People v. Johnson

301 N.E.2d 681, 13 Ill. App. 3d 1020
Appellate Court of Illinois·Decided December 11, 1973·No. 11613·Published·Cited by 11 cases

Opinion

Mr. JUSTICE TRAPP

delivered the opinion of the court:

Defendant appeals from an order revoking the probation which had been granted after conviction for theft and burglary, Sentence of one to five years was imposed.

The alleged violations of probation were that defendant knowingly obtained possession of property stolen from one Hatfield and from one Hayes knowing that such property had been stolen by another or then knowing circumstances that would reasonably induce defendant to believe that such property had been stolen intending to deprive the owners permanently. Defendant was also charged with burglary of the residence of Clifford Wilsey.

A warrant was issued directing the search of the trailer home occupied by defendant for six rifles and shotguns. The complaint for search warrant consisted of two pages. The signature of the complaining officers was verified by the magistrate upon the first page. The text on that page included:

“Complainants say that they have probable cause to believe, based upon the following facts, that the above listed things to be seized are now located upon the premises set forth above: (see attached sheet).”

Such attached sheet contained a recitation of facts supporting probable cause for issuance of a search warrant. It is contended that the recited facts appearing on the attached page are neither subscribed nor verified.

The two pages constitute a single document which are a part of the court records. The language of the complaint shows that the magistrate would necessarily consider the specifications upon the attached page in issuing the warrant. Affidavits for the search warrants are to be interpreted in a realistic manner and not tested by elaborately technical requirements. (People v. Young, 4 Ill.App.3d 602, 279 N.E.2d 392; United States v. Ventresca, 380 U.S. 102, 13 L.Ed.2d 684, 85 S.Ct. 741.) The page on which the verifications appear directed attention to the attached page and the complaint was complete only as a two-page document. (People v. LaValley, 7 Ill.App.3d 1051, 289 N.E.2d 45.) The identities of the affiants are clearly shown in the body of the complaint and it is not necessary that the signature appear at the end. Lieder v. Chicago Transit Authority, 26 Ill.App.2d 306, 167 N.E.2d 710.

In the execution of the warrant the described weapons were found hidden in the walls of the trailer. The searching officers also found and seized numerous items of personal property as stolen and contraband. A rifle described in the warrant, together with a Hitachi radio and a hunting knife, were identified as the property of Hatfield and were offered into evidence. In the revocation proceedings, no other items were offered or admitted.

Defendant asserts violations of the State and Federal constitutions in that property not specified in the search warrant was seized. In denying the petition for rehearing, we note that section 114 — 12 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1969, ch. 38, par. 114 — 12) provides that a defendant aggrieved by an unlawful search and seizure may move the court to suppress the property as evidence and for its return. Subparagraph (a)(2) provides as grounds for the motion that:

“The search and seizure with a warrant was illegal because the warrant is insufficient on its face; the evidence seized is not that described in the warrant; there was not probable cause for the issuance of the warrant; or, the warrant was illegally executed.”

Such statute further provides that the motion shall be made before trial unless an opportunity to do so did not exist or the defendant was not aware of the grounds for the motion. Such motion to suppress may be made during trial if the court determines that it is timely.

The record shows no motion to suppress the evidence seized or any part of it prior to the trial. No motion to suppress was made during the trial and we find no objection to the testimony concerning the items or to the admission of such into evidence based upon the seizure.

An illegal search and seizure will not be considered on appeal where the issue has not been raised in the trial court. (People v. Harris, 33 Ill.2d 389, 211 N.E.2d 693, cert. denied, 383 U.S. 971, 16 L.Ed.2d 311, 86 S.Ct. 1282.) Such rule of waiver is followed where it is first sought on appeal to raise constitutional issues. People v. Linus, 48 Ill.2d 349, 270 N.E.2d 12; People v. Thompson, 48 Ill.2d 41, 268 N.E.2d 369.

Defendant cites People v. Sovetsky, 343 Ill. 583, 175 N.E.2d 844; People v. Kimmel, 34 Ill.2d 578, 217 N.E.2d 785, and Stanford v. Texas, 379 U.S. 476, 13 L.Ed.2d 431, 85 S.Ct. 506. In each of such authorities there was review of the denial of motions to suppress or to quash the search warrant.

At the hearing on revocation, the court admitted testimony of the witnesses, Camden and Hannah, over an objection that such was beyond the scope of the petition. These witnesses identified items seized during the search as belonging to them. As an incident to this identification, they testified to the burglaries of their respective homes on stated dates. Defendant now contends that there was error in that defendant had no notice as to such testimony as the witnesses were not named in the petition.

The amended petition alleges that defendant obtained control of identified stolen property of Hatfield and Hayes, “as well as the property of others”. In People v. Tempel, 131 Ill.App.2d 955, 268 N.E.2d 875, this court said that the defendant, in a petition to revoke probation, was entitled to such notice as would inform him of the nature of the conduct alleged to be grounds for revocation, but that such conduct need not be identified with the same specificity as was required in an indictment or information. Here, as in People v. Price, 24 Ill.App.2d 364, 164 N.E.2d 528, the defendant could have challenged the sufficiency of the language “property of others”, or moved for a more particular statement of facts, but he failed to do so.

Defendant was fully advised of the allegation of the possession of stolen property, i.e., the nature of the conduct, and he had an opportunity to be heard but, in fact, offered no evidence by any witness to explain or deny the possession.

Defendant cites People v. Dwyer, 57 Ill.App.2d 343, 206 N.E.2d 113

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People v. Johnson, 301 N.E.2d 681, 13 Ill. App. 3d 1020 (Ill. Ct. App. 1973).

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