United States v. Stephen William Bilson

Appellant, Stephen William Bilson, was convicted after jury trial of attempted aircraft piracy, a violation of 49 U.S.C. § 1472(i), and use of a firearm in the commission of a federal felony, a violation of 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(1). He seized a commercial aircraft in Stockton, California and sought to have it flown to Iran. His defense was insanity. We affirm.

Appellant claims that the district court erred when it permitted a psychiatrist called by the Government to testify that appellant was legally sane within the meaning of Wade v. United States, 426 F.2d 64 (9th Cir. 1970) (en banc). The…