People v. Bloss

171 N.W.2d 455, 18 Mich. App. 410
CourtMichigan Court of Appeals
DecidedSeptember 26, 1969
DocketDocket 4,587
StatusPublished
Cited by15 cases

This text of 171 N.W.2d 455 (People v. Bloss) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Michigan Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
People v. Bloss, 171 N.W.2d 455, 18 Mich. App. 410 (Mich. Ct. App. 1969).

Opinions

T. M. Burns, J.

The defendant appeals his conviction and sentence under CL 1948, § 750.343a as amended by PA 1964, No 143 (Stat Ann 1969 Cum Supp § 28.575 [1]) for showing an obscene movie entitled “A Woman’s Urge” at the Capri Theatre which he operated in the city of Grand Rapids.

The pertinent facts are set forth in the trial judge’s decision on the motion for new trial:

“The testimony at the trial indicated that ‘A Woman’s Urge’ was shown at the Capri Theatre from February 2 to February 8, 1966. On the evening of February 3, 1966, certain police officers and officials of the city of Grand Rapids, together with professors from Calvin and Aquinas Colleges, attended the showing of ‘A Woman’s Urge’. Thereafter a meeting was held at the prosecuting attorney’s office and on the evening of February 8, 1966, members of the vice squad purchased tickets for the showing of ‘A Woman’s Urge’ and saw the entire film. Immediately thereafter, two members of the vice squad, who had seen the movie, went to the projection booth, there found Billy C. Sturgess in the projection booth, rewinding the film to ‘A Woman’s Urge’. The officers identified themselves and arrested Mr. Sturgess and seized the film incidentally to the arrest. Thereafter they permitted Mr. Sturgess to continue showing the motion picture which was then being shown and subsequently brought him to the police department where he was served with a complaint and warrant. Likewise a complaint and warrant were served upon Mr. Bloss, who came to the police department at the request of the police officers. At the trial several police officers testified in detail as to the movie and applied the ‘Roth test’ to the movie. In addition an expert witness from Aquinas College was called who testi[413]*413fied relative to the movie and applied the Both test. The jury, after extensive deliberation, convicted Mr. Bloss.”

The defendant objected at trial to the admission in evidence of the film which he alleges was seized in violation of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution. The film was admitted over his objection and the jury found him guilty. The judge acquitted the projectionist.

Defendant asserts that the applicable statute (PA 1964, No 143 [CL 1948, § 750.343a (Stat Ann 1969 Cum Supp § 28.575[1])])

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People v. Lon Johnson
185 N.W.2d 150 (Michigan Court of Appeals, 1970)
People v. Bloss
171 N.W.2d 455 (Michigan Court of Appeals, 1969)

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Bluebook (online)
171 N.W.2d 455, 18 Mich. App. 410, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/people-v-bloss-michctapp-1969.