United States v. Martinez
United States v. Martinez
Opinion of the Court
delivered tbe following opinion:
Tbe question presented for decision at this time in tbe above-entitled case is whether tbe second amended motion filed by tbe counsel for the defendant for tbe return of certain liquors should be granted or denied. Tbe verified statements by tbe defendant, and which have not' been refuted by tbe United States, set forth that tbe liquors in question were seized on or about January 25, 1922, from certain premises in tbe city of Caguas,. Porto Rico, not owned by tbe defendant, but which were occupied by him as bis private dwelling.
I would be strongly inclined to follow tbe ruling of Judge Garvin except for tbe fact that in bis reference to tbe Giles Case be points out that there is nothing in tbe record of that case to indicate that tbe point raised before himself, Judge Garvin, was submitted to tbe court of appeals at Boston for determination, and therefore be concludes that that- case cannot be regarded as controlling authority. ....
Tbe writer of this opinion has himself found two recent decisions by Mr. District Judge Brewster, sitting in tbe Federal court in Massachusetts. Both are dated April 6, 1923. One is the case of United States v. Vigneaux, reported in 288 Fed. 977; the other is tbe case of United States v. Sievers, reported in 292 Fed. 394.
Judge Brewster distinctly bolds in tbe first case that a person from whose private dwelling liquor was seized and taken under an illegal search warrant is entitled to a return of the same, and be is not required under tbe National Prohibition Act to assume tbe burden of proving that bis possession of tbe liquor was lawful. Judge Brewster points out, that, while there is a conflict of opinion on this point, be would be running
Turning to the other decision by Judge Brewster in the Sievers Case, it seems that there was a building, most of which was used as a hotel, but in this building there was a suite which was used and occupied by Sievers, not transiently but solely as a residence, and therefore this suite constituted the private dwelling of Sievers. There was a warrant issued which authorized search of the hotel only; but the officers executing this warrant seized liquor from the suite of Sievers, and the liquor was ordered returned by Judge Brewster.
The conclusion is irresistible to my mind, that, inasmuch as Judge Brown and Judge Brewster are district judges sitting in the first circuit, and Porto Bico is attached to the first circuit, these two judges must be in a better position to estimate the force and value of the doctrines laid down by the circuit court of appeals in the Giles Case than Mr. Justice Garvin, sitting in the second circuit, could be able to do. I therefore feel that I must follow the rule as laid down by Judges Brown and Brewster, and disregard the rule as laid down by Judge Garvin. It is hoped that this decision will be reviewed by the United States district attorney, in order that
The motion for tbe return of tbe liquor in question is granted, and to this ruling tbe attorney for tbe United States excepts.
Done and Ordered in open court at San Juan, Porto Pico, this 3d day of January, 1924.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Plff. v. ULISES MARTINEZ, Dft.
- Status
- Published