United States v. Herman A. Smoot

Appellant was charged with second degree murder and convicted of manslaughter arising out of a stabbing death. His appeal contends that the verdict was coerced by the Allen charge and by the interrogation of the jury which occurred prior to their release to go home one evening after they reported they were deadlocked. The appeal also contends that cross examination of a Government witness was improperly restricted. We find the trial to have been fairly conducted and affirm.

I

The point involving the Allen charge is answered by the fact that our recent decision with respect to the Allen charge…