Monday, December 5, 2011

Fourth Amendment Folly: Have Some Federal Courts Diluted the Bare Bone Exception to the Leon Good Faith Exception?

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit heard oral argument on Tuesday, October 27, 2011 for a case involving Maryland teenager, Collin McKenzie-Gude. He graduated from St. John’s College High School in 2008 and planned on attending American University for his undergraduate studies. During the summer in 2008, suspicion arose when McKenzie-Gude and a witness’ nephew allegedly discussed chemicals associated with explosives at the witness’ house. The police investigated the witness’ story and discovered that an AK-47 rifle mentioned in the affidavit was registered to McKenzie-Gude’s father. Further, the police found an AK-47 in McKenzie-Gude’s bedroom after acquiring a search warrant for his parent’s home.