Opinion ID: 285721
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Insufficiency of the Evidence as to Count I

Text: 46 Appellants urge that the conspiracy count conviction should be reversed because of insufficiency of the evidence, and error in instructions. 47 The alleged error as to instructions is based on the failure of the instruction given (Mathes and Devitts, § 25.08, enumerating four essential elements of the conspiracy charged) to refer to specific knowledge of illegal importation. (R.T. 542.) Appellants, to establish this error, rely upon United States v. Massiah, 307 F.2d 62, 70-71 (2d Cir. 1962), rev'd on other grounds, 377 U.S. 201, 84 S.Ct. 1199, 12 L.Ed.2d 246 (1964). 48 There were two major questions raised in United States v. Massiah — (1) the admissibility of testimony obtained by eavesdropping after indictment and (2) the sufficiency of the instructions to the jury concerning the necessity, under 21 U.S.C. §§ 173 and 174, that the conspirators have knowledge of illegal importation. The Supreme Court reversed on the first ground, and did not consider the second. 49 The Second Circuit's reversal of the trial judge on both counts was by a split court. Chief Judge Lumbard thought the instructions given were sufficient; Judges Hays and Waterman did not. The reasons given by Judge Hays were: (1) the trial judge's erroneous statement that the conspiracy was charged under the general conspiracy statute, 18 U.S.C. § 371, rather than the conspiracy clauses of 21 U.S.C.A. § 174. 307 F.2d at 70 (2) The trial judge failed at any point in his charge on the conspiracy count to instruct the jury that knowledge of illegal importation was a necessary element of the conspiracy. (Emphasis in original.) 50