Opinion ID: 340081
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Government's Meeting with Blair and Burt.

Text: 73 Both before the district court and on appeal, appellants argue that the government improperly met with appellant George Blair and his then wife Ruth Ann Burt without the presence of, or even notification to, Blair's attorney. Appellants urge that the meeting in the absence of counsel was fundamentally unfair. Moreover, since this was a complex conspiracy case, and Blair's statements could be used to incriminate other defendants found to be co-conspirators, appellants argue that the meeting violated the right to counsel of all of the appellants. In support of their contentions appellants cite State v. Britton, 203 S.E.2d 462 (W.Va.1974), as authority for reversing a conviction when the prosecution met with a defendant in the absence of his attorney. They contend that the circumstances of the secret meeting with Blair and Burt irremediably tainted her testimony. 74 According to Burt's testimony, 9 about five months after Blair's arrest, when she and Blair were not living together, Agent Garibotto communicated with her about testifying before the grand jury, and she said that she would think about it. Later she called Garibotto and arranged to meet him, telling him that she would bring Blair. When they met, she said that she wanted to negotiate immunity for Blair, and Garibotto replied that he would have to consult the government attorney handling the case. The critical meeting was held at the Ramada Inn. Blair, Burt, Garibotto, and government attorney Wampler were all present. Burt stated that no one took notes, and she did not believe that the conversation was recorded. She did not recall whether anyone gave Blair the Miranda warnings. In Blair's presence she told the government agents a good deal about her knowledge of the narcotics organization and Blair's activities. When she was asked if Blair took part in the conversation, she said, in some areas, yes. She stated that he answered some questions. Burt said that she then asked if Blair could be given immunity in return for her testimony, but that they were told that Blair would not be given immunity unless he testified himself. 75 At the time of the meeting, Blair and virtually all of those indicted were being represented by one attorney, Milton Henry. The government did not inform Henry of the meeting, nor was Blair asked to contact Henry himself. 76 The district court conducted an inquiry into this matter at a post-trial hearing. Government attorney Wampler testified that he had believed that it was Blair's wish that neither his co-defendants nor their common counsel learn of his efforts to obtain immunity in return for Burt's testimony. Moreover, he stated that Blair said little at the meeting, and that the government didn't rely on anything that was said at the meeting and that's very true. 77 The trial court held that the government offered no evidence at trial resulting from any statements made by Miss Burt or defendant Blair at the meeting . . . . (C)learly the testimony of Miss Burt at trial was in no way the fruit of the Ramada Inn discussion. The court recognized the dangers of meeting with a defendant without his counsel, especially when co-defendants are represented by the same counsel, but it held that in this case the contact with Blair was not improper. The meeting was sought by Burt and not by the government, and it was arranged with Burt, not Blair, who made only gratuitous comments that were not used at trial. 78 We agree with the district court. We are satisfied with the district court's careful inquiry to determine whether any evidence derived from the meeting was used by the government, and with its conclusion that no evidence presented at trial was gained from the meeting. Accordingly, any error committed by the government was harmless whether measured by the ordinary or by the constitutional standard. 79 Of course, as a general matter, an attorney should not communicate directly with a party whom he knows to be represented by an attorney without the consent of the lawyer. See American Bar Association Code of Professional Responsibility, Canon 7, D.R. 7-104(a)(1). Here, however, the meeting was arranged primarily between government agents and Burt, who was not under indictment. The government did not seek the meeting. Government attorney Wampler testified that he believed that Blair particularly wanted to keep his attempts to secure immunity from the other defendants and the counsel who represented them all jointly. Cf. Arrington v. Maxwell, 409 F.2d 849, 853 (6th Cir. 1969). However, the government did not take the precautions that were possible. It did not encourage or even suggest to Blair that he should either notify Henry or arrange for the appointment of independent counsel who could be present. Although we disapprove of this practice, it bears little resemblance to the outrageous prosecutorial conduct which required reversal in cases cited by appellants. E.g., United States v. Rispo, 460 F.2d 965 (3rd Cir. 1972). 80