Bowman v. United States

• Citation: 409 F.2d 225
• Decision Date: 19 June 1969
• Docket Number: No. 26467.,26467.
• Parties: Paul Kenneth BOWMAN, Appellant, v. UNITED STATES of America, Appellee.
• Court: United States Courts of Appeals. United States Court of Appeals (5th Circuit)

409 F.2d 225 (1969)

Paul Kenneth BOWMAN, Appellant, v. UNITED STATES of America, Appellee.

No. 26467.

United States Court of Appeals Fifth Circuit.

March 18, 1969.

Rehearing and Rehearing Denied June 19, 1969.

Guy O. Farmer, II, Jacksonville, Fla., for appellant.

Clinton Ashmore, U. S. Atty., Tallahassee, Fla., for appellee.

Before JOHN R. BROWN, Chief Judge, and THORNBERRY and MORGAN, Circuit Judges.

Rehearing and Rehearing En Banc Denied June 19, 1969.

JOHN R. BROWN, Chief Judge.

Appellant was convicted by a jury of violating 18 U.S.C.A. § 2114, for attempting to rob a United States mail carrier and putting the carrier's life in jeopardy by use of a dangerous weapon. Represented by new appointed counsel, he now appeals from the mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison.

A brief statement of the facts will suffice.¹ Appellant was caught in the act. After arrest he was advised of his rights by a United States Commissioner on January 4, 1967, at which time appellant advised the Commissioner that he did not desire an attorney at that time. The following week, appellant's wife visited him in the Tallahassee, Florida jail, with court-appointed counsel. Counsel and appellant conferred for approximately 45 minutes, after which counsel advised appellant that he would "work out a defense or plea" for appellant in his case. On March 21, 1967, appellant was transferred to Gainesville, Florida for arraignment, plea, and trial setting. Gainesville is the home of this court-appointed trial counsel. Appellant again conferred with his counsel prior to appearing in Court at which time with counsel present, he waived his right to be indicted and entered a plea of not guilty. The case was set for trial on April 11, 1967, some 20 days later.

On the morning of April 11, the Trial Judge received a letter from appellant, requesting a meeting in Judge's chambers prior to his trial. The Judge granted the request and a meeting was held with the Judge, appellant, appellant's wife, appointed counsel, the United States Attorney, the Assistant United States Attorney, the United States Marshal, and an official court reporter who transcribed the proceedings. Appellant, then, for the first time, advised the Court that he felt counsel had not devoted sufficient time to preparing his case and requested new counsel or a continuance during which time he could procure counsel of his own choosing. The Trial Judge then attempted to ascertain whether counsel was adequately prepared and satisfied himself that he was. We credit fully the Judge's finding that appointed counsel was an experienced advocate. He had previously served as Assistant United States Attorney, had practiced law for some 45 years, and had been known professionally by the Trial Judge for 15 years. Counsel advised the Trial Judge that he was prepared to go to trial. The Trial Court reset the case for later that day but refused to grant a continuance.

A reading of the trial transcript demonstrates that counsel was prepared. Indeed, although appellant alleges that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel, he predicates this wholly on the refusal of the Trial Judge to grant a continuance, and not by showing any possible prejudice resulting from inadequate representation. Appellant's only allegation concerning prejudice is this unrevealing broadside: "The effect on Petitioner's case of the approach taken by his attorney is not known, but by arguing an issue not involved in the case and consequently failing to argue the real issue, Petitioner's case may well...