Document: 361 U.S. 212 80 S.Ct. 270 4 L.Ed.2d 252 Nicholas A. STIRONE, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES. No. 35. Argued Nov. 9, 10, 1959. Decided Jan. 11, 1960. Mr. Michael von Moschzisker, Philadelphia, Pa., for petitioner. Wayne G. Barnett, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion of Court. 1 Petitioner Stirone was indicted and convicted in a federal court unlawfully interfering with interstate commerce violation Hobbs Act.1 The crucial question here is whether he an offense not charged indictment. 2 So far as relevant to this indictment following: 3 From 1951 until 1953, man by name William Rider had contract supply ready-mixed concrete from his plant Pennsylvania be used erection steel-processing at Allenport, Pennsylvania. For purpose performing 'caused supplies materials (sand) move between various points United States site manufacture or mixing ready mixed concrete, more particularly, outside State into Pennsylvania.' 5 went on charge that Stirone, using influential union position, 6 'did * obstruct, delay (and) affect several states movement aforesaid such commerce, extortion $31,274.13 induced fear wrongful use threats labor disputes loss of, obstruction prevention performance concrete.' 7 district judge, over petitioner's objection its materiality relevancy, permitted Government offer evidence effect only sand brought other but also interference steel shipments Michigan Kentucky. Again trial judge jury so aspect case concerned, Stirone's guilt could rested either finding (1) make 'had been shipped another state Pennsylvania' (2) 'Mr. Rider's constructing mill which would articles *' States. On motion petitioner arrest judgment, acquittal new trial, District Court held 'A sufficient foundation introduction both kinds proof laid indictment.' 168 F.Supp. 490, 495. Appeals affirmed, all judges agreeing movements barred Act. Cir., 262 F.2d 571. Judge Hastie Chief Biggs disagreed court's holding tried possible future 578, 580. They were no any event it unreasonable extension Act out merely because supplying build after construction will produce steel, part may, if processed, commerce. 8 We agree dependence carry business entitled him Act's protection against interruption stoppage kind found committed here. That speaks broad language, manifesting constitutional power Congress has punish extortion, robbery physical violence. outlaws 'in way degree.' 18 U.S.C. § 1951(a), U.S.C.A. 1951(a). Had hindred destroyed, have slackened stopped. find saved blockage compliance coercive illegal demands. It free destructive burdens passed. v. Green, 350 415, 420, 76 522, 525, 100 L.Ed. 494. 9 Whether prospective mills enough, alone, bring transaction under difficult question. need decide this, however, since we dissenting error submit cannot dismissed insignificant variance allegation thus harmless Berger States, 295 U.S.78, 55 629, 79 1314. crime felony Fifth Amendment requires prosecution begun 10 Ever Ex parte Bain, 121 1, 781, 30 849, decided 1887, rule returned charges may broadened through amendment except grand itself. In case, ordered some specific allegations stricken Bain might without those particular allegations.2 done, Miller, speaking Court, said: 11 'If lies within province change charging suit own notions what ought been, probably made their attention called suggested changes, great importance common law attaches jury, prerequisite prisoner's crime, constitution says 'no person shall answer,' frittered away value almost destroyed.' 786. 12 hold Bain: 'that changed longer who presented it. Any doctrine place rights citizen, intended protected provision, mercy control prosecuting attorney *.' 13, 787. 13 never disapproved, stands permit defendant are him. See Norris, 281 619, 622, 50 424, 425, 74 1076; Cf. Clyatt 197 207, 219, 220, 25 429, 431, 432, 49 726. Yet did case. fairly read nor does appear satisfied conduct interfered importation sand. But neither can know willing interfere exportation later built concrete. And said certainty basis conviction added, solely returned. Although formal indictment, same. addition exports trivial, useless, innocuous. Compare Ford 273 593, 602, 47 531, 534, 71 793; Goto Lane, 265 393, 402, 44 527, 68 1070. While there sense variation pleading proof, destroyed defendant's substantial right jury. Deprivation basic too serious treated nothing than then error. 78, very requirement limit jeopardy offenses group fellow citizens acting independently judge.3 Thus designed afford defeated device method subjects charge. 14 Here, two essential elements crime: extortion. Both charged. Neither surplusage surplusage. affected critical Federal Government's jurisdiction rests interference. follows when one burdened must rest another, even though assumed drawn general terms upon showing burdened. judgment taken amendment. included nonexistent with. admission If so, This fatal Cole Arkansas, 333 196, 514, 92 644; De Jonge Oregon, 299 353, 57 255, 81 278. 15 Reversed. 62 Stat. 793, 1951, 1951. '(a) Whoever degree obstructs, delays, affects article commodity attempts conspires do, commits threatens violence property furtherance plan do anything section fined $10,000 imprisoned twenty years, both. '(b) As section— '(2) term 'extortion' means obtaining consent, actual threatened force, violence, fear, color official right.' making false statement 'with intent deceive Comptroller Currency agent appointed examine affairs association After sustaining demurrers say 'thereupon, counsel, orders amended striking words 'the and' therein contained.' By deceived 'Yet institution (the jury) adopted country, continued considerations similar give chief England, means, bringing persons accused public just grounds, protecting citizen unfounded accusation, comes government, prompted partisan passion private enmity. No required, according fundamental cases mentioned, answer higher crimes unless body, consisting less sixteen twenty-three good lawful men, selected body district, declare, careful deliberation, solemnity oath, reason accusation trial.' 786, 849. Costello 359, 362, 363, note 6, 406, 408, 397.

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