United States v. William C. Smith, 544 F.2d 832 (5th Cir. 1977). · Go Syfert
United States v. William C. Smith, 544 F.2d 832 (5th Cir. 1977). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
13 citation events across 7 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: United States v. Andrew Michael Glomb (ca5, 1989-06-23)
Top citers, strongest first. 4 distinct citers. How cited ↗
cited Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Andrew Michael Glomb
5th Cir. · 1989 · confidence medium
See Estelle v. Dorrough, 420 U.S. 534 , 95 S.Ct. 1173, 1175 , 43 L.Ed.2d 377 (1975); Molinaro, 90 S.Ct. at 498 ; Joenson, 615 F.2d at 1079 ; United States v. Smith, 544 F.2d 832, 834 (5th Cir.1977).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) United States v. Willie Foster Sellers, United States of America v. Willie Foster Sellers (2×)
4th Cir. · 1980 · confidence medium
This Court itself has long followed the practice of declining to review the convictions of escaped criminal defendants. [Citations omitted.] Thus in Molinaro v. New Jersey, 396 U.S. 365 [ 90 S.Ct. 498 , 24 L.Ed.2d 586 ] (1970), we dismissed the appeal of an escaped criminal defendant, stating that no persuasive reason exists to adjudicate the merits of such a case and that an escape 'disentitles the defendant to call upon the resources of the Court for determination of his claims.' Id., at 366 [ 90 S.Ct. at 499 ]. 16 As the Government observes in pursuing its position, in even less strong circ…
cited Cited "see" Betty J. Williams, A/K/A Tina Williams v. Terry Holbrook
1st Cir. · 1982 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Smith, 544 F.2d 832, 834 (5th Cir. 1977).
discussed Cited "see" Jose Estrada v. United States
5th Cir. · 1978 · signal: see · confidence high
See United States v. Smith, supra. Because of the period of time that has elapsed since appellant was tried, there would be substantial danger of prejudice to the government if appeal were allowed at this time and were successful; therefore we would not allow reinstatement without at least a showing of good cause.
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee,
v.
William C. SMITH, Defendant-Appellant
74-1433.
Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Jan 3, 1977.
544 F.2d 832
Denis Dean, Miami, Fla. (Court-appointed), for Moore., William Charles Smith, pro se., Robert W. Rust, U.S. Atty., J. Daniel Ennis, Asst. U.S. Atty., Miami, Fla., William McD. Miller, Washington, D.C., for plaintiff-appellee.
Godbold, Dyer, Hill.
Cited by 11 opinions  |  Published
PER CURIAM:

On December 10, 1973, a jury convicted Smith on five counts of fraud by mail (18 U.S.C.A. § 1341), two counts of fraud by wire (18 U.S.C.A. § 1343), and conspiracy to commit such offenses (18 U.S.C.A. § 371). He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment but was released on bail pending appeal. His case on another indictment charging him with fraud by mail (18 U.S.C.A. § 1341) and conspiracy (18 U.S.C.A. § 371) was set for trial on May 14, 1974. He failed to appear, his bond was estreated, and he was declared a fugitive from justice.

On stipulation of counsel that Smith was a fugitive, an order was entered by this Court on May 30, 1974, dismissing Smith’s appeal without prejudice.

In August, 1975, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.A., § 3150, Smith was indicted for knowingly and willfully failing to appear for trial. He was apprehended on January 20, 1976, in Laredo, Texas. On April 1, 1976, he was tried and convicted of bond jumping and sentenced to four years imprisonment to run consecutively to the 10 year sentence for mail fraud.

On July 16,1976, Smith moved this Court to reinstate his appeal from the mail fraud conviction of December 10, 1973. The motion was denied by a single judge on July 30, 1976. He then filed a suggestion for rehearing en banc in which he admits having been a fugitive but alleges that his fugitive status was involuntary because he lacked the necessary specific intent.

A captured fugitive is not entitled to a rehearing en banc of the denial of his motion to reinstate his dismissed appeal. A panel of the Court may review the action of a single judge denying reinstatement of an appeal.

Under the circumstances we decline to reinstate Smith’s appeal. In Estelle v. Dorrough, 1973, 420 U.S. 534, 95 S.Ct. 1173, 43 L.Ed.2d 377, the Supreme Court made it plain that a fugitive has no constitutional right to a reinstatement of an appeal upon his recapture. It is noted that:

[*834] This Court itself has long followed the practice of declining to review the convictions of escaped criminal defendants. Smith v. United States, 94 U.S. 97, [24 L.Ed. 32] (1876); Bonahan v. Nebraska, 125 U.S. 692, [8 S.Ct. 1390, 31 L.Ed. 854] (1887); Eisler v. United States, 338 U.S. 189, 193, [69 S.Ct. 1453, 1455, 93 L.Ed. 1897] (1949); cf. Allen v. Rose, 449 U.S. 1080, [95 S.Ct. 669, 42 L.Ed.2d 675] (1974). Thus in Molinaro v. New Jersey, 396 U.S. 365, [90 S.Ct. 498, 24 L.Ed.2d 586] (1970), we dismissed the appeal of an escaped criminal defendant, stating that no persuasive reason exists to adjudicate the merits of such a case and that an escape “disentitles the defendant to call upon the resources of the Court for determination of his claims.” Id. at 366, 90 S.Ct. 498.

This petitioner, as well as others who are similarly situated, ought to have been given the right to appeal his conviction. He was, in fact, given an opportunity to pursue his appeal as fully as the procedures of this Court allow. Having been given that right, the petitioner also has the right to abandon his appeal, which he did by his own action. Allen v. Georgia, 166 U.S. 138, 141, 17 S.Ct. 525, 41 L.Ed. 949 (1897). Since the reinstatement of an abandoned appeal is an extraordinary request, it is no penal act when we decline to grant this petitioner a privilege not available to other litigants.

The motion of Smith to reinstate the appeal is

DENIED.