Jones v. United States

FICKLING, Associate Judge:

After a jury trial, appellant was convicted of false pretenses.1

The Government rested its case after presenting its evidence, and before appellant opened his case, he requested a Luck ruling2 to exclude his past record if he should take the stand to testify. As a condition precedent to a ruling, the trial judge required appellant to take the stand and be sworn as a witness before the jury.3 Appellant objected, claiming that if he decided not to testify, this procedure would be prejudicial. His objection was overruled. The jury was returned to the courtroom, and,…