Court Opinion

ID: 9459000
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 21:07:52.797385+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:35:58.782744
License: Public Domain

GODBOLD, Circuit Judge
(specially concurring):
While I agree with Judge Roney’s opinion, it seems to me appropriate to state more specifically the position of the Supreme Court and of this circuit concerning the use of one-man “show-ups” for purposes of identification. While Kirby v. Illinois, 406 U.S. 682, 92 S.Ct. 1877, 32 L.Ed.2d 411 (1972), held that the investigatory showup prior to filing of formal charges is not a per se *120violation of the right to counsel, it noted that an identification made prior to formal charge remains subject to the requirement of Stovall v. Denno, 388 U.S. 293, 87 S.Ct. 1967, 18 L.Ed.2d 1199 (1967), that it not be so impermissibly suggestive as to violate due process. This circuit has, in view of all the circumstances, held valid under Stovall standards a “one-man show up,” Marden v. Purdy, 409 F.2d 784 (5th Cir. 1969), in circumstances described by us as being such that “the distinctive description left little room for error.” 1 Stovall itself recognized that “[t]he practice of showing suspects singly to persons for the purpose of identification, and not as part of a lineup, has been widely condemned.” 388 U.S. at 302, 87 S.Ct. at 1972. This circuit, along with others, while recognizing the desirability of prompt identification, has stated its reluctance to encourage individual confrontation of suspect by victim when there are no exigent circumstances such as were present in Stovall and in that case made a lineup not feasible. Thus in United States v. Venere, 416 F.2d 144 (5th Cir. 1969), we denied the applicability of the Stovall principle to a confrontation arranged by the private citizen-management of the victim prior to police participation, but said
Where police custody is involved, the need for a formal lineup may not be circumvented by keeping the arrestee away from the station house while contriving confrontations of a more informal nature.
416 F.2d at 148. In Rivers v. United States, 400 F.2d 935 (5th Cir. 1968), we pointed out “[t]he inherent dangers of impromptu identifications,” and “[t]he opportunity for suggestive practices, either accidental or intentional” to which they are subject. 400 F.2d at 940. See also Jackson v. United States, 134 U.S. App.D.C. 18, 412 F.2d 149 (1969); Bates v. United States, 132 U.S.App.D.C. 36, 405 F.2d 1104 (1968).

. Harris v. Dees, 421 F.2d 1079, 1082 (5th Cir. 1970).