Supreme Court refuses to reinstate case of man who went missing

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bobby Chen’s legal luck has finally run out.

The Supreme Court on Monday refused to reinstate Chen’s appeal in a legal dispute with the city of Baltimore.

Chen beat long odds last year when he convinced the court — without the help of an attorney — to hear his case. But then he disappeared for two months and court officials couldn’t reach him. The court dismissed the case last month after he missed a filing deadline.

Chen later re-emerged with a high-powered lawyer who said his client was traveling, experienced a slip-and-fall injury, and was unaware his case had been granted.

But the court declined to give him a second chance.

Chen had been fighting Baltimore officials for years, claiming the city illegally demolished his row house.