Gray v. United States

Decision Date21 February 1962
Docket NumberNo. 16569.,16569.
Citation112 US App. DC 86,299 F.2d 467
PartiesRichard GRAY, Appellant, v. UNITED STATES of America, Appellee.
CourtU.S. Court of Appeals — District of Columbia Circuit

Mr. Kenneth C. McGuiness, Washington, D. C. (appointed by this court), for appellant.

Mr. Nathan J. Paulson, Asst. U. S. Atty., with whom Messrs. David C. Acheson, U. S. Atty., and Joel D. Blackwell and John R. Schmertz, Jr., Asst. U. S. Attys., were on the brief, submitted on the brief for appellee.

Before WILBUR K. MILLER, Chief Judge, and PRETTYMAN and BAZELON, Circuit Judges.

WILBUR K. MILLER, Chief Judge.

The appellant, Richard Gray, and one Hattie M. Bland, jointly indicted for robbery, were found guilty November 28, 1960. On January 11, 1961, Gray was sentenced and committed. After a timely notice of appeal, he filed in the District Court a motion to be allowed to appeal in forma pauperis, which was denied January 30, 1961. This court appointed counsel to file a memorandum in his behalf, and on May 15, 1961, entered the following order:

"Upon consideration of the petition for leave to prosecute an appeal without prepayment of costs and of the memoranda in support and in opposition, it is
"Ordered by the Court that the petition is denied without prejudice to the filing of a motion for a new trial or a motion for reconsideration of the denial of leave to proceed in forma pauperis in the District Court on the basis of the material presented to this Court in connection with the allegation of ineffective assistance of counsel only."

Ten days later, pursuant to the privilege thus granted, Gray filed in the District Court a motion for a new trial on the ground that his court-appointed counsel rendered ineffective assistance in that he interviewed the appellant only once before trial and for no more than five or ten minutes, and failed to subpoena two witnesses who would have testified to an alibi. He also moved, apparently as an alternative, for reconsideration of his previous motion to proceed in forma pauperis. Gray filed in support of the motion affidavits of his alibi witnesses.

At a hearing in the District Court held July 5, 1961, his trial counsel testified he conferred with appellant five or six times before the trial, and had told appellant's mother to have her brother (appellant's principal alibi witness) get in touch with him, which was not done. Counsel said he had discussed with appellant the advisability of calling the latter's uncle as a witness. After investigation, he concluded the uncle's testimony conflicted with that of the appellant to such an extent that he should not be called as a witness. At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial judge denied the motion. Gray appeals...

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17 cases
  • State v. Gissendanner
    • United States
    • Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals
    • October 23, 2015
    ...counsel acted wisely in not calling the affiants as witnesses, and so gave effective assistance in that respect." Gray v. United States, 299 F.2d 467, 468 (C.A.D.C. 1962)."Knowing what the testimony of [the defendant's] father and uncle, and [a friend] would be, [the defendant's] trial atto......
  • State v. Gissendanner
    • United States
    • Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals
    • December 19, 2014
    ...counsel acted wisely in not calling the affiants as witnesses, and so gave effective assistance in that respect." Gray v. United States, 299 F.2d 467, 468 (C.A.D.C. 1962). "Knowing what the testimony of [the defendant's] father and uncle, and [a friend] would be, [the defendant's] trial att......
  • State v. Freeman
    • United States
    • Idaho Supreme Court
    • March 5, 1963
    ...or even a plausible defense. The claims they made of inadequate representation were groundless.' See also Gray v. United States, 112 U.S. App.D.C., 86, 299 F.2d 467. In Tarrence v. Commonwealth, (Ky.) 265 S.W.2d 40, that Court 'There is no indication in the affidavit supporting the motion t......
  • Johnson v. Crouse
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — District of Kansas
    • January 10, 1964
    ...assistance of appointed counsel should not be sustained unless it very clearly appears to be well grounded. Gray v. United States, 112 U.S.App.D.C. 86, 299 F.2d 467 (1962). The record shows that the petitioner informed the sentencing court that he understood the charge against him and that ......
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