Roda T. Gidey v. Settlement Corp., et al.

Most of the Defendants in interpleader cases in real estate transactions in the District of Columbia are African Americans even though they are only half of the population. Although, interpleader has many ben­ efits, the result has been a failure of due process and equal protection in the District of Columbia. Unlike other surrounding states, in the District of Columbia, interpleader cases with counterclaims, crossclaims and genuine issues are decided by summary judgment, and the Sellers have been forced to accept the settlement terms of the Purchaser and/or the escrow agent or risk summary judgment. The nonconformist position of the D.C. Courts has, thus, created, conflict and confusion in the courts of the entire Eastern Region. The Question Presented is whether the decision of the D.C. Court of Appeals should be reversed and the case remanded because the due process and equal pro­ tection rights of Petitioner were violated.