Israel v. United States , 3 Ohio Law. Abs. 416 ( 1925 )

KNAPPEN, C. J.

Charles Israel and Morris Sussman were convicted of conspiracy to conceal goods belonging to Israel’s bankrupt estate, from the trustee in bankruptcy. The government introduced evidence which tended to show that Israel had shipped goods to Sussman in another state, and charged that Israel had made fictitious entries in his books so as to explain away the missing goods and merchandise. Demurrers and a motion to quash the indictment were overruled as was also a motion by Israel for a directed verdict, and in the District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Israel was convicted of the crime charged in the indictment.

Error was prosecuted and Israel contended that the Court erred in excluding evidence, that his wife was not permitted to testify, which was error; and the court, in making remarks to the jury about the desirability of a verdict and his disfavor of disagreements. It was also contended that Sussman not being a bankrupt could not violate the Bankruptcy Act as charged. The U. S. Appeals held:

1. The rejection of testimony showing that Sussman has instituted a replevin suit was not prejudicial as it was not shown to be material.

2. The testimony of Israel’s wife was rejected as incompetent. It was urged that she testified for Israel’s co-defendants. The rejection was proper for the wife of one of several defendants is not a competent witness for the defense in a criminal trial.

3. The court’s remarks relating to the undesirability of a disagreement and the desirability of a verdict was well within the judicial discretion of the trial judge.

4. A person may be guilty of conspiring to commit, although incapable of committing the substantive offense. Therefore, Sussman was guilty of conspiracy even though he himself was not bankrupt. Judgment of the District Court is affirmed.