This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

The FBI maintained surveillance of premises suspected of being an illegal gambling operation. The parties were caught and convicted, and Merrell (D) was one of them. The evidence against D was that he served coffee to bettors and after the sessions, he stacked the tables and chairs, swept the floor, cleaned the ashtrays, and straightened things up. D was convicted of conducting an illegal gambling business but acquitted of conspiracy. D appealed. The court of appeals affirmed holding that any act, duty, or function that is necessary or helpful in operating the enterprise created liability.

The legal issues presented in this case will be displayed here.

The court's holding and decision will be displayed here.

Legal analysis from Dean's Law Dictionary will be displayed here.