Willie Lee Scruggs v. Doug Williams, Warden

ANDERSON, Circuit Judge:

Willie Lee Scruggs brought this habeas corpus action to set aside his state conviction for rape and sodomy. Scruggs contended that the jury had not unanimously found him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, as evidenced by a poll of the jury taken in court after the verdict was announced. Scruggs also argued that the trial judge coerced jurors into giving their assent during the jury poll. The district court agreed with both contentions and held that Scruggs had been denied due process, citing United States v. Edwards, 469 F.2d 1362 (5th Cir.1972) and United States v.…