Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Julia had done most of the work on the written brief to the Court and, as usual, had done an excellent job. Written arguments by both sides had been filed on an expedited schedule because, for better or worse, Blackstone had filed a demand for speedy trial in Vinnie’s case. Now, oral arguments were only two days away. The file on United States v. Vinnie Archmont was spread out on a side table next to Blackstone’s desk. On top was a manila envelope with a warning in large bold lettering, taped onto the outside of the envelope. It read, WARNING! CONTENTS ARE PROHIBITED FROM BEING VIEWED BY ANYONE OTHER THAN J.D. BLACKSTONE PURSUANT TO AN ORDER OF THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT This was the central issue in Blackstone’s appeal. The defense was arguing that the trial judge had erred when he granted the government’s motion to seal off any viewing of the note of Horace Langley, likely the last thing the man ever wrote before his murder, from everyone on the defense side except Blackstone himself.
