No. 25-6839

Eric Fru Nji, Wilson Nuyila Tita, and Wilson Che Fonguh v. United States

Lower Court: Fourth Circuit
Docketed: 2026-02-18
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP
Tags: aiding-and-abetting burden-of-proof firearms-trafficking jury-instructions pinkerton-liability willful-blindness
Latest Conference: 2026-03-20
Question Presented (from Petition)

Whether the district court and Fourth Circuit erred by allowing the jury to be instructed under a Pinkerton standard, a willful blindness instruction, and with an aiding and abetting instruction in this transport of firearms case, and thereby unconstitutionally diminished the government's standard of proof, constituting an important question of federal law this Court should address.

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the district court and Fourth Circuit erred by allowing jury instructions under a Pinkerton standard, willful blindness instruction, and aiding and abetting instruction in a firearms transport case, thereby unconstitutionally diminishing the government's burden of proof

Docket Entries

2026-03-23
Petition DENIED.
2026-03-05
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 3/20/2026.
2026-02-26
Waiver of United States of right to respond submitted.
2026-02-26
Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
2026-02-11
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due March 20, 2026)

Attorneys

Eric Nji, et al.
Robert James WagnerRobert J. Wagner, PLC, Petitioner
United States
D. John SauerSolicitor General, Respondent