United States v. White, 15714.

Decision Date22 December 1966
Docket NumberNo. 15714.,15714.
Citation370 F.2d 559
PartiesUNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Walter WHITE, Defendant-Appellant.
CourtU.S. Court of Appeals — Seventh Circuit

Sam Adam, Chicago, Ill., for appellant.

Edward V. Hanrahan, U. S. Atty., Lawrence Jay Weiner, Asst. U. S. Atty., Chicago, Ill., for appellee, John Peter Lulinski, Asst. U. S. Atty., of counsel.

Before HASTINGS, Chief Judge, and KILEY and CUMMINGS, Circuit Judges.

KILEY, Circuit Judge.

This appeal from White's conviction under four counts of an indictment charging violations of narcotics laws presents the single question: whether the district court abused its discretion in denying part of White's motion for a bill of particulars. We affirm the conviction.

Counts 1 and 3 of the indictment charged White with unlawful sale of narcotics in violation of 26 U.S.C. § 4705 (a) (1964). Counts 2 and 4 charged him with violation of knowingly receiving, etc., in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 174 (1964). With respect to Counts 1 and 3, White's motion sought particulars as to the "time of day and place" the alleged sales took place and whether the charge was that the narcotics referred to were "sold, bartered, exchanged or given away." With respect to Counts 2 and 4 the particulars sought were "the approximate time and place, designating same by street and number, if possible," the "name and address" of the persons to whom White was alleged to have sold narcotics and the "name and address" of the person from whom he was alleged to have purchased narcotics.

The district court denied the motion for the particulars except as to the "names only" of the persons to whom White is alleged in Counts 2 and 4 to have sold narcotics. The case went to trial and White was convicted. He contends the ruling on his motion was an abuse of discretion.

White has pointed out no prejudice at his trial by virtue of the ruling but contends that no such showing is necessary in view of the recent trend toward broadened discovery in criminal cases. Although Fed.R. Crim.P. 7(f) no longer requires that the defendant show "cause" in support of his motion for a bill of particulars before his trial, this amendment is no authority for White's contention on appeal.1

In each case cited by White the court reviewed the discretionary action of the trial judge only upon a showing of prejudice, either that the defendant was surprised by evidence he was unprepared to meet or that he was...

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11 cases
  • State v. Marti
    • United States
    • Iowa Supreme Court
    • March 19, 1980
    ...551 F.2d 967, 970 (5th Cir. 1977) (dictum); United States v. Dulin, 410 F.2d 363, 364 (4th Cir. 1969) (per curiam); United States v. White, 370 F.2d 559 (7th Cir. 1966); United States v. Kushner, 135 F.2d 668, 673 (2nd Cir.), cert. denied, 320 U.S. 212, 63 S.Ct. 1449, 87 L.Ed. 1850 (1943); ......
  • Tillman v. United States
    • United States
    • U.S. Court of Appeals — Fifth Circuit
    • March 10, 1969
    ...reversals of the trial court on this issue are rare. See, e. g., Roberson v. United States, 5 Cir., 1956, 237 F.2d 536; United States v. White, 7 Cir., 1966, 370 F.2d 559; United States v. Doyle, 7 Cir., 1956, 234 F.2d 788; Jencks v. United States, 5 Cir., 1955, 226 F.2d 540. Thus, since th......
  • Will v. United States
    • United States
    • U.S. Supreme Court
    • November 13, 1967
    ...of particulars, where this information is necessary or useful in the defendant's preparation for trial. See, e.g., United States v. White, 370 F.2d 559 (7th Cir. 1966). See also United States v. Debrow, 346 U.S. 374, 378, 74 S.Ct. 113, 115, 98 L.Ed. 92 The Government seeks instead to justif......
  • U.S. v. Johnson
    • United States
    • U.S. District Court — Northern District of Iowa
    • June 21, 2002
    ...of particulars, where this information is necessary or useful in the defendant's preparation for trial. See, e.g., United States v. White, 370 F.2d 559 (7th Cir.1966). See also United States v. Debrow, 346 U.S. 374, 378, 74 S.Ct. 113, 98 L.Ed. 92 Will v. United States, 389 U.S. 90, 98-99, 8......
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