Mincey v. Arizona
United States Supreme Court
437 U.S. 385 (1978)
- Written by Shelby Crawford, JD
Facts
Police officer Barry Headricks, working undercover, arranged to purchase heroin from Mincey (plaintiff). Officer Headricks and other officers later went to Mincey’s home where Officer Headricks was shot and killed. Shortly after Officer Headricks was shot, other officers arrived and began investigating and searching for evidence. Over four days, Mincey’s home was thoroughly searched, although a warrant was never obtained. Mincey made a pretrial motion to suppress the fruits of the four-day warrantless search of his home, but the court denied that motion. The trial court convicted Mincey of murder, assault, and drug charges despite his claim that evidence used against him at trial was unlawfully seized. Mincey appealed and the Arizona Supreme Court upheld its previous rulings that there is an exception to the warrant requirement when searching the scene of a homicide. Mincey’s appeal was denied. The Supreme Court granted certiorari.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Stewart, J.)
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