State v. Miller
State v. Miller
Opinion of the Court
These are rules to show cause why certiorari should not issue to bring into this court indictments found by the grand jury of Ocean county at the April term, 1930, of the Court of Oyer and Terminer, for the indicated purpose of reviewing the action of the trial court in respect thereto.
There are five indictments against the same defendant, the first (No. 284) charging that on October 14th, 1928, the defendant, Miller, while being a county investigator and detective of Ocean county and holding an office of trust and profit under the authority of the state, did embezzle and fraudulently convert to his own use, $125 committed to his keeping, with intent to defraud the State of New Jersey, &c. This, as well as the other four indictments against the defendant, was found after the reinstatement of the grand jury, but before the expiration of the April term, like some of the indictments considered in State v. Newmark, of the present term of this court. On September 3d, 1930, the defendant withdrew his plea of not guilty and moved to quash the indictment upon the alleged ground that it failed to state the name of the owner of the property alleged to have been embezzled, or that the name of the owner was unknown. This motion was denied. On September 4th he filed a plea, like the others in these Miller cases, relying upon the alleged illegality of the indictment because of the previous discharge and reinstatement of the grand jury, which contention we have held in State v. Newmark is without merit. That plea
Neither should the action of the court below in refusing the motion to quash the indictment, induce this court in this proceeding to award the writ now applied for. The defendant should go to trial, and if convicted, review by writ of error, if he desires to do so, the judgment, including the question of the sufficiency of the indictment.
The indictment in No. 282 alleges that on October 14th, 1928, while holding an office of trust and profit under the authority of this state, the defendant did embezzle $125 with intent to defraud the county of Ocean, &c.
The indictment in No. 285 charges that the defendant on December 2d, 1928, being a special officer for the protection, arrest, indictment and conviction of offenders, and charged with the duty of exercising all proper, reasonable and effective means for preserving public peace, suppressing disorderly houses, and enforcing the laws, was guilty of malfeasance in that particular, &c.
The indictment in No. 286 charges the defendant with having, while being the servant or agent of James Mercer Davis,
The indictment in No. 283 charges defendant with being, on October 14th, 1928, the servant or agent of James Mercer Davis, prosecutor of the pleas of Ocean county, and as such being entrusted with the care and custody of certain moneys that came into Davis5 possession as such prosecutor and contained in slot machines that had been lawfully seized and taken possession of by said Davis, and with unlawfully and fraudulently embezzling and converting to his own use $125 contained in said slot machines, &c.
The conclusions which we have reached with respect to the first ease herein considered (No. 284) in effect dispose of cases Nos. 282, 283, 285 and 286 herein mentioned.
The writs of certiorari applied for will be denied and the several rules to show cause discharged.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- STATE OF NEW JERSEY v. ALEXANDER J. MILLER, PROSECUTOR
- Status
- Published