United States v. Burke, et al.

• Court: District Court, D. New Hampshire
• Decided: June 20, 1997
• Docket: CR-96-050-M
• Status: Published

Opinion

United States v. Burke, et al. CR-96-050-M 06/20/97 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

United States of America

v. Criminal No. 96-50-1-6-M

John Burke, Stephen Burke, Matthew McDonald, Patrick McGonagle, Michael O'Halloran, and Anthony Shea

O R D E R

On May 1, 1997, a federal grand jury returned a fifteen

count second superseding indictment, charging that defendants,

among other things, engaged in racketeering, conspiracy to

racketeer, conspiracy to commit armed robberies, and robbery. On

June 16 and 17, 1997, the court conducted a hearing on all

pending discovery motions filed by defendants, at which all

counsel and all defendants were present (the "discovery

hearing").

As a preliminary matter, the government is directed (and the

government has agreed) to complete production of all Rule 16

material on or before July 3, 1997. It shall also produce any

and all materials covered by Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83

(1963); Giglio v. United States, 405 U.S. 150 (1972); and United

States v. Bagiev, 473 U.S. 667 (1985), as reguired by those cases

and the Local Rules of this court. Matters Taken Under Advisement.

At the discovery hearing, the court took under advisement

several issues raised by defendants. Those issues are addressed

as follows.

A. Recordings of Telephonic Conversations.

Several defendants seek production of recordings (made by

the Bureau of Prisons) of telephonic conversations involving

identified individuals who are (or were) inmates at correctional

facilities. The government objects to the production of such

materials, arguing that: (1) it has produced copies of all

recordings currently in its possession and it does not have any

recordings of telephonic conversations made by the Bureau of

Prisons and relating to the individuals identified by defendants;

(2) obtaining and reviewing such recordings would be unduly

expensive and time consuming, which, in light of the fact that

defendants have failed to identify what, if any. Rule 16, Jencks

Act, Brady, or Giglio material might be contained on those tapes,

is not justified or warranted; and (3) the Bureau of Prisons is

not, for Rule 16 or Jencks Act purposes, the "government" or the

"United States" and, therefore, the United States Attorney's

Office need not seek out such tapes, review them for discoverable

material, and produce it for the defense.

2 The court took this issue under advisement at the discovery

hearing and afforded all counsel the opportunity to submit briefs

and/or memoranda on the issue. The government has submitted

several authorities in support of its position. Defense counsel

have not, however, supplemented their oral arguments at the

hearing (the court notes, however, that counsel for defendant

Anthony Shea did submit citations to three cases in support of

his position at the discovery hearing).

Having reviewed the applicable law on this matter, the court

holds that the government need not produce the reguested Bureau

of Prison tapes. Although the Jencks Act, 18 U.S.C. § 3500,

reguires the prosecution to produce any witness statements "in

the possession of the United States which relate[] to the subject

matter as to which the witness has testified," a number of courts

have recognized that this reguirement only applies to witness

statements possessed by the prosecutor and investigative agencies

pertaining to the case at hand. See, e.g.. United States v.

Zavala, 839 F.2d 523, 528 (9th Cir. 1988); United States v.

Hutcher, 622 F.2d 1083, 1088 (2d Cir. 1980); United States v.

Dansker, 537 F.2d 40, 61 (3rd Cir. 1976). This court is inclined

to agree and concludes that, under the factual circumstances

presented in this case, recordings of inmates' telephone

3 conversations made by the Bureau of Prisons are not subject to

disclosure unless they are in the possession or control the

prosecutorial arm of the government. See United States v.

Trevino, 556 F.2d 1265, 1271 (5th Cir. 1977) (holding that the

phrase "'statement . . . in the possession of the United States'

[as used in § 3500] can only be read to mean a statement in the

hands of the federal prosecutor" and, under Rule 16, "'the

government' means the defendant's adversary, the prosecution.").

See also United States v. McVeigh, No. 96-CR-68-M, 1997 WL 106559

(D.Colo. March 5, 1997) (guashing Rule 17(c) subpoena for Bureau

of Prisons' security tapes).

Accordingly, defendants' motions seeking the production of

Bureau of Prison security tapes (relating to telephonic

conversations of certain identified individuals) not in the

possession of the United States Attorney or other investigatory

arm of the government are denied.

B. FBI Evidence Protocols.

Several defendants also seek production of FBI protocols for

the receipt, storage, analysis, and handling of evidence

submitted to the FBI laboratory from 1990 to the present.

However, other than making vague or general references to Brady,

4 Giglio, and the United States Constitution, none of the

defendants has explained how or why such materials are properly

discoverable in the context of a criminal prosecution. Aside

from arguing that such materials are beyond the permissible scope

of criminal discovery, the government asserts (among other

things) that production of such materials is proscribed by 28

C.F.R. §§ 16.23(a) and 16.26(b)(5).

In the absence of any cogent argument or legal authority in

support of defendants' claims that such material is properly

discoverable, the court holds that it is outside the scope of

Rule 16, Brady, and Giglio. Accordingly, defendants' reguest for

the production of FBI evidence protocols is denied.

C. Materials Contained in Expert Witness Files.

Pursuant to Rule 16(a)(1), several defendants also seek the

production of all documents contained in files prepared and/or

maintained by the government's expert witnesses, including

records of measurements, data collected, and photographs. The

pertinent provisions of Rule 16(a) (1) provide:

(E) Expert Witnesses. At the defendant's reguest, the government shall disclose to the defendant a written summary of testimony the government intends to use under Rules 702, 703, or 705 of the Federal Rules of Evidence during its case in chief at trial. This

5 summary must describe the witnesses' opinion, the bases and the reasons therefor, and the witnesses' qualifications.

(emphasis added). In support of their discovery request,

defendants rely primarily upon the Seventh Circuit Court of

Appeals' decision in United States v. Jackson, 51 F.3d 646 (7th

Cir. 1995), where, in dicta, the court said: "Other contexts,

such as cases involvinq technical or scientific evidence, may

require qreater disclosure, includinq written and oral reports,

test, investiqations, and any other information that may be

recoqnized as a leqitimate basis for an opinion under Fed.R.Evid.

703." Defendants also rely upon the Advisory Committee Notes

which accompany the 1993 amendments to Rule 16. Nevertheless,

those Advisory Committee Notes (like the unambiquous lanquaqe of

the Rule itself) clearly provide that the required disclosure "is

in the form of a written summary and only applies to expert

witnesses that [the qovernment] intends to call."

Nothinq in Rule 16 suqqests that defendants are entitled to

the documents and other information they seek. And, aside from

the referenced dicta from the Seventh Circuit, defendants have

provided the court with no bindinq or persuasive authority which

suqqests that the laws or Constitution of the United States

entitle them to the materials they seek. Contrary to defendants'

6 argument, the rules governing civil discovery are not analogous

and provide little meaningful insight into the scope of Rule 16

discovery; despite the recent amendments to Rule 16, criminal

discovery at the federal level remains substantially less far-

reaching than in the civil context.

The court presumes that the government is aware of its

obligations under Rule 16 and will provide defendants with timely

disclosure of all reguired materials. To the extent that

defendants seek specific documents, measurements, notes, and/or

calculations contained in the files of the government's expert

witnesses, their reguests for discovery are denied. Should any

of the defendants reasonably believe that the government has

failed to honor its Rule 16(a) (1) (E) obligation to provide "a

written summary of the testimony the government intends to use

. . . during its case in chief," he may bring the matter to the

attention of the court, which will, if appropriate, impose an

appropriate remedy.

D. Discoverability of Co-Conspirator Statements.

Finally, several defendants seek the production of

statements made by alleged co-conspirators. In support of their

reguest, defendants note that they are entitled, pursuant to Rule

7 16(a)(1)(A), to "any relevant written or recorded statements made

by the defendant." Because statements by alleged co-conspirators

may be admissible at trial as non-hearsay, pursuant to Federal

Rule of Evidence 801(d) (2) (E) , defendants claim that such co­

conspirator statements are discoverable as "statements made by

the defendant."

At the discovery hearing, the court agreed to afford defense

counsel the opportunity to conduct additional legal research into

this issue and present oral argument at the July, 1997 hearing.

Accordingly, the court will defer ruling on this discovery matter

until after that hearing.

Remaining Discovery Issues.

The court will now address the remaining issues raised in

each of the pending discovery motions. Having reviewed each of

those motions, considered the arguments of counsel, and examined

the applicable law, the court rules as follows: I. Motions Submitted by Defendant Stephen Burke.

A. Motion for Rule 16 Materials.

Defendant Burke's motion for Rule 16 material (document no.

125) is denied as moot.

B. Motion for Brady and Giglio Material.

Defendant Burke's motion for Bradv and Giglio material

(document no. 155) is granted to the extent that the government

understands its disclosure obligations and has represented that

it will produce all Bradv and Giglio material in accordance with

Local Rule 116.1(c). In all other respects, that motion is

denied.

C. Motion for Rule 16 Discovery.

Defendant Burke's motion for Rule 16 discovery (document no.

157) is denied as moot in light of defendant's supplemental

motion (document no. 362), except that the issue of disclosure of

co-conspirator statements will be heard as scheduled in July. If

counsel believe any discrete, specific reguests for discovery

raised in this motion remain outstanding and not ruled upon, they

may file a specific motion raising such matters. Otherwise, all

such reguests not ruled upon and not brought to the court's

attention are deemed abandoned and waived by defendant. D. Supplemental Motion for Bradv and Giglio Material.

Defendant Burke's supplemental motion for Bradv and Giglio

material (document no. 321) is granted to the extent the

government understands its disclosure obligations and has

represented that it will produce Bradv and Giglio materials in

accordance with Local Rule 116.1. To the extent material

gualifies as both Bradv (and/or Giglio) material and Jencks Act

material, the government will treat the material as primarily

Bradv or Giglio material relative to disclosure. In all other

respects, the motion is denied.

E. Supplemental Motion for Discovery.

Defendant Burke's supplemental motion for discovery

(document no. 362) is granted in part and denied in part. Except

as specifically limited below, the government shall, on or before

July 3, 1997, produce or provide reasonable access to the

materials identified in the following subparagraphs of paragraph

16 of defendant's motion:

(a) copy of audio tape; (e) Burke fingerprints; (i) legible copies of bates items 4052 and 3034-3036; (j) dates relating to certain photographs; (k) identify initials on latent lift no. 15; (s) copies of pages from Burke inmate report; (u) page one of phone records at bate 2284; (z) name of photographer of latent lifts; (ak) Burke's handcard file;

10 (aq) government will use reasonable efforts to clarify the source of identified phone records; (av) three cuttings from "Q6" hat; (ay) government will use reasonable efforts to clarify what is being tested in the identified items; (az) government will clarify origin of identified cartridges; (be) government will identify source and purpose of identified report; (bd) page one of bate 3516 report; (be) "enclosed list" referenced in bate 3658; and (bf) "abstracts" referenced in bate 1987.

As noted above, the court will afford the parties an opportunity

to be heard with regard to item 1 6 (aj) (discoverability of co­

conspirator statements) at the hearing scheduled in July, 1997.

In all other respects, the discovery requests made in

defendant's motion have been either resolved by agreement or

denied, as discussed more fully on the record of the discovery

hearing. If counsel believe any discrete, specific requests for

discovery raised in this motion remain outstanding and not ruled

upon, they may file a specific motion raising such matters.

Otherwise, all such requests not ruled upon and not brought to

the court's attention are deemed abandoned and waived by

defendant.

II. Motions Submitted by Defendant Matthew McGonagle

11 A. Motion for Disclosure of Tire Related Evidence.

Defendant McGonagle's motion for disclosure of tire related

evidence (document no. 146) is, in light of counsel's

representations that it has received all reguested material which

it believes to be in the possession of the government, denied as

moot.

B. Motion for Discovery.

Defendant McGonagle's motion for discovery (document no.

149) is denied as moot, in light of the court's rulings on issues

raised in defendant's supplemental discovery motion (document no.

369), and intervening production by and agreement with the

government. If counsel believe that any discrete, specific

reguests for discovery raised in this motion remain outstanding

and not ruled upon, they may file a specific motion raising such

matters. Otherwise, all such reguests not ruled upon and not

brought to the court's attention are deemed abandoned and waived

by defendant.

12 C. Motion for Disclosure of Favorable Evidence and Impeaching Material.

Defendant McGonagle's motion for disclosure of favorable

evidence and impeaching material (document no. 150) is denied as

moot, in light of intervening production by (and agreement with)

the government and the court's rulings on issues raised in

defendant's supplemental discovery motion (document no. 369). If

counsel believe that any discrete, specific reguests for

discovery raised in this motion remain outstanding and not ruled

Otherwise, all such reguests not ruled upon and not brought to

the court's attention are deemed abandoned and waived by

D. Motion for Disclosure of Out-of-Court Statements.

Counsel for Defendant McGonagle shall be afforded the

opportunity to present oral argument on defendant's motion for

disclosure of co-conspirator statements (document no. 152) at the

July, 1997 hearing. Following that hearing, the court will issue

its order regarding the discoverability of out-of-court

statements of co-defendants.

13 E. Motion for Disclosure of Latent Fingerprint Evidence.

Defendant McGonagle's motion for discovery of latent

fingerprint evidence (document no. 153) is denied as moot, in

light of intervening production by (and agreement with) the

government and the court's rulings on issues raised in

defendant's supplemental discovery motion (document no. 369). If

discovery raised in this motion remain outstanding and not ruled

Otherwise, all such reguests not ruled upon and not brought to

the court's attention are deemed abandoned and waived by

F. Supplemental Omnibus Motion for Discovery.

Defendant McGonagle's supplemental omnibus motion for

discovery (document no. 369) is granted in part and denied in

part. Except as specifically limited below, the government shall

produce, on or before July 3, 1997, the materials identified in

the following subparagraphs of paragraph 12 of defendant's

motion:

(1) transmittal correspondences -- the government will endeavor to identify by document (Bates number), or produce, the transmittal correspondence; (2) chain of custody material regarding latent print number 15;

14 (3) copies of FBI fingerprint cards; (4) personnel file of Chris Allen -- the government shall review that file and shall produce any Bradv and Giglio material contained therein. If the government has any guestion as to whether material falls within the scope of Bradv or Giglio, it shall submit such material to the court for in camera review; (16) copy of evidence recovery log with original margin notation; (17) Penske Truck Leasing records -- the governmental shall use reasonable efforts to determine whether it has produced all reguested records and produce those which it has not yet produced; (18) the government shall produce all Bradv and Giglio material as reguired by those cases and the local rules of this court; (19b) individuals for interview by defense counsel -- In accordance with its representations to the court, the government shall contact each of the specifically listed individuals (as well as John Burke, Jr.) who will be a government witness at trial and convey to him the defense's desire to interview him, the telephone numbers at which counsel can be reached, and counsel's willingness to accept a collect telephone call; (19c) presentence investigation reports -- the government shall review the identified presentence investigation reports and shall disclose all materials which fall within the scope of Bradv and/or Giglio, provided such information has not already been produced in substance in another form. If the government has any guestion as to whether materials in the PSI's should be disclosed, it shall submit the same to the court for in camera review; and (19h) information regarding identified sources -- the government shall review the information provided by such sources and disclose all Bradv and Giglio material in accordance with Local Rule 116.1.

In all other respects, defendant's supplemental omnibus

discovery motion is denied, either as moot or on the merits, as

discussed more fully on the record of the discovery hearing. If

15 counsel believe that any discrete, specific requests for

discovery raised in this motion remain outstanding and not ruled

Otherwise, all such requests not ruled upon and not brought to

the court's attention are deemed abandoned and waived by

III. Motions Submitted by Defendant Anthony Shea

A. Defendant Shea's Motion for Discovery.

Defendant's motion for discovery (document no. 379) is

granted in part and denied in part. Except as specifically

limited below, the government shall, on or before July 3, 1997,

produce the materials identified in the following paragraphs of

defendant's motion:

2 copies of recordings of James Ferguson; 8 copies of specifically identified recordings; 10 copies of specifically identified photographs -- the government represented at the hearing that it has produced all such photographs but agreed to review its files and, to the extent that additional photographs exist which have not yet been disclosed, it shall disclose them; 11 copies of photographs of defendant, Anthony Shea -- the government represented at the hearing that it has produced all such photographs but agreed to review its files and, to the extent that additional photographs exist which have not yet been disclosed, it shall disclose them; 12-16 incarceration records of specific individuals -- the government understands its disclosure obligations and has represented that it will produce all Bradv and

16 Giglio material in accordance with Local Rule 116.1 (c) . 22 presentence investigation reports -- the government shall review the identified presentence investigation reports and shall disclose all materials which fall within the scope of Bradv and/or Giglio, provided such information has not already been produced in substance in another form. If the government has any guestion as to whether materials in the PSI's should be disclosed, it shall submit the same to the court for in camera review.

In all other respects, defendant's motion for discovery (document

no. 379)is denied, as discussed more fully on the record of the

discovery hearing. If counsel believe that any discrete,

specific reguests for discovery raised in this motion remain

outstanding and not ruled upon, they may file a specific motion

raising such matters. Otherwise, all such reguests not ruled

upon and not brought to the court's attention are deemed

abandoned and waived by defendant.

SO ORDERED.

Steven J. McAuliffe United States District Judge

June 20, 1997

17 cc: David A. Vicinanzo, AUSA Peter D. Anderson, Esq. Matthew J. Lahey, Esq. Bruce E. Kenna, Esq. Douqlas J. Miller, Esq. Michael J. lacopino, Esq. Bjorn R. Lanqe, Esq. David H. Bownes, Esq. Edward D. Philpot, Jr., Esq.