No. 23-7528

Aaron Matthew Rentfrow v. United States

Lower Court: Fifth Circuit
Docketed: 2024-05-21
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP
Tags: criminal-procedure evidence fair-trial juror-misconduct jury-misconduct prosecutorial-conduct prosecutorial-misconduct sixth-amendment trial-procedure witness-testimony
Latest Conference: 2024-06-13
Question Presented (from Petition)

The district court erred by failing to grant a mistrial. Error in the following
four respects, viewed in aggregate, deprived Mr. Rentfrow of his Sixth
Amendment right to a fair trial:
1) Failing to limit the number of United States Marshals guarding witness
Brandon Fritts;
2) Failing to cure the prejudice caused by Fritts's testimony regarding his risk
of death, based on his cooperation with the prosecution;
3) Admitting photographs of Mr. Czeck because they lacked probative value
and inflamed the jury; and
4) Failing to dismiss the two jurors who discussed the case and their safety
concerns with each other before deliberations began.

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the district court erred in failing to grant a mistrial

Docket Entries

2024-06-17
Petition DENIED.
2024-05-29
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 6/13/2024.
2024-05-23
Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
2024-05-17
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due June 20, 2024)

Attorneys

Aaron Matthew Rentfrow
Thomas C. TurnerOffice of the Federal Public Defender, Petitioner
United States
Elizabeth B. PrelogarSolicitor General, Respondent