Court Opinion

ID: 9450210
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 16:38:25.392774+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:32:11.662156
License: Public Domain

BASTIAN, Circuit Judge
(dissenting):
Appellant was indicted under a twenty-four count indictment charging as follows:
Counts 1 through 5 (crimes against M. SO:
1. Housebreaking with intent to steal.
2. Housebreaking with intent to commit an assault.
3. Assault with a dangerous weapon.
4. Robbery.
5. Rape.
Counts 6 through 9, and Count 11 (crimes against K.A.) 1
6. Housebreaking with intent to steal.
7. Housebreaking with intent to commit an assault.
8. Robbery.
9. Assault with a dangerous weapon.
11. Rape.
Counts 13 and 14 (crimes againsf L.L., B. L. and S.L.):
13. Housebreaking with intent to steal.
14. Assault with a dangerous weapon.
Cozmts 15 through 19 (crimes against L. M.):
15. Housebreaking with intent to steal.
16. Housebreaking with intent to commit an assault.
17. Assault with a dangerous weapon.
18. Robbery.
19. Rape.
Counts 20 through 24 (crimes against D. C. ):
20. Housebreaking with intent to steal.
21. Housebreaking with intent to commit an assault.
22. Assault with a dangerous weapon.
23. Robbery.
24. Assault with intent to commit rape.
Appellant was found not guilty by reason of insanity of those counts charging rape (5, 11, 19) and assault with intent to commit rape (24). He was found guilty on all other counts. Appellant was sentenced by the trial judge to a total of twenty to sixty years. He appeals.2
Of the guilt of appellant in these cases there is not, in my opinion, the slightest doubt. No evidence was offered on behalf of appellant to show, or even intimate, that the atrocious offenses were not committed by him. His entire defense was insanity.3
*972My colleagues, however, reverse Ricks’ convictions on two grounds: (1) that Mallory v. United States, 354 U.S. 449, 77 S.Ct. 1356, 1 L.Ed.2d 1479 (1957), required the exclusion at trial of statements made by Ricks on Sunday, June 24, the day of his arrest (relating to the crimes against L.M. and S.L.); 4 and (2) that the admissions made by Ricks on Monday, June 25 (relating to all the crimes), following his appearance before the Commissioner, should have been excluded because Ricks’ conversations with the police officers violated “the general scheme of the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure” and “the specific order of the Commissioner” granting a continuance of the proceedings.
I vigorously disagree with both grounds, and I shall deal with each sepa- ' rately.
•I

Confessions Made Prior to Appearance before the United States Commissioner

In the early morning hours of June 22, 1962, a man entered the first floor of L. M. ’s home at 723 Massachusetts Avenue, N. E., threatened her with a knife, took money from her and raped her. Appellant was arrested at 3:50 or 3:55 P.M. on June 24, 1962, after his photograph had been identified by the victim from a group of photographs. He arrived at the police station at about 4:02 P.M. L. M. was called to the police station for the purpose of observing a line-up. She identified appellant from among the members constituting the line-up at approximately 4:25 P.M. The Sex Squad, which had jurisdiction over all such cases, was notified of Ricks’ arrest. Two officers of that squad who had been investigating a number of similarly executed rapes in the same general neighborhood5 were advised of the arrest, and arrived at the police station around 4:30 P.M. After consulting with the arresting officer, about “five or ten minutes after arrival,” they talked to Ricks. After identifying themselves, they informed him of his right to remain silent and warned him that, if he said anything, it might be used against him in a future trial. Detective Wolfgang testified that he then:
“told him that he had been identified by [L.M.] that she was emphatic in her identification of him; the time and the date that this had happened, etc.; and where he was at that particular time and dates if he could tell me; if there was anybody — if he had any people that could verify his whereabouts at the time, would be glad to talk to these people; and things of that nature.”
*973Detective Wolfgang also testified:
“I didn’t have reason to doubt it [L.M.’s identification of Ricks], but by the same token, I didn’t in my own mind feel that that was — that identification alone was conclusive enough.”
(L.M. later testified that since the attack had occurred in her unlighted room, she had been able to view her assailant only by the light from a flashlight turned on and off intermittently by him, and by the illumination from a near-by streetlight.)
About 5:30 P.M. L.M. recounted, in Ricks’ presence, the details of the attack upon her. Immediately upon her leaving the conference room, about 5:55 or 6:00 P.M., Ricks confessed to the commission of the rape. Thus, this confession was made approximately two hours after his arrest.
On June 1, 1962, just three weeks before the crimes against L.M., premises 704 East Capitol Street were entered in the same manner as were the premises of L.M. S.L., sleeping on a couch, was awakened when a blanket was placed over her face. When she started to scream, her throat was slashed several times with a safety razor blade, part of which remained embedded in her neck. Upon hearing her screams, S.L.’s son-in-law went to her rescue and chased the attacker from the house.
Ricks was placed in a line-up at 6:05 P.M. on Sunday, June 25, 1962, at which time S.L. was unable to identify him as her assailant. After the line-up had been completed at 6:10 P.M., however, appellant was told by the police that his fingerprints had been found on the razor blade used in the attack upon S.L. Passing the son-in-law of S.L. on his way back to the detectives’ office, Ricks stopped and told him: “You’re the man that chased me out of the house when the woman on the second floor screamed.”
With regard to the statements made prior to the appearance of appellant before the United States Commissioner, it is to be noted that his confession concerning L.M. was made within two hours after he had been apprehended, and the statement to S.L.’s son-in-law was made within two and a half hours after his arrest. No other statements were made prior to his appearance before the United States Commissioner, nor were any offered in evidence, so that we have only to consider, on this phase of the case, the confession of the crimes against L.M. and the statement relating to the S.L. case.)®.
My colleagues apparently find little dif-ficutly in determining that the statements of Ricks above referred to were ‘inadmissible. I, however, feel that unless we ignore the word “unnecessary” in Fed.R.Crim.P. 5(a), there is absolutely no warrant for excluding Ricks’ statements. Certainly the fact that he was not presented to the United States Commissioner until 10:00 o’clock of the morning after his arrest would not make inadmissible the statements made within two hours after arrest. See United States v. Mitchell, 322 U.S. 65, 64 S.Ct. 896, 88 L.Ed. 1140 (1944).
I think the majority in this case has extended the Mallory doctrine far beyond the import of that decision. Contrary to the situation in Mallory, where the accused was questioned continuously by four detectives, there was no such questioning in the instant ease. The import of Mallory and such cases as Heideman v. United States, 104 U.S.App.D.C. 128, 259 F.2d 943 (1958), cert. denied, 359 U.S. 959, 79 S.Ct. 800, 3 L.Ed.2d 767 (1959), is that it is the duty of the arresting officers to see that a prisoner is arraigned without unnecessary delay, but this does not indicate that “the command calls for mechanical or automatic obedience.” The admissibility of confessions received during a period of delay cannot be measured by a time clock. See Muschette v. United States, 116 U.S.App.D.C. 239, 322 F.2d 989 (1963). The facts and circumstances must be considered. Although the Mallory doctrine is clear and definite, the opinion of the Supreme Court in that case leaves one essential aspect without any definition. The *974meaning of the vital term “unnecessary-delay” is left open, presumably for delineation by future decisions. The opinion makes it clear, however, that the term is flexible and that the extent of a permissible delay depends on circumstances. Thus, it contains the following comment:
“The duty enjoined upon arresting officers to arraign ‘without unnecessary delay’ indicates that the command does not call for mechanical or automatic obedience. Circumstances may justify a brief delay between arrest and arraignment, as for instance, where the story volunteered by the accused is susceptible of quick verification through third parties. But the delay must not be of a nature to give opportunity for the extraction of a confession.” Mallory v. United States, 354 U.S. at 455, 77 S.Ct. at 1359.
Similarly, in the Notes of the Advisory Committee to Rule 5(a) of the Rules of Criminal Procedure, it is observed:
“What constitutes ‘unnecessary delay’, i. e., reasonable time within which the prisoner should be brought before a committing magistrate, must be determined in the light of all the facts and circumstances of the case. The * * * authorities discuss the question what constitutes reasonable time for this purpose in various situations.”
In this case, the main time between appellant’s arrest and his statements was spent in booking, processing, calling witnesses to the crimes, and giving appellant an opportunity to explain where he was if he was not at the scene of the crimes. The mere appearance of a man before the United States Commissioner and the holding of him for action by the Grand Jury is a stigma which cannot be easily erased, and the police are not anxious to arrest an innocent person. Appellant was living with his wife; he was a man of superior intelligence; he was employed at an adequate salary; and he should have been able to exculpate himself, if that were possible. In Heide-man we used language particularly applicable here:
“At the outset, the police, assuming they have probable cause for arrest, are entitled to ask the arrested suspect what he knows about a crime. If he denies knowledge, they are entitled to state to him what evidence they have and ask whether he cares to comment upon it. A strong circumstantial case which would satisfy the U. S. Commissioner, prima facie, might well be explained away by a suspect who knew what information the police relied on — hence leading to no charge being made. If the suspect continues to deny knowledge, the police are entitled to conclude the interview by saying, in effect, ‘Do you have anything further to tell us, or do you just want to let it stand the way it is?’ which was what [the detective] asked appellant. Such questions as these the police may ask — indeed should ask; it is only when the questioning crosses into what can be termed ‘grilling,’ or is continued beyond the brief period allowed, that the resulting confession may be held inadmissible.” 104 U.S.App.D.C. at 130-131, 259 F.2d at 945-946.
Cf. Trilling v. United States, 104 U.S.App.D.C. 159, 260 F.2d 677 (1958); Metoyer v. United States, 102 U.S.App.D.C. 62, 250 F.2d 30 (1957). And see Muschette v. United States, supra.
Also in Heideman, we distinguished Metoyer from Mallory and called attention to the fact that:
“In the Mallory case, contrariwise, an afternoon and entire night separated arrest from arraignment, and the time was intermittently used for extensive interrogation of the accused, including use of a lie detector test and simultaneous questioning by a number of officers. In the pre-arraignment interval there, more occurred than the mere handling of administrative details and the corroborating of the accused’s identifl-*975cation.” 104 U.S.App.D.C. at 130, note 2, 259 F.2d at 945, note 2.
In making his ruling on the motion to suppress, the trial judge in the instant case succinctly stated the point as follows :
“She was sleeping in the room when this thing started and I am sure she wasn’t sleeping in full light.
“Even if she had been, which I am sure she wasn’t and I am sure when she gets on the stand, she will so testify, these fleeting identifications when a person is absolutely terrorized — it is one thing, perhaps, when you are standing around Sears Roebuck store, looking at somebody, not scared to death, and when somebody has a knife on you, raping you and threatening you.6
“I would hate — I would hate to ever have to sentence someone to death for rape on an identification like that, I would not like it in any case, but I would be very disquieted if that were the only evidence brought in before a jury and the jury found him guilty and recommended the death penalty.
“I don’t know of anything that would upset me more.
“I feel that the admission, and I take it that actually the statement made at 6:05 was an admission rather than a confession—
# #
“does not violate the Mallory Rule or Rule 5(a); that the admission to [S. L.’s son-in-law], which he apparently volunteered as he went up the steps, does not violate Rule 5(a); so when we come to the confessions on the morning of the 25th, we do not have any poisonous tree to have fruit thereof.” 7
With this I wholeheartedly agree. My opinion is that this court has too often extended Mallory far beyond its import. My colleagues make much of the fact that one witness stated that L.M.’s identification was sufficient to go to arraignment. However, the officer in charge, Detective Wolfgang, testified to the contrary. The trial judge, hearing the motion to suppress, had this to say: .
“Officer Kline said that the identification was ample for him to go to arraignment. I was much more impressed with Officer Wolfgang, Detective Wolfgang, who said in his opinion, he didn’t want to go to arraignment or take a man before the Commissioner on a crime of this sort simply on this type of identification.
“I have a great deal more respect for Detective Wolfgang’s feeling in the matter because the cases that give me the most trouble, as I sit here as a Judge, are those cases where the only evidence of the crime or the primary evidence of a crime is a fleeting glimpse of someone by a witness while a crime is being committed.”
We must remember that the trial judge has more opportunity to see the witnesses and to determine the matter than do we.
I think the statements made prior to appearance before the United States Commissioner were properly admitted.
It is my feeling that the thinking of some members of this court is to prevent the offering in evidence of any statements voluntarily made by an accused after being placed under arrest. I cannot believe the Supreme Court had any such thought in mind. (See quotation from Mallory, supra.) This circuit has in some cases read into the Mallory decision a meaning widely divergent from that ascribed to it by other circuits. See, e. g., United States v. Ladson, 294 F.2d 535 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 369 U.S. 824, 82 S.Ct. 840, 7 L.Ed.2d 789 (1961); *976United States v. Vita, 294 F.2d 524 (2d Cir.), cert. denied, 369 U.S. 823, 82 S.Ct. 837, 7 L.Ed.2d 788 (1961); Muldrow v. United States, 281 F.2d 903 (9th Cir. 1960); Holt v. United States, 280 F.2d 273 (8th Cir. 1960), cert. denied, 365 U.S. 838, 81 S.Ct. 750, 5 L.Ed.2d 747 (1961).
II

Confessions after Original Appearance before the United. States Commissioner

I turn now to a consideration of the admissibility of the statements made by appellant after his first appearance before the United States Commissioner, on June 25, 1962, and after his appearance before District Judge McGarraghy later the same day.
The uncontroverted record shows the following: At 9:55 A.M. on June 25, 1962 (the day after appellant’s arrest), complaint for violation of D.C.Code § 22-2801 was filed against Ricks charging the rape of L.M., and that at 10:20 A.M. he was brought before the United States Commissioner. According to the Commissioner’s uncontradicted testimony, Ricks was
“advised that he was there as a result of the complaint charging him with violation of Title 22 of the D. C.Code, Section 2801, specifically, that on June 22, 1962, at premises 723 Massachusetts Avenue, Northeast, in the District of Columbia, that he did have carnal knowledge of or rape [L.M.] forcibly and against her will.
“Having been apprised of this complaint, I then advised the defendant that in regard to this complaint he was not required to make any statement; that any statement he made could be used against him at this or any other hearing.
“I further advised the defendant he had a right to retain the services of an attorney, and that he was entitled to a preliminary hearing in this matter, and at such hearing he would have a right or his counsel would have a right to cross-examine any witnesses against him and introduce testimony in his own behalf.
“I then told the defendant that the preliminary hearing was not the trial, and that he had a choice at that hearing of having a hearing then and there, or that he might waive the hearing, and I explained to him what a waiver meant; that the matter would then be sent directly to the Grand Jury without the benefit of a hearing, and if he was indicted he would be called upon to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty, and if the matter was ignored he would be freed from custody in the matter; and that finally he had a third choice of requesting a continuance of the matter for the purpose of contacting counsel or contacting any member of his family relative to securing counsel for him.
“At that time the defendant chose to request a continuance for the purpose of contacting his family regarding the retention of counsel in his behalf. The case at his request was continued for a short period to the date of June the 28th.”
By “Order of Temporary Commitment,” Ricks was then committed to the custody of the United States Marshal and taken to the cell block behind the Commissioner’s office pending transfer to the District of Columbia jail. Thereupon, Detective Wolfgang of the Sex Squad and Detective Wallace of the Ninth Precinct went to the cell block and requested to see the prisoner. The Deputy United States Marshal in charge stated that Ricks would have to consent to see them. While the officers waited, the Deputy went to Ricks’ cell and was given the necessary permission by Ricks. The Deputy informed the officers of Ricks’ consent and asked them to wait until the interviewing room was available, as it was in use at the time. The room was vacated a few minutes later and the officers met with Ricks. They *977advised him that “he didn’t have to say anything or he didn’t have to talk to us.”
The officers informed Ricks that they had brought L.M. to the courthouse, but that he did not have to see her if he did not want to. Ricks, however, said that he did want the opportunity to apologize to her again. L.M. entered the room and was about to be seated when Ricks asked that she step outside the room, that he wanted to talk to the officers alone. As soon as she had left the room, Ricks stated that “he wanted to get himself straight, that he wanted to straighten everything out,” and requested a piece of paper and a pencil, which were provided. He then indicated in writing seven various locations where he had broken into houses, further indicating that he had sexually attacked a woman in four of the instances, all of which assaults were under investigation by the police department. Wolfgang then showed him a copy of a police memorandum which enumerated and summarized various unsolved sexual attacks which were under investigation. By signing his name beneath the particular summary, Ricks indicated those crimes which had been of his doing. He then told the officers that he wanted to see the victims, to be able to "talk to them” and “apologize to them.” When he was told that he probably would be taken to the jail, Ricks asked if he could talk to them there. The officers were not sure that they could bring the victims to the jail, but indicated that they would attempt to locate somebody in the United States Attorney’s office who could advise them. At 11:55 A.M. the officers left.
The record next indicates that at 2:23 P.M. on the same day, appellant appeared with an Assistant United States Attorney before Judge McGarraghy of the United States District Court. Motion was made that Ricks be released to the custody of a Deputy United States Marshal and two named members of the Metropolitan Police Department to assist in the solution of certain unsolved crimes, the motion being made “upon the express desire of Calvin Lee Ricks to assist the Police Department.” The following then transpired:
“The Court : Are you Calvin Lee Ricks?
“The Defendant: Yes, sir.
“The Court: You had a hearing before the United States Commissioner this morning?
“The Defendant: Yes, sir. >
“The Court : And he advised you of your rights, I suppose, and told you that you are not required to make any statement of any kind regarding these charges against you?
“The Defendant: Yes, sir.
“The Court: You understand
that, do you?
“The Defendant: Yes, sir.
“The Court: And I am advising you again to the same effect, that you are not required to make any statement and that any statement that you may make may be used against you. I am told by the United States Attorney that you wish to go with the police to various scenes to help them in their investigation of certain crimes, is that right, Mr. Murphy [the United States Attorney] ?
“Mr. Murphy: That is right, Your Honor.
“The Court: Is that right, do you want to do that ?
“The Defendant: Yes, sir.
“The Court: Do you understand that you don’t have to do it?
“The Defendant: Yes, sir, I understand.
“The Court: And you are asking me to permit you to go out with the police officers for that purpose?
“The Defendant: Yes, sir.
“The Court: You want to do it?
“The Defendant: Yes.
“The Court: Very well. I want you to bear in mind again that you are not required to do it and if you *978do do it that anything that transpires and anything you say may be used against you. Do you understand that?
“The Defendant: I understand that, sir.
* * * *. * *•
“The Court: I want to read this order to you. You can hear me all right, can’t you ? •
“The Defendant: Yes, sir.
“The Court: This is an order which is headed,.‘Order for temporary release from custody.
‘Upon consideration of the oral motion of the United States Attorney in and for the District of Columbia, request that Calvin Lee Ricks, now committed to the District of Columbia Jail, be released into custody of the Deputy United States Marshal and two members of the Metropolitan Police Department for the District of Columbia to assist in the solution of various housebreakings and related crimes, and upon express desire of said Calvin Lee Ricks to assist the Metropolitan Police Department in the solution of these crimes committed in the District of Columbia.
‘It is this 25th day of June, 1962, ordered that the Superintendent of the District of Columbia Jail will release the prisoner, Calvin Lee Ricks, into the custody of the duly authorized Deputy United States Marshal and Detective Lawrence F. Wallace and Detective Sergeant John Klein, members of the Metropolitan Police Department, for a period not to exceed four hours, beginning at 2:30 p. m., June 25th, 1962, and the said Deputy United States Marshal and Detective Lawrence F. Wallace and Detective Sergeant John Klein will return the prisoner, Calvin Lee Ricks, into the custody of the Superintendent of the District of Columbia Jail not later than 6:30 p. m. June 25,1962.’
“Do you understand that ?
“The Dependant: Yes, sir.
“The Court: And do you want me to sign this order ?
“The Defendant: Yes, sir.
“The Court: Very well. I will sign it.”
Ricks then accompanied the deputy marshal and the detectives to the Sex Squad office of Police Headquarters, where M.S., D.C. and K.A. were present. At 2:45 P.M. Ricks spoke first with M.S., who repeated to Ricks what had happened to her on the night that she was assaulted; Ricks apologized, and also explained how he had made a hole in the screen door with a small butcher knife in order to gain entry. At 2:51 P.M., D.C. related her recollection of what had tran-spix*ed on the night she was assaulted; Ricks acknowledged the crime and asked her forgiveness. At 2:56 P.M., K.A. stated to Ricks what had happened on the night of her alleged assault; Ricks himself then recounted certain additional facts relating to the incident.
When the officex's subsequently talked with Ricks about the knife used in the attack on L.M., the crime for which he had been ax'rested, he pointed out that the police did not have the knife but that it was in the kitchen drawer at his home, and said that if they would take him there, he would get it for them. The officers, still in the company of the deputy marshal, took Ricks to his home, where he gave the detectives the knife which he said he had used in the assault on L.M. Ricks was then returned to the jail.
On June 28, 1962, Ricks again appeared before the United States Commissioner. Upon his statement that he could not afford to retain couxxsel, the Commissioner offered to have a member of the Legal Aid Agency represent him. Ricks accepted this offer and counsel was provided promptly. Following a conference between Ricks and his counsel, a hearing was requested and held.
On the basis of this factual background, my colleagues determine that all *979statements made by Ricks after his appearance before the Commissioner on June 25 must be excluded.8 The authority invoked is “our local supervisory power.” I most heartily disagree. In my opinion, and under prior law, Ricks was accorded all appropriate safeguards; his statements were properly admitted into evidence.
Rule 5(b) requires the Commissioner to inform the accused, among other things, “of his right to retain counsel,” and further, to “allow the defendant reasonable time and opportunity to consult counsel * * In this case, the Commissioner fully informed Ricks of his rights. In compliance with Rule 5(b), the proceedings were continued by the Commissioner at Ricks’ request, to aiford him the opportunity to retain and consult with counsel. It is clear, therefore, that Ricks was accorded everything to which he was entitled under Rule 5. Cf. Moon v. United States, 115 U.S.App.D.C. 133, 317 F.2d 544 (1962), cert. denied, 375 U.S. 884, 84 S.Ct. 154, 11 L.Ed.2d 113 (1963); Porter v. United States, 103 U.S.App.D.C. 385, 258 F.2d 685 (1958), cert. denied, 360 U.S. 906, 79 S.Ct. 1289, 3 L.Ed.2d 1257 (1959).
Fed.R.Crim.P. 44 provides:
“If the defendant appears in court without counsel, the court shall advise him of his right to counsel and assign counsel to represent him at every stage of the proceeding unless he elects to proceed without counsel or is able to obtain counsel.”
That rule, however, has no application to preliminary hearings, much less to Ricks’ pre-preliminary hearing situation. The Advisory Committee’s Notes to Rule 44 state:
“The rule is intended to indicate that the right of the defendant to have counsel assigned by the court relates only to proceedings in court, and, therefore, does not include preliminary proceedings before a committing magistrate. Although the defendant is not entitled to have counsel assigned to him in connection with preliminary proceedings, he is entitled to be represented by counsel retained by him, if he so chooses.” [Emphasis added.]9
*980In addition, no constitutional direction for counsel’s presence would require the exclusion of Ricks’ post-presentment statements. Even Massiah v. United States, 84 S.Ct. 1199 (1964), decided May 18, 1964, in which the Supreme Court extended the Sixth Amendment guarantee of counsel’s presence to the post-indictment stage, would not apply to Ricks’ pre-preliminary hearing situation.10 Moreover, unlike Massiah, Ricks was not unaware of either the identity of his questioners or the purpose for his assisting the police.11 He was fully informed of his rights by the Commissioner and a continuance was immediately granted. He was not required to plead; no preliminary hearing was held; no hearing was waived. I cannot see how Ricks' post-presentment statements were anything but entirely independent statements, made with full knowledge of his rights.
Finally, D.C.Code § 2-2202 provides in pertinent part .
^ “The [Legal Aid] Agency shall make attorneys available to represent indigents in criminal proceedings in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and in preliminary hearings in felony cases * * *• ’
******
“ * * * The judges or other presiding officers of the several courts and tribunals may assign attorneys employed by the Agency to represent indigents * * *.
“Each such court and tribunal will make every reasonable effort to provide assignment of counsel as early in the proceeding as practicable.”
At the outset, I should state that I feel that § 2-2202 could not have been a predicate for the Commissioner’s appointment of counsel, much less that it required such an appointment.12 Moreover, as related to the circumstances here, the statute provides for counsel for indigents in preliminary hearings. As we have seen, preliminary hearing was held in this case prior to Ricks’ statements. But assuming arguendo that the statute is applicable, I further feel that it cannot be reasonably interpreted to require exclusion of Ricks’ post-presentment statemenfe_ Abgent ig tbe requigite causal relationship between an assumed violation of the statute and Ricks’ subsequent statements. The purpose of appointment 0f counsel under the statute is to provide assistance to an indigent in intelligently dealing with the preliminary hearing sit-nation. Here, however, Ricks’ admissions did not grow out of inability to cope with a preliminary hearing; none was in *981progress. His statements were not un-intelligently made pleas or judicial admissions. On the contrary, they were ■completely independent, voluntary statements, made with full knowledge of his rights. In my opinion, unless the statute is intended to seal the lips of an accused,13 Ricks’ statements were not a ■consequence of a violation of § 2-2202. They were not a product of ignorance of the law which the presence of counsel would have avoided. Ricks had already ■been fully apprised of his rights by the ■Commissioner, including his right to remain silent. While it may be that there is a qualitative difference in advice between the Commissioner’s statement to Ricks and what counsel might suggest to an accused-client, I do not feel that the statute here involved is in any way predicated upon such a differentiation.
I think the statements made immediately after Ricks’ appearance before the Commissioner, being voluntary and with knowledge of his rights, were not obtained as a result of a violation of § 2-2202 and were properly admitted into evidence. As we observed in Jackson v. United States, 109 U.S.App.D.C. 233, 237, 285 F.2d 675, 679 (1960):
“[T]he Supreme Court has made it clear that a challenged confession voluntarily given after fair warning may be competent. [Citing United States v. Bayer, 331 U.S. 532, 541, 67 S.Ct. 1394, 91 L.Ed. 1654 (1947); United States v. Carignan, 342 U.S. 36, 45, 72 S.Ct. 97, 96 L.Ed. 48 (1951)]. We have so decided as to a confession reaffirmed after judicial caution has been imparted. [Citing Goldsmith v. United States, 107 U.S.App.D.C. 305, 310, 277 F.2d 335, 340, cert. denied sub nom. Carter v. United States, 364 U.S. 863, 81 S.Ct. 106, 5 L.Ed.2d 86 (1960); Watts v. United States, 107 U.S.App.D.C. 367, 371, 278 F.2d 247, 251 (1960)].
Regarding Ricks’ admissions following the District Court’s order allowing him to accompany the police, there is no room for doubt that those statements were properly admitted. Robinson v. United States, 113 U.S.App.D.C. 372, 308 F.2d 327 (1962), cert. denied 374 U.S. 836, 83 S.Ct. 1887, 10 L.Ed.2d 1058 (1963); Goldsmith v. United States, 107 U.S.App.D.C. 305, 277 F.2d 335, cert. denied sub nom. Carter v. United States, 364 U.S. 863, 81 S.Ct. 106 (1960) ; Tyler v. United States, 90 U.S.App.D.C. 2, 193 F.2d 24 (1951), cert. denied, 342 U.S. 908, 72 S.Ct. 639, 96 L.Ed. 1326 (1952). From the record of the proceedings before Judge McGarraghy quoted above, nothing could be clearer than that Ricks was completely aware of the purpose for his presence before the court, and that he desired to help the police. Since the order signed by the District Judge specifically provided that Ricks was to be accompanied by a deputy marshal as well as the two named officers, it is apparent that Ricks was not subjected to covert interrogation.14 The presence of the deputy marshal insured against that very possibility. There is simply not one iota of evidence that Ricks’ conduct during that day was anything but completely voluntary, and the record is replete with evidence affirmatively indicating his desire to assist the police.
For the above reasons, I am of the opinion that Ricks’ statements, both immediately following his presentment before the Commissioner and following the issuance of the District Court order, *982were properly admitted into evidence by the trial judge.
I do not feel that there is any warrant to exercise the court’s “supervisory power” in this case. This authority is one for the formulation of evidentiary rules in absence of other authority. In view of the circumstances here involved, as well as substantial precedent militating in favor of a contrary result, the promulgating of a rule which will determine the course of future controversies not now before the court seems unwise.
In addition, there is a substantial' doubt in my mind that our “supervisory powers” give rise to an ability to establish new law, in lieu of statutory or deci-sional authority.
I would affirm the judgment of the District Court.

. Counts 10 and 12 charged assault with a dangerous weapon and rape against one B..J. These counts were dismissed by the Government prior to trial because of the absence of the complaining witness, who was under treatment for a pre-exist-ing epileptic condition.

. Significantly, no appeal was taken from the verdicts and Judgment holding appellant not guilty by reason of insanity on Counts 5, 11, 19 and 24.

. In its entirety, appellant’s counsel’s opening argument was as follows :
“I am an attorney in this town. I represent the defendant Calvin Hicks. *972Calvin Ricks has pleaded not guilty to the indictment with which he is charged.
“Among other things, other defenses, we will prove and we will show that Calvin Ricks is suffering from a mental disease and that he did suffer from a mental disease during all of this period of time, and that these crimes, if committed by Calvin Ricks, were the product of this mental disease. We will have psychiatrists who will testify on this matter.
“I would ask that when you hear the evidence, bear this defense in mind, that this is one of the things that we will establish.
“Thank you very much.”
And in his closing argument to the jury, he stated:
“We have entered the defense, plea, that this gentleman is not of sound mind .and that these crimes, if committed by him, were the product of a mental illness.”
He then proceeded to discuss the psychiatric testimony only, and concluded:
“Ladies and gentlemen, I ask you, first, if you are satisfied beyond a reasonable [doubt] that it was this defendant who committed the crimes of which he is charged — if you are satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt of that, I ask you to bring in a verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity and put this man where he belongs, under care of people who know and who are qualified to care for him.”

. No such confessions were made regarding any of the other victims.

. The crimes against L.M. were committed at premises 723 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E.; that against S.L. at 704 East Capitol Street; those against M.S. at 121 Fifth Street, S.E.; those against D.C. at 712 East Capitol Street; those against K.A. at 613 A Street, N.E.

. This allusion to the Sears Roebuck store had reference to White v. United States, 114 U.S.App.D.C. 238, 314 F.2d 243 (1962), where the accused was identified in the daytime.

. This, of course, relates to tbe claim that the June 24 confessions, being allegedly illegally obtained, made illegal not only tbe confessions as to L.M. and S.L. but also those relating to the other victims.

. A similar position, viz. that questioning by the police “in violation of the spirit of the Commissioner’s order” required exclusion of a defendant’s voluntary statements, was taken by Judges Bazelon and Edgerton in a separate opinion in Trilling v. United States, 104 U.S.App.D.C. 159, 260 F.2d 677 (1958), and was specifically rejected in that case in an opinion by three other members of the court. Likewise, this rationale was implicitly rejected by this court in Goldsmith v. United States, 107 U.S.App.D.C. 305, 277 F.2d 335, cert. denied sub nom. Carter v. United States, 364 U.S. 863, 81 S.Ct 106, 5 L.Ed.2d 86 (1960).

. Council v. Clemmer, 85 U.S.App.D.C. 74, 177 F.2d 22, cert. denied, 338 U.S. 880, 70 S.Ct. 150, 94 L.Ed. 540 (1949). See, however, the Committee’s Second Preliminary Draft of Proposed Amendments to the Rules of Criminal Procedure for the United States District Courts, proposed Rule 44, which provides in part:
“(a) Right to Assigned Counsel. Every defendant who is unable to obtain counsel shall be entitled to have counsel assigned to represent him at every stage of the proceedings from his initial appearance before the commissioner or the court through appeal, unless he waives such appointment.”
Even under the proposed rule Ricks’ right to counsel would not have been breached by the Commissioner. The Advisory Committee’s Notes to the proposed rule state:
“The phrase ‘from his initial appearance before the commissioner or court’ is intended to require the assignment of counsel as promptly as possible after it appears that the defendant is unable-to obtain counsel.” [Emphasis added.]
In this case, there was no indication that Ricks was “unable to obtain counsel”; he had not tried. The proceedings, were continued at his request in order that he might have an opportunity to obtain counsel. Nor was his financial history such that indigence should have been apparent to the Commissioner. On the-contrary, the record indicates that he had been steadily employed on a painting-crew for at least one year prior to his arrest and, at the time of his arrest, was. earning $24 a day as a supervisor. Moreover, his wife was working as a nurse in a, District of Columbia hospital.

. “We bold that the petitioner was denied the basic protections of that [Sixth Amendment] guarantee when there was used against him at his trial evidence of his own incriminating words, which federal agents had deliberately elicited from him after he had teen indicted and in the absence of his counsel.” Massiah v. United States, 84 S.Ct. 1199, 1203 (1964). (Emphasis supplied.)

. “ ‘In this case, Massiah was more seriously imposed upon * * * because he did not even know that he was under interrogation by a government agent.’ ” Massiah v. United States, 84 S.Ct. 1199, at 1203 (1964), quoting from Judge Hayes’ dissent in United States v. Mas-siah, 307 F.2d 62, 72-73 (2d Cir. 1962).

. § 2-2203 D.C.Code provides in part: “The legal representation services here-inbefore described shall be provided only to such persons who first subscribe and state in writing upon oath that such person has been unable to hire an attorney and is further unable to pay modest attorney’s fee * *
In this case, no such affirmation was made by Ricks. Strictly speaking, therefore, the Commissioner could not have appointed an attorney to represent him. Even if the two sections are read to require the Commissioner to inform the ac-cusod of the availability of an oath asserting indigence, it is more than dubious that Ricks could have subscribed to such an oath. [See note 9.] At the time of his arrest, he had $20 in his pocket, and to speculate that he was “unable to afford a modest attorney’s fee” is to assume a fact in order to postulate a rule of law.

. In prior eases the presence of counsel has not insured the silence of the accused. See, e. g., Jackson v. United States, 109 U.S.App.D.C. 233, 237, 285 F.2d 675, 679 (1950), cert. denied, 366 U.S. 941, 81 S.Ct. 1666, 6 L.Ed.2d 852 (1961); Goldsmith v. United States, supra note 8.

. Even if Ricks were considered “in the custody of the police,” that fact alone would not render his statements inadmissible. McNabb v. United States, 318 U.S. 332, 346, 63 S.Ct. 608, 87 L.Ed. 819 (1943) ; Jackson v. United States, supra note 13. Cf. United States v. Mitchell, 322 U.S. 65, 69, 70, 64 S.Ct. 896 (1944).