United States v. Flores (1933)

Flores (defendant), a U.S. citizen, was indicted for murdering another U.S. citizen aboard the American ship S.S. Padnsay while it was anchored and unloading cargo in the Port of Matadi in the Belgian Congo, territory under Belgian sovereignty. The district court dismissed the indictment, reasoning the ship was outside U.S. territory when the crime occurred and the United States therefore lacked jurisdiction. The Supreme Court heard the government's direct appeal.