Judge Rules Hells Angels Raid Illegal (Tosses Evidence in Assault of Cop)

Seattle Post Intelligencer ^ | 12.2.04 | AP - Unsigned

[IncPen]

PHOENIX -- A judge threw out key evidence against a man accused of assaulting a police officer during a drug raid on an alleged Hells Angels clubhouse, noting the raiders waited only a few seconds to move in after an early-morning knock on the door.

Judge Michael Wilkinson chastised members of a multiagency crime task force and ruled they illegally entered the building on July 8, 2003, violating search-and-seizure laws.

Wilkinson said it was understandable that Michael Wayne Coffelt, 42, came to the door carrying a handgun. The knock on the door came around 4:45 a.m., and officers then waited just six seconds before using a diversionary grenade and breaking a window to enter the building.

Carrying the handgun "would appear to be reasonable behavior, given the hour and the fact that the house was under attack," he said in an order issued Monday.

Coffelt is scheduled to stand trial Jan. 5 on charges of aggravated assault against a police officer.

Officer Laura Beeler wounded Coffelt with a rifle, saying that he had fired his weapon at her first. Investigators later concluded Coffelt never fired.

Defense attorney Richard Schonfeld said Wednesday that the judge's order effectively gutted the prosecution's case. A spokesman for the county attorney's office said no decision had been made on whether to appeal.

Coffelt has sued Beeler, the Glendale Police Department and others in federal court, seeking unspecified damages.

[IncPen]

Although Coffelt then came to the door armed with a gun, the judge noted that it is reasonable for a person who has just been attacked with a grenade to arm himself.

[CPOSharky]

And when the JBTs come to your door?

[Max Combined]

"Officer Laura Beeler wounded Coffelt with a rifle, saying that he had fired his weapon at her first. Investigators later concluded Coffelt never fired."

Who was so stupid as to give a woman a rifle?

[btcusn]

Any raid of Hell's Angels is legal.
Wrong answer.
Bad raid, case is thrown out, lawsuit to follow.
Good raid, case goes to court, jail follows.
Which do you prefer??

And if someone bangs on my door at 4:45 am, I WILL have a pistol in hand when answering the door.
Jack

[Wolfie]

More importantly, when does her trial start?

[L98Fiero]

"And if someone bangs on my door at 4:45 am, I WILL have a pistol in hand when answering the door.
Jack"

Amen, brother.

[KoRn]

A no win situation for the police really. If someone knocks on my door at 4AM I'm going to be packing too.

I don't know what the circumstances of the raid were, but one would think that the police would have identified themselves before rushing in.

[monday]

"Any raid of Hell's Angels is legal."

Apparently not. I suspect the police are going to have to pay very much money to this particular Hell's Angel.

[Wolfie]

Couple Beaten After Home Invasion By Men Posing As Law Enforcement Officers

[IncPen]

... bang ...

[IncPen]

I suspect there are more of these stories than we would wish to know.

In this case the subject was lucky enough to survive to tell his story sue his attackers

[DainBramage]

LOL like someone would pose as a police officer to raid the Hells Angels club house with flash bangs.

[AppyPappy]

Where do people get the ridiculous idea that Hell's Angels are dangerous?

[TitansAFC]

I agree with your sentiment. This is ridiculous in so many ways.

What reasonable person would not go into defense mode at 4:45 a.m.? I mean, seriously..........

[cyborg]

Oh I have no idea *LOL* But they were the ones selling the crack and heroine in my nabe during the 80s. Their cute little ole clubhouse isn't far from me.

[CPOSharky]

Hey Chief,

Looks like Made in USA is not answering his mail.

I agree with you, a banging on the door in the wee hours rates having a piece in hand. And if the window breaks and a grenade comes through it would rate putting a bunch of 45 rounds THROUGH the door.

[KoRn]

I've heard of that happening allot. If I see what appear to be police at my door, I wanna see badges and ID's before letting them in.

Of course I don't have to worry about that, I live in a two stoplight town. I know who all the police are lol.

[AppyPappy]

Crack and Heroin? Yeah right. No one would ever believe the Angels would sell DRUGS! It's a social club. Like the Masons. Or the Lutherans.

[CPOSharky]

Where do people get the ridiculous idea that Hell's Angels are dangerous?

Stupid Hollywood movies?