In January 1976, Charles Flynn and five codefendants were indicted for a $4 million heist of the Providence, Rhode Island Bonded Vault Co. that happened on August 14, 1975.

When the defendants were brought to trial in April 1976, their counsel objected to the presence of four uniformed state troopers sitting in the first row of the spectators' section.

"[1] The Superior Court Associate Justice, Anthony A. Giannini responded that Providence's "Committing Squad" was overextended, but accepted a request to determine if the troopers can wear plainclothes for future appearances.

With the respondent's motion struck down, Judge Giannini further declared that all 54 prospective jurors were either not influenced against the defendant despite the troopers' presence, or they vaguely stated a need for security.

Chief Justice Warren Burger concurred with the opinion, but objected to Marshall's statement that the Court might express a preference that federal officers providing security should not be easily identifiable as guards.