Court Opinion

ID: 9468271
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 02:09:51.361158+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:40:47.438029
License: Public Domain

MEANOR, District Judge,
concurring:
I join all but paragraphs seven and eight of the per curiam opinion. I believe that they are superfluous and that there is no need to discuss, much less reject, the issue of prejudice in connection with an instruction that violates Geders. See United States v. DiLapi, 651 F.2d 140 (2d Cir. 1981). In this case it is clear that the instruction did not deprive appellant of a right he sought to exercise. There was no objection to the instruction and there is no showing that, during the overnight recess, appellant desired to consult with counsel or counsel desired to consult with him.
I also add that in this case we do not reach the question whether Geders is to be applied in post-conviction proceedings to instructions during trials that preceded that decision. The Fourth Circuit has held that Geders is not to be so applied. United States v. Horger, 547 F.2d 1204 (4th Cir.), cert. denied, 434 U.S. 840, 98 S.Ct. 135, 54 L.Ed.2d 104 (1977). In this Circuit any issues concerning the retroactive application of Geders will have to await resolution on another day.