They probably felt the accidental shooting constituted "probable cause" to suspect illegal substances were present. Is the dwelling up for investigation at the whim of the officer? I don't think so. But, if they believe they have probable cause, then they can mount a reasonable investigation.<br>
<br><div class="gmail_quote">On Mon, Dec 14, 2009 at 10:57 AM, Sam Scripter <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:moscowsam@verizon.net">moscowsam@verizon.net</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex;">
<div text="#000000" bgcolor="#ffffff">
<font size="+1"><font face="Comic Sans MS">I ask that below out of
ignorance and curiosity . . .<br>
<br>
Re: Spokesman Review story -- Boy shot in groin<br>
<br>
Question: Why/what business does a Sheriff's officer have to be<br>
looking in closets while investigating what appears to be an accidental<br>
shooting, and most likely had nothing to do with closet contents? E.g.,<br>
is anything sacred and private in one's dwelling . . . The attic, the<br>
basement, the garage . . .<br>
<br>
Question more specifically: Is a resident's whole dwelling and <br>
property/lot up for investigation, once a "peace" officer is inside <br>
the dwelling, at the whim of the officer?<br>
<br>
Sam S<br>
</font></font><br>
Tom Hansen wrote:
<blockquote type="cite">
<pre>Courtesy of the Spokesman Review.
--------------------------------------------
Teen survives shotgun blast to his groin
A Spokane Valley teenager was shot in the groin by his brother who was
cleaning a shotgun when the weapon discharged Saturday evening.
The shotgun was loaded with bird shot, which passed through a sofa before
striking the teenager in the apparently accidental shooting, a Spokane
County sheriff’s spokesman said.
The youth, whose injuries were not considered life-threatening, was taken
to a local hospital.
Officers responding to the shooting at an apartment on the 700 block of
North McDonald Road discovered a small marijuana-growing operation in a
closet of the apartment, the spokesman said. The incident remained under
investigation.
--------------------------------------------
Seeya round town, Moscow.
Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho
"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails."
- Unknown
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