Court Opinion

ID: 9455986
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 19:39:11.765609+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:34:48.835476
License: Public Domain

JONES, Circuit Judge
(dissenting):
The case was one for the jury, and one which the jury might have decided either way. The case troubled the jury as is shown by the questions asked of the court upon the return of the jury to the court room for further instructions. A juryman stated to the court, “[0]ne of our problems is a difference of opinion as to what is considered ethical and fraudulent conduct.” The response of the court was, “I can’t help you on that. I can’t help you.” If the court had given the jury the help it requested there would be no question as to whether the appellant was convicted of a mail fraud offense or a breach of ethics. If the court needed help in helping the jury with its problem, it might have found it in the opinion of the Supreme Court where it is said;
“It is the province of ethics to consider of actions in their relation to motives, but jurisprudence deals with actions in their relation to law, and for the most part independently of the motive.” Adler v. Fenton, 65 U.S. (24 How.) 407, 410, 16 L.Ed. 696.
The problem ought not be quipped off by saying, as the majority has said, “This question would tax philosophers.” I think the appellant should have a trial free from doubt as to what the jury decided. I dissent.