United States v. Webster Williams

Webster Williams appeals from a judgment of conviction of the robbery of a branch of California Savings and Loan Association in Fremont, California (the Association) in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2113 (a). We affirm.

I. The Facts.

Williams does not argue that the evidence does not support the conviction. We therefore state the facts only briefly. Additional facts will be stated as we consider the points argued by Williams’ counsel on this appeal.

In mid-afternoon on November 20, 1978, two employees were alone in the office of the Association — Diane Dunn, an assistant manager, and Monica Scott, a teller. Two people, later identified by the bank employees as Donna Dyer, a black woman, and Williams, a black man, entered the office. The woman discussed opening a savings account with Scott, while the man went upstairs, where he surprised Dunn. Grabbing Dunn’s arm, he lifted his coat revealing what appeared to be a bomb. He forced her downstairs where he announced that a robbery was taking place. He then began stuffing money into a tan purse carried by the woman. The two robbers were in the bank for approximately 20 minutes. Finally they locked Dunn and Scott in the vault and…