Maffei v. United States

Supreme Court of the United States
Maffei v. United States, 406 U.S. 938 (1972)
92 S. Ct. 1789

Maffei v. United States

Dissenting Opinion

Me. Justice Douglas,

dissenting.

Seven courts of appeals, including the court below, have held that a federal defendant who presents evidence in his behalf thereby waives any error in a prior denial of a motion for acquittal made at the close of the Government’s case. United States v. Haskell, 327 F. 2d 281, 282, n. 2 (CA2); United States v. Feldman, 425 F. 2d 688, 692 (CA3); United States v. Cashio, 420 F. 2d 1132, 1134 (CA5); United States v. Carabbia, 381 F. 2d 133, 138 (CA6); Cline v. United States, 395 F. 2d 138, 144 (CA8); Viramontes-Medina v. United States, 411 F. 2d 981, 982 (CA9); United States v. Greene, 442 F. 2d 1285, 1286-1287, n. 3 (CA10). Two other courts of appeals, however, have held that presentation of a defense is not a waiver. United States v. Rizzo, 416 F. 2d 734, 736 n. 3 (CA7); Cephus v. United States, 117 U. S. App. D. C. 15, 324 F. 2d 893. I would grant this petition to resolve the conflict. Rule 19 (1) (b) of the Rules of this Court.

Opinion of the Court

C. A. 6th

Cir. Certiorari denied.

Reference

Cited By
4 cases
Status
Published