Why the Circuit President Never Agreed With the Circuit President

Marcus Jones was convicted of being a felon in possession and making false statements to acquire a firearm. At that time 8th Circuit precedent held that the government did not have to prove a defendant's knowledge that he is a convicted felon under the felon and possession statute. Now it turns out the court later says it later says it was wrong and the conduct was not criminal. So like the circuit precedent was wrong and he never argued the circuit he never argued against the circuit president because it was against him.