Hammerle v. United States

PER CURIAM.

Hammerle was charged, with possessing for sale and with selling substances and a formula intended for use in the unlawful manufacture of intoxicating liquor. Section 18, tit. 2, National Prohibition Act (Comp. St. Ann. Supp. 1923, §■ 10138%i). The first count charged possession for sale, and the second charged sale;he was convicted on both.

The indictment is challenged because it does not expressly state that Hammerle had the intent that the things sold should be used in the forbidden way. The indictment says that he possessed and sold these things, “designed and intended for use in unlawful manufacture.” Possibly this language might be satisfied by showing possession by Hammerle but unlawful intent by Ms vendee only; and, while in that event the-defendant could not be convicted, the .result would be because of the proof, and not because of the indictment. A reasonable construction of the language here used indicates that Hammerle had' the unlawful intent, and it was his intent that was submitted to the jury.

The court imposed the maximum punishment on each count. It is said that tMs, makes double punishment for one offense, since the possession was merged in the sale. Reynolds v. U. S. (C. C. A. 6) 280 F. 1. We do not so regard it. The evidence indicates the possession of large quantities of materials intended for this use, in addition to the parcel which was sold and which gave ground for the second count. The verdict of guilty on the first count may well have been based upon evidence of wbat was observed at tbe time of sale, but unnecessary upon tbe second count.

There was substantial evidence to support tbe verdict. It indicated that tbe failure of the first formula sent to the official chemist for trial was due to an omission in copying the formula, which had been given by Hammerle to the purchaser, and not to any omission in the formula thus given.

It is also said that it was error not to return to Hammerle his property which had been seized upon a search warrant. We do not find in the record sufficient basis for this contention. The record purports to show a copy of a search warrant and of the affidavit upon which it was issued, which papers were filed in connection with a motion for the return of the property, made immediately after seizure. No action seems to have been taken thereon. A year later, when the case came on for trial, the bill of exceptions recites that the defendant moved to quash the search warrant in the ease, and that the court sustained the motion, and then that the defendant moved the court to restore the property taken under authority of the search warrant, and that the court denied the motion. The record and briefs leave us in ignorance as to why the search warrant was thought invalid, or why it should be so thought; it does not appear that the things seized upon the search were used in evidence in the trial. Regardless of whether good grounds for return existed, or whether the question of right to return of the seized property could be raised in this way for review in this court (Steele v. U. S. [No. 636] 45 S. Ct. 417, 69 L. Ed. —, April 13, 1925), we consider that it is not so presented by this record as to call for decision.

The other objections made have been considered, but do not require mention.

However, since counsel say that the property which was seized under this search warrant was not, or at least some of it was not, inherently and necessarily, under section 26 of the National Prohibition Act (Comp. St. Ann. Supp. 1923, § 10138%mm), incapable of supporting a property right, we see no reason why at least so much of the property should not be returned, unless the government wishes to condemn, and this affirmance of the judgment in the criminal ease is without prejudice to a renewed motion to return, if such condemnation proceedings are not promptly brought.

The judgment is affirmed.