United States Third Circuit

Conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon after the district court precluded defendant from offering a justification defense is affirmed where defendant did not present evidence that: 1) he was under a present threat of death or bodily harm; 2) there was a direct causal relationship between the criminal act and the avoidance of the threatened harm; or that 3) he had no reasonable legal alternative.

Appellate Information

• Argued 01/28/2008
• Decided 05/20/2008
• Published 05/21/2008

Judges

• Before:  SCIRICA, Chief Judge, RENDELL, Circuit Judge, and THOMPSON, District Judge.

Court

• United States Third Circuit

Counsel

• For Appellant:
  
• Mark D. Mungello, Esquire, (Argued), Philadelphia, PA, Attorney for Appellant.


• For Appellees:
  
• Eric B. Henson, Esquire, (Argued), Joseph A. Labar, Esquire, Robert A. Zauzmer, Esquire, Office of United States Attorney, Philadelphia, PA, Attorneys for Appellee.