United States v. Velma Lee Shuey

Appellant was convicted in a jury trial on an indictment charging her with: (1) interstate travel or use of any facility of interstate commerce with intent to conduct an unlawful activity in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1952 [four counts]; (2) knowingly causing a woman to move in interstate commerce for purposes of prostitution in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2422 [three counts].

EVIDENCE

Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, there is no doubt but that appellant, during the period in question, was engaged in the operation of massage parlors in Texas and Hawaii and that she caused women to be transported from Texas to Hawaii for employment as prostitutes.

ISSUES

I. Was it reversible error for the district court to deny appellant’s motion for a continuance and to deny her attorney’s motion to withdraw?'

II. Was representation of appellant by her counsel so inadequate as to amount to a denial of a fair trial?

III. Was alleged “fruit of the poisonous tree” evidence used in a manner which violated appellant’s rights?

I.

On May 5, 1975, the day before the trial, appellant’s attorney sought to withdraw and appellant requested a continuance. By that…