United States v. Kenneth Vaughan

LUMBARD, Circuit Judge:

On May 14, 1981, Kenneth Vaughan surreptitiously entered Room 1804 in the United States Courthouse in Manhattan, an area closed to the public, and attempted to steal a change purse from the desk of Fern La-Borde, a court employee. LaBorde, who had left her office shortly before Vaughan arrived, returned and surprised appellant during the attempted theft. Vaughan assaulted LaBorde, fled from the office and was apprehended shortly thereafter in the courthouse lobby.

Vaughan was convicted in the district court after a one-day bench trial before Judge Henry F. Werker, of…