No. 23-6061

George Oscar Messer v. United States

Lower Court: Sixth Circuit
Docketed: 2023-11-20
Status: Denied
Type: IFP
Response WaivedIFP
Tags: due-process federal-kidnapping federal-kidnapping-statute fifth-amendment interstate-commerce intrastate-crime statutory-interpretation vagueness void-for-vagueness
Latest Conference: 2024-01-05
Question Presented (from Petition)

(1) Whether the residual clause of "or otherwise " of the federal kidnapping statute, 18 U.S.C. § 1201, is void for vagueness under the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment?

(2) Whether the mere use of an instrumentality of interstate commerce – driving a car on a street – empowers Congress to federalize a wholly intrastate, noneconomic, violent crime?

Question Presented (AI Summary)

Whether the residual clause of 'or otherwise' of the federal kidnapping statute, 18 U.S.C. § 1201, is void for vagueness under the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment?

Docket Entries

2024-01-08
Petition DENIED.
2023-12-07
DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/5/2024.
2023-12-01
Waiver of right of respondent United States to respond filed.
2023-11-15
Petition for a writ of certiorari and motion for leave to proceed in forma pauperis filed. (Response due December 20, 2023)

Attorneys

George Oscar Messer
Robert L. Abell — Petitioner
United States
Elizabeth B. PrelogarSolicitor General, Respondent