No. 18-5490

Mark Madison Lowe v. Virginia Department of Corrections

Lower Court: Fourth Circuit
Docketed: 2018-08-08
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP
Tags: 14th-amendment 4th-amendment 5th-amendment 6th-amendment 8th-amendment constitutional-rights due-process judicial-discretion sixth-amendment stun-belt trial-procedure
Latest Conference: 2018-09-24
Question Presented (from Petition)

Whether the imposition of a RACC Stun belt with secret instructions to compel testimony, alter testimony, and remain silent during trial infringed upon and/or violated the Petitioner's rights under the 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, and 14th Amendments and is inconsistent with the rudimentary demands of fair procedure.

Whether the trial court violated the petitioner's 6th Amendment rights by unnecessarily forcing him to wear a stun belt during trial; without the establishment on the record (a) the reasons for the severe restraints; (b) facts about the operation and accidental discharge potential of the Stun belt; (c) guidance for the petitioner about the conduct which would precipitate discharge by a sheriff, or the availability of a less severe form of restraints; and the error is not harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.

Whether the suppression of impeachment or exculpatory evidence upon request violates due process where the evidence is material either to guilt or punishment, irrespective of good faith or bad faith of the prosecution.

Whether the Closing statements by the prosecution were improper conduct, a 6th Amendment violation and a reversible error.

Whether the Commonwealth of Virginia has denied the Petitioner access to the Court and violated the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Whether the Court denied the right to the assistance of, counsel for the defense during all proceedings and violated the 6th Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the imposition of a RACC Stun belt with secret instructions to compel testimony, alter testimony, and remain silent during trial infringed upon and/or violated the Petitioner's rights under the 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, and 14th Amendments

Docket Entries

2018-10-01
Petition DENIED.
2018-08-16
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 9/24/2018.
2018-08-13
Waiver of right of respondent VA DOC to respond filed.
2018-07-31
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due September 7, 2018)

Attorneys

Mark M. Lowe
Mark Madison Lowe — Petitioner
VA DOC
Toby Jay HeytensOffice of the Attorney General, Respondent