Luther L. Powell v. United States

Appellant was indicted for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle on or about March 19, 1961. At his trial a policeman testified that he saw appellant in the vehicle on that date. The opening statement of appellant’s trial counsel asserted an alibi. The court allowed the prosecution to reopen its case and recall the policeman. He testified that he had been mistaken about the date and that the incident occurred on March 23, as he had testified before the grand jury and as a police “run book" showed. The court continued the case for a day to “give the defendant an opportunity to prepare in…