Griffin

I. Background

Robert Lee Griffin has been indicted in federal district court on one count of conspiracy to conduct and participate in the affairs of the Aryan Brotherhood prison gang’s racketeer- ing enterprise, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1962, and two counts of participating in the violent crime of murder in aid of the racketeering enterprise, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1959(a)(1). Among other things, the indictment alleges that Griffin is one of the leaders of the prison gang and that he has ordered or approved the murders of seven, and the attempted murders of two more, named individuals.

Six boxes of documents were seized by law enforcement officials during a valid search of the residence of Griffin’s UNITED STATES v. GRIFFIN 2733 wife/attorney. The documents include numerous letters writ- ten by Griffin while he was incarcerated in California state prison. These letters were sent in envelopes marked “Confi- dential” and were addressed to Pamela Griffin as an “Attor- ney at Law.” The magistrate judge appointed a special master to review the letters. The special master redacted all letters and portions of letters protected by the attorney-client privi- lege…