Opinion ID: 2613359
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the trial court correctly denied babb's motion to inspect boone's residence.

Text: Babb asserts that the trial court improperly denied access to inspect Boone's residence. We disagree. Babb's motion requested an order allowing defense counsel and his agents to inspect Boone's residence, and to be accompanied by a deputy sheriff, to assure that said inspection is not interfered with or subject to any supervision by any party who may now have a possessory interest in said premises or anyone residing in said residence as a caretaker. The motion stated that it was based on these facts: (1) the inspection was essential to the preparation of the defense; (2) defense counsel had previously contacted Boone's father, who had denied permission for inspection of Boone's residence; and (3) defense counsel believed that if a deputy sheriff was not ordered to accompany defense counsel and the defense investigator to the residence, said inspection will be denied and/or frustrated by interference. In denying this motion, the trial court stated: THE COURT: Well, [defense counsel], I  I empathize with your client's position. I agree that he should have the opportunity or someone who is acting attorney have the opportunity to inspect those premises but I don't think I have the power to order such an inspection unless it's been demonstrated to me that those premises are now in the possession, custody or under control of the Prosecuting Attorney. In fact I've mulled over in my mind whether  whether or not  whether or not I would have authority to order the person in possession or owner of those premises to appear before me and show cause why you should not be allowed to enter the premises. I just don't have any authority for that. I'd be  I want to see you have the opportunity to inspect the premises. Let's say I think it's appropriate, but I don't think I can order it unless there's a showing of possession, custody or under control of the Prosecuting Attorney. [Defense counsel]: I would certainly think under the Defendant's constitutional right to prepare a defense that he would have a right to inspect the premises of where some alleged crime took place. THE COURT: Well, that's fine. You argue that. Bring the  seek an Order to Show Cause from me directing the owner to appear and show cause why he should not be required to make those premises available because I don't find any law on it. [Defense counsel]: Okay. THE COURT: So the Defendant's motion for order allowing defense counsel to inspect the scene where Mr. Boone met his death is denied at this time, subject to being renewed on any other basis. Babb argues that the trial court had authority to order the inspection of the residence pursuant to art. 5, § 2 of the Idaho Constitution, I.C. §§ 1-1603 and 1-1622, and I.C.R. 16(b)(8). Babb also argues that the trial court had inherent power to order inspection of Boone's residence, citing State v. Coburn, 82 Idaho 437, 354 P.2d 751 (1960). Art. 5, § 2 of our constitution vests in the courts the judicial power of the state. I.C. § 1-1603 states that every court has power to compel obedience to its orders. I.C. § 1-1622 confers on a court all means necessary to exercise its jurisdiction. I.C.R. 16(b)(8) states: Disclosure by order of the court. Upon motion of the defendant showing substantial need in the preparation of the defendant's case for additional material or information not otherwise covered by this Rule 16(b), and that the defendant is unable without undue hardship to obtain the substantial equivalent by other means, the court in its discretion may order the additional material or information to be made available to the defendant. The court may, upon the request of any person affected by the order, vacate or modify the order if compliance would be unreasonable or oppressive. In Coburn, the defendant was convicted of negligent homicide for running his vehicle into the back of the victims' vehicle, knocking the victims off the road and causing their deaths. The defendant challenged the trial court's permitting the jury to leave the court to view the damaged automobile in which the victims rode. Id. at 445, 354 P.2d at 755. While there was a statute expressly permitting the jury to view the premises where an event occurred, there was no other explicit authority permitting the jury to leave the courtroom to view evidence. The Court ruled that it was proper to allow the jury to view the damaged automobile outside the courtroom, appearing to conclude that permitting the jury to do so is within the inherent power of the trial court. Id. at 446, 354 P.2d at 756. The question presented by Babb's motion is not whether the trial court had judicial authority; it is not whether the trial court had the power or means to enforce its orders; it is not whether the trial court had the power to require the prosecution to disclose evidence and materials upon the defendant's request; nor is it a question of the inherent power of the trial court. The question is whether Babb's motion, which was served only on the prosecuting attorney, and not on Boone's father, provided a sufficient basis for the trial court to order an inspection of Boone's residence by Babb's attorney and investigators, when the residence was not within the possession or control of the prosecution. Neither the provisions of the constitution, the statutes, or the criminal rules Babb cites, nor Coburn, direct the answer to this question that Babb seeks. The constitutional and statutory provisions Babb cites merely give the trial court judicial authority and the power to compel obedience to its orders and power to exercise its jurisdiction. This begs the question presented here: Could the trial court order a party not before the court to allow inspection of the residence? We do not read I.C.R. 16(b)(8) to authorize the trial court to order the prosecuting attorney to allow an inspection of real property in the possession or control of someone other than the prosecution when that person has not been brought before the court. The last sentence of I.C.R. 16(b)(8) (The court may, upon the request of any person affected by the order, vacate or modify the order if compliance would be unreasonable or oppressive.) does not indicate to us that an order for disclosure pursuant to I.C.R. 16(b)(8) may command disclosure by someone who is not before the trial court. Coburn is distinguishable from Babb's assertion in this case, because the question presented in Coburn was whether the trial court had the authority to permit the jury to leave the courtroom to view the automobile, not whether the trial court had the authority to require a third party in possession of the automobile to allow the view. Babb did not follow up on the trial court's invitation to request an order to show cause bringing Boone's father, who was in possession of the residence, into court and requiring Boone's father to show cause why he should not be compelled to allow the defense to inspect the residence. Babb contends that the trial court's comments in denying the request clearly show that requesting an order to show cause would have been futile. We conclude that Babb has missed the significance of the trial court's invitation for Babb to request an order to show cause. Since Babb sought an order allowing inspection of Boone's residence, it was critical that Babb bring Boone's father before the trial court, giving Boone's father notice and an opportunity to respond before the trial court issued an order compelling action by Boone's father. We also note that after the trial court denied Babb's motion to inspect the Boone residence, Boone's father offered Babb's attorney the opportunity to inspect the first floor of Boone's residence, where Boone was shot, in the presence of a deputy sheriff. Babb's attorney declined this opportunity because Boone's father would not permit an investigator to accompany Babb's attorney. While this was not the full opportunity for an inspection Babb sought by his request to the trial court, it was an opportunity that might have provided information Babb's attorney thought necessary to Babb's defense. We are also influenced by Babb's failure to pursue an inspection of Boone's residence during the trial after a question arose about the location of a telephone that Babb testified he had used to call the sheriff's office. This seems to be the most pertinent information Babb contends he needed during the trial that he could have obtained through an inspection.