United States v. Roy Dennis McKenzie

Appellant was convicted of refusal to submit to induction into the armed forces, a violation of 50 U.S.C.App. § 462. He challenges his final I-A classification given by the local board after he had ceased to qualify for the II-S student deferment he had theretofore enjoyed. An unsuccessful appeal from this classification was taken by appellant.

Three years earlier he had filed a claim for a 1-0 (conscientious objector) classification which was rejected by the local board. Instead of taking an appeal at that time, he sought and was granted his II-S deferment. Appellant’s selective service file does not indicate whether, on expiration of his deferment, his earlier 1-0 claim had been reconsidered by the local board (he did not request reconsideration). Nor does the file disclose whether the appeal board considered his earlier claim or, if it did, the grounds on which it was rejected.

It appears, however, that prior to classifying appellant I-A the local board was notified that appellant had applied for a naval commission. Pending appeal, and prior to further review by the local board, his file showed that he also sought air force enlistment. The only rational conclusion to be drawn…