People v. Collis

John Collis, together with three other men, was convicted in the criminal court of conspiracy to do bodily harm to one James Vail. Vail and Collis had been partners in a venture which involved the purchase of gold coins in Mexico and the sale of these coins in Europe. Some of the coins purchased were confiscated at the United States border by custom officials and a receipt therefor given to Vail. Collis sought to have Vail assign to him the receipt for these coins, but Vail insisted that he be paid for his services. Ultimately, on May 26, 1949, Vail was beaten in the home of Thomas Collis,…