United States v. Benjamin J. Thompson

J. SKELLY WRIGHT, Circuit Judge:

This case comes to us on a motion for bail pending appeal following appellant’s conviction in the District Court of violation of federal narcotics laws. 1 It presents important questions concerning the extent to which Congress can treat residents of the District of Columbia differently from residents of the 50 states and the extent to which Congress has attempted to do so in the District of Columbia Court Reform and Criminal Procedure Act of 1970 (hereinafter “Court Reform Act”). 2

In accordance with the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, 3 appellant first…