Opinion ID: 1518504
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: was issuance of the search warrant supported by probable cause?

Text: The warrant to search appellant's residence authorized a search for and a seizure of any personal property belonging to the decedent, any firearms, contraband or narcotics. The affidavits of two detectives investigating the case were submitted to support the issuance of the warrant. The affidavits recited that Peter Margerum had told them about the cocaine deal between Kelly and appellant; that Margerum told them about the meeting at the restaurant before the delivery of the cocaine to appellant; that Kelly's body was found buried on the premises of Nugent Sand Company; that an employee of the sand company had stated that appellant owned a .22 caliber weapon. In addition, the affidavit described the results of an extensive, independent investigation supporting these facts. Based on the statements in the affidavits, the issuing judge had sufficient detail to rely on something more reliable than a casual rumor. Spinelli v. United States, 393 U.S. 410, 89 S.Ct. 584, 21 L.Ed.2d 637 (1969). There were reasonable grounds for believing that the property sought to be discovered was on the premises to be searched. Robinson v. Commonwealth, Ky., 550 S.W.2d 496 (1977). Under these circumstances, the search warrant was properly issued. The judgment of the trial court is reversed and remanded. PALMORE, C.J., and AKER, CLAYTON, O'HARA, STEPHENS and STERNBERG, JJ., concur. STEPHENSON, J., dissents.