United States v. Veronza Leon Curtis Bowers

Appellant was convicted of murdering Kenneth C. Patrick, park ranger employed by the United States Park Service, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1114 . We affirm.

The park ranger’s body was found beside Mount Vision Road in Point Reyes National Seashore. He had been shot three times with an Astra Pistol using 9 mm ammunition of Yugoslavian manufacture. Three spent 9 mm shell casings were found nearby. ' One was of Yugoslavian manufacture; another of Finnish manufacture bore the marking “VPT 44.” Four crossbow bolts fitted with hunting tips were also found in the immediate area.

Evidence developed in subsequent investigation indicated that appellant Bowers, Alan Veale, and Jonathan Shoher had been stopped by the park ranger while on an expedition to poach deer, and appellant Bowers had shot the ranger. Appellant and Alan Veale were indicted for murder. The cases were severed for trial, appellant Bower’s trial to lead. Veale elected to testify against appellant. After appellant’s conviction, the indictment against Veale was dismissed.

1. The contention pressed most strongly by appellant is that the district court erred in denying a motion to suppress certain evidence seized…