Court Opinion

ID: 9698674
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 19:57:12.598424+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:20:42.652142
License: Public Domain

Loiselle, J.
(dissenting). I agree with all of the legal principles which the majority opinion sets forth, but I respectfully disagree with the conclu*534sion that the facts recited in the affidavit, when taken as a whole, are insufficient to support probable cause.
Our disagreement, no doubt, arises from our different interpretations of what constitutes probable eause. In Brinegar v. United States, 338 U.S. 160, 173, 69 S. Ct. 1302, 93 L. Ed. 1879 (1948), the court discussed the difference between proof of guilt in a criminal case and probable cause to arrest or search, and stated that “[t]here is a large difference between the two things to be proved, as well as between the tribunals which determine them, and therefore a like difference in the modes of proof required to establish them.” And, as the term “probable cause” implies, the issue is one of probabilities, and our determination is to be reached by an application of the factual and practical considerations of everyday life on which reasonable and prudent persons act. State v. Jackson, 162 Conn. 440, 445, 294 A.2d 517 (1972); State v. Wilson, 153 Conn. 39, 41, 212 A.2d 75 (1965), citing Brinegar v. United States, supra, 175.
The test is best stated in Spinelli v. United States, 393 U.S. 410, 89 S. Ct. 584, 21 L. Ed. 2d 637 (1969), where the court said (p. 419): “[W]e do not retreat from the established propositions that only the probability, and not a prima facie showing, of criminal activity is the standard of probable cause, Beck v. Ohio, 379 U.S. 89, 96 [85 S. Ct. 223, 13 L. Ed. 2d 142] (1964); that affidavits of probable cause are tested by much less rigorous standards than those governing the admissibility of evidence at trial, McCray v. Illinois, 386 U.S. 300, 311 [87 S. Ct. 1057, 18 L. Ed. 2d 62] (1967); that in judging probable cause issuing magistrates are not to be confined by niggardly limitations or by restrictions on *535the nse of their common sense, United States v. Ventresca, 380 U.S. 102, 108 [85 S. Ct. 741, 13 L. Ed. 2d 684] (1965); and that their determination of probable cause should be paid great deference by reviewing courts, Jones v. United States, 362 U.S. 257, 270-71 [80 S. Ct. 725, 4 L. Ed. 2d 697] (1960).”
It is true that a reading of the affidavit renders it possible that the defendant had narcotics stashed in his automobile or in a location outside his apartment, but in dealing with probable cause we are dealing with probabilities. This is a close case, but in my opinion the affidavit was sufficient to establish a reasonable inference upon which reasonable and prudent persons would act in issuing the search warrant. “Although in a particular case it may not be easy to determine when an affidavit demonstrates the existence of probable cause, the resolution of doubtful or marginal cases in this area should be largely determined by the preference to be accorded to warrants.” United States v. Ventresca, supra, 109. See also Jones v. United States, 362 U.S. 257, 270, 80 S. Ct. 725, 4 L. Ed. 2d 697 (1960).
Appendix
“affidavit and application Search and Seizure Warrant CCT-7A Rev. 9/72
STATE OF CONNECTICUT CIRCUIT COURT
TO: A Judge of the Circuit Court
The undersigned, being duly sworn, complains on oath that the undersigned has probable cause to believe that certain property, to wit: Marijuana, scales, drug records *536[X] is possessed, controlled, designed or intended for use as a means of committing the crime of . . . Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Sell 19-480 (b) Possession of over four ounces of Marijuana 19-481 (b)
And is within or upon a certain person, place, or thing, to wit . . . Apt. 7A, Jedholme Apts, Rt 169, Lisbon, Conn., located on the north side of a dark brown stained two family wood frame dwelling on the east side of Rt 169, Lisbon, Conn., about 150 feet north of Lisbon Heights Rd, with 7A on the red door on the east side of this building. And that the facts establishing the grounds for issuing a Search and Seizure Warrant are the following . . .
1. That I Trooper David A. Zupnik have been a regular member of the Connecticut State Police Department for the past seven and one half years, and am presently assigned to the Statewide Narcotic Task Force — East, Montville, Connecticut.
2. That I, Off. Frank Gavigan, have been a regular member of the City of Norwich Police Department for the past six years and am presently assigned to the Statewide Narcotic Task Force — East, Mont-ville, Connecticut.
3. That on 06/15/78, Tpr. David Zupnik learned from Tim Malo, Hanson Rd., Plainfield, Conn, that Malo had sold about $15,000.00 worth of marijuana in the past seven months; and that his source of marijuana was a person known to him as DOUG who he contacted by telephone at 376-2266 to place an order. Malo would then meet DOUG, who operated a yellow MG, on Butts Bridge Rd, Canterbury Conn, for the marijuana delivery, and that this marijuana sold for $425.00 per pound.
*5374. That on 06/27/78, at about 4:05 PM, Tim Malo of Hanson Rd., Plainfield, Conn, called a male named DOUG, his marijuana connection, at 376-2266 and verified that the $425.00 one pound marijuana deal he had previously arranged would take place and setting the time to meet to make the deal as 4:30 PM, 06/27/78 on Depot Rd., Canterbury, Conn.
5. That on 06/27/78 at about 3:53 PM affiant Off. Frank Gavigan observed the 1976 MG midget tan convertible, Ct. passenger UX-4261, listed to Douglas A. DeChamplain, parked near the building that houses apartment 7A, Jedholme Apartments, Rte 169, Lisbon, Connecticut. And that at about 4:20 PM, Officer Gavigan observed this vehicle leave that location with one white male occupant and drive north on Rte. 169, Lisbon, Connecticut until it turned east onto Depot Rd., Canterbury, Connecticut at about 4:24 PM and noted no stops enroute.
6. That on 06/27/78 at about 4:28 PM, affiant Tpr. David A. Zupnik observed the 1976 MG Midget, tan convertible, Ct. UX-4261 with one white male occupant arrive at the pre-arranged location on Depot Rd., Canterbury, Connecticut, about 200 ft. south of Butts Bridge Rd. and park behind the vehicle occupied by Tpr. Michael Meehan (SWNTF-E, working in undercover capacity) and Tim Malo of Hanson Rd., Plainfield, Conn.
7. That Tpr. David A. Zupnik learned from Tpr. Michael Meehan that on 06/27/78 at about 4:29 PM the white male operator of Ct. UX-4261, 1976 MG Midget tan convertible showed Tpr. Michael Meehan and Tim Malo a plastic bag containing plant material which he represented to be one pound of marijuana, and Tpr. David A. Zupnik overheard *538the operator of UX-4261 say that it (meaning the bag of marijuana) contained a lot of red and gold (meaning red and gold color marijuana).
8. That on 06/27/78 at about 4:30 PM, Douglas A. DeChamplain, DOB 08/05/58, of Apt. 7A, Jedholme Apartments, Rte. 169, Lisbon, Conn, was arrested on Depot Rd., Canterbury, Conn., and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell and possession of over four ounces of marijuana, and advised of his rights by Tpr. David A. Zupnik and that at the time of the arrest Tpr. Zupnik seized a plastic bag containing about one pound of plant material, represented by Douglas A. DeChamplain to be one pound of marijuana that DeChamplain was offering for sale for $425.00, a pre-arranged price, and Tpr. Zupnik also seized a second plastic bag of material which DeChamplain had in a brown paper bag in his lap while seated in UX-4261, the 1976 MG Midget tan convertible.
9. That on 06/27/78, Tpr. David A. Zupnik field tested the plant material in the two plastic bags seized from Douglas A. DeChamplain (parg. 7 above) with Duquenois Reagent and obtained a positive reaction for the presence of marijuana in the samples from each bag.
10. That Tpr. David A. Zupnik learned from State Police Criminal Intelligence Division that the telephone service 376-2266 is listed to Rita DeChamplain at apartment 7A, Jedholme Apartments, Rte. 169, Lisbon, Conn.
11. That on 06/27/78, Off. Frank Gavigan viewed apartment 7A, Jedholme Apartments, Rte. 169, Lisbon, Conn, and noted that Apartment 7A is located on the north side of the dark brown stained two family wood frame dwelling, on the east side *539of Rte 169, Lisbon, Conn, about 150 feet north of Lisbon Heights Rd. with 7 A on the red door on the east side of this building.
12. That based on the aforementioned facts, the affiants have probable cause and reasonable grounds to believe that there is marijuana, scales and records of drug transactions at apartment 7A, Jedholmes Apartments, Rte. 169, Lisbon, Ct. in violation of Sections 19-480 (b) and 19-481 (b) of the Connecticut General Statutes.
The undersigned has not presented this application in any other court or to any other judge.
Wherefore the undersigned prays that a warrant may issue commanding a proper officer to search said person or to enter into upon said place or thing, search the same, such property. and take into custody all
Signed at Griswold, Connecticut, this 27th day of June, 1978 David A. Zupnik #91 Signature and Title of Affiant
Signed at Griswold, Connecticut, this 27th day of June, 1978 Frank Gavigan #19 Signature and Title of Affiant
jurat Subscribed and sworn to before me this 27th day of June, 1978 Quinn, J. Signature Judge of the Superior Court”
*540“SEARCH AND SEIZURE WARRANT
STATE OF CONNECTICUT CIRCUIT COURT
The foregoing Affidavit and Application for Search and Seizure Warrant having been presented to and been considered by the undersigned, a Judge of the Circuit Court, the undersigned (a) is satisfied therefrom that grounds exist for said Application, and (b) finds that said Affidavit establishes grounds and probable cause for the undersigned to issue this Search and Seizure Warrant, such probable cause being the following: From said Affidavit, the undersigned finds that there is probable cause for the undersigned to believe that the property described in the foregoing Affidavit and Application is within or upon the person, if any, named or described in the foregoing Affidavit and Application, or the place or thing, if any, described in the foregoing Affidavit and Application, under the conditions and circumstances set forth in the foregoing Affidavit and Application, and that, therefore, a Search and Seizure Warrant should issue for said property.
NOW THEREFORE, by Authority of the State of Connecticut, I hereby command any Police Officer of a regularly organized police department or any State Policeman to whom these presents shall come within ten days after the date of this warrant to
[X] enter into or upon and search the place or thing described in the foregoing Affidavit and Application, to wit Apt. 7A, Jedholme Apts., Rte 169, Lisbon, Conn, located on the north side of a dark brown stained two family wood frame dwelling on *541the east side of Rte 169, Lisbon, Conn, about 150 ft. north of Lisbon Heights Rd., with 7A on red door on east side of this building.
for the property described in the foregoing Affidavit and Application, to wit: marijuana, scales and drug records and upon finding said property to seize the same take and keep it in custody until the further order of the court, and with reasonable promptness make due return of this warrant accompanied by a written inventory of all property seized.
Signed at Griswold, Connecticut, this 27th day of June, 1978 Quinn, J. Signed Judge of the Superior Court”