Conviction of Defendant for Bank Robbery Upheld

US v. Sykes, 08-2558, concerned a challenge to the district court's conviction of defendant for four counts of bank robbery.  In affirming the conviction, the court held that the district court did not abuse its discretion when it dismissed the charges against defendant without prejudice, as the judge thoroughly considered the section 3162(a)(2) factors.  The court also held that the record does not support defendant's claim that his pretrial detention deprived him of meaningful access to the courts.  Lastly, the court held that, although the district court should not have given jurors free rein to directly question the witnesses, defendant has not established prejudice.

Related Resource:

• Full text of US v. Sykes