Evidence, search, homicide.

William Buckley appeals his conviction on charges of homicide and armed robbery. Buckley was indicted on three counts of murder, armed robbery and intent to rape for the December 18, 1986 slaying of a convenience store clerk. Evidence technicians examining the crime scene located a paper bag taped to the front door bearing the message "will open at 7:30." In the course of the investigation Buckley was asked to provide hand writing samples, which he agreed to do before requesting an attorney to represent him. However, during a laboratory analysis of the bag, the written message was obliterated. At Buckley's trial, hand writing experts testified that samples of his writing matched the writing that appeared in a photograph taken of the bag. In his appeal following conviction, Buckley said the police performed a warrantless search when they collected his writing samples.

Following his conviction, Buckley was sentenced to life in prison on the murder conviction. The trial court judge found no merit in Buckley's argument that his due process rights were violated by the investigators. The court noted Buckley voluntarily agreed to submit the handwriting sample.

Buckley loses. The Massachusetts Supreme Court affirmed the decision of the lower court.