United States v. EdelinUnited States v. Edelin
MEMORANDUM AND ORDER
Upon consideration of the various motions filed by the defendants and the government, the Court will deny the defendants’ requests for additional discovery and grant the government’s requests for an anonymous jury, a delay in the production of witness names, and the ability to recall witnesses during its case-in-chief. Before addressing each of the motions individually, the Court will analyze the dangerousness of the defendants and their willingness to interfere with the judicial process. These are crucial elements for determining what information should be disclosed and when it should be provided to the defendants.
I. Background
The charges in this case stem from an alleged large drug conspiracy in the District of Columbia. The violence associated with this alleged conspiracy is remarkable. The conspirators allegedly committed fourteen murders and multiple counts of assault with intent to murder.
The six defendants,
1
scheduled to be tried beginning on March 26, 2001, are charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, fifty grams or more of cocaine base, and one kilogram or more of heroin, in violation of
II. Finding of Dangerousness/Willingness to Interfere with the Judicial Process
Defendant Tommy Edelin and other defendants in this case have made requests for further discovery from the government. The government has responded before this Court that all discovery requests for information that does not threaten the safety of witnesses or informants have been complied with. The government further proffered that attorneys for the government have gone beyond the requirements of
The defendants have requested additional discovery; some of the additional information requested includes plea agreements and other information that is sealed under order of this Court because the Court has determined that the release of such information would place potential witnesses at risk of injury or violence. It would be counterintuitive for the Court to allow discovery of such information at this time, as it would endanger individuals who are cooperating with law enforcement in this case. The disclosure of the information requested by defendant Tommy Edelin is not required under the law if the Court finds that the defendant poses a danger to witnesses against’ him.
See
The Court has come to the conclusion that the defendants here are dangerous and a threat to government witnesses on the basis of the indictment in this case and the information provided by the government to this Court. See Government’s Reply to Defendants Marbury’s and Mosley’s Oppositions to the Government’s Motion for Empaneling an Anonymous Jury and Delaying the Production of Witness Names; Affidavit of Stephen Pfleger, As sistant United States Attorney, December 18, 2000. The indictment, supported by a finding of probable cause by the grand jury, shows multiple acts of violence by various defendants against potential witnesses against them.
The Superseding Indictment in this case shows that the Grand Jury found probable cause to find that defendant Tommy Ede-lin made efforts to arrange the murders of several potential witnesses against him.
See Superseding Indictment, Count One, Overt Acts 88, 90-93.
Defendant Tommy Edelin is also charged with arranging the murder of Ronnie Middleton, an incarcerated co-defendant and a potential witness in this case.
See Superseding Indictment, Counts 16-69.
The government has proffered other information regarding an ongoing pattern of behavior by defendant Tommy Edelin and several other defendants in this case to threaten and intimidate potential witnesses to prevent those witnesses from providing full and accurate testimony at trial. The grand jury found probable cause to believe that the defendants committed multiple violent acts, with each defendant being charged with at least one
In addition to the indictment, the government has made oral proffers of evidence and a written affidavit proffering examples of other known attempts made by the defendants and their associates to interfere with the judicial process. These examples, not included in the Superseding Indictment, allege efforts by defendant Tommy Edelin, and others working on his behalf, to convince several witnesses to lie for him during the upcoming trial. The government proffers that in 1997, defendant Tommy Edelin allegedly assisted another member of the organization by making arrangements for the murder of a critical witness who was cooperating with the government in another case against that member of the organization. That murder attempt was ultimately unsuccessful. Defendant Tommy Edelin made statements at that time that if he were ever charged with a serious offense he would not plead guilty, but would instead kill anyone who cooperated with the government.
Allegations against defendant Earl Ede-lin include that he has made a series of contacts with the family of a potential government witness to intimidate the witness and prevent the witness from testifying at the upcoming trial. The government proffers that defendant Earl Edelin has previously assisted another member of the organization by hiding a critical witness from the government so that the case pending against that member of the organization would be dismissed.
Defendant Shelton Marbury, while not named in the affidavit submitted by the government, has allegedly committed numerous violent acts, although not specifically against potential witnesses in this case. Defendant Shelton Marbury allegedly committed at least two murders while using a firearm. The government proffers that in 1997, defendant Henry Johnson allegedly threatened to kill two witnesses in a case prosecuted in the Superior Court for the District of Columbia involving an assault with a firearm and related charges. In this case, defendant Henry Johnson is charged with committing multiple murders while using a firearm.
The government alleges that while incarcerated in relation to this case, defendant Mosley, and others acting on his behalf, have repeatedly threatened to kill a potential government witness and a member of the witness’s family if the potential witness testifies at the upcoming trial in this matter.
Defendant Bryan Bostick is alleged to have arranged for another person to deliver a threatening message to the family of a potential government witness in order to prevent the witness from‘testifying at the upcoming trial. Defendant Bostick is also alleged to have informed the potential witness that he wanted to kill all the witnesses who were cooperating with the government; these allegations are in addition to the charges against defendant Bostick in United States v. Kevin Gray, et al., criminal case no. 00-157(RCL), also before this Court. Defendant Bostick faces further allegations of ongoing efforts to threaten and intimidate potential witnesses in the Gray case.
Aside from the specific counts in the indictment against the different defendants, and the proffers by the government with respect to those individual defendants, the government asserts that another member of the organization has interfered with the judicial process. The government proffers that during the 1998 murder trial of a juvenile member of the defendants’ organization, an associate of the defendants made threatening ges
All of the activities mentioned above indicate that the defendants in this case, and their associates, are willing to interfere with the judicial process. In this case there are charges of multiple murders and a wide-ranging conspiracy to distribute drugs. Most of the defendants here face the possibility of life imprisonment without parole; one defendant, Tommy Edelin, faces the possibility of the death penalty. The serious nature of these potential penalties may cause the defendants to overlook a potential additional sentence for obstruction of justice or tampering with a witness. It would be unwise for the Court to require the government to release the names of potential witnesses to the defendants in this case at this time.
The dangerousness of the defendants, their access to other individuals who are willing to act on their behalf, and their willingness to approach potential witnesses in this case in order to. alter or prevent damaging testimony all indicate that the defendants should not be provided with the information they seek in the discovery motions and the requests for witness and informant names. If the Court were to provide this information to the defendants here, it would needlessly jeopardize the safety of potential witnesses and government informants. While the defendants claim that they are unable to mount a constitutionally adequate defense without this information, other courts have found that withholding the names of potential witnesses until several days before those witnesses testify is not a violation of a criminal defendant’s constitutional rights.
See, e.g., United States v. Higgs,
The Supreme Court has never established a specific amount of time before trial when a Brady disclosure regarding witnesses must be made. It is true that a disclosure by the government
must be made at such a time as to allow the defense to use favorable material effectively in the preparation and presentation of its case, even if satisfaction of this criteria requires pre-trial disclosure. United States v. Pollack,534 F.2d 964 , 973 (D.C.Cir.1976), accord United States v. Presser,844 F.2d 1275 , 1283 (6th Cir.1988).
It is also true that the interests of justice would not be served by premature release of information that could compromise the security and safety of witnesses and informants who have been cooperating with law enforcement.
The facts set forth by the government establish by a preponderance of the evidence that providing defendants with a list of witnesses, along with the additional information defendants have requested, “may jeopardize the life or safety of any person.”
A. Motion by Government to Delay the Production of Witness Names
The Motion by the government to Delay the Production of Witness Names is GRANTED, pursuant to the analysis given above in the discussion of the dangerousness of the defendants and the reasoning below.
See swpra
Section II. Defendants Marbury, Mosley, and Tommy Edelin opposed the government’s motion to Delay the Production of Witness Names, they were recently joined by defendant Earl Edelin. The government has already declined to seek the death penalty against defendants Marbury, Mosley, and Earl Edelin, therefore, these three defendants are not entitled to the benefits conferred by
Defendants Marbury, Mosley, and Earl Edelin nevertheless claim that they have standing pursuant to
Even if these three defendants did have standing under the statute, and because defendant Tommy Edelin does have standing under
B. Motion by Defendant Tommy Edelin for Disclosure of Impeaching Information [310]
Although defendant Tommy Edelin does have the right to discovery of impeaching information, further impeaching information need not be produced at this time, given the Court’s decision to delay the production of witness names.
See supra
Section 111(A). The willingness of the defendants to harass and intimidate witnesses, and the willingness of the defendants to interfere with the judicial process
C. Motion by defendant Tommy Ede-lin for Pretrial Production of Statements of Individuals Not to be Called as Witnesses [308]
The Court DENIES the Motion on the grounds that the government has proffered that all evidence has been submitted to the defendant unless it threatens the safety of a witness. Insofar as defendant Tommy Edelin’s request applies to information not covered by
Brady,
the lack of legal support for the assertions of defendant Tommy Edelin, combined with the provisions of
As to
Brady
information that is being withheld due to the concern for the safety of individuals in conjunction with
The court in
United States v. Tarantino
stated that it would be a violation of the law to disclose witness statements prior to the trial.
The Court, cognizant of the government’s proffer that all exculpatory evidence and other materials that can be released to the defendants without endangering the safety of witnesses has been turned over to the defendants, DENIES the motion by defendant Tommy Edelin, with the understanding that all Brady information will be provided to the defense at the appropriate time.
D. Motion by defendant Tommy Ede-lin to Disclose Confidential Informants [309]
The Court, after considering the Motion by defendant Tommy Edelin and the Motion by the government to delay the production of witness names, DENIES the Motion by defendant Tommy Edelin to Disclose Confidential Informants. See
supra
Section 111(A). The Supreme Court has refused to adopt an inflexible rule that the identity of an informer or cooperating witness must be disclosed whenever the testimony may be relevant and helpful to the accused.
Roviaro v. United States,
The Court must balance the public’s interest in law enforcement and protecting the informant’s identity against the defendant’s right to prepare a defense.
See United States v. Jefferson,
Defendant Tommy Edelin has failed to articulate a sufficient basis as to why the testimony of the informants might be helpful to his defense. Defendant’s “mere speculation that the informer might possibly be of some assistance is not sufficient to meet [defendant’s] burden.”
United States v. Mangum,
Defendant Tommy Edelin has not even speculated as to the information the informants whose identities he requests might provide in aid of his defense. His request for their identities is DENIED.
E. Motion by defendant Tommy Ede-lin for Discovery of Statements of Co-defendants and Co-conspirators [311]
The government has represented to this Court that all discovery under
Brady v. Maryland
has been produced to the defendants unless the release of that information would compromise the security of witnesses or informants.
See supra
Section II. Defendant Tommy Edelin would be entitled to the information he requests if it were exculpatory, including that information which might affect the jury’s determination of the credibility of a material prosecution witness.
See Giglio v. United States,
The D.C. Circuit has held that the
Jencks Act
does not entitle a defendant to
This Circuit has also found that the pretrial disclosure by the government of witness statements, except as provided by the
Jencks Act,
would be a violation of
F. Motion by defendant Earl Edelin for Discovery and Inspection Concerning Government’s Use of Informants, Operatives and Cooperating Individuals [296-1]; Motion by defendant Earl Edelin for Disclosure of Exculpatory Evidence and Notice to the Government of Exculpatory Evidence Requested Concerning Government’s Use of Informants, Operatives and Coop- . erating Individuals [296-2]
The information requested by defendant Earl Edelin in his Motion parallels the information requested by this defendant and other defendants in various motions. Insofar as the Motion requests further Brady and Giglio disclosures, that type of evidence has been discussed extensively in other portions of this opinion and will be disclosed at a later date. See Section IV, infra. In terms of the requests for information regarding confidential informants, government operatives and cooperating individuals, where this information is subject to disclosure pursuant to Brady, it will be disclosed prior to the testimony of each witness. The Court has previously addressed information that if disclosed will threaten the safety of any person in the finding of dangerousness in Section II, supra. This information was also addressed in the discussion of defendant Tommy Edelin’s request for the identities of confidential informants in Section III(D), supra, and the Omnibus request for Brady/Giglio information in Section IV(D), infra. The delay in producing the names of other witnesses is addressed in Section 111(A), supra. For the reasons stated in these distinct sections, and because of the extensive evidence already produced and the government’s assurances to this Court that all evidence that should be produced pursuant to Brady and Giglio has been produced so long as it does not threaten the safety of any person, further discovery of the requested items is not warranted.
The dangerousness of the defendants, established in Section II,
supra,
leads the Court to conclude that any information that could endanger the safety of witnesses, informants, operatives, and cooperating individuals should not be released at this time. When such evidence is disclosed to the defendants on the Thursday prior to the witness testifying, it will allow the defendant and his counsel to investigate the witness. Information regarding informants, operatives, and cooperating individuals who are not to be called as wit
IV. Brady/Giglio Discovery
A. Motion by defendant Tommy Ede-lin for Discovery [211-1]; Motion by defendant Tommy Edelin for Discovery [302]
These Motions by defendant Tommy Edelin were made before defendant Ede-lin’s attorneys became the holders of one of the two remaining caches of non-documentary evidence distributed by the government. Defendant Tommy Edelin’s attorneys have also received duplicates of all documents produced by the government with relation to this case. Although defendant Tommy Edelin’s current attorneys had their case files stolen from them, the government has sought to replace all lost discovery. The government also has represented to this Court that the government intends to disclose all required
Brady v. Maryland
information, insofar as the requirements of
Brady
have not been met in the production of evidence to the defendants.
Brady,
The only evidence in the custody of the government that has not been disclosed to defendant Tommy Edelin is evidence that if revealed might endanger the safety of witnesses in this case. Pursuant to the Court’s findings on the dangerousness of the defendants and the prior disclosures made by the government to the defendants, defendant Tommy Edelin’s Motions for Discovery are hereby DENIED.
B. Motion by defendant Tommy Ede-lin for Inspection [211-2]
This Motion by defendant Tommy Ede-lin is hereby DENIED as cumulative of other discovery motions addressed in this opinion. Defendant Tommy Edelin’s counsel, as one of two repositories of the color photographs, video, and audio tapes gathered by the government in this case, have extensive access to much of the government’s evidence. The discovery provided by the government to defendant Tommy Edelin’s counsel, is sufficient to meet the request for inspection of defendant Tommy Edelin.
C.Motion by defendant Tommy Ede-lin for a Bill of Particulars [301-1]; Motion by defendant Marwin Mosley for a Bill of Particulars [278-1]
Defendant Mosley’s and defendant Tommy Edelin’s Motions for a Bill of Particulars, requesting more specific information with regards to the charges and evidence against each of them, are hereby DENIED. The charges against each of the defendants are alleged with sufficient particularity. A bill of particulars is appropriate to “ensure that the charges brought against a defendant are stated with enough precision to allow the defendant to understand the charges, to prepare a defense, and perhaps also to be protected against a retrial on the same charges.”
United States v. Butler,
The preparation of a defense is aided by the substantial discovery already provided by the government in this ease. It is not the purpose of a bill of particulars to provide for “whole sale discovery of the Government’s evidence .... ”
United States v. Torres,
Defendant Mosley challenges the indictment as vague and possibly multiplicitous. The Court finds that the indictment is proper, and the charges against defendant Mosley pass constitutional muster without the addition of a bill of particulars. A defendant in a conspiracy need not be charged with participating in all aspects of the conspiracy. The Supreme Court has held that “a conspiracy may exist even if a conspirator does not agree to commit or facilitate each and every part of the substantive offense. The partners in the criminal plan must agree to pursue the same criminal objective and may divide up the work, yet each is responsible for the acts of the other.”
Salinas v. United States,
The constitutional rights underlying a bill of particulars are met by the information already before the defendants. The voluminous discovery already provided to the defendants in this case more than compensates for the lack of a bill of particulars. No bill of particulars need be provided. Defendants’ Motions are DENIED.
D. Omnibus Motion by defendant Shelton Marbury for Production of Brady/Giglio Materials [276-1], joined by defendant Earl Edelin [297-1], also joined by defendant Bryan Bostick [282]
The government has informed the Court that all evidence subject to disclosure under
Brady
and
Giglio
has been turned over to the defendants as long as that evidence does not threaten the safety of any person. The government has indicated that it intends to provide all evidence the defendants are entitled to under
Brady v. Maryland,
The defendants seek the identity of cooperating witnesses or government informants. Beyond the identity of such witnesses, the defendants are requesting plea agreements, presentence reports and other documents relating to these witnesses.
Defendant Tommy Edelin made requests similar to the Brady/Giglio requests here. The requests by the defendants for the names of confidential informants are denied pursuant to the analysis provided in Section III(D) supra. The safety of the confidential informants would be compromised if the government were required to divulge their names. The government has also informed the Court that the anticipated testimony of these confidential informants is not exculpatory in nature, there is therefore no requirement that the government provide this information to the defendants at this time.
Another argument being made as to the impeachment evidence and the disclosure of the names of witnesses is that if information is revealed to the defendants on the Thursday before a witness testifies, there will not be sufficient time for them to investigate impeachment and other materials. It is true that the government must provide impeachment styled information concerning government witnesses in time for defendants to make use of it.
See United States v. Wilson,
The Third Circuit has held that
Brady
impeachment material, along with
Giglio
and
Jencks Act
material, must be supplied to the defendant, but this material does not have to be produced until after the relevant witness has testified.
See United States v. Higgs,
Given the prior Supreme Court rulings in this area and the practice of other courts, the Court finds that disclosure on the Thursday before each witness testifies will allow the defendants to make use of that information.
See supra
Section 111(A). The time provided by the Court will balance the interests of the defendants in the impeachment evidence and other information with the safety of witnesses and other persons related to this case.
See United States v. Jefferson,
The Supreme Court in
Roviaro v. United States,
In this case, disclosure, a minimum of three days prior to the relevant testimony, is more than adequate for the defendants to prepare their defense. The Motion by defendant Marbury, joined by defendants Earl Edelin and Bostick, for Production of Brady/Giglio Materials is hereby DENIED.
Y. Discovery Related to the Death Penalty
A. Motion by defendant Tommy Ede-lin to Compel Disclosure of United States Attorney’s Initial Recommendation Regarding Intent to Seek the Death Penalty [304]
The defendant’s request for information infringes on the deliberative process privilege, as well as the attorney-client privilege and the work product privilege.
See, e.g., Coastal States Gas Corp. v. Department of Energy,
Materials generated prior to the government taking a decision, and deliberative materials, which reflect the consultation of different government officials in the decision-making process, are privileged when their disclosure would “expose the deliberative process within [the] agency.”
Mead Data Central, Inc. v. U.S. Department of Air Force,
Defendant Tommy Edelin has submitted a vague request for materials reflecting the recommendations of the United States Attorney to the Attorney General regarding the decision of whether the death penalty should be sought against the defendant. The materials he requests should not be disclosed to the defendant. They would necessarily reveal the deliberative process which brought about the At
The attorney work product doctrine, in conjunction with the attorney-client privilege, further shields the information requested from discovery by defendant Tommy Edelin. Although the defendant faces the most severe of penalties and obviously would seek all available information from the government with regards to his case, he is not entitled to ignore the privileges and protections established by the law to facilitate the just resolution of cases. The attorney work product doctrine was explicitly defined by the United States Supreme Court in
Hickman v. Taylor,
The doctrine precludes discovery of the mental impressions and work product of attorneys, whether those mental impressions are captured in notes, memoranda, briefs, or another form, so long as the work product was produced in the anticipation of litigation. Obviously the decisions made by the United States Attorney and the Attorney General were made with an eye to litigation, the ultimate trial in this case. Finally, as cited elsewhere in this opinion,
The attorney-client privilege protects confidential communications made “between clients to their attorneys when the communications are for the purpose of securing legal advice or services.”
In re Lindsey,
Defendant Tommy Edelin specifically requests the written recommendation concerning the death penalty from the United States Attorney to the Attorney General. The defendant argues that this information is discoverable pursuant to
Brady v. Maryland,
In this instance, however, the materials sought by the defendant are privileged and thus, not evidence.
See Wood v. Bartholomew,
Defendant Tommy Edeliris Motion to Compel Disclosure of the United States Attorney’s Initial Recommendation Regarding Intent to Seek the Death Penalty is hereby DENIED.
B. Motion by defendant Tommy Ede-lin for Discovery of Evidence to be Used as Aggravators [305]
Defendant Tommy Edelin requests much of the same discovery here that he requests in other motions addressed in this Opinion. The Court’s response is much the same. The government has complied with its discovery obligations under
The reasons stated above would be sufficient to deny the Motion of defendant Tommy Edelin for additional discovery of evidence to be used as aggravators. The Federal Rules themselves, however, limit further discovery.
Defendant’s assertion that he has inadequate notice of the aggravating factors upon which the government will rely in the sentencing phase of the trial is not upheld by the applicable statutes nor by cases from different courts. The government’s notice of intent to seek the death penalty, combined with the indictment, provides the defendant with legally sufficient notice of the aggravating factors the
This Court finds, as the
Nguyen
court did, that
Defendant Tommy Edelin’s reliance on
Lankford v. Idaho
for notice of aggravating factors is misplaced.
Notice to the defendant in some form is required under the Constitution and various case law. Notice, however, is not so broad as to require that the government endanger the safety of its cooperating witnesses nor other individuals; nor is notice in this context so extensive as to mandate that the government go beyond the limitations established by Congress in the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure. Defendant Tommy Edelin’s Motion for Disclosure of Evidence to be Used as Ag-gravators is hereby DENIED.
C. Motion by defendant Tommy Ede-lin for Disclosure of Brady Information Relevant to Notice of Intent to Seek the Death Penalty [306]
Defendant Tommy Edelin’s Motion for Disclosure of
Brady
Information Relevant to Notice of Intent to Seek the Death Penalty requests the same type of information discussed in the Tommy Edelin’s requests for discovery, Section IV(A),
supra,
and in the Court’s analysis of the Omnibus Motion for
Brady/Giglio
evidence discussed
supra
Section IV(D). The government has asserted that all evidence
Defendant Tommy Edelin’s Motion for Disclosure of Brady Information Relevant to Notice of Intent to Seek the Death Penalty is hereby DENIED.
VI. Motion by Government for Empaneling an Anonymous Jury
The Motion by the government for Empaneling an Anonymous Jury is decided on many of the same grounds as the decision by this Court to delay the production of witness names.
See
Section 111(A)
supra.
The Court has discretion under
The additional analysis established in prior cases in the Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia also supports the decision of this Court to empanel an anonymous jury in this case.
United States v. Edmond,
The finding of dangerousness in Section II,
supra,
clearly establishes that there is reason to believe the jury needs protection. The defendants have shown that they are willing to interfere with the judicial process. The finding of probable cause by the grand jury and the proffers by the government of other actions taken by the defendants and others acting on their behalf to interfere with the judicial process and to threaten witnesses indicate that the jury would not be immune to similar interference and threats. There is a very real concern, related to this case, that the defendants or someone acting on them behalf will engage in violent activity against potential witnesses or jurors. The
The Court fully intends to take whatever precautions possible to minimize the prejudicial effects on the defendants of having an anonymous jury. The use of a questionnaire in the voir dire process, along with extensive questioning of the prospective jurors on their backgrounds, will overcome a large number of the defendants’ concerns. In addition, the Court will be careful to provide a neutral explanation to the jurors regarding their anonymity and other precautionary measures.
The Circuit Court of Appeals for this Circuit has held that some combination of the following five factors leads to the conclusion that an anonymous jury is proper. “(1) the defendant’s involvement in organized crime, (2) the defendant’s participation in a group with the capacity to harm jurors, (3) the defendant’s past attempts to interfere with the judicial process, (4) the potential that, if convicted, the defendant will suffer a lengthy incarceration and substantial monetary penalties, and (5) extensive publicity that could enhance the possibility that jurors’ names would become public and expose them to intimidation or harassment.”
Edmond,
In this case, the indictment alleges that the defendants have been involved in a large-scale drug conspiracy, and a RICO conspiracy. The organization alleged certainly qualifies as organized crime, though it may fall short of the intricacies of the mafia. The incidents alleged in the indictment clearly show that the alleged conspiracy and its members had the capacity to harm jurors. The defendants are alleged to have participated in the murder and the attempted murder of witnesses, other crucial participants in the judicial process. The defendants’ alleged willingness to interfere with witnesses could easily translate into a willingness to interfere with jurors.
The fourth factor is clearly present in this case. One of the defendants faces the potential imposition of the death penalty, while the other five face life in prison without parole. All of the defendants also face substantial monetary penalties. Obviously the defendants would have an incentive to influence jurors. Finally, the likelihood for extensive publicity in this case is great. There has already been publicity with regards to this case, in particular, to defendant Tommy Edelin. This publicity, however, will pale in comparison with the likely publicity that will result from the first death penalty case to go to trial in the District of Columbia in over forty years. The decision by the Attorney General to seek the death penalty in this case will focus a great deal of attention on a variety of issues, including some of the issues raised by defendant Tommy Edelin in some of his Motions before this Court. The potential for media coverage and protestors against the death penalty only increases the need for precautionary measures to be taken to protect the anonymity and safety of the jurors.
Contrary to the arguments of the defendants in this case, the Court need not find that the defendants have engaged in jury tampering in a prior case.
Edmond,
The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that juries are assumed to follow their instructions, the Court revisited this topic most recently in
Marshall v. Lonberger
VII. Motion by defendant Tommy Ede-lin for Advance Determination of Conspiracy and Supporting Authority [314]
Defendant Tommy Edelin, in his request for an advance determination of conspiracy, is essentially requesting a mini-trial prior to the trial in this case. A demonstration of the existence of the RICO conspiracy and enterprise would require a rendition of the entire case, as every piece of evidence relates to the enterprise. The Court does not find that a hearing to determine whether a conspiracy existed would be proper in a case of this nature. Such a hearing would be lengthy, further delaying the trial in this case and placing an unreasonable burden on the government. Furthermore, the hearing that defendant Tommy Edelin requests would jeopardize the safety of cooperating witnesses and other persons.
The case law of this Circuit upholds the practice of deferring the determination of a defense motion if that motion requires a pretrial “deciding [of] issues of fact that are inevitably bound up with evidence about the alleged offense itself.”
United States v. Wilson,
Defendant Tommy Edelin’s request for an advance determination of conspiracy is hereby DENIED.
VIII. Motion by defendant Earl Edelin to Suppress Tangible Evidence [295]
After consideration of the Motion filed by defendant Earl Edelin and the Opposition filed by the government, the Court finds that there was probable cause to support the three search warrants defendant Earl Edelin contends are deficient. The affidavits do establish probable cause sufficient to support the warrants. The affidavits in this case meet the test established in
Illinois v. Gates,
“whether, given all the circumstances set forth in the affidavit before him, including the ‘veracity’ and ‘basis of knowledge’ of persons supplying hearsay information, there is a fair probability that contraband or evidence of a crime will be found in a particular place.” Id. at 230,103 S.Ct. 2317 .
That test has been met in this case. The Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia has determined that courts should look to a variety of factors, such as whether the informants have proven “credible in other instances,”
United States v. Laws,
The informants used for the affidavits were reliable, they had previously provided reliable information about narcotics and firearms offenses, and the information provided on previous occasions had never proved inaccurate. These were “trustworthy individuals] who ha[ve] worked with the police and consistently provided accurate information.”
United States v. Watts,
In determining whether the information used to support the affidavits was stale in the eyes of the law, it is necessary to look at other cases with similar charges and see what other courts have determined to be “stale” in an ongoing conspiracy to distribute drugs. Other courts have determined that when the evidence sought is of a type that would be maintained after the criminal activity ceased, then older information can still be considered reliable when used to obtain a search warrant.
See United States v. Rowell,
The government’s showing of the reliability of the informants, included in the affidavits, and the case law indicating that the information was not legally stale, supports this Court’s decision. Defendant Earl Edelin’s Motion to Suppress Tangible Evidence is hereby DENIED.
IX. Presentation of the Prosecution’s Case-in-chief
A. Motion by Government to Recall Witnesses During its Case-in-chief
The government’s Motion to Recall Witnesses During its Case-in-chief seems to be the best way of providing a clear and orderly trial for the defendants and the prosecution. In order to aid the jury’s understanding of the evidence, it is preferable that the evidence be presented in chronological order. While this necessitates that witnesses be recalled during the case-in-ehief, there does not appear to be any detrimental effect on the defendants, indeed, it will be beneficial for the defendants if the jury has a greater understanding of the case and the evidence presented by the government.
The Court, therefore, exercises its discretion, pursuant to
Other courts hearing cases involving complex conspiracies or activities occurring over a long period of time have approved of the practice of recalling witnesses to testify to discrete incidents.
See United States v. DeLuna,
Therefore, because
B. Motion by defendant Tommy Ede-lin to Order the Government to Declare the Presentation Order of its Case-in-chief before Voir Dire [315-2]
The government, in its Motion to Recall Witnesses, has made it clear that it plans to present its Case-in-chief in chronological order, the Court has granted the government’s Motion. The Motion by defendant Tommy Edelin is therefore DENIED. Further disclosure by the government regarding its presentation of its case-in-chief is not required.
X. Other Discovery Motions
A. Motion by defendant Tommy Ede-lin for Fifth and Sixth Amendment Notice [301-2]
The evidence requested by defendant Tommy Edelin in this Motion is substantially similar to the evidence requested by defendant Tommy Edelin in other motions. The assurances of the government that the requirements of the law will be complied with in connection with the disclosure of information to defendant Tommy Edelin are sufficient for this Court, barring some
Defendant Tommy Edelin’s Motion is DENIED.
B. Motion by defendant Tommy Ede-lin for Government Agents to Retain Rough Notes [303]
This Motion is hereby DENIED. The government has already requested that all agents preserve their rough notes in this case.
C. Motion by defendant Tommy Ede-lin for Notice of Government’s Intention to Use Residual Hearsay Exception Under Rule 807[307]
' Defendant Tommy Edelin’s Motion for Notice of Government’s Intention to Use Residual Hearsay Exception Under
D. Motion by defendant Marwin Mosley for Disclosure Pursuant to Rules 404(b) and 609 of the Federal Rules of Evidence [279-1], joined by defendant Earl Ede-lin [297-1]; Motion by defendant Bryan Bostick for Disclosure of Government’s Intention to Introduce Rule 404(b) Evidence at Trial [283]
The government in this case represents that there is no 404(b) evidence as to Mr. Mosley. Defendant Mosley nevertheless requests disclosure of any other crimes evidence involving his co-defendants or co-conspirators.
The analysis above applies to defendants Mosley’s and Bostick’s Motion for
E. Motion by defendant Tommy Ede-lin to Compel Attorney for the Government to Disclose Evidence Favorable to the Defendant [312]
This Motion is hereby DENIED in accordance with the analysis given in Section IV(A), supra, in a similar motion filed by this defendant.
F. Motion by defendant Tommy Ede-lin to Compel Disclosure of Evidence Subject to Suppression under the
The Motion of the defendant is hereby DENIED. The government has represented that
G. Motion by defendant Tommy Ede-lin for an Exhibit List [315-1]
Defendant Tommy Edelin’s Motion for an Exhibit List is DENIED. Information regarding various witnesses will be provided on the Thursday prior to the testimony of each witness, the government will provide the Jencks/Giglio materials at that time. This will assist the defendants in knowing what to bring to court the following week. Further disclosures with regards to an exhibit list are not required.
XI. Adoption of Motions of Co-Defendants
A. Defendant Earl Edelin’s Motion to Adopt the Motions of Co-Defendants [297-1]
Defendant Earl Edelin’s Motion to adopt the Motions of defendant Marwin Mosley, for Disclosure Pursuant to
B. Defendant Earl Edelin’s Motion to Join Defendant Mosley’s Opposition to Empaneling an Anonymous Juiy, to Providing the United States Marshal’s Service Escort and to Delaying Release of Witness Names [ ], Defendant Bryan Bostick’s Motion to Join and Adopt Co-defendant Tommy Edelin’s Motion for Disclosure of Confidential Informants, Motion for Production of Pretrial Statements of Persons Who Will Not be Called as Witnesses at Trial, Motion for Disclosure of Statements of Co-Defendants and Co-conspirators, Motion for Notice of Government’s Intent to Introduce Statements Under the Residual Hearsay Rule, and Motion for Pretrial Determination of Existence of Conspiracy [344-1], Defendant Bryan Bostick’s Motion to Join and Adopt Co-defendant Marbury’s Motion for Disclosure of Brady/Giglio Materials [282-1]
These Motions to Join Motions by Co-defendants are hereby GRANTED. The underlying motions the defendants sought
C. Defendant Bryan Bostick’s Motion to Join and Adopt Co-Defendant Earl Edelin’s Motion to Reconsider Motion for Discovery [194-1]
This Motion by defendant Bostick is hereby DENIED. Earl Edelin’s Motion to Reconsider Motion for Discovery was denied by an Order of this Court on January 24, 2000.
D. Defendant Tommy Edelin’s Motion to Adopt, Join and Conform Motions [357-1]
Defendant Tommy Edelin’s Motion is hereby GRANTED, but only to the extent that he requests to adopt, join and conform to specific motions by co-defendants. Those motions are as follows: Marwin Mosley’s Motion in Opposition to Empaneling an Anonymous Jury, Motion for Disclosure of
Insofar as defendant Tommy Edelin’s attorneys mistakenly included the names of Motions that had not been filed by any defendant other than defendant Tommy Edelin himself in this case, such as the Motion for Pretrial Determination of the Admissibility of Tape Recorded Conversations, the Motion for Preliminary Determination of Conspiracy and Pretrial Ruling on the Admissibility of Co-conspirators’ Statements Pursuant to
The underlying Motions defendant Tommy Edelin sought to join were DENIED by this Court, supra Sections VI, X(D), and IV(D).
XII. Conclusion
The Court has established that further discovery is unwarranted, aside from the anticipated disclosures by the government of materials that have been withheld because of concerns with the safety of witnesses, informants, or other persons. The government has indicated that it will comply with its discovery obligations under
Brady
and
SO ORDERED.
Notes
. The joinder of the defendants was held lo be proper by previous order of this Court.
See United States v. Edelin,