In Re: Michael H. Metzger, United States of America v. Alan Henry Culbert, Michael H. Metzger, Claimant-Appellant

709 F.2d 32 In re: Michael H. METZGER, Claimant. UNITED STATES of America, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. Alan Henry CULBERT, Defendant, Michael H. Metzger, Claimant-Appellant. No. 81-1619. United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. Argued and Submitted Aug. 10, 1982. Decided June 24, 1983. Sean M. Rhatican, Richard L. Carico, Winokur, Maier, Zang, Spalding & Carico, Judd C. Iversen, San Francisco, Cal., for claimant-appellant. Kimberly A. Reiley, Asst. U.S. Atty., San Francisco, Cal., for plaintiff-appellee. Appeal from the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. Before ANDERSON and REINHARDT, Circuit Judges, and JAMESON, * District Judge. J. BLAINE ANDERSON, Circuit Judge: 1 This case involves a dispute over the proceeds from the sale of the fishing vessel Jeannie S. II. The United States claims a priority by statute, 31 U.S.C. Sec. 3713 (formerly 31 U.S.C. Sec. 191 , see footnote 1). Metzger claims a superior right by acquisition of a prior interest. I. OVERVIEW 2 Metzger provided legal assistance to his client in the form of criminal defense representation for several related matters. The client decided to submit the criminal case to the trial…