Court Opinion

ID: 9712831
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 05:00:57.960613+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:23:14.714214
License: Public Domain

Mr. JUSTICE STAMOS, dissenting: I respectfully dissent from the majority opinion and would find no error concerning either the mysterious pictures or the equally mysterious shoe. As regards the alleged photos, the majority opinion relies on two propositions. First, the photographing of defendants, after indictment and without counsel, infringes on defendants’ sixth amendment right to counsel. Second, since the in-court identification of defendants by the victims was crucial, the failure of counsel to fully investigate the alleged photo session denied defendants a fair trial. On the basis of the present record, I cannot agree with either proposition. It is clear that an accused does not have a constitutional right to have counsel present when the State conducts a post-indictment photographic display for the purpose of allowing a witness to attempt an identification of the offender (United States v. Ash, 413 U.S. 300). No greater guarantee is foimd in the Illinois constitution. In People v. Holiday, 47 Ill.2d 300, 265 N.E.2d 634, a witness observed a murder but refused to cooperate with the police. Five months later he was subpoenaed for the trial and after being shown photos only of defendant, identified defendant. On review, the court refused to hold that defendant had a constitutional right to the presence of counsel at the photographic display. While Ash and Holiday did not involve the post-indictment taking of pictures, I see no substantial constitutional difference. Rather, I would compare the taking of pictures with the taking of fingerprints, hair, clothing, and other blood samples. (413 U.S. 300, 314-315.) While the facts of Ash are not directly controlling, the reasoning most certainly is. Since it is clear that there is no right to counsel at the photographic display itself, how then can there be a right to counsel at the mer,e taking of those pictures? The majority’s second proposition, that defense counsel’s failure to inquire into the photo session denied defendants a fair trial, is premised on conjecture and speculation. For the majority’s argument necessarily assumes that the photos, if they ever existed, were used by the prosecution to refresh the victims’ recollections. However, there is no evidence in the record to this effect. Although the record indicates that photos were taken, they may not have developed; or if developed, they may not have been delivered to the prosecution; or if delivered, they may not have been used by the prosecution. The majority’s argument becomes persuasive only if all these actions had, in fact, occurred. For if the pictures were never used there was nothing to inquire into. In this regard, it should be noted that two full days elapsed between the alleged photo session and the start of the trial. It is entirely possible that during that interval, defense counsel discovered that the prosecution had not used the photos complained of and did not intend to use them. Such a possibility is entirely consistent with the trial judge’s unambiguous remark that he would not allow any such photos to be used during the proceedings and consistent with defense counsel’s proven perseverance on defendants’ behalf during 4 days of pretrial hearings to suppress evidence. Had the prosecution not shown the photos to the victims, any questions propounded by defense counsel during trial regarding them would have inured to defendants’ detriment, not benefit. For any such questions would only emphasize that the in-court identifications were based on the ample time for observation in the apartment. In this regard, the majority overlooks the possible application of the independent origin doctrine. For even assuming that the pictures were taken and used as suggested by the majority, the courts have repeatedly held that the existence of an independent origin will validate an in-court identification even though a previous identification procedure may have been impermissibly suggestive. (People v. Connolly, 55 Ill.2d 421, 303 N.E.2d 409; People v. Jackson, 54 Ill.2d 143, 295 N.E.2d 462.) While I recognize that the majority is most disturbed by counsel’s failure to inquire into this area, rather than the actual admissibility of the identification testimony, I note that there has never been any claim of counsel’s incompetency.1 Counsel could have decided not to inquire because he knew there was nothing to inquire into or because of valid trial tactics.2 And even if there had been something to inquire into, in view of the victim’s positive identification of defendants, I cannot say that the verdict would have been any different. Finally, I note that this issue was never raised by trial counsel after it was originally brought to the court’s attention, and it was not mentioned by able appellate counsel who saw fit to raise other numerous issues. I am wary of a reversal and remand partially predicated on an issue not found significant by two different sets of attorneys and which occupies barely two pages in a 2000-page record and about which we know very little. In short, I am not convinced that this record presents a sufficient basis for this court to now, on its own motion, question the actions of counsel on a matter so nebulous and vague and a matter not questioned until today. I now turn to the question of the mysterious and elusive shoe. At the outset, I must note that the record presented to this court contains no concrete facts concerning the now crucial shoe. Even where the shoe was found is in serious doubt. During the grand jury testimony, the shoe was found “below the window of the apartment where entry was made.” During a hearing on a pretrial motion, the shoe was placed “at the premises.” However, in both briefs filed by defendants and the State, the shoe was discovered “in the apartment.” In the majority’s opinion, the shoe is described as “at the scene of the crimes.” If the precise location of the shoe was the only fact in dispute, then the instant record would present no greater ambiguity tiran the ordinary appeal. However, two other crucial facts are also left to conjecture and speculation. It is obvious that essential to any determination of the materiality of the shoe is a resolution of whether the shoe did, in fact, belong to one of the assailants and/or whether it did, in fact, belong to one of the defendants. 3 The resolution of either of these questions is impossible on the state of the present record. Confusion as to whether the shoe belonged to one of the assailants is especially pervasive. During a hearing on a pretrial motion, the attorney for one of the defendants stated: “I looked at the Grand Jury testimony and I see where supposedly one of the assailants lost his shoe at the premises.” However, a reading of the grand jury testimony reveals that at no time was the shoe actually determined or even stated to belong to one of the assailants. The defendants’ brief continues the confusion by summarily stating that a shoe was found “belonging to one of the offenders.” 4 The State’s brief is no more helpful. It merely states that the meaning of the shoe is “open to conjecture.” 5 While the majority opinion does not go so far as to conclude that the shoe belonged to one of the assailants, that conclusion is implicit in the opinion. Any other conclusion would negate any materiality for the shoe. For example, that some other person had been on the scene several months prior to the crime would be irrelevant at a trial of the defendants. Another crucial factor involved is whether the shoe belonged to any of the defendants. While all parties seem to agree that it did not, I can find nothing in the record to support such a conclusion. In fact, the only apparently first-hand evidence in the record concerning the shoe came during the grand jury testimony. And there it was stated that defendant McWilliams did indeed wear the same size shoe as that found and defendant Nichols wore a half size larger. The confusion in the present record has not been diminished in any way by the existence of certain laboratory tests run on the shoe. During that now familiar hearing on a pretrial motion, counsel for one of the defendants stated: “According' to the lab reports I see a fair amount of testing done with the shoe * # However, those reports have not been included in the record and while trial counsel apparently had access to the reports, appellate counsel indicated during argument that they had not seen them. It is on the basis of this record that defendants ask us to overturn a jury verdict and order a new trial. On the evidence before us, defendants ask not only that we find a suppression of the shoe by the prosecution, but that we find that the shoe was evidence favorable to them and material to their defense. (Moore v. Illinois, 408 U.S. 786.) To support their prayer for relief the defendants have presented nothing more than speculation and conjecture. In seeking an affirmance, the State has done no better. I can not say that any of the theories advanced by either side are incredible or unworthy of belief. However, I also can not make a reasoned and rational determination of the character and materiality of evidence when at every turn uncertainties and confusion are encountered. I can not determine the materiality of evidence when I do not know where it was found or to whom it belongs. It is impossible to determine whether evidence is favorable to the defendants when I have no idea of how it could be used at a new trial. Appellate adjudication should be based on something more firm than speculation and conjecture. Consequently, if I did view the nonproduction of the shoe as a suppression of evidence within the meaning of Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, I would urge a remand of the instant case so that the doubts and confusion could be resolved and a proper record presented for appeal. However, for the reasons set out below, I find it unnecessary to resolve the confusion and would find no error in the nonproduction of die shoe. The majority characterizes the State’s actions as a suppression of evidence within the meaning of People v. Hoffman, 32 Ill.2d 96, 203 N.E.2d 873. I disagree. In Hoffman, the State not only disavowed knowledge of the existence of evidence apparently in its possession, but repeatedly thwarted defense counsel’s attempts to elicit testimony regarding tiiat evidence. In Hoffman, as in all the cases cited by the majority, and in all that I have discovered, there was an intentional or negligent concealment or nondisclosure of evidence held by or known to the State. It would serve no useful purpose to describe all the factual situations in which an actual suppression of evidence within the meaning of Brady has been found. Suffice it to say that Brady only comes into play when the State actively withholds evidence favorable to the defense. Brady finds application only where defense counsel is hampered in preparing an effective defense by the suppression of evidence favorable to the defense. (People v. Yonder, 44 Ill.2d 376, 256 N.E.2d 321.) Brady was enunciated to prevent the deliberate suppression of evidence with a purpose to obstruct that defense. (United States v. Houle (2nd Cir. 1973), 490 F.2d 167.) The instant facts do not support such a conclusion. Rather, the instant case clearly falls within the settled rule that where defense counsel knows of the evidence and the State does not deny its existence, there can be no suppression of evidence. In People v. Nischt, 23 Ill.2d 284, 178 N.E.2d 378, the State admitted that a report of an experiment had never been turned over to defense counsel. However, the court found that defense counsel knew of the facts of the experiments and thus there could be no suppression of what the attorney knew. In People v. Smith, 46 Ill.2d 430, 263 N.E.2d 860, the defendant’s shorts and pants had been sent to the crime laboratory. When the State failed to introduce the clothing or the tests, defendant claimed suppression. However, the court found that defendant knew his clothing had been sent to the crime laboratory for examination. He did not demand that the clothing or tests be produced in court. That, coupled with his knowledge, precluded a finding of any suppression. See also People v. Hudson, 38 Ill.2d 616, 233 N.E.2d 403. That same rule has been followed by the Federal courts. In United States ex rel. Wax v. Twomey (7th Cir. 1972), 465 F.2d 352, Mr. Justice Clark wrote that arguments based on Brady are inapposite when counsel had knowledge of the supposedly suppressed evidence. In United States ex rel. Raymond v. People (7th Cir. 1971), 455 F.2d 62, although defendant knew of the suppressed evidence, the court granted a petition for habeas corpus because defendant’s counsel was not aware of that evidence. However, in dissent, Justice Hastings stated the law applicable in the instant case: “(N]o case has been cited since Brady, and we know of none, wherein a court has found that evidence has been suppressed in violation of Brady when either the defendant or his attorney had knowledge of the evidence.” (455 F.2d 62, 73.) Although Raymond indicates that there may still be a Brady violation when the defendant alone is aware of the suppressed evidence, as the dissent makes clear, there has been no case finding a suppression of evidence when defendant’s counsel is aware of the evidence. That this should be the rule is only logical. It is impossible to suppress something when the other party is aware of its existence and the State agrees that it exists. (See Lawrence v. State (Fla. App. 1971), 244 So.2d 446.) And that is exactly the case before us. At no time has defendant indicated “what was suppressed. All parties concede that the defense knew the shoe existed. In fact, defense counsel apparently had the lab reports themselves on the shoe. It hardly needs explanation that the lab reports of the shoe are much more important than the shoe itself. The shoe is merely a prop that can be waved before the jury. The results of the tests on the shoe would give that prop substance and meaning. I will not speculate on what the lab report stated. However, it is important to note that defense counsel had that report and by his actions found it less than essential to preparing his defense. It can not be disputed that defense counsel knew of the shoe’s existence and had the lab reports before him. Presented with such a set of facts, I find it impossible to understand what was suppressed and consequently can find no violation of the Brady doctrine. However, that determination leaves one final question to be resolved. What is the effect of the State’s failure to produce the shoe in the face of defendants’ motion to produce “all physical evidence that is in the State’s possession and control which pertains to this case?” Defendants’ discovery motion was granted with respect to the production of physical evidence. In response, the State filed an answer listing the physical evidence as: “Clothing, slides, smear test apparatus, photographs, guns and license plates.” The next reference to the physical evidence came during a hearing on a pretrial motion. Mr. Downs, attorney for acquitted defendant Chandler said: “Judge, I would make a motion to inspect physical evidence in this particular case. It is somewhat difficult from the list of witnesses and looking at the Grand Jury testimony, that— THE COURT: What physical evidence does the State have? MR. DOWNS: I don’t know. I looked at the Grand Jury testimony and I see where supposedly one of the assailants lost his shoe at the premises. According to the lab reports I see a fair amount of testing done with the shoe * * The matter was then dropped and not raised again until the next day when all attorneys inspected the physical evidence in the presence of the court. At that point, Mr. Mehl, attorney for defendants McWilliams and Nichols asked: “Where is. the shoe? MR. KAVANAUGH [Assistant State’s attorney]: We are not going-'to introduce the shoe. MR. DOWNS: May we look at the shoe? MR. KAVANAUGH': We don’t have it. MR. DOWNS: Where is it? It is mentioned in the Grand Jury testimony. We want to take- a look at it. Some police officer has it. MR. KAVANAUGH: It is not listed in our physical evidence. MR. DOWNS: It is mentioned in the Grand Jury testimony. MR. KAVANAUGH: It doesn’t pertain to your man, .anyway.” There is not another word in the record regarding that shoe until now on appeal. There can be no doubt that there was, in fact, a shoe found by someone, somewhere, and somehow connected to this case, As süch, I cannot completely approve of the State’s failure to produce that shoe in response to defendant’s motion. However, I also cannot approve of defendants’ much-delayed interest and curiosity in the shoe. The concept of the adversary process has long been the mainstay of our judicial system. The courts depend, perhaps unwisely, on opposing counsel to bring forth all relevant and material evidence. The record in this case consists of almost 2000 pages. In that entire record, the now ubiquitous shoe is mentioned twice, as set out above. At either time, defendants’ attorney had only to turn to the trial judge and ask that the State be ordered to produce the shoe, but he failed to do so. He should not now be heard to complain of his own disinterest. Although I recognize that discovery should proceed in an orderly and uniform manner and that defendants should not be required to ask specifically for each item of evidence, in this case defendants’ attorney knew about the shoe, possessed the lab reports on that shoe, and merely decided not to pursue the matter. In an analogous situation, one court held such action legitimate trial strategy and refused to find any error. United States ex rel. Wilson v. United States (E.D. Pa. 1971), 330 F.Supp. 822. In People v. Embry, 12 Ill.App.3d 332, 297 N.E.2d 604, both parties ignored the others' request for discovery. Op appeal, the defendant argued that the State’s failure to disclose certain statements entitled him to a new trial. The court rejected that argument stating: “Here both parties saw fit to make the initial request for disclosure but neither party became exercised over the. other party’s failure to comply. Had defendant desired to insist upon his right of disclosure, redress was available to him in the form of a request to the court for an order of compliance, for a continuance, or even for an exclusion of such evidence. * * * We find that the failure of defendant to seek such redress constitutes a waiver of his right to disclosure the same as if he had not asked for it in the first place, and, having failed to give the court an opportunity to rule prior to commencement of trial, he cannot be heard to complain for the first time in his motion for a new trial.” (12 Ill. App.3d 332, 335.) Although Embry was applying the rules of discovery enacted subsequent to the instant case, its reasoning is not so limited and is peculiarly appropriate to the instant facts. In People v. Jelks, 92 Ill.App.2d 374, 235 N.E.2d 339, defense counsel properly asked for the production of certain statements during trial examination. When the State inquired into the purpose of such a request, defense counsel withdrew his request. On appeal, the defendant argued that the State made spurious objections to a proper request for production of statements and therefore suppressed that evidence. The reviewing court disagreed, holding that the State did not object but merely inquired as to the defendant’s purpose. The court found that since defendant’s action was a voluntary waiver, he could not complain of error. In the instant case, defense counsel knew of the shoe and in the presence of the trial court, decided not to pursue its production. I find such action analogous to that in Jelks and Embry. I believe the burden of pursuing discovery belongs on the parties involved, not on the trial judge. Brady does not make it incumbent upon the trial judge to rummage through the State’s file on behalf of defendants. (United States v. Frazier (4th Cir. 1968), 394 F.2d 258.) Consequently, I would find no error in the nonproduction of the shoe. Since my views will have no effect on the ultimate order of this court, I do not reach the other issues raised by defendants.   In fact, at the conclusion of the trial, the trial judge commended defense counsel on the “excellent job” done on behalf of his clients.    In view of the victims’ persistent positive and unshaken identification of defendants, counsel might well have chosen not to emphasize that testimony any more than absolutely necessary.    For purposes of argument only, I assume that there may be a difference between the actual assailants and the defendants before the court.    Meaning assailants.    To further add to the confusion, during oral argument, the State informed the court, although on what basis is unclear, that there is no evidence that the shoe belonged to an assailant and further that the State can not connect the shoe to anyone.