United States v. Taylor

530 F.2d 639 (5th Cir. 1976)

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Nature of the Case

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Facts

The Havana State Bank was robbed of about $6,700 at gunpoint by two men wearing masks. The robbers took the money, ordered everyone present into the bank vault, and locked them inside. Locking them in the vault tripped a bank camera, that took pictures of the robbers. A local grocer saw two men pass his storefront window immediately after the robbery and saw one of the men's faces. One hour later, Ds were stopped, questioned, and their car searched by consent. Two bank tellers present during the robbery were unable to identify Ds as the perpetrators of the robbery. Ds were released but were arrested the following day by F.B.I. agents, on the strength of some of the bank photographs taken during the robbery. Ds objected to the introduction of the camera photos in that no one could testify that the photos accurately showed the scene of the bank at the time of the robbery. P presented evidence as to the installation of the cameras and how they were tripped. P presented evidence on how the film was processed and the chain of custody of the film taken from the cameras. The court admitted the evidence and Ds were convicted. Ds appealed.