United States v. Matthews

399 F. Supp. 381, 1975 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16265
CourtDistrict Court, E.D. Pennsylvania
DecidedSeptember 10, 1975
DocketCrim. No. 75-251
StatusPublished

This text of 399 F. Supp. 381 (United States v. Matthews) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, E.D. Pennsylvania primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. Matthews, 399 F. Supp. 381, 1975 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16265 (E.D. Pa. 1975).

Opinion

OPINION

LUONGO, District Judge.

This is a motion to suppress grand jury testimony given by the defendant Walter P. Matthews, Jr., allegedly in violation of his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination.

Matthews was indicted on April 24, 1975, on charges of interference with commerce by extortion, and conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1951 and 371, for actions which allegedly occurred on or about January 28, 1972. Matthews was twice called before state grand juries, on December 4, 1972 and September 7, 1973. He seeks to suppress the testimony he gave on those occasions because of alleged deficiencies in the warnings given to him before he testified.

The basis for the defendant’s motion appears to be that “on the first occasion, the defendant was not informed of his right against self-incrimination, and was told by the prosecutor handling the questioning that since he was not a defendant about to be indicted, he had to answer the questions of the prosecutor,” (Memorandum of Law, page 1), and that on the second occasion, although Matthews was given Miranda warnings [Miranda v. Arizona, 384, U.S. 436, 86 S.Ct. 1602, 16 L.Ed.2d 694 (1966)], the prosecutor misled him into believing he was compelled to answer all questions because he was an “informational” witness.

At the hearing on the motion, the transcripts of the proceedings before the grand juries on December 4, 1972, and September .7, ■ 1973, were offered. The government was not then aware of the existence of a transcript of the swearing in proceedings before the state court judge on December 4, 1972. Shortly after the hearing, the government learned that there was such a record and a copy was furnished to the court and to Matthews’ counsel. Matthews presented no evidence at the hearing on the motion to suppress and has not requested the opportunity to present any following the government’s filing of the transcript of the swearing in proceedings.

Matthews first appeared before the grand jury at 1:30 p. m. on December 2, 1972. At 9:30 a. m. of that day, he and four others appeared before the Honorable Harry A. Takiff to be sworn as witnesses. The transcript reveals that Judge Takiff afforded the defend[383]*383ant the following warnings prior to administration of the oath:

THE COURT: . . . I am Judge Takiff. I have been assigned by the President Judge to supervise the Special Investigating Grand Jury which has subpoenaed you to appear before it as witnesses. You have been subpoenaed as informational witnesses because the Jury has reason to believe that you have in your possession knowledge and information which is relevant to the matters under inquiry by the Grand Jury.
You have certain right (sic) and duties, which I will now explain to you. First, you have the right to the advice and assistance of counsel. You have the right to consult with an attorney concerning your appearance before the Grand Jury and all matters pertaining to that appearance You have the right to discuss with your attorney all matters that transpire during the course of your appearance before the Grand Jury, including the questions and answers which are elicited during the course of your appearance. You may consult with the attorney before you testify, after you testify, and during any recesses in the course of your appearance. However, the attorney is not permitted to accompany you inside the Grand Jury room while you are actually being questioned.
Do you each understand this right?
MR. MATTHEWS: Yes.
* * * * * *
THE COURT: Mr. Matthews, have you consulted with counsel ?
MR. MATTHEWS: Yes, sir.
THE COURT: With whom have you consulted, Mr. Matthews ?
MR. MATTHEWS: Attorney Esther F. Clark of Chester.
THE COURT: Has your attorney advised you of your rights and responsibilities in connection with your appearance ?
MR. MATTHEWS: Yes, sir.
THE COURT: Do you require any further opportunity to consult with your attorney at this time?
MR. MATTHEWS: No, sir.
******
THE COURT: I advise you now that if you should during the course of your appearance before the Grand Jury, desire to consult with counsel, if you will make that desire known to the District Attorney, you will be afforded an opportunity to do so.
Second, with respect to your rights, I should advise you that you have the right to refuse to answer any question as to which the answer might tend to incriminate you. You may, if you wish, give an explanation or a reason for your refusal to answer but you are not obliged to do so.
Do you understand this right ?
MR. MATTHEWS: Yes, sir.
ff ff -X- -X* if if
THE COURT: Thirdly, if any problem should arise during the course of your appearance before the Grand Jury, such as if you are unsure as to whether you may lawfully refuse to answer any particular question or any other problem that may arise, you have a right to appear before me, either alone or accompanied by your attorney, and I will rule on the matter. That is part of my responsibility as the supervising judge, and I am and will be available for the disposition of any problem that should occur.
Do you understand that right?
MR. MATTHEWS: Yes, sir.
* * * * * *
THE COURT: In addition to your rights, you have certain duties, the first of which is the duty to give truthful and complete answers to all questions except only those questions as to which the answers might tend to incriminate you.
Do you understand this duty?
MR. MATTHEWS: Yes, sir.
[384]*384* * * * * *
THE COURT: Secondly, you have the duty to keep the Grand Jury proceedings secret .... In your self interest, therefore, as well as in the interest of protecting the Grand Jury, you have the duty to keep secret from all persons, other than your attorney, the matters that transpire before the Grand Jury.
As to your attorney, I have previously advised you that you have the right to report fully and completely to your attorney everything that transpires before the Grand Jury, including questions and answers. Except for the attorney, however, you have the duty of secrecy, and that extends to a spouse, to members of your household, relatives, friends, business acquaintances, associates, or any other persons.
Do you each understand this duty of secrecy?
MR. MATTHEWS: Yes, sir.
* * * * * *

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Related

Miranda v. Arizona
384 U.S. 436 (Supreme Court, 1966)
United States v. Roy Mandujano
496 F.2d 1050 (Fifth Circuit, 1974)
United States v. Paul Gonzales Rangel
496 F.2d 1059 (Fifth Circuit, 1974)
United States v. Pepe
367 F. Supp. 1365 (D. Connecticut, 1973)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
399 F. Supp. 381, 1975 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16265, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-matthews-paed-1975.