Opinion
Criminal No. 12-cr-048-01-JL
05-09-2012
United States of America v. Ethan R. Clark
ORDER OF DETENTION PENDING TRIAL
In accordance with 18 U.S.C. § 3142(f), a hearing was conducted on today's date, to determine whether to detain the defendant, Ethan R. Clark, who has been charged by indictment with bank robbery, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 2113(a). The court issued its detention order orally from the bench, and this written order incorporates those findings and rulings. See 18 U.S.C. § 3142(i)(1).
Legal Standards
Section 3142(f) of the Bail Reform Act, 18 U.S.C. §§ 3141-3156, "does not authorize a detention hearing whenever the government thinks detention would be desirable, but rather limits such hearings" to the circumstances listed in 18 U.S.C. §§ 3142(f)(1) and (f)(2). United States v. Ploof, 851 F.2d 7, 10 (1st Cir. 1988). In this case, the government argues a detention hearing is warranted under 18 U.S.C. § 3142(f)(1)(A), which provides authority for the government to seek detention where a defendant is charged with a "crime of violence." Bank robbery is a crime of violence; I therefore find that the detention hearing was authorized under 18 U.S.C. § 3142(f)(1)(A).
Pursuant to § 3142(f), the court must determine whether any condition or combination of conditions set forth in § 3142(c) will reasonably assure the appearance of the defendant ("risk of flight") and the safety of any other person and the safety of the community ("dangerousness") 18 U.S.C. § 3142(f); United States v. Patriarca, 948 F.2d 789, 791 (1st Cir. 1991). In making this determination, the court must consider the following: (1) the nature and circumstances of the offense charged; (2) the weight of the evidence as to guilt; (3) the history and characteristics of the accused, including family ties, past history, financial resources and employment; and (4) the nature and seriousness of the danger to any person or the community that would be posed by a release. 18 U.S.C. § 3142(g).
During the course of a hearing conducted pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 3142, the government has the burden of persuading the court that no condition or combination of conditions will reasonably assure (1) the defendant's presence at trial, United States v. Perez-Franco, 839 F.2d 867, 870 (1st Cir. 1988); or (2) the safety of another or the community. Patriarca, 948 F.2d at 793. For its part, the government is required to prove risk of flight by a preponderance of the evidence and to establish dangerousness by clear and convincing evidence. See id. at 792-93.
Findings and Rulings
At the hearing, the government argued that defendant's release posed a risk of both flight and danger. After weighing the evidence and balancing the factors laid out in 18 U.S.C. § 3142(g), the court finds that the government met its burden of proof only on dangerousness. The court issued its ruling and explained its rationale orally from the bench. The court incorporates its oral ruling herein, and for the reasons stated on the record, finds that the government met its burden of proving that defendant's release, even on strict conditions, presents too serious a risk of danger. In short, there are no conditions or combination of conditions that will reasonably assure the safety of the community. Accordingly, it is ORDERED that the defendant be detained pending trial.
The defendant is committed to the custody of the Attorney General or his designated representative for confinement in a corrections facility, to be held separately, to the extent practicable, from persons awaiting or serving sentences or being held in custody pending appeal. The defendant shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity for private consultation with defense counsel. On order of a court of the United States or on request of an attorney for the government, the person in charge of the corrections facility shall deliver the defendant to the United States Marshal for the purpose of appearing in connecting with court proceedings. To the extent the United States Marshal can accommodate the defendant's request to be confined at the Cheshire County House of Corrections, the court approves of that request.
SO ORDERED.
___________
Landya McCafferty
United States Magistrate Judge
cc: Jeffrey S. Levin, Esq.
Terry L. Ollila, Esq.
U.S. Marshal
U.S. Probation