FILED May 19 2023, 10:14 am
CLERK Indiana Supreme Court Court of Appeals and Tax Court
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE Jonathan D. Harwell Theodore E. Rokita Harwell Legal Counsel LLC Attorney General of Indiana Indianapolis, Indiana Indianapolis, Indiana
Justin F. Roebel Supervising Deputy Attorney General Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
James H. Higgason III, May 19, 2023 Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No. 22A-CR-2000 v. Appeal from the Lake County Superior Court State of Indiana, The Honorable Salvador Vasquez, Appellee-Plaintiff Judge Trial Court Cause No. 45G01-2101-MR-6
Opinion by Judge May Judge Foley and Senior Judge Najam concur.
May, Judge.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 1 of 33 [1] James Harold Higgason III appeals his three convictions of murder. 1 He
presents multiple issues for our review, which we restate as:
1. Whether the trial court abused its discretion when it denied Higgason’s motion to dismiss based on the State’s twenty-three- year delay in filing charges;
2. Whether the trial court abused its discretion when it admitted two recordings of phone calls between David Copley and Higgason because:
2.1 the State laid insufficient foundation for the admission of the digitized recording (“Digitized Recording”) of the cassette tapes (“Cassette Tapes”) of Copley’s conversation with Higgason; and
2.2 the Digitized Recording was not the best evidence possible when the original Cassette Tapes were available;
3. Whether the trial court abused its discretion when it denied Higgason’s request for mistrial; and
4. Whether the trial court committed reversible error when it responded to a jury question without first notifying counsel.
We affirm.
1 Ind. Code § 35-42-1-1.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 2 of 33 Facts and Procedural History 2
[2] On January 18, 1998, Hammond police received a 911 call reporting three
deceased individuals in a house at 4604 Torrence Avenue. When police arrived
at the house, they found the bodies of Elva Tamez, Jerod Hodge, and sixteen-
year-old T.R. All three victims had been severely beaten and suffered
lacerations, skull fractures, and brain hemorrhages. Tamez had a broken
fingernail, and Hodge had lacerations on his forearms and one hand, which
were consistent with defensive wounds.
[3] Detective Thomas Fielden of the Hammond Police Department was the lead
investigator. One of Tamez’s neighbors, Donna Lushbaugh, told him she
purchased drugs at the house the night before the murders. Lushbaugh told
police she knew Higgason because she attended high school with him.
Lushbaugh indicated she smoked cocaine with Higgason and David Copley
that night and she saw Higgason trade a shotgun for cocaine that evening as
well. In a subsequent statement, Higgason confirmed Lushbaugh’s presence at
Tamez’s house that evening. Police found a Browning 12-gauge shotgun in the
attic of Tamez’s house.
[4] Another of Tamez’s neighbors, Anna Flores, saw “people moving in [Tamez’s]
house” around “6:30, a quarter til 7:00” on the morning of January 18, 1998.
2 We held oral argument on this case on April 18, 2023, at Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana. We thank Franklin College and the Johnson County Bar Association for their hospitality. We also thank counsel for their able presentations.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 3 of 33 (Tr. Vol. V at 127.) A city worker saw a “taller individual he said had an
orange hat on and the shorter individual had a dark hoody [sic] -- wearing a
dark hoody [sic]” in the area of Tamez’s house on the morning of January 18,
1998. (Tr. Vol. IV at 93.) Copley later surrendered a dark hoodie to police and
Higgason’s grandmother, Marlene Dodge, told police Higgason had an orange
hat.
[5] After police determined the shotgun found in Tamez’s house belonged to
Higgason, he gave a statement to police. During that statement on February 9,
1998, Higgason admitted he was at Tamez’s house several times on the night of
January 17-18, 1998, to purchase cocaine, and he also admitted he traded his
shotgun for cocaine. He told police he had been there with Copley and had
seen Lushbaugh there. Higgason stated he traded the gun for $50.00 worth of
cocaine, and then left and “that was the last time I was there.” (Ex. Vol. II at
158.) Higgason told police, “I did not kill nobody.” (Id. at 162) (errors in
original). On February 13, 1998, Copley gave a statement to police that was
“pretty much consistent” with Higgason’s statement. (Tr. Vol. IV at 73.)
[6] Several months later, Detective Fielden received a call from an FBI agent 3
indicating Copley had told some of his family members that Copley “was
having a problem with his conscious [sic] and that he was involved with – with
these murders at 4604 Torrence.” (Id. at 74.) Officer Fielden spoke with
3 At the beginning of the investigation into the murders, the Hammond Police Department requested the FBI’s assistance in investigating the crimes.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 4 of 33 Copley on May 21, 1998, while Copley was in a rehabilitation program at a
Salvation Army. Copley told Officer Fielden that Copley’s earlier statement
was true, “except for the part of when him and James Higgason left.” (Id. at
76.) Copley told Officer Fielden that instead of leaving, he and Higgason “were
there all night” and “ended up killing . . . the two drug dealers to rob them of
their cocaine and their money.” (Id.)
[7] During trial, Copley testified that on January 17-18, 1998, he and Higgason had
been at Tamez’s house “smoking crack . . . [for] probably five or six hours[.]”
(Tr. Vol. V at 172.) Copley also testified he told police that in the early
morning hours of January 18, 1998, Higgason asked Tamez to go outside and
get Higgason some cigarettes. Higgason then locked the door of Tamez’s
house. Higgason noticed Hodge and T.R. had fallen asleep. Higgason told
Copley “he wanted to whack these guys . . . to take whatever money or drugs
they had.” (Id. at 175.)
[8] Higgason then grabbed a closet pole and handed Copley a board. Higgason
then started to “whack” Hodge and T.R. with the closet pole, while saying
“Die, motherfucker, die.” (Id. at 176.) Copley testified he hit Hodge and
Higgason hit both T.R. and Hodge multiple times. Tamez began knocking at
the door, and Higgason told Copley to let her in. Copley ran down the block
but saw Higgason beat Tamez and kick the door shut. When Higgason later
caught up with Copley, Higgason started taking off his bloody clothes and
putting them in the trash. Higgason also used snow to remove blood from his
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 5 of 33 body. Higgason told Copley to “keep [his] mouth shut” and that “loose lips
sink ships.” (Id. at 178.)
[9] The day after Copley gave his statement to police, they returned to the
rehabilitation center and asked Copley to call Higgason. Copley signed a form
giving the police consent to record the phone call and gave police Higgason’s
telephone number. After attaching a suction cup microphone to the receiver,
police recorded the phone call between Copley and Higgason on a cassette tape.
Copley called Higgason at the home of Marlene Dodge, Higgason’s
grandmother. Dodge answered the phone. Copley asked Dodge, “is Jim
around?” (Ex. 36 at 1:28-9.) Dodge said he was, but he was sleeping. Copley
asked Dodge to wake him up.
[10] During the call, Copley told Higgason he was going to tell police what
happened, and Higgason replied, “No, dude, . . . you are talking about life,
dude, forever. You are talking about going in for life, dude.” (Ex. 36 at 03:19-
27.) Higgason told Copley, “don’t worry about it” (id. at 3:49-50) because “we
didn’t do it.” (Id. at 4:24-5.) Higgason told Copley that Higgason heard police
speak with witness Lundsford and “they’re saying her times ain’t matched.”
(Id. at 4:30-1) (errors in original). Higgason went on to state “there ain’t
nobody that knows but me and you[.]” (Id. at 6:35-6.) When Copley continued
to suggest Copley should confess to the police, Higgason told him a conviction
would result in the “electric chair, bro” (id. at 12-11-2), and asked Copley “why
you want to take me down, Dave? Why you want to hurt me like that?” (Id. at
12:51-5.)
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 6 of 33 [11] Police returned to the rehabilitation center two days later and Copley again
called Higgason using the same recording process. During this second call,
Higgason answered the phone. Higgason reminded Copley that Higgason had
an alibi because Dodge told police she knew Higgason was at her house the
morning of January 18, 1998. Copley told Higgason that Copley had talked to
Copley’s pastor and “told him everything really.” (Ex. 37 at 3:57-8.) Higgason
said, “dude, I didn’t do it, I don’t remember doing it.” (Id. at 4:13-6.)
Higgason told Copley to “get your head together, bro” (id. at 4:33-4), and
stated, “I know we fucked up, we both fucked up, dude.” (Id. at 4:42-6.)
Higgason later told Copley, “you should have never told anybody else, dude”
(id. at 7:31-3), and “we can’t fucking go ahead and squeal on ourselves, bro.”
(Id. at 08:04-6.) Higgason made additional statements, including “if I don’t
want to go sit in prison for at least twenty years then I got to keep my mouth
shut, that I gotta get out of this one” because “I dug a hole, dude, . . . with the
dirt up to my neck” (Id. at 13:12-9) (errors in original). He also said, “the only
way out is to get away with it and never do it again, and leave fucking shit
alone, dude.” (Id. at 13:25-37) (errors in original). Detective Fielden gave the
prosecutor’s office the fruits of his investigation several times during the initial
investigatory period, but the prosecutor’s office did not charge anyone in
connection with the murders at that time.
[12] In 2008, various items collected from the crime scene were sent to the Indiana
State Police laboratory for DNA testing. DNA testing of a sample of cells from
Tamez’s fingernails showed Copley was a minor DNA contributor and
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 7 of 33 Higgason and Hodge could not be excluded as contributors. Police met with
Higgason regarding the murders. Higgason again denied he was involved in the
crime and told police he had heard James Williams, a local drug dealer who
sold drugs out of Tamez’s house in 1998, committed the murders. The State
did not prosecute any suspects for the murders at that time.
[13] In 2020, the State Police conducted additional DNA testing on samples from
three of Tamez’s other fingernails. The results from those samples indicated the
DNA under Tamez’s fingernails likely came from Tamez, Copley, Higgason,
and an unknown fourth person. Based thereon, on January 11, 2021, the State
charged Higgason and Copley with three counts of murder and three counts of
felony murder. On May 1, 2021, Copley and the State entered into plea
agreement wherein Copley pled guilty to one count of murder in return for a
“complete and detailed sworn statement about his involvement in the crime.”
(Ex. Vol. II at 166.) The trial court sentenced Copley to forty-five years.
[14] On May 3, 2022, Higgason filed a motion to dismiss the charges against him.
He argued the evidence upon which the State based its charges against him was
“virtually the same evidence it has had in its possession since 1998” and the
“delay in filing the charges is really inexplicable.” (App. Vol. II at 41.)
Higgason asserted that, because of the delay, he had “lost the ability to present
a defense or his ability to present a defense has been significantly impaired . . .
in violation of his right to a fair trial.” (Id. at 42.) Finally, Higgason contended
his “inability to call [] witnesses to testify at a trial in this matter caused an
actual and substantial prejudice to Mr. Higgasons’ [sic] right to a fair trial.”
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 8 of 33 (Id.) In its response, the State noted the newly-discovered DNA evidence and
Copley’s recent agreement to testify as part of his plea agreement. The State
argued Higgason “had not demonstrated any clear prejudice to his defense.”
(Id. at 48.)
[15] At the hearing on the motion to dismiss, Higgason entered into evidence a
September 9, 1998, statement from Jack Wilson. In his statement to Detective
Fielden, Wilson indicated Copley told Wilson “he beat them to death” and
Copley’s “buddy[,]” presumably Higgason, “beat them too.” (Ex. Vol. II at
50.) Higgason indicated Wilson could not be subpoenaed to testify because the
State had not provided Wilson’s last known address to Higgason. Wilson’s
statement, Higgason asserted, was “the exact type of evidence that could
exonerate Mr. Higgason from these crimes charged.” (Tr. Vol. II at 184.)
Additionally, Higgason noted two witnesses, Dodge and C.W. Smith, 4 had
passed away in the interim twenty-three years between the crime and the filing
of the State’s charges against him. Higgason argued the unavailability of these
witnesses prejudiced him because without them he was unable to properly
prepare a defense.
[16] The State responded Higgason had not provided evidence to substantiate his
claims of Wilson’s and Dodge’s unavailability, as he did not provide death
certificates. Further, the State indicated a quick internet search revealed a
4 At some point during the initial investigation, Smith, Tamez’s boyfriend, was considered a suspect.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 9 of 33 person named Jack Wilson with same middle name and date of birth as the
Jack Wilson who provided the signed statement in 1998 was presently
incarcerated in Michigan. The trial court found Higgason had not
demonstrated “actual and substantial prejudice” in the delay and denied
Higgason’s motion to dismiss. (Id. at 202.)
[17] On May 23, 2022, the trial court began Higgason’s jury trial. During trial, the
State offered into evidence the Digitized Recording of the Cassette Tapes that
Detective Fielden had made of Copley’s two telephone calls with Higgason.
Higgason objected, arguing the State did not properly provide a chain of
custody for the Digitized Recording. The trial court allowed the State and
Higgason to ask Forensic Video Technician Keisha Ricketts questions regarding
the chain of custody of the Digitized Recordings. After that questioning, the
trial court overruled Higgason’s objection. The trial court noted Higgason’s
continuing objection to admission of the Digitized Recordings based on the
chain of custody issue.
[18] When the State offered the Digitized Recording of Copley’s first telephone
conversation with Higgason, Higgason objected to the admission on the basis
that the Digitized Recording was not the best evidence because the Cassette
Tapes existed and should be admitted under the best evidence rule. The trial
court denied the objection because Ricketts testified earlier in the trial that the
Digitized Recording was an exact copy of the Cassette Tapes that Detective
Fielden made of telephone conversations between Copley and a second party.
Because of the poor quality of the Digitized Recording, the State provided the
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 10 of 33 jurors with a transcript of the Cassette Tapes, 5 and the trial court reminded
jurors the Digitized Recording, not the transcript, was the evidence.
[19] When providing the jury with the transcript, the trial court stated, “you have a -
- a transcript of the original telephone call between the -- these two, your
witness and the defendant.” (Tr. Vol. V at 202.) Higgason objected to the
admission of the Digitized Recording again. He argued the trial court made an
improper statement identifying Higgason as the other person on the phone call
because there was no evidence at that time that would identify Higgason as the
other person. The trial court overruled the objection, but stated to the jury,
“[s]o, … to be clear – and to be very, very clear. Mr. Copley indicated that he
made a phone call. He made a phone call at the request of Detective Fielden.
This is the recorded phone call that the – that the witness has indicated he has
reviewed and is about to play.” (Id. at 204.) The trial court clarified, “Earlier I
said between the – the witness and the defendant. I did misspeak. I think the
testimony thus far is it’s a recorded phone call that was done by Mr. Copley.”
(Id.) The trial court then reemphasized to the jury that “[t]he transcript is only
to assist you. If there’s any discrepancy between the transcript and the tape, it’s
the tape that matters most.” (Id.) During admission of the portion of the
5 Detective Fielden did not testify regarding whether he made the transcript from the Cassette Tape or the Digitized Recording. Regarding the issue, the trial court stated, during the discussion surrounding the admissibility of the Digitized Recording that “I guess I’m presuming that he took this transcript from the original, not any enhancement.” (Tr. Vol. V at 201.)
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 11 of 33 Digitized Recording containing the second call, Higgason objected
“incorporat[ing] all of [his] previous arguments.” (Id. at 209.)
[20] After the Digitized Recording was published to the jury and Copley testified
that Higgason was the other person on the calls, Higgason requested a mistrial
“based on the inference that the court has concluded that the . . . statements are
attributable to Mr. Higgason.” (Id. at 218.) Higgason argued that “while I
understand the Court gave a limiting instruction . . . it’s very difficult to unring
that bell in front of this jury.” (Id.) Higgason stated the trial court’s earlier
mischaracterization that the phone call was between Copley and Higgason was
such that he could no longer receive a fair trial. The trial court denied
Higgason’s request for a mistrial and stated it believed the jurors would follow
its earlier admonishment to disregard the trial court’s statement that the
recording was between Copley and Higgason. The trial court then recessed for
the evening. Higgason renewed his request for a mistrial when the trial court
convened the next morning. The trial court again denied Higgason’s motion
for mistrial.
[21] At the end of presentation of evidence by both parties, the jury went into
deliberation. Approximately three hours later, the jury told the trial court it had
reached a verdict. Before the trial court received the verdicts, it stated:
During deliberations there were questions posed to the Court. The first question reads as follows: And I’ll read the question into the record, as well as the response. “Can we see the transcripts of Higgason’s statements, proffer agreement, and both Copley’s statements as submitted by the defense?” The response is, “The
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 12 of 33 Court is in receipt of your question. All the evidence that was properly admitted is in your possession. The Court is not permitted to provide transcripts.
The second question that came in reads as follows: “For our clarification, if we believe the defendant was present but did not inflict any blows on one or more of the counts being considered, would that be guilty or not guilty under Indiana law? This one I replied to as follows: “The Court is in receipt of your question. The Court is not permitted to answer this question.”
(Tr. Vol. VII at 135-6.) The jury then returned guilty verdicts for all charges
against Higgason. After the jury foreperson read the verdicts, Higgason
renewed his motion for mistrial “on the grounds previously stated[,]” which the
trial court denied. (Id. at 140.)
[22] The trial court entered verdicts for the three murder charges, noting it
“believe[d] [the felony murder counts] merge.” (Id.) On June 23, 2022,
Higgason filed a motion to correct error, reasserting his objections and request
for mistrial. Higgason also argued the trial court erred when it did not contact
Higgason after the jury’s second question. On July 24, 2022, the trial court held
a hearing on the motion to correct error and on Higgason’s sentence. The trial
court denied Higgason’s motion to correct error. After testimony and argument
presented by both parties, the trial court sentenced Higgason to 60 years for
each murder, to be served consecutive to one another, for an aggregate sentence
of 180 years.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 13 of 33 Discussion 1. Motion to Dismiss [23] Higgason argues the trial court erred when it denied his motion to dismiss
because the twenty-three-year delay between the crime and charging resulted in
prejudice making a fair trial impossible. Our standard of review in cases
involving a criminal defendant’s motion to dismiss is well-settled:
A defendant has the burden of proving, by a preponderance of the evidence, all facts necessary to support a motion to dismiss. When a party appeals from a negative judgment, we will reverse the trial court’s ruling only if the evidence is without conflict and leads inescapably to the conclusion that the party was entitled to dismissal.
Johnson v. State, 810 N.E.2d 772, 775 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004) (internal citations
omitted), trans. denied. When examining a motion to dismiss for pre-indictment
delay, our analysis is guided by our Indiana Supreme Court’s opinion in
Ackerman v. State, 51 N.E.3d 171 (Ind. 2016), cert. denied 137 S. Ct. 475 (2016):
Although the prosecution can exercise discretion on when to bring charges, that discretion is not unlimited. The United States Supreme Court has recognized that a pre-indictment delay in prosecution can result in a Due Process Clause violation. Although statutes of limitations often operate to prevent too much delay before criminal charges are brought, even where a charge is brought within the statute of limitations, the particulars of the case may reveal that undue delay and resultant prejudice constitute a violation of due process. Despite this, the passage of time alone is not enough to establish prejudice. If it were, then the Constitution would serve as a functional statute of limitation.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 14 of 33 Rather, the defendant has the burden of proving that he suffered actual and substantial prejudice to his right to a fair trial, and upon meeting that burden must then demonstrate that the State had no justification for delay, which may be demonstrated by showing that the State delayed the indictment to gain a tactical advantage or for some other impermissible reason.
Id. at 189-90 (internal quotations and citations omitted) (emphasis added). “[I]f
the prosecution deliberately utilizes delay to strengthen its position by
weakening that of the defense or otherwise impairs a defendant’s right to a fair
trial, an inordinate pre-indictment delay may be found to violate a defendant’s
due process rights. Johnson, 810 N.E.2d at 775.
[24] In support of his argument that the State’s twenty-three-year delay in filing
charges against him unduly prejudiced him, Higgason cites Barnett v. State, 867
N.E.2d 184 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007), trans. denied. In that case, Barnett, while
incarcerated, got into a physical altercation with a fellow inmate, Ricky Combs,
on January 26, 1993. Id. at 185. After the two men scuffled, Barnett stabbed
Combs, who subsequently died. Id. Guards and several inmates saw the
incident. Id. Because of his injuries, Barnett was taken to the prison infirmary,
where he was questioned. Id. Barnett “claimed he did not mean to kill Combs
and explained that on the night before, Combs had threatened to kill him in the
morning.” Id.
[25] The State did not file a charge against Barnett related to Combs’s murder until
July 7, 2005, when the State charged Barnett with murder. Id. On February 27,
2006, Barnett filed a motion to dismiss and argued the State’s delay in bringing
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 15 of 33 charges violated his due process rights. Id. After a hearing, the trial court
denied Barnett’s motion to dismiss because “it did not yet have enough
evidence before it to decide whether Barnett’s right to a fair trial was at risk[.]”
Id. at 186. Barnett was tried by jury the same day, and the jury returned a not
guilty verdict as to the charge of murder and found Barnett guilty of the lesser-
included offense of voluntary manslaughter. Id. The trial court entered a
conviction of voluntary manslaughter and sentenced Barnett to thirty years
imprisonment. Id.
[26] On appeal, Barnett argued the State violated his due process rights when it
delayed filing the charges against him in Combs’s murder for twelve years. Id.
Regarding prejudice stemming from the delay, Barnett argued:
The unjust delay by the State in bringing the charge against him impaired his ability to adequately defend himself because several key witnesses had died or were unable to be located for purposes of testifying at his trial. Furthermore, Barnett claims that his ability to cross-examine those witnesses who did testify was greatly diminished by the witnesses’ faded memories.
Id. at 187. In determining whether Barnett demonstrated real and substantial
prejudice, this court explained:
[W]e grapple with the issue of whether Barnett was actually prejudiced by the delay due to missing and deceased witnesses, as well as an inability to effectively cross-examine witnesses. To require that the defendant show more specific prejudice than this would place an impossible burden on the appellant. More prejudice can only be demonstrated by showing what the testimony of those witnesses would have been. It is precisely the
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 16 of 33 lack of this opportunity that prejudices Barnett. Even where there are recorded statements, the potential for prejudice is not foreclosed because of the inability to challenge such statements. The prejudice lies in the defendant’s inability to conduct a proper investigation, to interview and depose eyewitnesses, and to prepare a proper defense.
Id. This court noted several witnesses were either deceased or could not be
located in 2005, including
Ron Cook, the chief internal investigator at the Pendleton Correctional Facility; Dr. Chavez and Dr. Denny, the physicians on duty at the Facility at the time of the incident; Lou Curtis, a nurse, also on duty the morning of Combs’ death; Detective Greg Bell, the lead investigator from the Indiana State Police; and Daniel Row, another inmate on the G cellblock who gave a detailed interview about the events surrounding Combs’ death.
Id. at 187-8. Additionally, the twelve-year delay resulted in three witnesses
having “no recollection of the incident.” Id. Our court found Barnett was
prejudiced by the State’s twelve-year delay in bringing charges against him:
There were apparently at least twenty inmates out of their cells and in the area when the incident occurred. Lack of key witnesses makes it more difficult for Barnett to support his claim of self-defense. Furthermore, in a shakedown of the areas after the incident, six knives were found. There is no evidence of who possessed those knives, no testimony from the person or persons who collected the knives, no DNA testing on the knives, and no medical testimony as to whether more than one knife was used in the stabbing or which knife caused the wound to the stomach which, according to the autopsy report, was the proximate cause of Combs’ death.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 17 of 33 Id. at 188.
[27] In finding prejudice, we stated, “[t]here is no explanation for why the
prosecutor, now deceased, allowed a case to sit in his office for over a year and
half without looking at it or why he returned it to the investigator instead of
leaving it for his successor.” Id. Based thereon, we held “Barnett was clearly
prejudiced by the State’s unexplained and unjustified delay – whether
intentional or negligent – in bringing charges” and reversed Barnett’s
conviction. Id.
[28] Barnett is distinguishable from the case before us. Even assuming Higgason
demonstrated actual and substantial prejudice 6 in the State’s twenty-three-year
delay in charging Higgason, the State was justified in the delay and did not
engage in the delay to gain a tactical advantage. The State needed additional
evidence to charge Higgason and that evidence could not be gathered at the
time of the crime. First, the parties do not dispute that DNA testing capabilities
in 1998 were not what they are today. Ten years after the crime, investigators
were able to test the DNA under Tamez’s fingernails and the results thereof
indicated Higgason could not be excluded as a contributor. In 2020, after DNA
testing had again become more refined, the DNA under Tamez’s fingernails
6 In Ackerman, our Indiana Supreme Court explicitly set forth two prongs – (1) actual and substantial prejudice stemming from the delay and (2) unjustifiable reason for delay such that the delay was used by the State to gain a tactical advantage – both of which must be satisfied for the trial court to grant a motion to dismiss for pre-trial delay in charging the defendant. Ackerman, 51 N.E.3d at 189-90. As we hold the State’s twenty-three-year delay was justifiable and not used to gain a tactical advantage, we need not determine whether Higgason was prejudiced by the delay.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 18 of 33 was tested and the results indicated Higgason was a contributor to the DNA
found there. Thus, while the DNA samples under Tamez’s fingernails were
available in 1998, DNA testing in 1998 was not as advanced as it was in 2008
and 2020. The 2008 and 2020 DNA results were new evidence unavailable in
1998 and that evidence corroborated earlier statements regarding Higgason’s
involvement in the triple murder. Thus the State had a justifiable explanation
for its delay and the delay did not occur to gain a tactical advantage.
2. Admission of Evidence [29] Higgason argues the trial court abused its discretion when it admitted the
Digitized Recordings of the original Cassette Tapes containing Copley’s
telephone conversations with Higgason. Our standard of review regarding
challenges to the admission of evidence at trial is well-settled:
The general admission of evidence at trial is a matter we leave to the discretion of the trial court. We review these determinations for abuse of that discretion and reverse only when admission is clearly against the logic and effect of the facts and circumstances and the error affects a party’s substantial rights.
Crabtree v. State, 152 N.E.3d 687, 696 (Ind. Ct. App. 2020) (internal quotation
marks and citations omitted), trans. denied. Error in the admission of evidence is
to be disregarded as harmless unless it affects the substantial rights of a party.
Rush v. State, 881 N.E.2d 46, 50 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008). In determining whether
an evidentiary ruling has affected an appellant’s substantial rights, we assess the
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 19 of 33 probable impact of the evidence on the jury. Montgomery v. State, 694 N.E.2d
1137, 1140 (Ind. 1998).
2.1 Foundation for Admission of Audio Tapes
[30] Higgason argues the trial court abused its discretion when it admitted the
Digitized Recording of the Cassette Tapes, which contained Copley’s two
phone calls with a second party, because the State did not lay a proper
foundation for the admission of the Digitized Recordings. Our review of the
admission of audio recordings is well-settled. “The foundational requirements
for admission of a tape recording made in a non-custodial setting are: 1) that the
recording is authentic and correct, 2) that it does not contain evidence
otherwise inadmissible, and 3) that it be of such clarity as to be intelligible and
enlightening to the jury.” McCollum v. State, 582 N.E.2d 804, 811-2 (Ind. 1991).
[31] Regarding the factors set forth in McCollum, Higgason contends the State “did
not prove that the [Digitized Recording] played to jury was authentic and
correct” because “the detective, who made the [Cassette Tape] recordings,
could not recognize them when asked.” (Br. of Appellant at 18.) Next,
Higgason contends the Digitized Recordings contained statements from Copley
that were inadmissible hearsay because they did not fall under the hearsay
exception contained in Indiana Evidence Rule 801(d), which allows for the
admission of a party-opponent. Further, Higgason asserts the State entered into
evidence the Digitized Recording because the Cassette Tape “was of such
limited clarity[.]” (Id.) Finally, Higgason argues the State further complicated
matters and called into question the authenticity of the Digitized Recording Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 20 of 33 when it “presented to the jury a transcript the detective made from the original,
not-introduced recording [Cassette Tape], and not a transcript made from the
audio [Digitized Recording] published to the jury.” (Id.) Thus, Higgason
argues, the Digitized Recording was inadmissible and the trial court abused its
discretion when it admitted it into evidence.
[32] We conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it admitted the
Digitized Recording into evidence because every factor of the McCollum test is
satisfied. First, regarding the authenticity of the tapes, Ricketts testified she
listened to the Cassette Tapes when she digitized them and the digitization did
not “change any of the words.” (Tr. Vol. V at 110.) Additionally, Copley’s
statements on the Cassette Tapes were not inadmissible hearsay because they
provided context for what the State purported were Higgason’s comments on
the call. See Hendricks v. State, 162 N.E.3d 1123, 1135 (Ind. Ct. App. 2021) (in a
recording of a call between the defendant and his co-conspirator, statements
made by defendant’s co-conspirator were admissible under the hearsay
exception contained in Ind. Evid. R. 801(d) because they were not admitted for
the truth of the matter asserted and instead to provide context for the
defendant’s statements on the call). Finally, while the Cassette Tapes have
certainly aged, the clarity of the Digitized Recording of those Cassette Tapes is
sufficient because “[p]erfect quality is not required; rather, we require only that,
taken as a whole, the recording must be of such clarity that it does not lead the
jury to speculate about its contents.” Hall v. State, 897 N.E.2d 979, 981 (Ind.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 21 of 33 Ct. App. 2008). Thus, the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it
admitted the Digitized Recording into evidence.
2.2 Best Evidence
[33] Higgason also argues the trial court abused its discretion when it entered the
Digitized Recording of the calls between Copley and Higgason because the
Cassette Tapes of the calls were available and thus the best evidence. The best
evidence rule states: “An original writing, recording, or photograph is required
in order to prove its content unless these rules or a statute provides otherwise.”
Indiana Rule of Evidence 1002.
The purpose of [the best evidence] rule is to assure that the trier of the facts had submitted to it the evidence upon any issue that will best enable it to arrive at the truth . . . . [I]t excludes all testimony of the contents of such instruments when the instrument itself is available and could be examined by the jury.
Pinkerton v. State, 258 Ind. 610, 620-21, 283 N.E.2d 376, 382 (1972). Higgason
claims the Cassette Tapes should have been admitted under the best evidence
rule because they were true and accurate depictions of Copley’s phone calls
with Higgason and the State did not lay the proper foundation to prove the
Digitized Recording was a direct copy of the Cassette Tapes.
[34] However, pursuant to Evidence Rule 1003, a “duplicate is admissible to the
same extent as an original unless a genuine question is raised about the
original’s authenticity or the circumstances make it unfair to admit the
duplicate.” Additionally, “the party opposing the admission of a duplicate
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 22 of 33 bears the burden of showing the existence of a genuine issue as to authenticity,
and the challenge must be more than hypothetical.” Arlton v. Schraut, 936
N.E.2d 831, 837 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010), trans. denied.
[35] At trial, Ricketts testified the contents of the Digitized Recording were the same
as those on the Cassette Tapes. She noted the Cassette Tapes were digitized
because “a lot of people don’t have ways to play cassette tapes anymore” and
the digitization can make the contents of the Cassette Tapes something
“someone can actually use like now and from decade to decade.” (Tr. Vol. V at
113.) In addition to Ricketts’s testimony, Copley also testified the Digitized
Recording accurately reflected the contents of his calls with a second party he
testified was Higgason. Based thereon, we conclude the trial court did not
abuse its discretion when it did not admit the Cassette Tapes pursuant to the
best evidence rule because the Digitized Recording was properly admitted
under Evidence Rule 1003. See, e.g., Hamilton v. State, 182 N.E.3d 936, 938
(Ind. Ct. App. 2022) (trial court did not abuse its discretion when it admitted a
cell phone recording of a surveillance video because the creator of the cell
phone video testified the video was a true and accurate copy of the original
surveillance video).
3. Mistrial [36] Higgason argues the trial court abused its discretion when it denied his request
for mistrial because the trial court’s statement identifying Higgason as the
second person on the calls with Copley placed him in grave peril of an unfair
trial. A mistrial is an “extreme remedy that is warranted only when less severe Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 23 of 33 remedies will not satisfactorily correct the error.” Francis v. State, 758 N.E.2d
528, 532 (Ind. 2001). “On appeal, the trial judge’s discretion in determining
whether to grant a mistrial is afforded great deference because the judge is in the
best position to gauge the surrounding circumstances of an event and its impact
on the jury.” McManus v. State, 814 N.E.2d 253, 260 (Ind. 2004), reh’g denied.
[37] “When determining whether a mistrial is warranted, we consider whether the
defendant was placed in a position of grave peril to which he should not have
been subjected; the gravity of the peril is determined by the probable persuasive
effect on the jury’s decision.” James v. State, 613 N.E.2d 15, 22 (Ind. 1993). A
timely and accurate admonition is presumed to cure any error in the admission
of evidence. Owens v. State, 937 N.E.2d 880, 895 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010), reh’g
denied. Because of that presumption, reversible error will seldom be found if the
trial court has admonished the jury to disregard a statement made during the
proceedings. Warren v. State, 757 N.E.2d 995, 999 (Ind. 2001). When the trial
court admonishes the jury, we also presume “the jury followed the trial court’s
admonishment and that the excluded testimony played no part in the jury’s
deliberation.” Francis, 758 N.E.2d at 532.
[38] “Because the trial court evaluates first-hand the relevant facts and
circumstances at issue and their impact on the jury, it is in the best position to
evaluate whether a mistrial is warranted. We accordingly review the trial
court’s denial of a motion for mistrial for an abuse of discretion.” Weisheit v.
State, 26 N.E.3d 3, 15 (Ind. 2015) (internal citations omitted), reh’g denied, cert.
denied 136 S. Ct. 901 (2016). The court abuses its discretion when its decision is
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 24 of 33 “clearly against the logic and effect of the facts and circumstances before the
court.” Vaughn v. State, 971 N.E.2d 63, 68 (Ind. 2012).
[39] During trial, because of the poor quality of the contents of the Digitized
Recording, the trial court allowed the jury to view a transcript prepared by
Detective Fielden from the Cassette Tapes of the phone calls between Copley
and a second person Copley identified as Higgason. The transcript was not
offered into evidence. When providing the jury with the transcript, the trial
court stated, “you have a -- a transcript of the original telephone call between
the -- these two, your witness and the defendant.” (Tr. Vol. V at 202.)
Higgason objected, arguing the trial court’s statement positively identifying
Higgason as the other person on the phone call with Copley was
“inappropriate” and that determination was “within the province of the jury”
and not the trial court. (Id. at 203.) In response, the trial court told the jury:
So to -- to be clear -- and -- to be very very clear. Mr. Copley indicated that he made a phone call. He made a phone call at the request of Detective Fielden. This is the recorded phone call that the -- that the witness has indicated that he has reviewed and is about to play.
Earlier I said between the -- the witness and the defendant. I did misspeak. I think the testimony thus far is it’s a recorded phone call that was done by Mr. Copley.
(Id. at 204-5.)
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 25 of 33 [40] The State then questioned Copley about the contents of the phone calls and
Copley identified Higgason as the second person on both phone calls. Shortly
thereafter, Higgason moved for a mistrial. He argued:
[W]e believe a mistrial would be appropriate based upon the inference that the Court has concluded that the -- the statements are attributable to Mr. Higgason.
And while I understand the Court gave a limiting instruction as to that, I think it’s very difficult to unring that bell in front of this jury.
Now they have it in their mind that the Court presiding over the trial believes that that is Mr. Higgason on that. Whereas the only person who’s ever identified him is Mr. Copley. . . . But now that the Court has sort of emphasized that this is between Mr. Copley and the defendant, the defense doesn’t believe that Mr. Higgason can receive a fair trial at this point. That that information can’t be unrung.
And so respectfully, Judge, we are moving for a mistrial based upon that statement to the jury.
(Id. at 218.) The trial court denied Higgason’s request for mistrial:
All right. I -- I will not grant a mistrial under -- under these circumstances. You brought it to my attention I may have misspoke. I informed the jury that I did misspeak. And I informed the jury what the testimony was thus far correctly as testified by -- by Copley. I asked them to disregard the comment I made about who was on the other side of the phone. By giving them that admonishment, there’s a presumption that they will follow the court instruction to them. And that certainly given that admonishment is not a basis for a mistrial. Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 26 of 33 (Id. at 219.) After the denial, the court recessed for the day. The next day when
court convened, Higgason renewed his request for mistrial on the same grounds
as the day before. The trial court denied his request for mistrial.
[41] Higgason argues the trial court abused its discretion when it denied his motion
for mistrial because he “was placed in grave peril when the trial court told the
jury that Higgason was on the tape, an issue that was greatly disputed. The trial
court took a highly contested issue out of the hands of the parties and informed
the jury it was Higgason on the tape.” (Br. of Appellant at 14.) Higgason
asserts in doing so, the trial court, “a neutral arbiter[,]” improperly commented
on the “veracity of disputed evidence.” (Id.)
[42] We hold the trial court’s inadvertent reference to the identity of the second
party on Copley’s phone calls did not place Higgason in grave peril of an unfair
trial because (1) the comment was brief, (2) subsequent evidence supported the
statement, and (3) the trial court gave proper admonishments to cure the error.
To the first point, that is, the prejudicial nature of the short statement the trial
court made regarding this issue, the State relies on Szpyrka v. State, 550 N.E.2d
316 (Ind. 1990). In Szpyrka, a police officer, who was a witness for the State,
testified he “went to the Calumet City Police Department and picked up a
photo of Thomas Szpyrka.” Id. at 317-8. Szpyrka objected and asked for a
mistrial, arguing the statement “improperly indicated to the jury that appellant
had a criminal record.” Id. at 318. The trial court admonished the jury to
disregard the statement and denied Szpyrka’s motion for mistrial. Id. In
affirming the denial, our Indiana Supreme Court noted “it stretches the
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 27 of 33 credulity to believe that the jury could have been swayed to such an extent that
except for the improper remark by the police officer appellant would have been
acquitted.” Id. The State contends the same is true here, and we agree.
Higgason has not demonstrated that, but for trial court’s passing comment
regarding the identity of the other person on Copley’s phone call, the jury
would have reached a different verdict.
[43] Regarding the second point, that subsequent evidence supported the trial court’s
brief statement, Higgason did not request a mistrial until after the admission of
the Digitized Recording and Copley’s testimony in which he identified
Higgason as the other party to the phone calls. Copley testified the other
person on the phone call was “Jimmy” and he knew Higgason’s voice because
Copley had “known him for a while.” (Tr. Vol. V at 205.) Copley identified
the other person on the phone call as Higgason, the person in the courtroom at
defense table. Thus, the State contends, there was evidence to suggest
Higgason was the other party on the phone call, and we agree.
[44] Regarding the third point, the trial court provided an appropriate
admonishment. The trial court stated to the jury that it misspoke and that the
evidence before the jury at that time, before Copley’s testimony, did not
positively identify the other party to the call. Additionally, during jury
instructions the trial court reminded the jury, “[n]othing the Court says or does
is intended to recommend what facts or what verdict you should find” and “[i]t
is your duty to determine the facts from the testimony and evidence admitted by
the Court and given in your presence, and you should disregard any and all
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 28 of 33 information that you may derive from any other source.” (App. Vol. II at 89,
116.) Based thereon, we conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion
when it denied Higgason’s motion for mistrial. See Weisheit, 26 N.E.3d at 20
(“When the jury is properly instructed, we will presume they followed such
instructions.”) (quoting Duncanson v. State, 509 N.E.2d 182, 186 (Ind. 1987)),
and see Francis, 758 N.E.2d at 532 (we presume the jury follows a trial court’s
admonishment).
4. Jury Question [45] Higgason argues the trial court erred when it did not notify counsel that the jury
submitted two questions to the trial court after retiring for deliberations.
Indiana Code section 34-36-1-6 provides:
If, after the jury retires for deliberation:
(1) there is a disagreement among the jurors as to any part of the testimony, or
(2) the jury desires to be informed as to any point of law arising in the case;
the jury may request the officer to conduct them into court, where the information required shall be given in the presence of, or after notice to, the parties or the attorneys representing the parties.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 29 of 33 Our Indiana Supreme Court has provided the proper procedure for trial courts
to follow when a deliberating jury makes a request for additional guidance
during its deliberations. In that situation, the trial court should
notify the parties so they may be present in court and informed of the court’s proposed response to the jury before the judge ever communicates with the jury. When this procedure is not followed, it is an ex parte communication and such communications between the judge and the jury without informing the defendant are forbidden. However, although an ex parte communication creates a presumption of error, such presumption is rebuttable and does not constitute per se grounds for reversal. When a trial judge responds to the jury’s request by denying it, any inference of prejudice is rebutted and any error deemed harmless.
Pendergrass v. State, 702 N.E.2d 716, 719-20 (Ind. 1998) (citations and emphasis
omitted).
[46] During deliberations, the jury sent two questions to the trial court. Higgason
argues the jury’s second question regarding whether they could return a guilty
verdict as to murder “if we believe the defendant was present but did not inflict
any blows on one or more of the counts being considered” was a request to be
informed as to any point of law arising in the case and thus counsel should have
been present in the courtroom for the trial court’s answer to that question in
open court. (Br. of Appellant at 23) (quoting Tr. Vol. VII at 136). Because he
argues counsel was not notified of the question and the trial court did not follow
proper procedure, Higgason asserts his convictions should be reversed.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 30 of 33 [47] As an initial matter, Higgason’s argument is waived because he did not make
an objection at trial. See Halliburton v. State, 1 N.E.3d 670, 678 (Ind. 2013)
(failure to object to an issue at trial waives that issue from appellate review). In
his reply brief, 7 Higgason acknowledges his argument is waived for failure to
make a contemporaneous objection. Waiver notwithstanding, we hold any
error in failing to follow the procedure set forth in Indiana Code section 34-36-
1-6 is harmless.
[48] Harmless error, by definition, is “an error that does not affect the substantial
rights of a party.” Lander v. State, 762 N.E.2d 1208, 1213 (Ind. 2002). Where an
error is harmless, we may not grant relief or reverse on appeal. App. R. 66. In
support of its argument that any error in the trial court’s procedure regarding
the jury’s second question was harmless, the State cites Stephenson v. State, 742
N.E.2d 463 (Ind. 2001), in which our Indiana Supreme Court held the trial
court’s communication with the jury regarding the jury’s request to review
evidence for a second time was harmless because Stephenson did not
demonstrate how that communication resulted in prejudice to Stephenson. Id.
at 492.
7 In his reply brief, Higgason argues the trial court committed fundamental error. He raised this argument for the first time in his reply brief and it is well-settled that a party on appeal waives any argument presented for the first time in its reply brief. See Akin v. Simons, 180 Ne.3d 366, 375 (Ind. Ct. App. 2021) (stating same). However, waiver notwithstanding, and as we conclude in this section, any error was harmless and thus cannot be fundamental error. See Smith v. State, 190 N.E.3d 462, 466 (Ind. Ct. App. 2022) (“harmless error cannot be considered fundamental”), reh’g denied, trans. denied.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 31 of 33 [49] Here, Higgason did not explain on appeal how he was prejudiced by the trial
court’s alleged error. Further, multiple witnesses put Higgason at the scene of
the crime, Copley testified Higgason committed the murders with Copley, and
the Digitized Recording included statements that suggest Higgason committed
the murders. Thus, if the trial court did err in failing to notify counsel pursuant
to Indiana Code section 34-36-1-6, the error was harmless because Higgason
did not demonstrate he was prejudiced by the trial court’s alleged error and
there existed sufficient evidence to convict Higgason of the triple murder.
Conclusion [50] We conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion when it denied
Higgason’s motion to dismiss because the State’s delay in prosecuting him for
the murders was justified by the advances in science and not motivated by an
attempt to prejudice Higgason. In addition, the trial court did not abuse its
discretion when it admitted the Digitized Recording of the phone calls between
Copley and Higgason. Further, the trial court did not abuse its discretion when
it denied Higgason’s motion for mistrial. Finally, any error in the trial court’s
decision to not notify counsel when the jury asked a question about Higgason’s
culpability was harmless because Higgason did not establish prejudice and there
was sufficient evidence to convict Higgason of the murders of Tamez, T.R., and
Hodge. Accordingly, we affirm Higgason’s convictions.
[51] Affirmed.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 32 of 33 Foley, J., and Najam, Sr. J., concur.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-2000 | May 19, 2023 Page 33 of 33