Facts
A. - From the end of May to the beginning of December 1953, Anna Foschi continuously purchased table butter and eggs from Giulio Realini, although she knew that he had stolen them from his employer, Hans Suter, a farmer and milk dealer, with whom he lived in the same household.
B. - Since Suter withdrew the criminal complaint filed against Realini for theft, the criminal investigation against Realini was discontinued on February 2, 1954. However, Anna Foschi was convicted of receiving stolen goods by the District Court of Dielsdorf on April 13, 1954, and on appeal by the High Court of the Canton of Zurich on June 25, 1954, to a conditionally suspended prison sentence of fourteen days.
Considerations
1. Receiving stolen goods is an independent crime and is always prosecuted ex officio, even if the criminal act of the principal offender is a complaint offense. The withdrawal of the criminal complaint against the principal offender does not benefit the receiver of stolen goods.
2. Receiving stolen goods requires that the principal offender has obtained the item through a "criminal act." This is fulfilled if the act or omission attributed to the principal offender exhibits the objective characteristics of an act punishable by law. Article 144, paragraph 1, of the Swiss Criminal Code does…