Court Opinion

ID: 9451141
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 17:07:54.540494+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:32:35.336015
License: Public Domain

FAHY, Circuit Judge,
dissenting:
Appellant was tried with Louis Y. Wilson for robbery. Wilson’s conviction was affirmed, 120 U.S.App.D.C. 72, 344 F.2d 166. After joining in the affirmance I voted for a rehearing, which, however, was denied. My reason for so voting was that on further consideration after the hearing of the present case I concluded that Wilson, as I now conclude with respect to appellant, was tried in a manner which violated his right to due process of law. This conclusion grows out of the incident I refer to as the “blankets and chains” incident briefly described in our Wilson opinion. Since I now think this was a matter of constitutional proportions, I would not apply the harmless error criterion which otherwise might be applicable. I would reverse and remand for a new trial.