Court Opinion

ID: 9450708
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 16:55:44.336654+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:32:25.595653
License: Public Domain

SWYGERT, Circuit Judge
(dissenting in part).
I must disagree with the majority’s holding that the evidence was sufficient to sustain DiFronzo’s conviction. An examination of the record shows a complete absence of evidence to support a verdict against this defendant either as an aider and abettor in the interstate transportation of stolen property or as a coconspirator in such conduct.
The only evidence that might remotely relate DiFronzo to the violations of which he was found guilty is testimony to the effect that at one time he was seen riding in a Pontiac automobile which at a later time was found to be following the truck making the interstate transportation of the stolen goods. DiFronzo was not in the automobile at the time it was observed to be following the truck from Illinois to Wisconsin. Rather, he was found in another truck transporting stolen goods from one point in Illinois to another place in the same state. Moreover, there was no showing that DiFronzo owned the Pontiac or had any participation in its use interstate.
The Government has been unable to point to any evidence which might link DiFronzo with the interstate offenses charged. His actions tended to show a participation only in an intrastate transportation of stolen items. There is no evidence to show that he conspired in planning the interstate activity or that he aided and abetted in the conduct thereof. Although his activity might well warrant a conviction in a state criminal proceeding, it is not a proper basis for prosecution under the federal statutes. Accordingly, the evidence fails to sustain the verdict against this defendant.