State v. Brooks
| Decision Date | 16 November 1976 |
| Citation | 366 A.2d 179 |
| Parties | STATE of Maine v. Ralph L. BROOKS. |
| Court | Maine Supreme Court |
David W. Crook, Asst. Dist. Atty., Skowhegan, for plaintiff.
Elton A. Burky, Pittsfield, for defendant.
Before DUFRESNE, C.J., and WEATHERBEE, * POMEROY, WERNICK, ARCHIBALD, JJ.
The defendant was indicted, tried before a jury and convicted of breaking and entering with the intent to commit larceny. 17 M.R.S.A. § 754. He has appealed, claiming error in the denial of (1) his motion for the disclosure of the identity of a 'secret informer' and (2) a motion for a mistrial.
We deny the appeal.
As the appeal is postured, it is unnecessary to analyze the facts. Suffice it to say that our review of the record clearly reveals an adequate factual basis which would justify a rational jury in concluding beyond a reasonable doubt that the crime charged in the indictment had been committed by the defendant.
Prior to trial the appellant moved for the disclosure of the identity of a person who, admittedly, had informed the police of a plan to engage in this criminal activity. In support of his motion the defendant argued that he had been enticed and entrapped into being found at the scene under incriminating circumstances. The prosecuting attorney assured the Court that the informer was not a participant in the crime and would not be used as a witness In Roviaro v. United States, 353 U.S. 53, 62, 77 S.Ct. 623, 628-29, 1 L.Ed.2d 639 (1957), the Supreme Court of the United States, in discussing the right of a criminal defendant to know the identity of a police informer, used this language:
at trial. The presiding Justice denied the motion.
Acting within the range of sound judicial discretion upon a showing of actual relevance and that a fair determination of the case requires it, a presiding justice may require the State's privilege of nondisclosure of an informant's identity to yield to a disclosure motion. United States v. Fredia, 319 F.2d 853, 854 (2d Cir. 1963). See State v. Hawkins, 261 A.2d 255, 260 (Me.1970). See, e.g., United States v. Konigsberg, 336 F.2d 844, 848 (3d Cir.), cert. denied, 379 U.S. 933, 85 S.Ct. 334, 13 L.Ed.2d 344 (1964); United States v. One 1957 Ford Ranchero Pickup Truck, 265 F.2d 21, 26 (10th Cir. 1959).
In Roviaro, supra, the Court emphasized that whee the informer was an that where the informer was an his testimony 'was highly relevant and might have been helpful to the defense,' the informer's identity must be disclosed. 1 353 U.S. at 63-64, 77 S.Ct. at 629. The presence of the informer at the scene of the alleged crime, or his involvement in the criminal activity for which the defendant is charged, has been viewed as a significant factor in the decision to require disclosure. See, e.g., Portomene v. United States, 221 F.2d 582, 584 (5th Cir. 1955); People v. McShann, 50 Cal.2d 802, 330 P.2d 33, 35 (1958). Where, however, there is no showing that the informer was connected with the defendant's criminal conduct, but was merely conveying information to law enforcement officials, nondisclosure of his identity is justified. See, e.g., Cook v. United States, 354 F.2d 529, 531 (9th Cir. 1965); Miller v. United States, 273 F.2d 279, 281 (5th Cir. 1959); Pegram v. United States, 267 F.2d 781, 782-83 (6th Cir. 1959); People v. White, 16 N.Y.2d 270, 266 N.Y.S.2d 100, 213 N.E.2d 438, 440 (1965); Lee v. State, 235 Md. 301, 201 A.2d 502, 504 (1964); People v. Beattie, 31 Ill.2d 257, 201 N.E.2d 396, 398 (1964).
In the instant case the defendant maintains that the identity of the informer was essnetial to the presentation of an entrapment defense. In appropriate cases, we have no doubt that the identity of an informer should be revealed in order to assist an accused to properly raise that issue. However, a defendant's bare assertion that he has been entrapped is not sufficient to warrant disclosure. Miller v. United States, 273 F.2d 279, 281 (5th Cir. 1959); State v. Dolce, 41 N.J. 422, 197 A.2d 185, 192 (1964). There must be some showing by a defendant that the informer did more than merely convey information to police officials. United States v. Acosta, 411 F.2d 627, 630 (5th Cir. 1969).
The appellant in this case has failed to make such a showing. In light of the assurances by the prosecuting attorney that the informer was not involved in the crime with which the appellant was charged, the presiding Justice acted properly in denying the motion for disclosure. Viewed retrospectively, if the police did know the identity of the informer, the facts as proved at the trial in no way suggested any real defense need for the requested disclosure.
During the defendant's cross-examination of the property owner's son, the following exchange took place:
'Q. When the person who you identified as Mr. Brooks came out of the building, did you express some surprise?
A. Somewhat, yes.
Q. You were surprised to see Mr. Brooks coming out of your building?
A. Sure was.
Q. You had known Mr. Louie Brooks for some time hadn't you?
A. I had been-I had known him, who he was. I had been associated with him through Jaycees, when I was president of the Jaycees. In fact, that is how he got out of State prison, is because he came to work for me.' (Emphasis supplied.)
The presiding Justice immediately requested that the jury leave the courtroom, and the defendant moved for a mistrial. The Justice below denied the motion and, upon the jury's return, gave the following curative instruction:
The defendant later testified and admitted that he had a prior criminal record.
The defendant contends that it was error to have denied his motion for a mistrial because the witness' reference to the defendant's imprisonment was so prejudicial as to be incapable of being cured by any instruction.
We have repeatedly stated that the decision to grant a mistrial rests in the sound discretion of the presiding justice. A mistrial should be granted only where 'no remedial measure short of a new trial will satisfy the interests of justice.' State v. Kelley, 357 A.2d 890, 896 (Me.1976). See also State v. Prudenzano, 365 A.2d 418 (Me. opinion dated October 26, 1976); State v. Gagne, 349 A.2d 193, 198 (Me.1975).
Because of the potential prejudicial impact on a jury, the prior convictions of a criminal defendant are admissible for impeachment purposes in very limited, and narrowly defined, circumstances. 16 M.R.S.A. § 56. 2 See Rule 609, Maine Rules of Evidence, effective February 2, 1976. However, it does not necessarily follow that a defendant is always entitled to a mistrial as a result of an improper reference to his past criminal conduct. In State v. Coombs, 351 A.2d 122 (Me.1976), the prosecuting attorney, in cross-examination improperly asked the defendant ...
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State v. Souza
...the issue of guilt or innocence was involved and considered the degree or participation of the informer as significant. In State v. Brooks, 366 A.2d 179 (Me.1976), the Supreme Judicial Court of Maine "The presence of the informer at the scene of the alleged crime, or his involvement in the ......
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State v. Coulombe
...have consistently held that the decision to grant a mistrial rests in the discretion of the presiding Justice. See, e. g., State v. Brooks, 366 A.2d 179, 182 (Me.1976); State v. Kelley, 357 A.2d 890, 896 (Me.1976). The Justice below was in a far better position than we are to assess what, i......
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State v. Strollo
...of a criminal defendant are admissible for impeachment purposes in very limited, and narrowly defined, circumstances.' State v. Brooks, Me., 366 A.2d 179 (1976). Here, defendant did take the stand in his own behalf. Prior to his testifying, a chamber conference was held wherein the defense ......
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State v. Chase
...U.S. 300, 87 S.Ct. 1056, 18 L.Ed.2d 62 (1967), that disclosure is not routinely required in probable cause hearings. State v. Brooks, Me., 366 A.2d 179, 181 n. 1 (1976); State v. Hawkins, Me., 261 A.2d 255, 260 It does not follow from these decisions, however, that disclosure is prohibited ......