Court Opinion

ID: 9455528
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-04 19:25:17.403113+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:34:38.110025
License: Public Domain

KERNER, Circuit Judge
(concurring in the result).
I agree with my brethren that the Supreme Court has not limited Massiah v. United States, 377 U.S. 201, 84 S.Ct. 1199, 12 L.Ed.2d 246 (1964), to the special facts in that case and that all statements to law enforcement agents after indictment are inadmissible. McLeod v. Ohio, 381 U.S. 356, 85 S.Ct. 1556, 14 L. Ed.2d 682 (1965); United States ex rel. O’Connor v. State of New Jersey, 405 F.2d 632 (3d Cir. 1969). However, I have difficulty with the court’s conclusion here that Devens did not become an agent of the F.B.I. after their first meeting. While the F.B.I. did not solicit Devens and did not encourage him to continue his relationship with Milani, they were certainly receptive to his further statements. An agency relation need not be verbally expressed. Silence alone, is sufficient to make one an agent. The whole philosophy of Massiah, see my dissent in Davis v. Burke, 408 F.2d 779, 791 (7th Cir. 1969), is undermined by the majority’s approach.
We agree with the court that there is sufficient evidence to support the Illinois Supreme Court’s finding that Devens’ testimony only related to Milani’s confession prior to Devens' first meeting with the F.B.I., 39 Ill.2d 22, 25, 233 N.E.2d 398 (1968), 28 U.S.C. § 2254(d), and I would affirm the conviction on this basis.