Douglas Cecil Johnson v. United States

By reason of its particular facts, we believe it proper to remand this case to the district court for purposes of holding a hearing. If the district court finds that appellant did not voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently execute the election not to commence service of his sentence, or did not realize the effects of such election, then his application to the district court to reduce his sentence to the extent that may be proper should be granted.

Rule 38(a) of the Rules of Criminal Procedure was amended subsequent to the time of appellant’s conviction and to his election to commence the service of his sentence. That amendment eliminates the election not to commence service of sentence. The Supreme Court provided that such amendment “shall take effect on July 1, 1966, and shall govern all criminal proceedings thereafter commenced and so far as just, and practicable all proceedings then pending.” 383 U.S. 1089 . If the district court is unable to make the finding mentioned above, it may if it deems appropriate under all the circumstances, consider whether it would be “just and practicable” to give consideration to this amendment insofar as it applies to appellant’s…