Claude Williams v. United States

ENOCH, Circuit Judge.

Claude Williams, petitioner-appellant herein, was indicted in May, 1955, in three counts for violation of the federal narcotics statutes. As Mr. Williams was without counsel, the District Court appointed John Gannon of the Illinois bar to represent him. Mr. Williams pleaded not guilty, and his trial was set for September 12, 1955.

On September 12, 1955, Mr. Gannon advised the Court that he had been unable to contact Mr. Williams after the latter’s release on bond, August 12, 1955, and that Mr. Williams, having lost Mr. Gannon’s card, had failed to reach him during that…