United States v. William Samuel Cole, (Two Cases)

457 F.2d 1141
CourtCourt of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
DecidedMay 9, 1972
Docket26513, 26568
StatusPublished
Cited by7 cases

This text of 457 F.2d 1141 (United States v. William Samuel Cole, (Two Cases)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
United States v. William Samuel Cole, (Two Cases), 457 F.2d 1141 (9th Cir. 1972).

Opinion

TRASK, Circuit Judge:

These two related cases are direct appeals from convictions for violations of the narcotics laws following jury trials in the district court. In Number 26,513, Cole was convicted of conspiring with Kinnear and Miller to sell, deliver and dispose of a depressant or stimulant drug (methamphetamine) in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 331(q) (2), and 360a(b). In Number 26,568, Cole was convicted of conspiring with Shockley and Patton to manufacture, compound, process and deliver methamphetamine in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 331(q), 360a(a), and 360a(b). Counsel in both cases are the same, they were argued at the same time and will be considered together here.

Facts in Number 26,513

On April 10, 1969, Special Agent Shoaf of the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs pretending to be a drug dealer interested in purchasing methamphetamine, contacted Thomas Kinnear. He told Kinnear that he wanted to deal directly with Cole and that he was prepared to purchase $200 worth of methamphetamine at that time. Kin-near agreed and telephoned Cole to make arrangements. Pursuant to the arrangement made, Shoaf went to a designated restaurant. Kinnear brought the drug to him. Finding some flecks in it, he used this as a pretext to talk directly with Cole about the transaction. Cole explained that it was the best that could be obtained in Seattle. After some discussion Agent Shoaf then handed Cole $200 for the methamphetamine.

Following this sale, Agent Shoaf contacted Mrs. Miller on several occasions to arrange further drug purchases from Cole. On April 21, 1969 he made arrangements with Mrs. Miller to purchase *1143 one pound of methamphetamine for $1000. She stated she would have it in one hour and then made arrangements with Cole for delivery. Shoaf went to the Miller residence where shortly after, Cole and Kinnear drove up. Cole walked to the basement while Kinnear delivered the drug to Shoaf upstairs and was paid the $1000 for it. Kinnear then went to the basement and gave Cole the money and saw Cole give some of it to Mrs. Miller. Shoaf found the quantity of methamphetamine to be approximately 25 grams short and there were further conversations with Cole, Mrs. Miller and Kinnear resulting in Cole’s agreement to make up the shortage which was done through Mr. Kinnear.

Defendant’s Claims

Kinnear changed his plea and testified as the first witness for the government. Appellant sought to exclude his testimony because he was an admitted heroin addict. The court denied the request noting that as the court observed the witness on the stand he appeared to be perfectly normal. Cross-examination on this addiction was permitted, but a defense request for a physical examination was denied as well as a request that the jury examine his needle scars. Where, as here, the appearance of the witness is not abnormal and he is lucid in responding to questions and no evidence is introduced of mental impairment, the trial court’s discretion in limiting cross-examination and the other efforts at impeachment on this collateral matter, will not be disturbed. Kelly v. Maryland Cas. Co., 45 F.2d 782 (W.D. Va.1929), aff’d 45 F.2d 788 (4th Cir. 1930).

Appellant relies on Wilson v. United States, 232 U.S. 563, 34 S.Ct. 347, 58 L.Ed. 728 (1914), and Hansford v. United States, 124 U.S.App.D.C. 387, 365 F.2d 920 (D.C.Cir.1966). In Wilson, a defendant-witness was asked upon cross-examination about her addiction to morphine. There was no request to have her examined or to display scars upon her person. Likewise cross-examination was permitted here. In Hansford, a defendant pleaded insanity as a defense. He was shown to have been an addict. He was also shown to have been committed to a mental hospital for examination, although the report was negative for mental disorder. He was a lifelong drug user. He admitted he had been using narcotics throughout the trial even at noon recess. There was psychiatric testimony as to the extent of his mental deterioration and his competency even to stand trial. Such is not this case, nor is the avowal of counsel such as to bring this case within Wilson or Hansford.

Appellant also urged that the court erred in the denial of his motion to inspect all written statements or confessions or admissions. The only record was contained in the agents’ case reports. Rule 16(b) Fed.R.Crim.P. excepts these reports from the Rule. 1 Although other courts have appeared to hold to the contrary, United States v. Cook, 432 F.2d 1093 (7th Cir. 1970), cert. denied, 401 U.S. 996, 91 S.Ct. 1224, 28 L.Ed.2d 535 (1971), we have adhered to the majority rule that the production of memoranda of government agents of a defendant’s statements may not be compelled although their production should be permitted rather freely. Loux v. United States, 389 F.2d 911, 922 (9th *1144 Cir.), cert. denied, 393 U.S. 867, 89 S.Ct. 151, 21 L.Ed.2d 135 (1968). There is no reason to depart from that rule here.

The final argument of the appellant is addressed to the insufficiency of the evidence. The facts we have related concerning this incident, about which there seems to be little conflict, clearly establish this argument as insubstantial. Glasser v. United States, 315 U.S. 60, 62 S.Ct. 457, 86 L.Ed. 680 (1942). The judgment of conviction in Number 26.513 must be affirmed.

The principal contention as to the sufficiency of the evidence in Number 26.513 was whether it would support a conviction for conspiracy. Kinnear testified there was no formal agreement between Cole, Miller and Kinnear but upon objection from the defendant was not allowed to testify as to any informal agreement, the court observing that this was for the jury. The jury was carefully instructed on conspiracy and no exception taken in this court. The evidence disclosed that Mrs. Miller was Cole’s mother-in-law. She was the agent’s contact for purchases from Cole along with Kinnear. Meetings were arranged in Mrs. Miller’s house, Kinnear and Cole arrived together and Cole went to the basement while Kinnear made the delivery upstairs. The money was then taken to the basement where Cole gave part to Miller. This and other evidence was sufficient to permit the court to submit the issue to the jury. It found for the government.

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Cole v. United States
409 U.S. 868 (Supreme Court, 1972)

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457 F.2d 1141, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/united-states-v-william-samuel-cole-two-cases-ca9-1972.