Kelley v. United States

Decision Date11 February 1960
Docket NumberNo. 15249.,15249.
PartiesMarie A. KELLEY, Appellant, v. UNITED STATES of America, Appellee.
CourtU.S. Court of Appeals — District of Columbia Circuit

Mr. Murray Preston (appointed by the District Court), Washington, D. C., for appellant.

Mr. Richard H. Mayfield, Washington, D. C., also entered an appearance for appellant.

Mr. Arthur J. McLaughlin, Asst. U. S. Atty., with whom Messrs. Oliver Gasch, U. S. Atty., and Carl W. Belcher, Asst. U. S. Atty., were on the brief, for appellee.

Before WASHINGTON, DANAHER and BURGER, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM.

This appellant was charged with violation of the federal narcotics statutes, the first count being based upon 26 U.S.C. § 4705(a), the second upon 26 U.S.C. § 4704(a) and the third upon 21 U.S.C.A. § 174.1 She was acquitted as to the third count but was convicted and sentenced to serve five years on the first count and to serve twenty months to five years on the second count. This appeal followed.

We are satisfied that there was no error in the trial leading to the conviction on the second count. That judgment is therefore affirmed.

As to the first count (selling narcotics), the Government offered evidence that the appellant was asked by a plainclothes policeman to purchase narcotics for him; that he gave her money; that she went to a certain house where a seller of drugs was said to live; and that she later handed the officer a packet containing drugs. With the case in that posture, it became essential that the jury be instructed as to the elements necessary to establish a sale by the appellant.2 No such instruction was given. On that ground and without reaching other points raised, we hold that the court erred in failing to grant appellant's timely motion for a new trial.

Affirmed as to the second count. Reversed as to the first count.

2 No evidence was offered that appellant had bartered, exchanged, or given away narcotic drugs. Cf. 26 U.S.C. § 4705(a) (1958).

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  • People v. Roche
    • United States
    • New York Court of Appeals Court of Appeals
    • 15 Junio 1978
    ...259, revg. on dissent at 49 A.D.2d 656, 657; Lewis v. United States, 119 U.S.App.D.C. 145, 337 F.2d 541, Supra; Kelley v. United States, 107 U.S.App.D.C. 122, 275 F.2d 10; cf. People v. Henderson, 41 N.Y.2d 233, 391 N.Y.S.2d 563, 359 N.E.2d Applying that yardstick here, it is apparent that ......
  • State v. Williams
    • United States
    • New Jersey Superior Court — Appellate Division
    • 11 Junio 1974
    ...constitute two different crimes under statutes prohibiting sale and possession of poisons or drugs.' Cf. Kelley v. United States, 107 U.S.App.D.C. 122, 275 F.2d 10 (1960); Torres Martinez v. United States, 220 F.2d 740 (1st Cir. Both New Jersey and Georgia have adopted a similar rule. In St......
  • Robinson v. United States
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — District of Columbia Circuit
    • 3 Enero 1972
    ...States, 357 U.S. 386, 388, 78 S.Ct. 1280, 2 L.Ed.2d 1405 (1958); Kelley v. United States, 357 U.S. 386, 388, 78 S.Ct. 1280, 2 275 F.2d 10, 11 n. 1 (1960). See also Harris v. United States, 359 U.S. 19, 22-24, 79 S.Ct. 560, 3 L.Ed.2d 597 (1959); Blockburger v. United States, 284 U.S. 299, 30......
  • State v. Cameron
    • United States
    • North Carolina Supreme Court
    • 11 Abril 1973
    ...constitute two different crimes under statutes prohibiting sale and possession of poisons or drugs.' Cf. Kelley v. United States, 107 U.S.App.D.C. 122, 275 F.2d 10 (1960); Torres Martinez v. United States, 220 F.2d 740 (1st Cir. Both New Jersey and Georgia have adopted a similar rule. In St......
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