Opinion ID: 1843911
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Quantum of Proof Necessary to Show Miller's Presence in Arizona at the Time of the Alleged Offense.

Text: As noted in division I, when reviewing extradition proceedings we are faced with two questions: (1) Is the petitioner charged with the commission of a crime in the demanding state? (2) Is the petitioner a fugitive, i.e., was he present within the demanding state when the crime was committed? Thurman, 223 N.W.2d at 249. Miller's contention is that the State failed to show that he was present within the demanding state at the time the alleged crime was committed and his writ of habeas corpus should, therefore, be granted. Our review of this matter is for errors at law. Iowa R.App.P. 4. Hickey v. State, 349 N.W.2d 772, 776 (Iowa App.1984). Moreover, we are bound by the trial court's finding[s] for which there is substantial evidentiary support. Hickey, 349 N.W.2d at 776. We conclude that the State adequately met its burden of showing that Miller was present in Arizona at the time the alleged crime was committed. Issuance of the governor's extradition warrant, standing alone, is prima facie evidence that the defendant is a fugitive and subject to extradition, and the fact of the defendant's presence in the demanding state at the time of the charged act may be presumed from the prima facie force of the issuance of the warrant. Thurman, 223 N.W.2d at 249; Hughes v. Waters, 204 N.W.2d 599, 600-01 (Iowa 1973); Hill v. Houck, 195 N.W.2d 692, 695 (Iowa 1972); see also Michigan v. Doran, 439 U.S. at 289, 99 S.Ct. at 535, 58 L.Ed.2d at 527 (a governor's grant of extradition is prima facie evidence that the constitutional and statutory requirements have been met). The State may rely upon the presumptive force of the extradition warrant and supporting papers and need not produce oral testimony to prove Miller's presence in Arizona at the relevant time. Thurman, 223 N.W.2d at 249; Hill, 195 N.W.2d at 696-98. Once the State establishes a prima facie case for extradition, Miller has the heavy burden of overcoming the State's case by clear and satisfactory evidence that he was not in Arizona at the time in question. Thurman, 223 N.W.2d at 249; Hughes, 204 N.W.2d at 600; Hill, 195 N.W.2d at 695. Miller's bare assertion that he was not in Arizona at the time of the alleged offense clearly does not satisfy this burden. In contrast, the State has satisfied the requirements for a prima facie showing in an extradition proceeding. The Iowa governor's warrant recited that Miller was a fugitive from Arizona. The Arizona governor's requisition also recited that Miller was present in Arizona at the time of the alleged offenses and, thereafter, fled to Iowa. Finally, the Arizona prosecutor's application stated that Miller committed the charged offenses while physically present in Maricopa County, Arizona, and that he then left Arizona and fled to Iowa. The ruling of the district court is affirmed. AFFIRMED.