State v. Wooten

201 S.E.2d 89 (1973)

20 N.C. App. 139

STATE of North Carolina v. Clifton WOOTEN, Jr.

No. 733SC694.

Court of Appeals of North Carolina.

December 12, 1973.

Certiorari Denied February 5, 1974.

*90 Atty. Gen. Robert Morgan, by Asst. Atty. Gen. Charles M. Hensey, Raleigh, for the State.

Laurence S. Graham, Greenville, for defendant.

Certiorari Denied by Supreme Court February 5, 1974.

BROCK, Chief Judge.

Defendant assigns as error that the affidavit to obtain the search warrant executed in this case does not justify a finding of probable cause to issue the warrant, and therefore, the evidence obtained by the search should be suppressed. This assignment of error is without merit.

The affidavit upon which the search warrant was issued in this case is made upon information supplied by a reliable informant, who had furnished accurate information to the police in the past. The informant saw (on the same date the affidavit was executed) several male and female negroes at 1307-B Fairfax Avenue in possession of marijuana and heroin. The affidavit particularly describes the premises where the male and female negroes were located, and specifically described defendant by race, age, sex, height, and weight as having the contraband on his person. Admittedly, the affidavit is inartfully drawn both as to arrangement of content, grammar and sentence structure. The affidavit was issued immediately upon receipt of the information and immediately taken before the issuing magistrate. The record shows that the affidavit was executed at 2:00 a. m., and the search warrant was signed at 2:15 a. m. It is reasonably clear that the persons and the contraband would likely disappear if the officers did not proceed with dispatch. Viewed in the light of the circumstances in which the affidavit was written, it is not surprising that it was inartful.

We note that when defendant objected to the testimony concerning the apprehension and search of defendant and requested a voir dire, the trial judge properly excused the jury. However, unless the District Attorney proposes to offer evidence considered by the magistrate in his determination of probable cause which evidence is not included in the affidavit, we see no point in offering witnesses. The affidavit speaks for itself and can be examined by the presiding judge to determine its sufficiency. If the defendant desires to attack the credibility of the facts stated or the motives of the officer who executed the affidavit, the defendant is free to call such witnesses as are pertinent. If the facts set out in the affidavit are sufficient within themselves to justify the finding of probable cause, the affidavit is a sufficient showing on voir dire. See State v. Logan, 18 N.C.App. 557, 197 S.E.2d 238.

The evidence in this case is clear that defendant was caught "red-handed" by alert officers.

No error.

CAMPBELL and PARKER, JJ., concur.