United States v. Wendell Woods

OVERVIEW AND JURISDICTION

Wendell Woods appeals the district court’s order revoking his conditional release pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 4246 (f). The district court had jurisdiction under 18 U.S.C. §§ 3231 , 4246(f). This court has jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291 . We reverse.

BACKGROUND

On November 5, 1979, Mr. Woods was sentenced to twelve years imprisonment for bank robbery. While in prison, Mr. Woods was diagnosed with a mental impairment. He spent the next eight years shuttling between penitentiaries and medical centers. On February 26, 1987, he was transferred to the Federal Medical Center at Rochester, Minnesota.

In anticipation of Mr. Woods’ release from custody, the district court for the District of Minnesota (“Minnesota district court”) held a hearing to determine whether Mr. Woods posed a threat to society. On September 29, 1987, the Minnesota district court found that Mr. Woods was suffering from a mental disease or defect which would create a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person or serious damage to the property of another if he were released from the Rochester facility. As a result, the Minnesota district court ordered that Mr. Woods remain…