Burdix v. United States, 14920.

Decision Date04 June 1956
Docket NumberNo. 14920.,14920.
PartiesEddie L. BURDIX, Appellant, v. UNITED STATES of America, Appellee.
CourtU.S. Court of Appeals — Ninth Circuit

Eddie L. Burdix, Steilacoom, Wash., in pro. per.

Theodore F. Stevens, U. S. Atty., Fairbanks, Alaska, for appellee.

Before LEMMON and FEE, Circuit Judges, and MATHES, District Judge.

Writ of Certiorari Denied June 4, 1956. See 76 S.Ct. 1041.

PER CURIAM.

Appellant was convicted after trial by jury of the offense of possession and sale of narcotics in contravention of the laws of the Territory of Alaska, § 40-3-2, A.C.L.A.1949, and sentenced to a five-year term of imprisonment.

No appeal was taken from the judgment of conviction, but appellant, in custody under the sentence, thereafter filed in the District Court his motion to vacate and set aside the judgment pursuant to 28 U.S.C.A. § 2255.

The District Court denied the motion, and appellant then presented contemporaneous applications to this Court and to the District Court for leave to appeal in forma pauperis from the order of denial. The District Court denied the application, certifying that the appeal was "not taken in good faith." 28 U.S. C.A. § 1915(a). This Court likewise denied the application made here, and has since denied a like petition subsequently filed. Burdix v. United States, Misc.No. 423 (3/21/55)1; id. (12/2/55).

Appellant thereafter presented a two-volume typewritten transcript of the record made upon the trial, and has also filed a "Brief in Support of Appeal," an "Opening Brief" and a "Final Brief." These lay briefs present many and varied criticisms as to the conduct of the trial. We have examined them and the entire record, and find no basis for disturbing the order of the District Court; but to the contrary, we find the record discloses that appellant was fairly tried and convicted.

Nothing further need be said on the merits, other than to recall that § 2255 was not intended to serve as a substitute for an appeal from the judgment of conviction and sentence. United States v. Hayman, 1941, 342 U.S. 205, 219, 72 S.Ct. 263, 96 L.Ed. 232; Hudspeth v. United States, 6 Cir., 1950, 183 F.2d 68, 69; Taylor v. United States, 4 Cir., 1949, 177 F.2d 194, 195.

Appellee has urged us not to consider the appeal on the merits, but to dismiss it on the ground that no formal notice of appeal was ever filed as required by Rule 73(a) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, 28 U.S. C.A. Cf. Fed.R.Crim.P. Rule 37(a) (1), 18 U.S.C.A.

However we deem appellant's timely petition to appeal in forma pauperis, although denied, a compliance in substance, if not in form, with the notice requirement of Rule 73(a). Steffler v. United States, 1943, 319 U.S. 38, 40, 63 S.Ct. 948, 87 L.Ed. 488; Tesciona v. United States, 9 Cir., 1944, 141 F.2d 811; cf. Shannon v. United States, 93 U.S.App.D.C. 4, 206 F.2d 479, 482.

The order of the District Court denying appellant's motion under 28 U.S.C.A. § 2255 is affirmed.

Ancillary to this appeal, appellant...

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  • United States v. Smith
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — District of Vermont
    • January 12, 1962
    ...Vt. 356, 360-361 (1864); Adams v. Field, 21 Vt. 256, 266 (1849). 257 Roth v. Bird, 239 F.2d 257, 259 (5 Cir.1956); Burdix v. United States, 231 F.2d 893, 894 (9 Cir.1956), cert. denied, 351 U.S. 975, 76 S.Ct. 1041, 100 L.Ed. 1492 (1956); Des Isles v. Evans, 225 F.2d 235, 236 (5 Cir.1955); S......
  • Yanow v. Weyerhaeuser Steamship Company
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Ninth Circuit
    • November 12, 1959
    ...to give this court jurisdiction." Blunt v. United States, 100 U.S.App.D.C. 266, 244 F.2d 355, 359. See in accord Burdix v. United States, 9 Cir., 231 F.2d 893, 894; Roth v. Bird, 5 Cir., 239 F.2d 257.12 Our decision in Mondakota Gas Co. v. Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., 194 F.2d 705, 706, is......
  • State v. Brown
    • United States
    • Vermont Supreme Court
    • May 3, 1960
    ...to appeal in forma pauperis constitutes substantial compliance with the notice of appeal requirement under Rule 73. Burdix v. United States, 9 Cir., 1956, 231 F.2d 893, 894, certiorari denied 351 U.S. 975, 76 S.Ct. 1041, 100 L.Ed. 1492; Des Isles v. Evans, 5 Cir., 1955, 225 F.2d 235, 236; S......
  • Black v. United States
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Ninth Circuit
    • August 19, 1959
    ...filed on or prior to September 26, 1957, and therefore satisfies the requirement for timely filing of notice of appeal. Burdix v. United States, 9 Cir., 231 F.2d 893. 3 The fortieth day from November 12, 1957, when the motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis was denied, was December 2......
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