Fairey v. Tucker

Petitioner William Fairey was tried in absentia and without counsel on state felony charges. Although Fairey had not received actual notice of his trial date, the state court concluded that he had waived his right to be present when he failed to *925appear in court on the scheduled trial date. The State tried Fairey in his absence and, without having heard any defense, the jury found Fairey guilty. The court sentenced him to eight years’ imprisonment and $25,000 in restitution. Fairey sought relief on the ground that his trial in absentia violated the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments. After…