United States v. Dennis Paul Shillingford

Dennis Paul Shillingford was convicted and sentenced on state and federal charges arising out of a shoot-out in Jackson, Mississippi, between state and federal officers and black “citizens” of the Republic of New Africa. Shillingford’s federal conviction was affirmed by this court and his petition for certiorari was denied by the Supreme Court. United States v. James, 528 F.2d 999 (5th Cir.), cert. denied sub nom. Shillingford v. United States, 429 U.S. 959, 97 S.Ct. 382, 50 L.Ed.2d 326 (1976).

In November, 1976, Shillingford filed a motion for reduction of sentence under Fed. R.Crim.P. 35.…