United States v. Lamar Adams, United States of America v. James Lee Pinkerton

Adams and Pinkerton appeal their convictions for conspiracy, assault with intent to rob, robbery, and murder. 18 U.S.C. §§ 2 , 371, 1111, 1114, 2114. Pinkerton contends he was improperly joined for trial. Adams appeals on that ground and others.

1. FACTS

In mid-September, 1976, Ward, Adams, and Pinkerton, a postal employee then suspended without pay, agreed to undertake a postal robbery. In the succeeding four months, the trio staged a series of attempt ed armed robberies utilizing Pinkerton’s knowledge of local postal routes. Their one “success” resulted in the death of a postal employee.

On September 28 Pinkerton drove Adams and Ward to an alley he knew to be the last leg of a postal route. Adams and Ward feigned a scuffle to cause the driver to slow his truck. As the vehicle neared, Ward attempted to grab its ignition key, and Adams drew his gun. Ward restrained Adams and the postal employee drove away unharmed.

On October 18, the three drove to the Lennox Post Office, where Pinkerton, dressed in his postal uniform, stopped a post office truck by requesting a ride to the main terminal. Solat, the driver, knew Pinkerton and agreed to give him the ride. Pinkerton and Adams…