United States v. Cash Joseph Bonas

OPINION

KOZINSKI, Circuit Judge:

We consider whether the record supports the district court’s finding of manifest necessity justifying a mistrial. We conclude that it does not.

Facts

Cash Bonas is a lawyer who filed a class-action suit against three supermarket chains — Ralph’s, Von’s and Lucky’s — alleging price-fixing of eggs. The supermarkets were represented in that litigation by a cadre of name-brand Los Angeles law firms. Bonas and his client lost after a jury trial. According to the government, Bonas then began harassing defense counsel with a barrage of e-mails and voicemail messages. The…