This was the question in a recent Second Circuit Court of Appeals case. The defendant was convicted of securities fraud, mail and wire fraud and obstruction of justice, and entered into a negotiated guilty plea to criminal tax charges. Asset forfeiture, a fine, and a restitution order resulted, among other consequences. Bail bond had also been forfeited, due to violations of the bail order. At the time of death, appeals were pending on the criminal convictions.

The case involved the rare application of the abatement ab initio doctrine. This doctrine provides that when a convicted defendant dies while his direct appeal is pending, his death abates not only the appeal but also all proceedings in the prosecution from its inception.The effect is to leave the defendant as if he had never been indicted or convicted. This doctrine is rooted. . .