Document: 371 U.S. 62 83 S.Ct. 111 9 L.Ed.2d 26 Edward J. WETZELv.OHIO. No. 200. Nov. 5, 1962. PER CURIAM. 1 This is an appeal from a judgment of the Supreme Court Ohio affirming conviction criminal offense entered in Common Pleas, Wyandot County, Ohio. 2 The motion to substitute Margie Wetzel, Administratrix Estate who died April 26, 1962, as appellant place Wetzel granted. appellee dismiss for want substantial federal question 3 Mr. Justice DOUGLAS, concurring. 4 Appellant was convicted possessing obscene matter with intent sell it under Statutes § 2905.34. On May 25, 1960, he 'sentenced indeterminate period not less than one year nor more seven years and pay costs this prosecution.' sentence suspended pending courts. January 17, reversed Appeals, which had appellant's conviction, on February 2, ordered trial court's executed. same day warrant issued by court authorizing sheriff enough property satisfy cost $469.20. accordance Revised Code 2949.15. 27, 'until further order' that court. 5 Court. His wife, administratrix, has moved be substituted party. 6 When fined defendant review his case here been practice leave disposition fine lower See American Tobacco Co. v. United States, 328 781, 815, 66 1125, 1141, 90 L.Ed. 1575; States Johnson, 319 503, 520, 63 1233, 1241, 87 1546. But premised ground 'that domain prosecutions abate * death (a) defendant.' Melrose Distillers Inc. 359 271, 272, 79 763, 765, 800. Daniel Cir., 268 F.2d 849. such There will dismissed moot (Makley State, 128 St. 571, 192 N.E. 738) but 'the dismissal appeal, because during pendency thereof, leaves before proceeding instituted.' State Sholiton, App., N.E.2d 666, 667. 7 In Sholiton expressly refused pass whether decedent's estate would liable costs, issue presented. It apparently rule Ohio, however, can collected deceased criminal's estate. Use Clark County Keifer, 16 N.P.N.S. 41. Jur.2d, Costs, 89. Under present seem penalty part sentence. Hayes Pontius, Com.Pl., Supp. 289. 8 Thus, existing law appears Wetzel's have $469.20 unless reverses conviction. probable heir, rightly concerned about proper party substitute. often stated 'Where no controversy remains, except upon merits.' Heitmuller Stokes, 256 359, 41 522, 65 990; see Paper-Bag Cases, 105 766, 959; Glendale Elastic Fabrics Smith, 100 110, 25 547. genesis these cases Canter Ins. Co., Pet. 307, 688, wherein stated: 10 'As expenses, we perceive error allowance them circuit They are matters positively limited law, allowed exercise sound discretion And, besides, may added, lies mere decree respecting expenses.' Id., at 319. 11 As Chief Taft, writing Newton Consolidated Gas 265 78, 82—83, 44 481, 482—483, 68 909: 12 'There doubt that, general rule, does lie solely (This rule) easily deducible vested *. absolute, should enforced when assumes power assess legally assessable such.' (Italics added.) 13 Those were all civil one. Yet obtain here. 14 concerning costs. automatically assessed against felon. Code, §§ 2949.14, 'legally assessable' if invalid. 15 Pollard 352 354, 77 393, raised or petitioner released prison after petition certiorari p. 358, S.Ct., 484. presented guilt, instead related only propriety legality imposed. We said 'The possibility consequences collateral imposition sufficiently justify our dealing Ibid. Though divided merits, unanimous point. there strong probability 'penalties disabilities.' Pierre 41, 43, 910, 911, 1199. If stands, those penalties likely reduction through collection it. 17 To support her substitution Mrs. asserts family interest clearing name, she protect it, importance issues justifies review. unnecessary decide family's good name satisfies case-or-controversy requirement. Cf. For I am convinced precedent wife administratrix sufficient protecting unlawful maintain appeal. 18 reasons believe properly facts record concluded 19 BLACK, while joining opiniion insofar deals substitute, believes jurisdiction noted. 20 CLARK, whom HARLAN STEWART join, dissents, believing abated appellant, Wetzel. Menken Atlanta, 131 405, 794, 33 221 (1889). held numerous times existence taxing cannot alone prevent 362, 523, 990 (1921); Wingert First National Bank, 223 670, 32 391, 56 605 (1912); Machine Nixon, 772, 959 (1881); 547 (1879). Although judgments confer appellate inquire into tax 482, 909 (1924); Citizens' Bank Louisiana Cannon, 164 319, 323—324, 89, 90, 451 (1896); cf. Intertype Corp. Clark-Congress Corp., 249 626, 628 (1957), merits original controversy, Smith Indiana, 191 138, 149, 24 51, 52, 48 125 (1903); Davis Preston, 280 406, 408, 50 171, 172, 74 514 (1930). Accordingly, denied, remanded proceedings appropriate state law.

Category: 8