Opinion ID: 158494
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Reliability of Lineup

Text: We review the ultimate question of whether the identification was unreliable de novo and any factual findings made by the district court for clear error. See United States v. Sanchez, 24 F.3d 1259, 1262 (10th Cir. 1994). In doing so, we consider the evidence in the light most favorable to the government, -6- see United States v. Grimmett, 439 F.3d 1263, 1268 (10th Cir. 2006), and we are “permitted to consider evidence introduced at the suppression hearing, as well as any evidence properly presented at trial.” United States v. Jones, 523 F.3d 1235, 1239 (10th Cir. 2008) (internal quotation marks omitted). When a defendant challenges the constitutionality of a photo lineup, the Due Process Clause requires us to engage in a two-step inquiry: (1) “[we] must determine whether the photo array was impermissibly suggestive, and if it is found to be so, then [(2) we] must decide whether the identifications were nevertheless reliable in view of the totality of the circumstances.” Sanchez, 24 F.3d at 1261S62. In determining whether a photo lineup was unduly suggestive, we consider a number of factors, including the number of pictures in the lineup, the manner of its presentation by law enforcement, and the details of the pictures themselves. See id. at 1262. “[T]he number of photographs in an array is not itself a substantive factor, but instead is a factor that merely effects the weight given to other alleged problems or irregularities in an array.” Id. In determining whether an impermissibly suggestive photo lineup nonetheless yielded a sufficiently reliable identification, we consider the opportunity of the witness to view the suspect at the time of the crime, the witness’s degree of attention, the accuracy of the witness’s prior description of the suspect, the level of certainty the witness demonstrates when the lineup is given, and the time that has elapsed between the criminal activity alleged and -7- presentment of the lineup to the witness. See United States v. Wiseman, 172 F.3d 1196, 1210 (10th Cir. 1999). The ultimate test is whether the unduly suggestive lineup created a “very substantial likelihood of irreparable misidentification.” Manson v. Brathwaite, 432 U.S. 98, 116 (1977). The government does not challenge the district court’s finding that the photo lineups were unduly suggestive, so we presume for purposes of our analysis that they were. Accordingly, we address only whether the informant’s identification of Sierra as Choforo from the lineups was sufficiently reliable, notwithstanding the lineups’ impermissibly suggestive nature. Considering the totality of the circumstances, the district court did not err by refusing to suppress the identification. First, the informant had a number of opportunities to view Choforo engaging in criminal activity—she obtained methamphetamine from him on several occasions. Second, the informant had the opportunity to view Choforo thoroughly and with a high degree of attention. She testified she met with him face-to-face on multiple occasions, including in the living room of his home. Third, the description of Choforo the informant provided before viewing the photo lineups closely matched Sierra. She described Choforo as being about 25 years old, five feet eight inches tall, weighing 150 pounds, and having brown hair. According to his driver’s license, Sierra was 27 years old, five feet nine inches tall, weighed 170 pounds, and had black hair. -8- Fourth, the informant identified Sierra as Choforo with a high level of certainty. While she took some time to consider the three-photo lineup before selecting Sierra’s picture, she testified at trial that she was positive the picture she chose was that of Choforo. Finally, a relatively short period of time had passed between when the informant last met with Choforo to receive drugs—January 11, 2007—and when she identified Sierra as Choforo—January 22, 2007. See Archuleta v. Kerby, 864 F.2d 709, 712 (10th Cir. 1989) (listing cases where time intervals of several months were found not to be so long as to cast doubt on the reliability of identifications). In sum, even assuming the photo lineups were impermissibly suggestive, we conclude the informant’s identification of Sierra as Choforo was sufficiently reliable to pass constitutional muster. The unduly suggestive nature of the photo lineups did not create a “very substantial likelihood of irreparable misidentification.” Manson, 432 U.S. at 116.