United States v. One 6.5 mm. Mannlicher-Carcano Military Rifle
United States v. One 6.5 mm. Mannlicher-Carcano Military Rifle
Opinion of the Court
This action was commenced by the United States on September 10, 1965, by the filing of a libel of information
Thereafter, on November 1, 1966, the Attorney General, acting under the authority provided by Public Law 89-318, 79 Stat. 1185, published his determination that the various items considered by the Warren Commission, including the weapons which were the subject of the forfeiture proceeding, should be acquired by the United States. Upon the publication of the Attorney General’s determination, “all rights, title, and interest in and to” the weapons “vested in the United States.” Section 2(b), Public Law 89-318, 79 Stat. 1185.
On October 27, 1967, appellant King filed a suit predicated upon Public Law 89-318 against the Government in the United States District Court for the District of Colorado seeking just compensation for the two weapons acquired by the United States. That action is presently pending.
Then, on February 19, 1968, appellant filed a motion in the court below praying that a judgment be entered “as of August 23, 1966”
Appellant relies primarily upon 28 U.S.C. § 2465,
We also reject appellant’s contention that the court below had already determined all facts necessary to determine ownership of the weapons by virtue of the stipulations entered in the forfeiture proceeding and the corollary contention that an adjudication of ownership in the Colorado court would constitute duplicitous litigation. The sole issue involved in the court below was the validity of the in rem proceedings, i. e., whether Oswald’s conduct violated the Federal Firearms Act. The court expressly stated that the stipulated facts were “for the purpose of the above-shown action and for no other purpose, even though the parties thereto may be identical * * * ” 250 F.Supp. at 415. Appellant was not entitled to have the court below render a judgment on unconsidered, undecided issues in order that he might assert its application ■ in the compensation proceedings.
Finally, appellant contends that his prayer for delivery of the weapons constitutes a counterclaim, and, therefore, the dismissal of the libel contravenes Rule 41.
Affirmed.
APPENDIX
RULES OF THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT
RULE 17
DOCKET CONTROL
In the interest of docket control, the chief judge may from time to time, in his discretion, appoint a panel or panels to review pending cases for'appropriate assignment or disposition under Rules 18, 19 or 20 or any other rule of this court.
RULE 18
SUMMARY CALENDAR
(a) Whenever the court, sua sponte or on suggestion of a party, concludes that a case is of such character as not to justify oral argument, the case may be placed on the summary calendar.
(2) A separate summary calendar will be maintained for those cases to be considered without oral argument. Cases will be placed on the summary calendar by the clerk, pursuant to directions from the court.
(c) Notice in writing shall be given to the parties or their counsel of the transfer of the case to the summary calendar.
MOTION TO DISMISS OR AFFIRM
Within fifteen days after the appeal has been docketed in this court, the ap-pellee may file a motion to dismiss or a motion to affirm. Where appropriate, a motion to affirm may be united in the alternative with a motion to dismiss. The fifteen day provision may be waived by the court on proper showing of reasonable excuse for delay in filing a motion to dismiss or affirm, upon such terms and conditions as the court may prescribe, or such waiver may be granted sua sponte on the part of the court.
(a) The court will receive a motion to dismiss any appeal on the ground, that the appeal is not within the jurisdiction of this court.
(b) The court will receive a motion to affirm the judgment sought to be reviewed on the ground that it is manifest that the questions on which the decision of the cause depends are so unsubstantial as not to need further argument.
The motion to dismiss or affirm shall be filed with the clerk in conformity with Rule 27 of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure.
The appellant shall have ten days from the date of receipt of the motion to dismiss or affirm within which to file a response opposing the motion. Such response may be typewritten and four copies, with proof of service, shall be filed with the clerk. Upon the filing of such response, or the expiration of the time allowed therefor, or express waiver of the right to file, the record on appeal, motion and response shall be distributed by the clerk to the court for its consideration.
After consideration of the papers distributed pursuant to the foregoing paragraph the court will enter an appropriate order.
The time for filing briefs pursuant to Rule 31 of the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure shall not be tolled or extended by the filing of a motion to dismiss or affirm.
RULE 20
FRIVOLOUS AND UNMERI-TORIOUS APPEALS
If upon the hearing of any interlocutory motion or as a result of a review under Rule 17, it shall appear to the court that the appeal is frivolous and entirely without merit, the appeal will be dismissed without the notice contemplated in Rules 18 and 19.
. That is the date on which the mandate of this Court reversing the order of forfeiture was filed, in the court below.
. In order to establish a docket control procedure, the Fifth Circuit adopted new Rules 17-20 on December 6, 1968. All four of these new rules are reproduced in the Appendix to this opinion. For a general discussion of the need for and propriety of summary review of certain appeals, see Groendyke Transport, Inc. v. Davis, 5th Cir. 1969, 406 F.2d 1158 [January 2, 1969]. For cases heretofore placed on summary calendar, see Wittner v. United States of America, 5th Cir. 1969, 406 F.2d 1165, and United States of America v. One Olivetti Electric 10-Key Adding Machine, etc., 5th Cir. 1969, 406 F.2d 1167.
. “Upon the entry of judgment for the claimant in any proceeding to condemn or forfeit property seized under any Act of Congress, such property shall be returned forthwith to the claimant or his agent * * *.” 28 U.S.C. § 2465.
. Rule 41(a) (2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure provides in pertinent part:
“If a counterclaim has been pleaded by a defendant prior to the service upon him of the plaintiff’s motion to dismiss, the action shall not be dismissed against the defendant’s objection unless the counterclaim can remain pending for independent adjudication by the court.”
Reference
- Full Case Name
- United States v. ONE 6.5 MM. MANNLICHER-CARCANO MILITARY RIFLE, Model 91-38, Serial No. C2766, with appurtenances, and One .38 Special S&W Victory Model Revolver, Serial No. V510210, with appurtenances
- Cited By
- 11 cases
- Status
- Published