discretion and should be directed to release him. I do not reach other questions.