Fahlen V. Mounsey

John Blake Mounsey challenges the validity of a directed verdict in a civil assault action, which was based solely upon his third degree rape conviction, from which the federal District Court granted habeas corpus relief. He claims the verdict should be reversed because (1) the federal court grant of habeas relief voids the civil judgment, and (2) it is improper to give collateral estoppel effect to proceedings which denied him a full and fair opportunity to defend himself. We reverse.