United States v. Robert Louis Ammidown, United States of America v. Robert L. Ammidown

LEVENTHAL, Circuit Judge:

In this unusual case the trial judge rejected a plea bargain struck between the prosecution and the defense on the ground that the public interest required that the defendant be tried on a greater charge. Under the facts presented, we hold that the trial judge exceeded his discretion and accordingly reverse.

I

In a case of extraordinary notoriety, Robert L. Ammidown was charged with first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in the death of his wife. Ammidown admitted that a month previous he arranged to have her murdered at a parking garage of a Virginia…