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United States v. Smith

United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

551 F.2d 348 (1976)

Facts

Tyrone Smith (defendant) and Anthony Gartrell (defendant) were charged with armed bank robbery. Gartrell had a prior criminal conviction for attempted robbery. The district-court judge ruled that if Gartrell chose to testify, his prior conviction could be used for impeachment purposes. This meant that the government (plaintiff) could use the prior conviction to challenge Gartrell’s credibility. Gartrell did not testify. Subsequently, the jury convicted Smith and Gartrell. Gartrell appealed.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (McGowan, J.)

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A "yes" or "no" answer to the question framed in the issue section;
A summary of the majority or plurality opinion, using the CREAC method; and
The procedural disposition (e.g., reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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