United States v. Darwin Clark Bailey

GOLDBERG, Circuit Judge:

This case is a complex drama consisting of many acts and scenes and involving a cast of many players. It reaches us in the form of an appeal from a Mississippi Highway Patrolman’s conviction of robbery of a federally insured bank in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a) and (d). Our role as critics is limited, however, for although in reviewing this case we find much to criticize, we are compelled by precedent to affirm the conviction. For reasons shortly to be stated, we regret that it is not in our power to do otherwise.

I. THE FACTUAL SETTING

The factual setting from which…