United States v. Bone

227 F. Supp. 69, 1964 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7181
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. Missouri
DecidedFebruary 7, 1964
DocketNo. 58 Cr 204(3)
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 227 F. Supp. 69 (United States v. Bone) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. Missouri primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Bone, 227 F. Supp. 69, 1964 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7181 (E.D. Mo. 1964).

Opinion

REGAN, District Judge.

This matter is before the Court by reason of the action of the Supreme Court of the United States, 374 U.S. 503, 83 S. Ct. 1879, 10 L.Ed.2d 1045, vacating the judgment of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 305 F.2d 772, and remanding the cause to this Court for further consideration in light of Sanders v. United States, 373 U.S. 1, 83 S.Ct. 1068, 10 L.Ed.2d 148.

The petitioner appeared in person and with his retained counsel, James Williamson. The Government was represented by the Assistant District Attorney, William C. Martin. A plenary hearing was granted and the petitioner afforded every opportunity to present evidence to sustain his 2255 motion. The petitioner has two main points: First: That his plea of guilty to the indictment was not voluntarily entered but was induced by rea[70]*70son of the promises made to him by Virgil D. Nidiffer, a postal inspector, and Frederick H. Mayer, Assistant District Attorney. Petitioner’s second point is that he was denied the right of allocution under Rule 32 of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. A third matter was brought to the Court’s attention by the petitioner during the course of the hearing which was that on or about the 4th day of December, 1953, he had been sent to the Malcolm Bliss Hospital in St. Louis for psychiatric examination.

The petitioner testified in his own behalf and had the testimony of his sister, Mrs. Virginia Thornburgh, as a corroborating witness. The essence of the testimony of the petitioner was that he was arrested in Springfield, Illinois, on July 12, 1958, for escape from the Missouri State Penitentiary. Thereafter, he was transferred from Springfield, Illinois, to jail in St. Louis, Missouri. While in custody in St. Louis, he was visited by Postal Inspector Virgil D. Nidiffer, whom he had previously known and respected. The conversation between petitioner and Nidiffer developed that there was substantial evidence in respect to the robbery of a contract post office and the substance of the conversation was that petitioner had little chance of securing an acquittal. Petitioner further testified that State authorities had information implicating the petitioner in possibly eight felonies. Petitioner testified that he was informed that in view of his prior record and the Second Offense Act in the State of Missouri, it was possible for him to receive a life term on more than one of the State charges. Petitioner further testified that the United States Postal Inspector Nidiffer advised him that the State charges would be dropped if he pleaded guilty to the robbery of the contract post office and was sentenced to twenty-five years imprisonment. Petitioner further testified he had a subsequent conversation with Frederick H. Mayer, the Assistant United States Attorney, whose advice was similar to that offered by Postal Inspector Nidiffer. At no time during these proceedings has the petitioner maintained he was, in fact, innocent of the offense upon which his commitment is based.

The testimony of Mrs. Virginia Thorn-burgh was that Postal Inspector Virgil D. Nidiffer, who was previously known to her, called on July 14, 1958, and informed her that her brother was then in jail and that she could see him. When she visited the jail, she saw Mr. Nidiffer and discussed her brother’s plight with him. Mrs. Thornburgh’s testimony, on both direct and cross examination, revealed that she was confused as to the separate State and Federal realms regarding the charges. She understood Mr. Nidiffer to advise that her brother should plead guilty and take a twenty-five year sentence in the Federal Court which would be better than standing trial and possibly receiving a life sentence. Additionally, she was informed by Mr. Nid-iffer that petitioner would be placed on parole in sixteen years and any State charges would be dropped if he pleaded guilty in the Federal Court. Her testimony did not suggest an inducement or promise on the part of the Government officials. After the conversation with Nidiffer, she talked with petitioner and encouraged him to plead guilty without, however, ever determining in fact that he was guilty.

Postal Inspector Virgil D. Nidiffer was produced and sworn and testified as follows: He was informed by the police of the City of St. Louis that they had petitioner in custody. Thereafter, Nid-iffer appeared at the police station and interviewed the petitioner about the details of the alleged robbery of the contract post office. Subsequently, he was present when the Assistant United States Attorney Frederick H. Mayer talked to the petitioner. This witness further testified that he obtained a statement from the petitioner concerning the robbery of the contract post office. After the petitioner had advised with his sister Mrs. Virginia Thornburgh, his wife Mrs. Anna Bone, and his brother-in-law Mr. Edward Thornburgh, Nidiffer testified that his further conversation with the peti[71]*71tioner revealed that the petitioner preferred to be in Federal custody rather than to stand trial for the state charges. Both Nidiffer and Frederick H. Mayer, Assistant District Attorney, expressed an opinion that if petitioner received a twenty-five year sentence for the robbery of the contract post office, there was little likelihood that the State would proceed against him.

Mr. Edward L. Sprague, the Court appointed attorney, who represented the petitioner at the time of the arraignment and sentence, was subpoenaed and testified. Mr. Sprague’s testimony was that he was successful in having the Court dismiss one count of the two count indictment; that he advised the petitioner of the consequences of pleading guilty, and that the sentence to be imposed was mandatory, and that it was twenty-five years. Mr. Sprague testified that he had the impression that the petitioner had made up his mind to plead guilty before any conversation with or advice he received from his Court appointed counsel. Sprague testified at no time did petitioner tell him of any promises made to him by Nidiffer or Mayer.

The records of this Court in this case show that the petitioner was charged in a two count indictment in violation of Section 2114, Title 18 U.S.C.A. The record further shows that counsel was duly appointed for the petitioner and sufficient time was allowed for preparation of defense, and on August 8, 1958, petitioner appeared before the Court in person and by his appointed counsel. Count One of the indictment was dismissed and the petitioner entered a plea of guilty to Count Two, and the cause was passed to August 15, 1958. On August 15, 1958, the petitioner again appeared in person and by counsel and punishment was fixed at twenty-five years imprisonment in custody of the Attorney General. Allocution was granted and judgment and sentence entered.

Wherefore, this Court makes the following conclusions of law:

a. As to the first issue that his plea of guilty to the indictment was not voluntarily entered but was induced by reason of the promises made to him by the Postal Inspector and the Assistant District Attorney, the Court finds that the petitioner made a voluntary choice to plead guilty to the violation of Section 2114, Title 18 U.S.C.A.

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Related

Robert Louis Bone v. United States
351 F.2d 11 (Eighth Circuit, 1965)

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Bluebook (online)
227 F. Supp. 69, 1964 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 7181, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-bone-moed-1964.