CAROLYN K. DELANEY, Magistrate Judge.
On September 22, 2016, this matter came on for hearing regarding defendants' discovery motion (ECF Nos. 28 and 31)
On March 6, 2016, defendants Moore and Smith were arrested by Stockton police officers. Each defendant was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and other offenses, and booked into the San Joaquin County Jail. On April 15, 2016, ATF Special Agent Matthew Garrett swore out a federal criminal complaint, charging Smith and Moore with being felons in possession of a firearm (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)) and illegal possession of a machine gun (26 U.S.C. § 5845(b)). ECF No. 1. After the state charges were dismissed, both defendants were brought into federal custody and detained. ECF No. 5. On April 28, 2016, the grand jury returned an Indictment against both defendants. ECF No. 14.
On September 9, 2016, defendant Moore filed a motion to dismiss the Indictment against him. ECF No. 34. That motion was granted by Judge Mendez on September 23, 2016. ECF No. 45. Thus the only remaining defendant is defendant Smith, and his trial is set for October 17, 2016. ECF No. 21.
On March 6, 2016, Stockton Police Officer Miguel Morales, while on routine patrol in a fully marked police vehicle, observed a tan Mercedes (California license plate 7NOC200) fail to come to a complete stop at a posted stop sign at the intersection of (eastbound) Stanfield Drive at Chauncy Circle in Stockton, California. Officer Morales also ran the vehicle license plate number, and found that there was no record on file.
Officer Morales activated his vehicle's emergency lights and attempted to conduct a traffic stop on the Mercedes. The vehicle failed to yield, and the driver attempted to evade the officer. The vehicle continued northbound on Appling Circle before turning westbound onto Battleview Place. The vehicle continued westbound on Battleview making a right turn onto Appling Circle. The vehicle continued eastbound then southbound approaching Stanfield Drive. The vehicle turned eastbound onto Stanfield Drive. Officer Morales observed that a tan colored bag with red straps was passed from the driver to the passenger of the vehicle. Officer Morales observed the vehicle gain speed and attempt to pass another vehicle traveling in front of them. The Mercedes travelled into the oncoming traffic lane and almost collided with another vehicle that was traveling westbound on Stanfield. Officer Morales activated his siren, and the driver of the Mercedes continued his attempt to evade the Officer. At that time, Officer Morales observed the Mercedes lose control and collide with two other vehicles that were parked on the northwest corner of Chapel Hill Circle and Stanfield Drive.
The passenger, later identified as Antonio Smith, fled from the vehicle with the tan bag. Smith looked at the officer, threw the bag to the ground, and ran into a residential backyard at 2214 Stanfield Drive. Officer Morales made contact with the driver of the vehicle, later identified as Danado Moore, and took him into custody.
Officer Morales secured the tan `tote'-style bag that had been thrown by Smith and observed that it contained a black pistol with an attached drum magazine. Officer Todd Valone responded to the location and arrested Smith at 3242 Stanfield Drive.
Approximately five weeks later, on April 13, 2016, Officer Morales shot and killed Rodney Watts, during an alleged attempted carjacking. ECF No. 28 at 3.
The Due Process Clause of the Constitution requires the United States to disclose information favorable to the accused that is material to either guilt or to punishment. In
Fed.R.Crim.P. Rule 16 provides that the government must provide the defense with "photograph books, papers, documents, data, photographs, tangible objects, buildings or places, or copies or portions of any of these items, if the item is within the government's possession, custody, or control" and if "the item is material to preparing the defense." Fed.R.Crim.P. 16(a)(1)(E) (I). The rule "triggers the government's disclosure obligation only with respect to documents within the federal government's actual possession, custody or control."
In
Broadly speaking, the defense is seeking materials regarding Stockton Police Officer Morales. It appears that Officer Morales will be the primary witness against the defendant at trial, and the defendant seeks materials that may impeach his credibility.
The government avers that the materials the defendant seeks are not within its possession or control, but that it will comply with its
The court agrees that if any incentive programs were in effect at the time of Officer Morales' arrest of the defendant, the defendant would be entitled to such information.
As with the previous request, the court concludes that if such a program were in effect when Officer Morales arrested the defendant, the defendant would be entitled to know about the program and its details. The defendant's motion for this material is DENIED as the material is not in the custody or control of the government, but the court has GRANTED the requested Rule 17(c) subpoena seeking such material.
To the extent that the defendant wishes to test Officer Morales' credibility and his adherence to procedure and protocol, the court finds that a record of the trainings he has attended may be relevant. As the government avers that the training materials are not within its custody or control, the motion to compel will be DENIED. The court finds that such materials may be obtained via a Rule 17(c) subpoena, although the court concludes that the request as drafted is overbroad and burdensome. Thus the court will limit the Rule 17(c) subpoena to reflect only a list of the training classes and has authorized a Rule 17(c) subpoena as modified.
The government avers that such materials are not within its custody or control. Thus the motion to compel will be DENIED. Further, the court concludes that a Rule 17(c) subpoena for this materials should not issue as the request is overbroad and vague. This request is DENIED.
The government avers that such materials are not within its custody or control. Thus the motion to compel will be DENIED. Further, the court concludes that a Rule 17(c) subpoena for this materials should not issue as the request is overbroad and vague. This request is DENIED.
The government avers that such materials are not within its custody or control. Thus the motion to compel will be DENIED. Further, the court concludes that a Rule 17(c) subpoena for these materials should not issue for the reasons set forth below. This request is DENIED.
The defendant argues that the investigative reports surrounding the shooting of Rodney Watts should be disclosed as they may provide information to test Officer Morales' credibility, ability to perceive, and judgment. Further, the defendant argues that as Officer Morales may face federal investigation and/or prosecution for the shooting, Officer Morales may have an incentive to curry favor with the federal prosecutors. But whether or not that is true, putting aside the issue of whether or not the trial court would permit such inquiry or argument, this court does not find disclosure of the investigative reports to be warranted. The motion to compel the investigative materials is DENIED; the request for a Rule 17(c) subpoena for these materials is DENIED; and the 151 pages of investigative reports previously provided to the court for in camera review will be filed under seal on the court's docket.