United States v. Messino

873 F. Supp. 1177, 1995 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1144, 1995 WL 37978
District Court, N.D. Illinois·Decided January 31, 1995·No. 93 CR 294·Published·Cited by 2 cases

Opinion

MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER

ALESIA, District Judge.

Before the court are pretrial motions in limine as well as a few remaining pretrial motions and matters. For background on this case see United States v. Messino, 871 F.Supp. 1035 (N.D.Ill.1995), and other eases cited at 871 F.Supp. at 1037-38 of that opinion.

I. TAINT ISSUES RELATED TO PREVIOUSLY SUPPRESSED EVIDENCE

On January 18,1995, the court conducted a taint hearing to determine what, if any, items would be suppressed as evidence because of their having been derived from leads attributable to already suppressed evidence. The hearings were on the motions of defendants Christopher Richard Messino and Clement A. Messino. Based upon the credible evidence of record the court makes the following findings of fact and conclusions of law. The court considers now only those items challenged in defendants’ post-hearing submissions.

*1181 A. Findings of Fart

Credibility Finding

1. Special Agent Michael Priess, the sole witness at the hearing, was a credible witness in all respects. His testimony demonstrated detailed recall of facts surrounding the instant investigation.

Challenges from. Christopher Richard Messino

2. The lease between Nick Sula and Christopher Richard Messino is attributable to an independent source of discovery.

3. The government’s identification and use of Jerry Haas and Lisa Batts as witnesses are attributable to an independent source of discovery.

Challenges from Clement A Messino

4. The government’s identification of Clement A. Messino’s boat and place of purchase are attributable to an independent source of discovery.

5. The government’s identification and use of George Thorpe, John Richard, Phillip Webb, Ed Cozzi, and Frank Fuscone as witnesses are attributable to an independent source of discovery.

6. The identity and significance of Chris Smith as a witness would have inevitably been discovered even absent utilization of tainted leads.

6. Bank records from Interstate Bank of Oak Forest, Chesterfield Bank, Beverly Bank, Thornridge State Bank, Evergreen Plaza Bank, Heritage Bank of Crestwood, First National Bank of Harvey, and First National Bank of Blue Island, as well as any credit card records would, at the very least, have been inevitably discovered even absent utilization of tainted leads.

B. Conclusions of Law

1. The exclusionary rule prohibits “the introduction of evidence obtained as the direct or indirect result of an illegal search.” United States v. Markling, 7 F.3d 1309, 1315 (7th Cir.1993) (citing Murray v. United States, 487 U.S. 533, 536, 108 S.Ct. 2529, 2532, 101 L.Ed.2d 472 (1988)).

2. Various doctrines define whether evidence not primarily tainted was obtained as a result of the primary illegality. See generally 4 Wayne R. LaFave, Search & Seizure § 11.4(a) (2d ed. 1987).

3. When the disputed evidence is attributable to a source independent of the illegally obtained primary item, the independent source doctrine renders the evidence admissible despite the primary taint. Mark-ling, 7 F.3d at 1314-18, 1318 n. 1.

4. When the disputed evidence inevitably would have been discovered by lawful means, the inevitably discovery doctrine renders the evidence admissible despite the primary taint. See United States v. Jackson, 901 F.2d 83, 84-85 (7th Cir.1990); Markling, 7 F.3d at 1318 n. 1.

C. Holding

No further items are suppressed as evidence because of tainted leads.

II. GOVERNMENTS CONSOLIDATED PRE-TRIAL MOTION IN LIMINE

The government’s motion raises eight separate evidentiary issues.

A. Impeachment of Joseph Granata

For reasons discussed under Clement Messino’s motion in limine, the government’s motion in this regard is granted.

B. Evidence and Argument of Lawfulness and Non-corrupt Conduct

The government’s motion in this respect cannot be evaluated absent the more specific context provided at trial. Accordingly, in this respect said motion is denied.

C. Evidence and Argument of Outrageous Government Conduct

The government’s motion in this respect cannot be evaluated absent the more specific context provided at trial. Accordingly, in this respect said motion is denied.

*1182 D. Evidence and Argument of Entrapment

No defendant has responded to this part of the motion by asserting a right to argue entrapment in opening statements. Accordingly, in this regard the government’s motion is denied as moot. 1

E. Mention of Prior Prosecution Experience by Defense Counsel

Clement Messino’s attorney, as far as the court is aware, is the only person to whom this argument is directed. Counsel represents he has no intention to mention his prosecution experience. On the off chance another attorney or a witness might introduce the fact of counsel’s prosecution experience, the court holds that the subject is irrelevant, and accordingly grants the motion in this regard. Fed.R.Evid. 401, 402.

F. Evidence and Argument About Draft Transcripts

The government does not appear to dispute that a draft transcript prepared by a witness may be used to impeach that witness. Rather the government objects to using the draft against another witness, which would not be proper impeachment.. Accordingly, in this regard the government’s motion is granted. 2

G. Allegations of Witness Wrongdoing Not Involving Dishonesty

The government here seeks to regulate impeachment of its witnesses at trial. Without context, the court must reserve ruling, and accordingly in this respect the government’s motion is denied.

H. Maximum Penalties Faced by Witnesses

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United States v. Messino, 873 F. Supp. 1177, 1995 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 1144, 1995 WL 37978 (N.D. Ill. 1995).

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