Justia Federal District Court Opinions

Appellants were convicted by a jury of selling moonshine whiskey in violation of 26 U.S.C. 5205(a)(2), 5604(a). The record indicates that they were convicted on the basis of the testimony of an informer who made the purchases. On appeal from their conviction, they allege two errors of constitutional proportions, but we find no basis for reversal.¹

First, it is contended that appellants were denied their sixth-amendment right to a speedy trial by the inordinate delay between the time of the alleged offense and the time of trial. We note at the outset that under our decisions the relevant period of time is that between the indictment, or institution of prosecution, and the trial. Harlow v. United States, 5th Cir. 1962, 301 F.2d 361. Here there was a lapse of fifteen months between indictment and trial, nine of which were devoted to a search by the Government for its key witness, the informer. As most of the delay was occasioned by the disappearance of the key witness, there is no question of any dilatory action on the part of the Government. Moreover, appellants have not shown why the delay resulted in substantial prejudice to their defense. In the absence of a showing of prejudice the contention that they were denied a speedy trial must fall. Oden v. United States, 5th Cir. 1969, 410 F.2d 103; United States v. Collier, 7th Cir. 1966, 362 F.2d 135, 139.

Secondly, it is urged that appellants were denied due process by the Government's use of a paid informer. The record indicates that the informer was retained to investigate numerous suspects and that in the end he informed on twenty-two liquor law violators. He was paid $10 per day subsistence and was given a $400 reward for all his work at the end of his employment. There was no evidence of a contingent fee arrangement between him and the federal agents whereby he would be paid a specified sum to convict a specific suspect. Thus, the method of payment was not the kind condemned by this Court in Williamson v. United States, 5th Cir. 1962, 311 F.2d 441. See Henley v. United States, 5th Cir. 1969, 406 F.2d 705.

Affirmed.