United States v. Reuben T. Ward

' Appellant entered a plea of guilty in the District Court to a count charging unarmed robbery. 1 At sentencing, then 21 years of age, 2 he requested, personally and through his counsel, a commitment under the Federal Youth Corrections Act 3 in lieu of an adult sentence. Alternatively, counsel sought a presen-tence study to develop additional information as to whether appellant could profit from a youth commitment. 4 The sentencing judge denied both requests, stating in part:

[T]he victim of the robbery in the instant offense was killed under circumstances surrounding the offense which were…