Opinion ID: 1094779
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Affidavit Standing Alone

Text: With regard to the second search warrant which is in issue here authorizing the nighttime search of room 108, the underlying facts and circumstances sheet reflects the following: FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES SHEET I, Captain Larry Parks, executed a search warrant obtained from Judge Edmund J. Phillips, Jr. at 507 Oak St. Newton, MS. This address being the residence of Lynn Lindsey. While conducting the search of the premises and occupants found therein Petti, Aristobolo was found to be in possession of approximately four (4) grams of a white powder substance alleged to be cocaine, a large quantity of U.S. currency and a motel room key for room # 108 Days Inn Motel Highway 15 South Newton, MS. The manager at Days Inn verified that the motel room was registered to Petti, Aristobolo and a card with Petti, Aristobolo name on it was given to above officer. Based on the above information I, Captain Larry Parks, request that a search warrant be issued for Room # 108 Days Inn Motel Newton, MS. 2035 Hrs. P.M. Larry Parks 11-02-90 F Gardner Agent MBN 2/Nov 90 At first glance, the information conveyed to the magistrate favoring the legality of the motel room warrant seems compelling enough. Testimony elicited during the suppression hearing, however, reflects the affidavit is seriously flawed in one material respect. Assertions from both Parks and Judge Phillips indicate the sworn allegation informing the issuing magistrate that four (4) grams of cocaine were found on Petti's person was not true. Captain Parks succinctly testified at the suppression hearing that the cocaine was not found on Petti and that this portion of his affidavit was false. Judge Phillips concurred. He did not remember the affiants telling him orally they found drugs in Petti's possession. Rather, Parks told him they found it on the premises. Judge Phillips testified he was aware of the contents of the affidavit and that Parks swore to the information contained therein. This affidavit was absent any information from the affiant himself, nor any personal information from a confidential source. The officer admits to the false information without which no facts are asserted except Petti had a motel room key, and the room was registered to him. After careful scrutiny of the facts, information contained in the affidavit alone did not provide a substantial basis for the magistrate's finding of probable cause. This Court turns now to an analysis of the oral testimony of the officers which supplemented the written affidavit to determine if that forms a substantive basis for probable cause.