Opinion ID: 712236
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Forfeiture Case

Text: 6 The government recorded notice of lis pendens against the real property in March, 1992. The government filed a forfeiture action on July 8, 1992, after obtaining judgment in the criminal trial but before sentencing. Contending that the property was connected with the sale and distribution of controlled substances under 21 U.S.C. § 881(a)(6) and (a)(7), 1 the government sought forfeiture of the following: 7 (1) The May home at 1277 South Memphis in Aurora, Colorado, jointly owned by Mr. and Mrs. May. 8 (2) The business property, Units 9 and 10 at 9844 South Titan Court in Littleton. Mr. and Mrs. May jointly owned Unit 10. Unit 9 was purchased with marital funds but was titled in Philip's name only. 9 (3) The $13,050 in cash that Philip had with him when he was arrested. 10 (4) The $2,800 in cash found in the May home. 11 Philip May, Frances May, and their son Eric filed claims to the property. 12 Before trial, Mr. May filed two pro se motions to suppress evidence found in his home and business property, arguing that he was unable to stop the searches as promised once the police took him from the search sites. The court denied the motions. 13 The government then moved for summary judgment as to all the property. Frances May opposed the motion, alleging that she was an innocent owner, and filed her own motion for summary judgment as to her claimed share of all the above items. Philip May also opposed the government's motion, arguing that Unit 10 was not forfeitable, and that forfeiture in addition to his criminal penalties would constitute excessive punishment under the Eighth Amendment. On April 27, 1994, the district court granted summary judgment for the government as to all the property listed above. Mr. May filed a notice of appeal on June 17, 1994. Mr. May later filed a supplemental brief in which he argued for the first time in the litigation that the civil forfeiture proceeding constituted double jeopardy.