Opinion ID: 266654
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Failure of the prosecution to call West as witness

Text: 10 Appellant complains vehemently of the Government's failure to call West as a witness at the hearing on the motion to suppress and at the trial. We hold no error was committed. 11 At the hearing to suppress evidence Agent Bailey identified West by name, described his physical appearance, and gave the address where Bailey met him, adding that his present address was unknown. Bailey testified that West told him he had been an addict for twenty-seven years and had obtained heroin in the vicinity of 149th Street. Judge Palmieri ruled that this was relevant to a showing of probable cause, but reserved decision as to Miguel's right to obtain the presence of West. Appellant did not demand the production of West. This is fatal to its claim that the Government was obligated to produce him. See United States v. Gernie, 2 Cir., 252 F.2d 664, 668, cert. den. 356 U.S. 968, 78 S.Ct. 1006, 2 L.Ed.2d 1073; United States v. Paroutian, 2 Cir., 319 F.2d 661, 663-664, cert. den. 375 U.S. 981, 84 S.Ct. 494, 11 L.Ed.2d 426. 12 The trial began on March 10, 1964. On the day the Government rested its case-in-chief the Assistant United States Attorney learned that West was to be sentenced in a state court the following morning. He informed the trial judge of this fact and the judge specifically advised defense counsel that 'we will produce or have the Government produce Mr. West.' Defense counsel excepted to the proposal to produce West on the ground that 'the Government owed us the duty of summoning him before they closed the case.' When the defense rested, the trial judge repeated his earlier statement as to West's availability but defense counsel refused the renewed opportunity to examine West. Appellant's contention that the Government was obliged to call West as its own witness cannot be supported. United States v. Holiday, 2 Cir., 319 F.2d 775, 776; United States v. Colletti, 2 Cir., 245 F.2d 781, 782, cert. den. sub nom. Russo v. United States, 355 U.S. 874, 78 S.Ct. 125, 2 L.Ed.2d 78. VI. Alleged delay in arraignment 13 Miguel was arrested at 10:45 P.M., September 23. He was arraigned the following day at 1:00 P.M. Appellant contends that the delay rendered inadmissible any admissions made during that period. The contention is overruled. Appellant's arraignment was not prejudicially delayed. After his arrest he was lodged at a local precinct until shortly after 1:00 A.M. on September 24, when he was transferred to the Federal House of Detention. Between 9:00 and 9:30 A.M. he was taken from the House of Detention to the office of the Bureau of Narcotics at 90 Church Street where he was processed. At approximately 10:30 A.M. he was removed to the courthouse and questioned by an Assistant United States Attorney. 14 The overnight detention was proper in the absence of an available magistrate. United States v. Ladson, 2 Cir., 294 F.2d 535, 537 (note 1), cert. den. 369 U.S. 824, 82 S.Ct. 840, 7 L.Ed.2d 789; United States v. Vita, 2 Cir., 294 F.2d 524, 529 (note 1), cert. den. 369 U.S. 823, 82 S.Ct. 837, 7 L.Ed.2d 788. The Ladson case shows that the time devoted to processing appellant at 90 Church Street was usual and necessary in the ordinary course of pre-arraignment procedures. As no statements made by appellant during the subsequent period prior to arraignment were used against him, he was not prejudiced by them and they need not be considered. See United States v. Guerra, 2 Cir., 334 F.2d 138, 145 (1964), cert. den. 85 S.Ct. 337 (U.S.Dec. 7, 1964).