Collins v. State

549 N.E.2d 89, 1990 Ind. App. LEXIS 92, 1990 WL 7144

Opinions

ROBERTSON, Judge.

The defendant-appellant James F. Collins appeals his conviction by a jury of the Class C felony of possession of cocaine in the amount of more than three grams.

We affirm.

A review of the facts favorable to the judgment shows that on April 11, 1986, Linn Carlyle Ruel came upon an automobile accident on Bolton Road in Vigo County. Ruel observed an automobile that had apparently struck a utility pole. The pole had been sheared off by the impact, and the vehicle was severely damaged. Ruel also saw Collins sitting behind the wheel of the car and saw that Collins was somewhat dazed, but was eventually able to exit the vehicle. He had a jacket with him at that time, although Ruel could no longer describe or identify it. Ruel, being concerned for Collins’ well being, offered him a ride, which was accepted. Ruel then took Collins to a nearby house and let him out. The house belonged to an acquaintance of Collins. After calling the authorities, Ruel returned to the scene of the accident to await their arrival.

When a deputy arrived on the scene, he met Ruel who explained what he had seen and done. The deputy, having observed the apparent violence of the accident, and having heard Ruel’s description of the possibly injured Collins, proceeded with Ruel to the residence in question. When he arrived, the deputy observed that the front door was ajar several inches and that Collins was reclining on the couch. When he knocked and identified himself, Collins only moaned. Believing that Collins might be seriously injured, based upon Collins’ response, the condition of the car, and Ruel’s statement, the deputy entered the residence and attempted to rouse Collins.

Rousing Collins proved to be difficult, but he was eventually able to respond that he was not injured and he denied having been in an accident. However, he recanted the denial after Ruel identified him. When Collins admitted to being the driver of the vehicle, the deputy advised him of the implied consent statute, and Collins agreed to be transported to the jail for a breath test. The deputy believed that Collins had been driving while intoxicated based upon a strong odor of alcohol, the presence of a half-full bottle of whiskey, slurred speech and unsteady walking.

When Collins arose from the couch, he picked up a black leather jacket. When they got outside, the jacket was placed in the front seat of the patrol car and Collins was frisked. While inside the residence, and while at the car, Collins stated that the jacket was his.

When they arrived at the jail, the deputy, as was the standard procedure, placed the jacket on the counter and took Collins to a room for an intoxilyzer test. Collins, however, asked to be taken to the hospital because he was in pain, and the deputy took him there. The blood alcohol test that was done at the hospital showed a B.A.C. of .20%.

With the refusal to take the intoxilyzer test at the jail, the jail’s chief matron performed an inventory search of the jacket, as was standard procedure.¹ In an inside pocket, she found a plastic bag that contained two clear plastic bags of white powder. The contents of these bags were subsequently tested at the Indiana State Police laboratory. The larger of the two bags contained 26.5 grams of 49.5% pure cocaine.

Collins raises seven issues on appeal.

I.

Collins states his first issue as:

Whether the search of the defendant’s jacket at the jail, done without a warrant on the ground that it was an inventory search in connection with his book-in to the jail, was an unconstitutional search because the whole procedure was a sham undertaken prior to defendant’s arrest, and defendant was not in fact booked into the jail.

Initially, and in connection with this issue, Collins argues that he was never placed under arrest. The record would show that the deputy never uttered the “magic words” and that the deputy testified that he hadn’t arrested Collins as of the time they arrived at the jail.

IND.CODE 9-4-1-134 allows a law enforcement officer to arrest without a warrant on the occasion of a driving under the influence violation where there has been an accident and the driver has left the scene of the accident. The facts of this appeal substantiate the application of that statute.

Additionally, I.C. 9-11-4-2, which deals with the offering and requirement of sobriety tests, authorizes transportation for the administering of the test.

In either instance we are of the opinion that Collins was, in fact, under arrest, or in the alternative, was in lawful custody of the deputy when they were at the jail. That being the case, coupled with the fact that Collins’ jacket was placed in the care and possession of the matron pursuant to established procedure, there was sufficient reason to proceed with the inventory search.

In reliance upon cited federal authorities, the case of Dearing v. State (1979), 271 Ind. 432, 393 N.E.2d 167 (Hunter, J., dissenting) gave approval to inventory searches. Dearing observes that a case-by-case examination is appropriate and also stated that, all other things being equal, such searches will be upheld so long as they serve a proper governmental purpose and do not amount to an excessive intrusion. See also Equia v. State (1984), Ind.App., 468 N.E.2d 559. More recently, our supreme court in Paschall v. State (1988), Ind., 523 N.E.2d 1359, at 1361, adopts the statement of the Chief Justice as, it appears in Colorado v. Bertine (1987), 479 U.S. 367, 107 S.Ct. 738, 93 L.Ed.2d 739:

In the present case, as in [South Dakota v. Opperman (1976) 428 U.S. 364, 96 S.Ct. 3092, 49 L.Ed.2d 1000] and [Illinois v. Lafayette (1983) 462 U.S. 640, 103 S.Ct. 2605, 77 L.Ed.2d 65], there was no showing that the police, who were following standardized procedures, acted in bad faith or for the sole purpose of investigation. In addition, the governmental interests justifying the inventory searches in Opperman and Lafayette are nearly the same as those which obtain here. In each case, the police were potentially responsible for the property taken into their custody. By securing the property, the police protected the property from unauthorized interference. Knowledge of the precise nature of the property helped guard against claims of theft, vandalism, or negligence. Such knowl edge also helped to avert any danger to police or others that may have been posed by the property.

Bearing says that the interests which support inventory searches are protection of the police from danger, protection of the police against claims and disputes over lost or stolen property, and protection of the owner’s property while it remains in police custody. Collins’ individual interest in privacy must be balanced against the foregoing interests.

The Lafayette case addresses some of Collins’ contentions and is worthy of consideration within the factual framework of this case. Lafayette was arrested for disturbing the peace and taken to the station house where he was ordered to empty his pockets and place the contents on a counter. Lafayette was also carrying a purse-type shoulder bag which he also placed on the counter. Among the contents of his purse-type shoulder bag, ten amphetamine pills were found which resulted in Lafayette’s arrest for possession of a controlled substance. In due course, Lafayette’s case reached the U.S. Supreme Court. There it was decided, among other things, that it is reasonable for police to search the personal effects of a person under lawful arrest as a part of the routine administrative procedure at a police station house incident to booking and jailing the suspect, that the type of search does not rest on probable cause and that the absence of a warrant is immaterial.

In reversing the state court’s decision that less intrusive means could have been used in searching the purse-type bag, such as sealing it in a plastic bag or box or other secured place, the Supreme Court stated:

The reasonableness of any particular governmental activity does not necessarily or invariably turn on the existence of alternative “less intrusive” means. In Cady v. Dombrowski, 413 U.S. 433, 93 S.Ct. 2523, 37 L.Ed.2d 706 (1973), for example, we upheld the search of the trunk of a car to find a revolver suspected of being there. We rejected the contention that the public could equally well have been protected by the posting of a guard over the automobile. In language equally applicable to this case, we held, “[t]he fact that the protection of the public might, in the abstract, have been accomplished by ‘less intrusive’ means does not, by itself, render the search unreasonable.” We are hardly in a position to second-guess police departments as to what practical administrative method will best deter theft by and false claims against its employees and preserve the security of the station house. It is evidence that a station house search of every item carried on or by a person who has lawfully been taken into custody by the police will amply serve the important and legitimate governmental interests involved.

... we hold that it is not “unreasonable” for police, as a part of the routine procedure incident to incarcerating an arrested person, to search any container or article in his possession, in accordance with established inventory procedures. (Citations and footnote omitted.)

103 S.Ct. at 2610, 2611.

Notwithstanding Collins’ arguments to the contrary, the evidence shows that the inventory search in this case closely comports with Paschall and Lafayette, for the reason that the matron was following a standardized procedure, the matron was not acting in bad faith, and she was not acting in an investigatory capacity.

We also note that Lafayette effectively overrules our previous holdings on inventory searches in Bradford v. State (1980), Ind.App., 401 N.E.2d 77, trans. denied.

II.

The next issue raised by Collins is:

Whether defendant’s attorney was deprived of an opportunity to properly prepare for the suppression hearing and the trial because the State failed to produce its evidence of defendant’s admissions to the police, though such admissions had been specifically requested by defendant’s attorney.

Collins sought a production of evidence which included a memorandum of the substance of all verbal statements alleged to have been made by Collins and a copy of all police reports regarding the case. The State filed a statement with the trial court that the complete file had been delivered. The file apparently contained no admissions or confessions that the jacket which contained the cocaine belonged to Collins.

At the hearing on the motion to suppress the deputy testified that Collins said the jacket belonged to him. At trial the deputy also testified that Collins twice admitted the jacket belonged to him, once in the house and again as they were getting in the police car. Collins argues that the testimony of the deputy surprised him and that the failure of the State to make known these admissions as a part of discovery requires a reversal of the conviction. Collins relies upon Long v. State (1982), Ind.App., 431 N.E.2d 875 for his argument.

A summary of remedies available to the trial court when faced with noncompliance of discovery orders is found in Carter v. State (1987), Ind., 512 N.E.2d 158 at 170, 171:

The trial court is accorded deference in determining what constitutes substantial compliance with its discovery order and will not be reversed absent clear error. If a trial court finds that a discovery order has been violated, its choice of remedy for the violation is discretionary and will not be overturned absent a showing of abuse of that discretion. In selecting the proper remedy, the primary elements for the court’s consideration are whether the breach was intentional or in bad faith and whether substantial prejudice resulted. The exclusion of evidence as a sanction for discovery abuse is not proper unless there is a showing that the prosecution engaged in a deliberate or other reprehensible conduct which thwarted the defendant’s right to a fair trial. A defendant bears an even heavier burden when he seeks the extreme sanction of dismissal of the charges against him, although that is one response available to the trial court. (Citations omitted.)

We are of the opinion that the contumacious conduct upon which Long was premised is not present in this case. The State complied with the discovery order and the admission was not in it or the police report. There is no readily ascertainable willful withholding or concealment on the part of the State. That being so, the sanctions listed in Carter or Long are not appropriate here.

Additionally, and assuming a violation of the discovery order did occur, the normal remedy is a continuance. Patel v. State (1989), Ind., 533 N.E.2d 580. Collins did not seek a continuance because of his surprise at the testimony given by the deputy. A waiver occurred. Miller v. State (1980), 273 Ind. 493, 405 N.E.2d 909.

III.

Collins’ next issue is:

Whether defendant was in custody and the focus of a criminal investigation at the time he admitted ownership of the jacket containing cocaine, so that such admissions should have been excluded from evidence because the police had not advised defendant of his Miranda rights.

Collins’ argument is that he was never given his Miranda rights and that, as a result, the two admissions that the jacket which contained the cocaine was his should be excluded.

The State concedes that when Collins left the residence with the deputy an arrest had occurred.

The State relies upon Orr v. State (1984), Ind.App., 472 N.E.2d 627, trans. denied, for the proposition that Miranda warnings only apply to custodial interrogations and that no such interrogation occurred under the facts of this case.

To some extent the resolution of this issue depends upon the appropriate standard of review.²

In reviewing a trial court’s determination of the voluntariness of a waiver and statement, we look to the totality of the circumstances. We review this question on appeal as we do other sufficiency evidence of probative value to support the trial court’s finding. (Citation omitted.)

Dudley v. State (1985), Ind., 480 N.E.2d 881 at 897, cert. denied, — U.S. -, 109 S.Ct. 1655, 104 L.Ed.2d 169.

Collins urges that the facts should be viewed from the standpoint that the deputy elicited comments from Collins in order to make a case of possessing cocaine. On the other hand, the evidence indicates that the deputy did not know the cocaine existed until it was discovered by the matron at the jail and that the inquiries as to the jacket were intended to make sure Collins was carrying his own property.

The application of our standard of review supports the trial court’s acceptance of the latter contention. If it does not appear that the purpose of the question and answer was to obtain a confession, it is not necessary to give the accused Miranda warnings. Orr, supra.

IV.

The next issue is:

Whether the deputy, having entered the home without a warrant on the ground of exigent circumstances, unconstitutionally obtained the crucial evidence against defendant after he should have left the home because he had satisfied himself that there were no exigent circumstances.

A search warrant is a condition precedent to a valid search and seizure unless the exigencies of the situation mandate an immediate response. Savage v. State (1988), Ind., 523 N.E.2d 758. We are of the opinion that the facts show exigent circumstances for entering the home. The deputy had seen the wrecked vehicle, knew where Collins was, knew that Collins was probably injured in the accident, and Collins only moaned when first contacted by the deputy.

However, it is Collins’ position that the deputy should have left once he determined that Collins was all right. The facts would support a determination that Collins was in need of assistance and that the exigent circumstances continued to exist while the deputy was in the house.

V.

Collins’ fifth issue is:

Whether the question of the reliability of defendant’s admissions had previously been determined against the State in pri- or litigation between the same parties, so that such admissions should have been excluded under the legal principles of collateral estoppel, double jeopardy, and the due process of law.

Collins had been found not guilty of a driving under the influence charge which stemmed from the events recounted at the beginning of this opinion. During the course of that trial Collins sought to strike the admission that he was driving the automobile which struck the utility pole. After some discourse the trial judge said:

The Court can’t conclude that we have a clear admission from [Collins] that he was driving and I’m not going to consider that he made a, an admission that he was driving.

Collins’ argument in regard to collateral estoppel applying to the admissions in the driving under the influence trial and the subsequent bar to the use of that evidence in the cocaine possession trial are based, in the main, upon the holdings expressed in Ashe v. Swenson (1970), 397 U.S. 436, 90 S.Ct. 1189, 25 L.Ed.2d 469. Ashe, in very general terms, prevents the use of certain testimony in subsequent trials where there has been an acquittal at an earlier trial.

It is our opinion that in order for a collateral estoppel question to be present, the testimony in the first trial must have been admitted and considered by the trier of fact. Our reading of the ruling is that the testimony in the first trial was admitted but assigned no credibility by the trier of fact and, as a result, had no bearing upon an ultimate issue. This distinction prevents a collateral estoppel question from being present in this appeal.

Equally important, in our opinion, is the fact that the question of whether Collins was the driver of the automobile does not bear in a material way on whether the jacket belonged to him.

VI.

Collins next argues whether there was any evidence that he “knowingly” possessed cocaine. I.C. 35-41-2-2(b) states that a person engages in conduct “knowingly” if, when he engages in the conduct, he is aware of a high probability that he is doing so. Collins’ picking up the coat which contained the cocaine and twice acknowledging the coat was his, is sufficient evidence for the jury to determine that Collins acted knowingly. It was reasonable for the jury to infer that Collins knew what he was carrying in his jacket pocket. Bastin v. State (1987), Ind.App., 510 N.E.2d 229.

VII.

Collins’ last issue is:

Whether the statute under which defendant was tried authorized his conviction of a Class C felony, or limited his exposure to conviction of a Class D felony.

The statute under which Collins was convicted is I.C. 35-48-4-6. It reads:

A person who, without a valid prescription or order of a practitioner acting in the course of his professional practice, knowingly or intentionally possesses cocaine (pure or adulterated) classified in schedule I or II commits possession of cocaine or a narcotic drug, a Class D felony. However, the offense is a Class C felony if the amount of the drug involved (pure or adulterated) weighs three (3) grams or more.

Collins argues that the statute says that one may be convicted of the Class D felony only for possession of more than three grams of the narcotic drug because it omits any mention of cocaine. We are of the opinion, and so hold, that the phrase “drug involved” includes both cocaine and the narcotic drug previously mentioned in the statute.

Judgment affirmed.

RATLIFF, C.J., concurs. BAKER, J., dissents with separate opinion.

Footnotes

1

. The parties are in disagreement as to when the matron started the search of Collins’ jacket. For the purpose of this opinion, establishment of the exact sequence of events is not determinative of the issue.

2

. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that the voluntariness of a confession need only be proven by a preponderance of the evidence. See Lego v. Twomey (1972), 404 U.S. 477, 92 S.Ct. , 30 L.Ed.2d 618. Indiana sets the State's burden of proving voluntariness at beyond a reasonable doubt. Perry v. State (1984), Ind., 471 N.E.2d 270.