From: Jim Rosenfield <[j n r] at [igc.apc.org]>
Newsgroups: talk.politics.drugs
Date: 31 Mar 93 22:56 PST
Subject: D.A. says Fatal Raid Unjustified


UPwe 03/30 2028  D.A. says drug raid lacked legal justification

VENTURA, Calif. (UPI) -- Investigators said Tuesday drug officers who
shot and killed a reclusive millionaire had no legal right to raid his
secluded Malibu area ranch and were inspired in part by their desire to
confiscate the $5 million property. 

The Ventura County District Attorney's Office released a report saying
there was no legal justification for the raid that ended with a deputy
shooting Donald Scott, 61, Oct. 2, 1992. 

But although District Attorney Michael Bradbury said the raid was
unjustified and "the officers should not have been on Scott's property,
" the shooting itself was ruled justifiable self-defense. 

Investigators said the raid was motivated, at least in part, by a desire
to seize Scott's ranch under federal drug forfeiture laws. The 200-acre
Trails End ranch is worth approximately $5 million. 

Authorities said they believed a significant marijuana growing operation
was housed at the ranch. No trace of drugs was found. 

The report concludes that a Los Angeles County sheriff's deputy shot
Scott in self-defense, but the deputy should not have been on the remote
ranch in the first place. 

Authorities said when Deputy Gary Spencer ordered Scott to lower his gun
from over his head, the gun came down in the direction of the deputy,
causing him to fear for his life. He said there was no evidence to
disprove Spencer's story. 

The report concluded the search warrant authorizing the raid was invalid
because there were material misstatments or false statements in the
affidavit, which was prepared by Spencer. 

Scott was a playboy fixture on the Hollywood party scene until he
dropped out about 20 years ago and spent the rest of his life at the
ranch. 

His family is suing for $200 million. 


Copyright 1993 United Press International  <<>>