Opinion ID: 726087
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Evidence Relating to John Sandusky and the Ewing Farm

Text: 51 Leake also seeks to suppress all evidence relating to the alias John Sandusky because the alias was not known to investigators until it was illegally obtained through Robin. The government argues that the independent source doctrine permits introduction of the evidence, as the name was discovered on utility records and on the registration of a vehicle on the Ewing, Missouri, farm. 52 For reasons already set forth, information regarding John Sandusky cannot be introduced through O'Daniel or through information provided by Robin. Thus its admissibility depends on whether it was obtained legitimately through other means. Because the proffered other means involve the utility and vehicle registration records obtained subsequent to a search of the Ewing, Missouri, farm, the government must prove that that farm was discovered via untainted evidence. 53 The government contends its June 1988 search of the Ewing farm was based upon information provided by Atkinson at his March 31, 1988, interview. (Government's brief at 8). However, a contemporaneous DEA report indicates--and Badaracco's testimony verifies--that Atkinson never mentioned Ewing during the March 31 interview. (See DEA Report appended to Docket 237). Badaracco testified Atkinson could not remember the exact location but described the farm as very close to Quincy, Illinois. (J.A. at 173). It was through Robin's illegally obtained statement in April 1988 that investigators were pointed directly to Ewing, Missouri. 54 While it is conceivable that investigators might have worked their way to the Ewing farm and subpoenaed the records that revealed the name John Sandusky absent the information provided by Robin, 17 the government has failed to carry its burden of proof by way of demonstrated historical facts capable of ready verification or impeachment. Nix, 467 U.S. at 444-45 n. 5, 104 S.Ct. at 2509 n. 5. All evidence related to the name John Sandusky and to the Ewing farm must be excluded. 18