United States v. Paul Eugene Mason

Reversed by published opinion. Senior Judge LAY wrote the opinion, in which Judge RUSSELL and Judge MOTZ joined.

OPINION

LAY, Senior Circuit Judge:

Paul Eugene Mason was convicted of importation and sale of drug paraphernalia and participation in drug distribution conspiracies in violation of federal law. 1 After his conviction, Mason was released pending the completion of the forfeiture phase of his trial, scheduled for the following morning. Before the commencement of the forfeiture proceedings, Mason attempted suicide in his parked van outside the courthouse by plunging a ten-inch butcher…