Opinion ID: 1385351
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Seizure of Nine Millimeter Automatic Pistol and Ammunition at Mess Hall

Text: (5) Defendant contends that, even if there was probable cause to search the mess hall pursuant to the first warrant, it did not authorize the seizure of guns or ammunition, only Knives, axes, machetes, shovels, or any other cutting or stabbing instruments or weapons. According to defendant, the trial court properly suppressed the gun and ammunition found in defendant's desk at the mess hall because, at the time the warrant was issued no victims had been shot; therefore, no nexus existed between the gun and criminal activity. (Italics in original.) The People correctly observe, however, that the warrant also authorized seizure of any other evidence ... associating Juan V. Corona, or any other person, with the death of the victims, as well as seizure of blood-stained weapons of any sort.  (Italics added.) The pistol and ammunition were discovered in a desk whose contents bore defendant's name. These items were lying beside a hunting knife; the gun was cocked, loaded and appeared to have either bloodstains or rust on its barrel. Although most of the victims seemed to have been stabbed to death, it was not unreasonable under the circumstances to conclude that the gun (and its ammunition) had been used to facilitate some of the murders, and that these items thus constituted evidence associating defendant with the victims' deaths. We conclude that the trial court erred in suppressing the gun and ammunition found at the mess hall. Having so concluded, we need not resolve the People's additional contention that seizure of these items was also justified under the plain view doctrine. (See People v. Hill (1974) 12 Cal.3d 731, 761-764 [117 Cal. Rptr. 393, 528 P.2d 1].) Let a peremptory writ of mandate issue directing the respondent court to vacate its order of May 30, 1979, and to hold such further proceedings as may be consistent with our opinion.