United States v. Reagan
United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
453 F.2d 165 (1971)

- Written by Rich Walter, JD
Facts
Howard Reagan (defendant) killed a fellow crew member on board an American vessel docked in German waters. Local German authorities conducted a limited investigation but did not press charges. Reagan returned to the United States, where federal prosecutors obtained Reagan’s German police file thanks to a letter rogatory from the federal district court to the court’s German counterpart. The prosecutors independently developed substantial additional evidence, based on which Reagan was indicted, tried, and found guilty of murder. On appeal to the Sixth Circuit, Reagan challenged the district court’s authority to issue a letter rogatory when there was no active case or controversy before that court.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Miller, J.)
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