US SUPREME COURT DECISIONS
Messerschmidt v. Millender - 10-704 (2012)
- Syllabus
- Opinion (Justice Roberts)
- Concurrence (Justice Breyer)
- Concurrence (Justice Kagan)
- Dissent (Justice Sotomayor)
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
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No. 10–704
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CURT MESSERSCHMIDT, et al., PETITIONERS v. BRENDA MILLENDER, as executor of the ESTATE OF AUGUSTA MILLENDER, DECEASED, et al.
On writ of certiorari to the united states court of appeals for the ninth circuit
[February 22, 2012]
Justice Breyer, concurring:chanrobles.com-red
The Court concludes that the officers acted reasonably in searching the house for “ ‘all firearms and firearm-related items.’ ” Ante, at 11–12 (emphasis deleted). In support of this conclusion, it cites two sets of circum- stances. First, the majority points to “Bowen’s possession of one illegal gun, his gang membership, his willingness to use the gun to kill someone, and his concern about the police . . . .” Ante, at 11. Second, the majority notes that “[a] reasonable officer also could believe that seizure of the firearms was necessary to prevent further assaults on Kelly,” because “Bowen had already attempted to murder Kelly once with a firearm, and had yelled ‘I’ll kill you’ as she tried to escape from him.” Ante, at 12. In my view, given all these circumstances together, the officers could reasonably have believed that the scope of their search was supported by probable cause. On that basis, I concur.
