Opinion ID: 2136461
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: We must also determine whether continued refusal by the court, in course of trial, to require informant identification constituted error.

Text: This mandates a review of the instantly involved factual situation. Cleatus Leaming, assistant chief of police, Des Moines, a State's witness, testified that about 10:00 a.m., July 9, 1970, an individual appeared at his office. After some preliminary conversation the visitor asked whether Leaming wanted to catch some robbers in the act, to which the latter responded in the affirmative. Thereupon the visitor reported the general locale and time of a planned robbery that same day Thereafter Leaming received at least four phone calls from an informer or informers regarding the above noted robbery. On the last of such calls, about 3:30 p.m., Leaming was told the offense would be committed ten to 20 minutes later. Leaming also stated he had been told, (1) his informer, wearing a bright jacket, would participate in the robbery; (2) Dennis Lamar and Fred Hughes were to assist in committing the crime. Leaming further testified that soon after the robbery officer Rhodes gave an informer some money. Des Moines detective Lew Rhodes' testimony reveals he was present when the informer visited Leaming as aforesaid. Rhodes knew the informant; was present at the subsequent store stakeout; saw three black males enter the establishment; and soon thereafter observed an individual wearing a bright colored jacket go around the corner but did not pursue him. Both Leaming and Rhodes denied having had any part in initiating or suggesting the instant robbery to anyone. Other police officers testified regarding the after robbery flight of a man attired in a bright jacket and the arrest of Lamar and Fred Hughes at the robbery site. Debbie Newton, defense called witness, identified herself as Billy Newton's wife, then stated Newton, wearing a bright orange jacket, came to her home about 11:00 a.m., July 9, 1970; she was there sleeping with Lamar; Newton asked Lamar to help pull a robbery; Lamar first refused but after Newton got Lamar high on dope the latter agreed to help; and she, Debbie, was the subject of a conflict between Newton and Lamar. Billy Newton, also a defense called witness, admitted he knew Rhodes but denied knowing Leaming. As aforesaid he consistently refused to answer any informer or robbery related questions. Defendant, a witness in his own behalf, first substantially corroborated Debbie Newton's testimony, then said he, Newton, and apparently Hughes, went to Sue Newton's home before the robbery to get some stocking masks and was told Newton then, or about 3:30 p.m., had placed a phone call. Lamar also admitted having taken part in the robbery here charged. He further testified Newton and Hughes were accomplices in the act; Newton, then wearing a bright orange jacket, had run out of the store; and the police arrested him (Lamar) and Hughes at the robbery site. Lamar denied existence of any conflict between himself and Newton. Briefly stated, the foregoing reveals (1) Newton was a participant in the robbery; (2) a strong likelihood he was an informer; (3) a sufficient basis upon which it could be found Newton induced Lamar to take part in the robbery; and (4) police officers were stationed at the robbery target store because of tips supplied by an informant or informants. Significantly there is no testimony whatsoever disclosing any person other than Newton ever urged, induced or persuaded Lamar to become involved in the instantly charged crime. Thus Lamar's right of informant identity focuses upon Newton alone. This is, in brief, the factual picture we must now view in light of applicable precepts. It must at the outset be understood, when an accused is entitled to know the identity of an informer it will not suffice to argue such identity has been inferentially revealed by the evidence. See Roviaro v. United States, 353 U.S. at 60, 77 S.Ct. at 627, n. 8. And a defendant's cross-examination of police officers is no substitute for the opportunity to effectively examine an identified informer. See Roviaro v. United States, 353 U.S. at 64, 77 S.Ct. at 629. Moreover, the denial by law enforcement officials that they themselves, or through others acting for them, induced an accused to commit the offense charged does not negate entrapment merely because such denial stands uncontradicted. See In re Marriage of Boyd, 200 N.W.2d 845, 851-852 (Iowa 1972); State v. Estrella, 257 Iowa 462, 471, 133 N.W.2d 97 (1965); State v. Triplett, 248 Iowa 339, 346, 79 N. W.2d 391 (1956). Under existing circumstances we now hold, in the face of defendant's repeated demands, trial court erred in failing to determine by appropriate proceedings whether Billy Newton was an informer and if so, in not requiring attendant disclosure. With reference thereto see generally United States v. Alvarez, 472 F.2d at 113; United States v. Day, 384 F.2d 464, 470 (3d Cir. 1967); Rule 510, Proposed Rules of Evidence for United States Courts and Magistrates, and Advisory Committee's Note, Transmitted Draft 1972, 56 F.R.D. 183, 255-258; 19 Drake L.Rev. 486, 491 (1970). See also State v. White, 260 Iowa 1000, 1006-1008, 151 N.W.2d 552 (1967); cf. Simmons v. United States, 390 U.S. 377, 394, 88 S.Ct. 967, 976, 19 L.Ed.2d 1247 (1968).