United States v. Gary Lee Spires

OPINION

REINHARDT, Circuit Judge:

Gary Spires appeals the district court’s denial of his motions to suppress evidence and disclose the identity of the government’s confidential informant. Because the district court erred in not holding an in camera hearing on the disclosure motion, we reverse that denial and direct that such a hearing be held. We also remand to permit Spires to withdraw his plea pursuant to Fed.R.Crim.P. 11(a)(2).

I. Facts and Proceedings

In mid March 1990, a confidential informant contacted a Corona (California) Police Department detective and stated that Gary Lee Spires and…