United States v. Brown

993 F. Supp. 1338, 1997 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 22012, 1997 WL 846984
CourtDistrict Court, D. Kansas
DecidedDecember 10, 1997
DocketCriminal Action No. 94-10064-01
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 993 F. Supp. 1338 (United States v. Brown) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, D. Kansas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Brown, 993 F. Supp. 1338, 1997 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 22012, 1997 WL 846984 (D. Kan. 1997).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

THEIS, District Judge.

This matter is before the court on the defendant’s motion to vacate, set aside or correct sentence pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2255 (Doe. 240). The defendant’s 2255 motion asserts the following errors: (1) ineffective assistance of counsel at trial and on direct appeal in failing to properly raise issues on a motion to suppress; (2) ineffective assistance of counsel at trial for counsel’s failure to object to two allegedly erroneous jury instructions. See Doc. 241 (Memorandum in support of 2255 motion). Since it appears from the face of the motion and the case file that the defendant is not entitled to relief, the court shall deny the motion.

The defendant Barry B. Brown was charged along with codefendants Michael E. Hayden and Arnold D. Haywood in a three count indictment with: conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute. Following a jury trial, defendant Brown was convicted on all three counts. Subsequently, the court set aside the firearm conviction based on an intervening change in law. Rep-, resented by new retained counsel, Brown appealed his conviction. The Tenth Circuit affirmed in an' unpublished order and judgment. Doc. 214. This timely motion under 28 U.S.C. § 2255 followed.

1. Suppression Issues

Defendant Brown asserts that both trial counsel and appellate counsel were ineffective in failing to research the facts and the law regarding the traffic stop of codefendant Arnold Haywood. Brown further alleges that his own fourth amendment rights were violated at his home.

This ease began with a traffic stop of Arnold Haywood on September 20,1993. Haywood had no drivers license or other identification with him, and offered to take Wichita police officers to his home at 633 North Harding to obtain his identification. Two officers followed Haywood to the residence, some four or five miles away from the site of the traffic stop. Haywood was unlocking the [1340]*1340front door with his key when Brown opened the door from inside. Officer Fettke asked for and received permission to enter the residence. Once inside the residence, Haywood stated that he needed to go into one of the bedrooms to obtain his identification. Officer Fettke followed Haywood into the bedroom out of officer safety concerns. Once in the bedroom, Officer Fettke observed a plastic bag containing suspected crack cocaine in plain view. Haywood and Brown were arrested, as was codefendant Hayden when he emerged from the bathroom of the residence. See Doc. 69 (Memorandum and order of September 12,1995).

A. Traffic stop of Haywood

Brown challenges the traffic stop and investigative detention of codefendant Arnold Haywood. Brown complains that the officers wrongfully allowed Haywood to operate a vehicle on the public streets without a license in his possession, in violation of the law and police department policy. The court finds that Brown lacks standing to raise this issue.

It is well established that fourth amendment rights are personal rights which may not be asserted vicariously. See J.B. v. Washington County, 127 F.3d 919, 928 (10th Cir.1997) (citing Alderman v. United States, 394 U.S. 165, 174, 89 S.Ct. 961, 22 L.Ed.2d 176 (1969)). Whether evidence was obtained in violation of someone else’s fourth amendment rights is therefore immaterial. United States v. Marchant, 55 F.3d 509, 513 (10th Cir.1995); United States v. Betancur, 24 F.3d 73, 76 (10th Cir.1994).

In deciding whether a defendant has standing, the court focuses on whether there has been a violation of the fourth amendment rights of the particular defendant who is seeking to exclude the evidence. Betancur, 24 F.3d at 76. It is proper to permit only those defendants whose fourth amendment rights have been violated to benefit from the protection of the exclusionary rule. United States v. Moffett, 84 F.3d 1291, 1293 (10th Cir.1996).

The stopping of a vehicle constitutes a seizure within the meaning of the fourth amendment. United States v. Orrego-Fernandez, 78 F.3d 1497, 1503 (10th Cir.1996). Arnold Haywood was seized by police when he was stopped for the traffic infraction and subjected to an investigative ' detention. However, Brown cannot complain if Haywood’s fourth amendment right to be free from unreasonable seizure was violated. Only Arnold Haywood can object to his own seizure.1 See United States v. Lewis, 24 F.3d 79, 82 (10th Cir.1994). Brown lacks standing to challenge Haywood’s detention by police.

B. Consent to enter home

Brown next contends that the officers entered into his home without consent or valid reason. Brown states that neither he nor Haywood, whom he characterizes as a temporary guest in Brown’s home, gave consent to enter the home.

On direct appeal, the Tenth Circuit considered and rejected the defendant’s arguments regarding whether consent had been given. The Tenth Circuit’s order and judgment provides in relevant part:

Finally, Mr. Brown, joined by Mr. Hayden, contends while all of the initial items predicating his arrest were in plain view, he had not given his' consent for Officer Fettke to enter the residence or the bedroom. The fruits of that initial illegal entry formed the basis of the subsequently issued search warrant, invalidating that as well. Therefore, all the evidence should have been suppressed.
Although the court listened to all the stories, but found that of Officer Fettke more credible, Mr. Brown ignores the finding. He now urges: “following Mr. Haywood to Barry Brown’s house for I.D. was nothing more than a ruse in order to search and get inside Barry Brown’s home without legal and proper authorization.”
The district court credited Officer Fettke’s testimony about his need to verify the suspect’s identification to determine [1341]*1341whether there might be outstanding warrants or other violations of which they should know while investigating these specific traffic violations. Most importantly, it was undisputed Mr. Haywood suggested the officers follow him to North Harding Street! Once inside, Officer Fettke testified it was necessary to follow Mr. Haywood out of concern for the officer’s safety.
The government asserts as proponents of the motion to suppress defendants failed to meet their burden of proof, citing United States v. Moore,

Related

Brown v. Fettke
6 F. App'x 692 (Tenth Circuit, 2001)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
993 F. Supp. 1338, 1997 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 22012, 1997 WL 846984, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-brown-ksd-1997.