United States v. William Lloyd Bailey

458 F.2d 408

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• Decided: June 1, 1972
• Docket: 71-2531
• Status: Published

Opinions

HUFSTEDLER, Circuit Judge:

Bailey appeals from his conviction for bank robbery in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a), (d) and (e). The pivotal issue on appeal is the validity of two search warrants, pursuant to which incriminating evidence was seized.

Bailey and his codefendant Cochran robbed a branch office of Western Savings and Loan Bank in Globe, Arizona, on April 2, 1971. They took $8490 in travelers checks and $3056 in cash. In the course of the robbery, Bailey captured and held as hostages the manager of the bank and his family. About six weeks after the robbery, on May 12, 1971, Bailey and Cochran were arrested more than 100 miles from Globe in Tucson, Arizona. At the time of his arrest, Bailey was driving a 1970 Pontiac Grand Prix automobile bearing Colorado license plates. He was accompanied by an unidentified person. Cochran was arrested in a house in Tucson later the same day at which time she told one of the FBI agents that she had borrowed the Pontiac from a friend of hers in Denver about a month after the Globe robbery.

Search warrants were issued the day after the arrests had been made. One warrant was issued to search the Pontiac, and the other was issued to search the house in which Cochran was arrested. Both warrants were issued upon the affidavits of Lewis Fain, a Special Agent of the FBI. The affidavits are set forth in full in the margin.¹ In substance, each affidavit amply described Bailey and Cochran, the circumstances of the robbery and abductions, and the articles that were the objects of the search. However, neither affidavit stated any facts to support the affiant’s conclusions that he had reason to believe that the automobile and the house, respectively, contained the objects of the searches, other than the facts that Bailey had been arrested in the automobile and that Cochran had been arrested in the house. The search of the Pontiac, pursuant to the warrant, yielded some of the stolen travelers’ checks.² The search of the house yielded clothing worn during the robbery.

Bailey’s motion to suppress that evidence on the ground that the search warrants were invalid was denied. We hold that the denial of the motion was erroneous because neither affidavit met the constitutional standards of Aguilar v. Texas (1964) 378 U.S. 108, 84 S.Ct. 1509, 12 L.Ed.2d 723 and Spinelli v. United States (1969) 393 U.S. 410, 89 S.Ct. 584, 21 L.Ed.2d 637.

Aguilar requires that a magistrate’s determination of probable cause justifying the issuance of a warrant must be supported by an affidavit that discloses the underlying circumstances from which the affiant has concluded that his information is reliable and that it must contain a statement of the underlying circumstances “to enable the magistrate independently to judge of the validity” of the affiant’s conclusion that the things to be seized are where he says they are. (393 U.S. at 413, 89 S.Ct. at 587.)

In applying Aguilar in Durham v. United States (9th Cir. 1968) 403 F.2d 190, 193, we said that:

“The facts submitted to the Commissioner must be sufficient to justify a conclusion by him that the property which is the object of the search is probably on the person or premises to be searched at the time the warrant is issued. The most convincing proof that the property was in the possession of the person or upon the premises at some remote time in the past will not justify a present invasion of privacy. ...” (Emphasis added.)

The only fact set forth in the affidavit to support the affiant’s conclusion that the described articles might be in the Pontiac was that Bailey was apprehended in the vehicle six weeks after the robbery. There is no indication that the car had been used in the robbery, that Bailey owned it, or that he had even been seen in it before his arrest. Under these circumstances, there was no foundation for any inference that the automobile contained the fruit of the search.³

The affidavit in support of the search of the house is no better than the affidavit for the automobile warrant. The affidavit simply discloses that Bailey had been seen at the house and that Cochran was arrested there. No facts are recited from which it could be inferred that Bailey and Cochran were other than casual social guests at the residence. At the trial, there was evidence that Bailey and Cochran had leased the house, but that fact was not before the issuing magistrate.

“[A] 11 data necessary to show probable cause for the issuance of a search warrant must be contained within the four corners of a written affidavit given under oath. . . .” United States v. Anderson (9th Cir. 1971) 453 F.2d 174, 175.

See also Giordenello v. United States (1958) 357 U.S. 480, 78 S.Ct. 1245, 2 L.Ed.2d 1503. In short, there is nothing but conjecture to sustain the conclusion that the house contained the objects of the search. As we observed in United States v. Lucarz (9th Cir. 1970) 430 F.2d 1051, 1055:

“[S] imply from the existence of probable cause to believe a suspect guilty, [it does not follow in all cases] that there is also probable cause to search his residence. If that were so, there would be no reason to distinguish search warrants from arrest warrants, and cases like Chimel v. California, 395 U.S. 752 [89 S.Ct. 2034, 23 L.Ed. 2d 685] (1969), . . . would make little sense.”

The Government argues that the searches can be upheld even though the warrants are invalid on the theory that the searches were incident to the arrests. They weren’t. The search of the automobile was accomplished at both a time and a place substantially removed from the arrest. Also, the search of the house substantially exceeded the scope permissible by Chimel, supra.

The Government also argues that the search of the automobile could be sustained under the doctrine of Chambers v. Maroney (1970) 399 U.S. 42, 90 S.Ct. 1975, 26 L.Ed.2d 419. The facts do not bring the case within the Chambers ambit. There was no probable cause to believe the vehicle contained the fruit of the crime. There were no exigent circumstances justifying the search. (Coolidge v. New Hampshire (1971) 403 U.S. 443, 91 S.Ct. 2022, 29 L.Ed.2d 564.)

The evidence produced from the illegal search was highly incriminating. We cannot say that “beyond a reasonable doubt . . . the error complained of did not contribute” to the conviction. Chapman v. California (1967) 386 U.S. 18, 24, 87 S.Ct. 824, 828, 17 L.Ed.2d 705.

The judgment is reversed and the cause is remanded for a new trial.

1 . AFFIDAVIT FOR SEARCH WARRANT

LEWIS A. FAIN, being duly sworn, on his oath, deposes and says:

That he is a Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation;

That he assisted in the investigation of the robbery of the Western Savings and Loan Association in Globe, Arizona, on or about April 2, 1971, and the kidnapping of the Gustafson family on the same date and that affiant also assisted in the apprehension of one of the suspects, namely, WILLIAM LLOYD BAILEY, in the above-described vehicle;

That your affiant believes from his investigation and investigation of other Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation that a robbery occurred of the Western Savings and Loan Association on or about April 2, 1971, in Globe, Arizona, in which approximately THREE THOUSAND FIFTY-SIX DOLLARS ($3,056.-00) in cash and EIGHT THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED NINETY DOLLARS ($8,490.00) in American Express Travellers Cheques were taken.

Investigation revealed that Rod Gustaf-son identified the female suspect by photograph as being the person who accompanied him to the Western Savings and Loan Association and whom he gave the cash and cheques. This female was known to be a person by the name of BARBARA LYNN COCHRAN. The male suspect was identified by photograph by Mrs. Gustafson and Rod Weinberg, Chief of Police, Globe, Arizona, indicated this person’s name to be WILLIAM LLOYD BAILEY. Mrs. Gustafson indicated that WILLIAM LLOYD BAILEY was the person who forced her and members of her family from their home immediately prior to the robbery to a remote spot near Globe, Arizona, as hostages.

Rod Gustafson furnished information that the female robber who accompanied him to the Association used a large brown manila envelope to carry the money obtained from the robbery.

Rod Gustafson stated the register for American Express Company Travellers Cheques maintained by the Association reflected the below-described American Express Company Travellers Cheques were taken in the robbery :

$10 denominations Serial No. AA 51— 173-329 thru 379

$20 denominations Serial No. EA 89-674r-596 thru 739

$20 denominations Serial No. EA 90-028-050 thru 149

$50 denominations Serial No. HA 19-468-548 thru 589

$100 denominations Serial No. RA 12-204-030 thru 039

In addition, approximately THREE THOUSAND FIFTY-SIX DOLLARS ($3,056.00) in cash was taken by the female robber.

Rod Gustafson and his wife, Marjorie, have advised the male robber was armed with a blue steel revolver and was dressed in multi-colored striped levis with a flare at the bottom, a gold cardigan sweater, dark brown Indian style moccasins. The female robber was dressed in blue jeans, flared at the bottom, a rose colored knit top and a dark jacket.

WILLIAM LLOYD BAILEY was identified as the person who physically assaulted Rod Gustafson with a pistol.

That on or about May 12, 1971, WILLIAM LLOYD BAILEY was apprehended in the described 1970 Pontiac vehicle in Tucson, Arizona, and that your affiant has reason to believe that said vehicle may contain the following:

currency and American Express Travel-lers checks as follows:

$10 denominations Serial No. AA 51-173-329 thru 379

Also a dark blue revolver; a large brown manila envelope; clothing as follows :

multi-colored striped levis, gold cardigan sweater, dark brown Indian style moccasins, flared blue jeans, rose colored striped knit top shirt, dark colored jacket

and any other books, records, or in-strumentalities used in the commission of the robbery and kidnapping or related thereto. . . . (R.A., pages 37, 39-41.)

The search warrant for the home contained the following affidavit:

AFFIDAVIT FOR SEARCH WARRANT

LEWIS A. FAIN, being duly sworn, on his oath, deposes and says:

That he assisted in the investigation of the robbery of the Western Savings and Loan Association in Globe, Arizona, on or about April 2, 1971, and the kidnapping of the Gustafson family on the same date and that affiant also assisted in the apprehension of one of the suspects, namely, WILLIAM LLOYD BAILEY, in a 1970 Pontiac Grand Prix, black vinyl over olive drab green, license BB 3509 Colo-rado ;

That your affiant believes from his investigation and investigation of other Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation that a robbery occurred of the Western Savings and Loan Association on or about April 2, 1971, in Globe, Arizona, in which approximately THREE THOUSAND FIFTY-SIX DOLLARS ($3056.-00) in cash and EIGHT THOUSAND FOUR HUNDRED NINETY DOLLARS ($8490.00) in American Express Travellers Cheques were taken.

Investigation revealed that Rod Gustaf-son identified the female suspect by jihotograph as being the person who accompanied him to the Western Savings and Loan Asociation and whom he gave the cash and cheques. This female was known to be a person by the name of BARBARA LYNN COCHRAN. The male suspect was identified by photograph by Mrs. Gustafson and Rod Weinberg, Chief of Police, Globe, Arizona, indicated this person’s name to be WILLIAM LLOYD BAILEY. Mrs. Gustafson indicated that WILLIAM LLOYD BAILEY was the person who forced her and members of her family from their home immediately prior to the robbery to a remote spot near Globe, Arizona, as hostages.

Rod Gustafson furnished information that the female robber who accompanied him to the Association used a large brown manila envelope to carry the money obtained from the robbery.

Rod Gustafson stated the register for American Express Company Travellers Cheques maintained by the Association reflected the below-described American Express Company Travellers Cheques were taken in the robbery:

In addition, approximately THREE THOUSAND FIFTY-SIX DOLLARS ($3056.00) in cash was taken by the female robber.

Rod Gustafson and his wife, Marjorie, have advised the male robber was armed with a blue steel revolver and was dressed in multi-colored striped levis with a flare at the bottom, a gold cardigan sweater, dark brown Indian style moccasins. The female robber was dressed in blue jeans, flared at the bottom, a rose colored knit top and a dark jacket.

WILLIAM LLOYD BAILEY was identified as the person who physically assaulted Rod Gustafson with a pistol.

That at the time of WILLIAM LLOYD BAILEY’S apprehension on May 12, 1971, in Tucson, Arizona, a surveillance was placed on the above-described premises by other Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Following the arrest of WILLIAM LLOYD BAILEY, BARBARA LYNN COCHRAN was arrested at the above-described address by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Special Agents have observed WILLIAM LLOYD BAILEY at the above-described premises on or about April 23, 1971, and at other subsequent times.

Your affiant has reason to believe that said above-described premises may contain the following:

currency and American Express Travel-lers Cheques as follows:

$20 denominations Serial No. EA 89-674-596 thru 739

$50 denominations Serial No. HA 19— 468-548 thru 589

also a dark blue revolver; a large brown manila envelope; clothing as follows :

multi-colored striped levis, gold cardigan sweater, dark brown Indian style moccasins, flared blue jeans, rose colored striped shirt, dark colored jacket

and any other books, records, or instru-mentalities used in the commission of the robbery and kidnapping or related thereto. . . .

2 . Agents searched the Pontiac for weapons when Bailey was arrested. No weapons were found, but the agent did find “papers and other matters” in the console, where the subsequent search located the checks.

3 . The Government’s reliance on Porter v. United States (9th Cir. 1964) 335 F.2d 602 is misplaced. In Porter, the affidavit “disclosed that the automobile to be searched belonged to the person who had been identified as the robber by the bank teller . . . ; that the automobile had been registered in another state under a fictitious name [by that same person] ; that [the items] sought were not on the person of the owner of the automobile when be had been arrested” and that he was not “a person settled in the community” and thus his automobile was probably the most promising place to look for the objects sought. 335 F.2d at 604.

Contrast also the affidavit upheld in United States v. Brown (9th Cir. 1972) 455 F.2d 1201.