Opinion ID: 844257
Heading Depth: 5
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Affidavit's showing of probable cause

Text: Pursuant to a warrant, the police searched the residence of defendant and his housemates. In his bedroom, officers found a letter addressed to Regina M., Joseph C.'s paramedic identification, three newspaper clippings concerning the Kenny murder, and another clipping of a rape and murder in Moreno Valley. ( Ante, pt. I.A.1., 3. & 5.) A wallet containing a photograph of Julia K. and Joseph C., as well as defendant's identification cards, were found in the living room. ( Ante, pt. I.A.5.) In the garage, officers found the silver automatic pistol that fired the shot at Howard Long ( ante, pt. I.A.4. & 7.) and a sword similar to the one used by Joseph C.'s assailant ( ante, pt. I.A.5.). They also found other ninja paraphernalia reported by one or more of the victims, including split-toed booties, darts, and black gloves with gray duct tape on the fingers. ( Ante, pt. I.A.3. & 5.) (12) In reviewing a search conducted pursuant to a warrant, an appellate court inquires `whether the magistrate had a substantial basis for concluding a fair probability existed that a search would uncover wrongdoing.' ( People v. Kraft (2000) 23 Cal.4th 978, 1040 [99 Cal.Rptr.2d 1, 5 P.3d 68], citing Illinois v. Gates (1983) 462 U.S. 213, 238-239 [76 L.Ed.2d 527, 103 S.Ct. 2317].) `The task of the issuing magistrate is simply to make a practical, common-sense decision whether, given all the circumstances set forth in the affidavit before him [or her], including the veracity and basis of knowledge of persons supplying hearsay information, there is a fair probability that contraband or evidence of a crime will be found in a particular place.' ( Illinois v. Gates, supra, 462 U.S. at p. 238.) The magistrate's determination of probable cause is entitled to deferential review. ( People v. Kraft, supra, 23 Cal.4th at p. 1041, citing Illinois v. Gates, supra, 462 U.S. at p. 236.) ( Carrington, supra, 47 Cal.4th at p. 161.) Probable cause sufficient for issuance of a warrant requires a showing in the supporting affidavit that makes it substantially probable that there is specific property lawfully subject to seizure presently located in the particular place for which the warrant is sought. ( Id. at p. 161; People v. Frank (1985) 38 Cal.3d 711, 744 [214 Cal.Rptr. 801, 700 P.2d 415].) Defendant contends the affidavit supporting the warrant here was insufficient because it did not establish the reliability of the informant. To the contrary, we have determined that Ricardo Decker was a reliable citizen informant ( ante, pt. II.A.2.a.). Detective Heredia's affidavit provided an adequate basis for the magistrate to reach the same conclusion and to conclude further that there was probable cause for the issuance of the warrant. The affidavit stated that Detective Heredia had been informed by Detective Keers that the telephone tipster was an adult coworker of defendant's, he was not in custody or a suspect, and he appeared responsible and credible. [25] According to the affidavit, Decker stated in his telephone call that he had last seen defendant on January 17, 1993, dressed as a `ninja,' carrying a sword, a long knife and a gun of some type. Decker told Keers essentially the same thing and he added that defendant told him he had recently stabbed someone. The affidavit's catalogue of offenses attributed to the suspect included the stabbing of Phillip Courtney on January 18, 1993. In his telephone call, Decker said that defendant was half black, half Japanese, 6'1 to 6'2. In his affidavit, Detective Heredia stated that the suspect was usually described as a Black male, possibly also of Asian heritage, between five feet 11 inches and six feet two inches. In the phone call, Decker stated that defendant traveled frequently on foot between the Canyon Crest area of the City of Riverside and the City of Moreno Valley. The affidavit listed the addresses of the offenses attributed to the suspect in Riverside and Moreno Valley. Finally, the affidavit recites that after being arrested, defendant admitted to Detective Heredia that he lived at the residence to be searched and that he possessed a .45 caliber semi-auto pistol, a `ninja' uniform, including a hood, shirt, pants, a sword, `ninja' darts (nails) and home-made throwing stars. The affidavit indicated that the suspect possessed all of these items when committing one or more of the offenses.