Court Opinion

ID: 9686239
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 15:35:20.271984+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:18:16.522932
License: Public Domain

On Rehearing
Upon consideration of the Government’s motion for rehearing of defendant’s motion to suppress evidence, granted by this Court by memorandum opinion dated March 23, 1953, the Court concludes that its order should be vacated and defendant’s motion denied.
Defendant’s standing to challenge the admission of evidence must rest upon a claim of ownership or possession of the property seized. Washington v. United States, 1953, 91 U.S.App.D.C.-, 202 F.2d 214, and cases cited. Jeffers v. United States, 1950, 88 U.S.App.D.C. 58, 187 F.2d 498, affirmed, 1951, 342 U.S. 48, 72 S.Ct. 93, 96 L.Ed. 59, relied upon by the Court in its previous opinion, was based upon a claim of ownership of narcotics declared contraband by statute. Congress thereby intended, it was held, merely to aid in their forfeiture and thereby prevent the spread of traffic in drugs rather than to abolish the exclusionary rule. 342 U.S. at pages 53-54, 72 S.Ct. 93, 96 L.Ed. 59. The exclusionary rule does not enlarge or contract the previously established limits of the class, the victims o'r persons aggrieved, who may object. 88 U.S.App.D.C. at page 60, 187 F.2d at page 500.
 Embezzled property differs in its nature from property declared contraband by act of Congress. It may be, although the Court does not now decide, that there may be a recognizable legal interest in embezzled property, so that a bailee may be estopped to set up title in a third party, Moses v. Taylor, D.C.1888, 17 D.C. 255, 6 Mackey 255, so long as the theft remains undisclosed. See Comments (1922-1923) 32 Yale L.J. 497, Fryer, Readings on Personal Property, 550-551. However, the burden of proof is upon defendant, as the moving party, to establish a proprietary interest. The thief being unmasked and the true owner appearing to assert his claim, no interest can be asserted, the bailee being required to hold for the true owner. Hattiesburg Auto Sales Company v. Morrison, 1924, 136 Miss. 632, 101 So. 690, 43 A.L.R. 147. Therefore, in a motion to suppress evidence, defendant can assert no legal or equitable interest in embezzled property entrusted to a bailee or trustee.
The Court accordingly vacates its order granting defendant’s motion to suppress evidence. Defendant’s motion to suppress is denied.