I thought of this man.
Richard Frank Plechner – The Charley Project
He was in trouble with the law and didn't show up on August 18, 1975 in court. Could he have taken his own life?
Stats don't fit that much.
United States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. Richard Frank Plechner, Defendant,surety Insurance Company of California, Surety-appellant, 577 F.2d 596 (9th Cir. 1978) case opinion from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
law-justia-com.translate.goog
Defendant Plechner, along with nine others, was charged with violations of 21 USC § 963 (conspiracy to import controlled substances) and 21 USC § 846 (conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute). Bond was set at $10,000. To secure Plechner's release from custody, Appellant Surety Insurance Company of California arranged for a $10,000 appearance guarantee to be filed with the district court.
On June 24, 1975, Plechner appeared before U.S. Magistrate Edward A. Infante, who ordered the defendant to appear for an omnibus hearing on July 10, 1975 before U.S. Magistrate Harry R. McCue. On July 10, 1975, Plechner appeared before Magistrate McCue, who continued the case until August 18, 1975. When Plechner failed to appear on August 18, Magistrate McCue forfeited bail.
On October 7, 1975, the government filed a motion for a default judgment because Plechner had failed to meet the terms of the bond. On December 29, 1976, the appellant filed opposition to the motion, arguing that Plechner was dead and that a magistrate had no authority to forfeit a bond.
