United States v. Lawson
Opinion
Richard Lawson was found guilty by a jury on February 25, 2004, of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) (2000) (Count 1), and attempting to manufacture methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846 (2000) (Count 3). Lawson was present for the first day of his trial on February 24, 2004, but absconded thereafter and has remained at large since. Lawson was sentenced in absentia to 262 months of imprisonment for Count 1 and to 240 months concurrently for Count 3. Lawson’s attorney timely filed an appeal. For the reasons that follow, we dismiss.
Although we have jurisdiction to consider the appeal, Molinaro v. New Jersey, 396 U.S. 365, 366, 90 S.Ct. 498, 24 L.Ed.2d 586 (1970), we find that Lawson’s escape status diming the pendency of his appeal “ ‘disentitles the defendant to call upon the resources of the Court for determination of his claims.’ ” Ortega-Rodriguez v. United States, 507 U.S. 234, 240, 113 S.Ct. 1199, *100 122 L.Ed.2d 581 (1993) (quoting Molinaro, 396 U.S. at 366, 90 S.Ct. 498). Accordingly, we dismiss the appeal. We dispense with oral argument because the facts and legal contentions are adequately presented
in the materials before the court and argument would not aid the decisional process.
DISMISSED
Reference
- Full Case Name
- UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff—Appellee, v. Richard LAWSON, Defendant—Appellant
- Status
- Unpublished