United States v. Gilbert George Martine

SETH, Circuit Judge.

This is a direct appeal from a conviction of involuntary manslaughter under 18 U.S.C. § 1153. Trial was to a jury in the United States District Court for the District of New Mexico.

The defendant Martine is a Navajo Indian. On August 21, 1969, the defendant and a companion, Roy Charles, also a Navajo Indian, were drinking to gether. It clearly appears from the transcript that both became intoxicated, and were seen by several witnesses driving Charles’ pickup about the so-called checkerboard area of western New Mexico. The checkerboard area is a patchwork of land, some of…