No. 19-7138

Michael Blankenship v. United States

Lower Court: Fourth Circuit
Docketed: 2020-01-06
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP Experienced Counsel
Tags: clean-water-act criminal-procedure environmental-law evidence evidence-admissibility eyewitness-testimony fecal-coliform intent prejudice rule-404(b) rule-404b witness-testimony
Key Terms:
Environmental
Latest Conference: 2020-02-21
Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether a chart showing consistently high fecal coliform levels in a creek was relevant to show other potential sources of odors testified to by witnesses

Question Presented (OCR Extract)

QUESTIONS PRESENTED FOR REVIEW 1. Whether in a prosecution for illegally dumping waste into a creek, where a major part of the Government’s case was based on eyewitness testimony about the smell of the creek when the defendant was allegedly dumping, a chart showing a consistently high level of fecal coliform in the creek was relevant to show there were other potential sources of the odors to which witnesses testified. 2. Whether allowing the Government to present testimony from multiple witnesses about the defendant’s admissions to dumping on days outside the dates : charged in the indictment violated Rule 404(b) of the Rules of Evidence.

Docket Entries

2020-02-24
Petition DENIED.
2020-01-16
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2/21/2020.
2020-01-13
Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
2019-12-30
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due February 5, 2020)

Attorneys

Michael Blankenship
Jonathan David ByrneFederal Pub Defender S. Dist., Petitioner
Jonathan David ByrneFederal Pub Defender S. Dist., Petitioner
United States
Noel J. FranciscoSolicitor General, Respondent
Noel J. FranciscoSolicitor General, Respondent