State v. Hiles, Unpublished Decision (11-26-2003)

2003 Ohio 6411
CourtOhio Court of Appeals
DecidedNovember 26, 2003
DocketCase No. 2002-T-0156.
StatusUnpublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 2003 Ohio 6411 (State v. Hiles, Unpublished Decision (11-26-2003)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Ohio Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Hiles, Unpublished Decision (11-26-2003), 2003 Ohio 6411 (Ohio Ct. App. 2003).

Opinion

OPINION
{¶ 1} Daniel Hiles ("Hiles") appeals the July 12, 2002 judgment entry of the Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas denying Hiles' motion to suppress statements and any evidence obtained as a result of any of the statements. Hiles also appeals the October 11, 2002 entry of sentence upon his no contest plea. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm the decisions of the trial court in this matter.

{¶ 2} In October 2001, Detectives Anthony Leshnack ("Leshnack") and Rick Tackett ("Tackett") were investigating several break-ins in Vienna Township. It was determined that a black bag, two t-shirts with an "ODG" logo on them, and cash was taken from one of the locations. Leshnack also recovered red fibers from some broken glass at another location. During his investigation, Leshnack received information from Niles city dispatch regarding a tip from a cab company about a suspicious individual being picked up at a Days Inn in Niles at 10:21 p.m. and dropped off near the vicinity of the break-ins. The tip also disclosed that the same individual was picked up in the vicinity of the break-ins at 5:41 a.m. and returned to the Days Inn.

{¶ 3} The cab company further advised that the same individual was later taken to a Giant Eagle, whereon he entered the store with a black bag. When the person in question returned from the store, he did so without the bag. Upon further investigation, Leshnack was informed that the person in question was Hiles, who was staying at the Days Inn. Tackett retrieved the bag and the t-shirts from the Giant Eagle. Tackett also viewed videotape from the store, which showed Hiles carrying the bag into the store and emptying the contents into a "Coin Star."1

{¶ 4} Armed with this information, Leshnack and Tackett unsuccessfully attempted to contact Hiles at his room at the Days Inn. The detectives were, however, able to locate Hiles at an apartment on Mauro Circle. Leshnack asked Hiles to step outside so that they could converse. Hiles refused. Leshnack then proceeded to arrest Hiles for breaking and entering. Upon his arrest, Hiles was read his Miranda rights by Leshnack and placed in Leshnack's car. Tackett then retrieved the black bag from his vehicle and placed it in Leshnack's vehicle.

{¶ 5} After being placed in Leshnack's car, Hiles was asked if he was involved in the Vienna break-ins. Hiles admitted as such, but stated that he did not want to get into it at that time. The detectives asked for consent to search his room at the Days Inn. Hiles consented to such a search. The detectives and Hiles drove to the Days Inn. Since Hiles could not read, Leshnack read and explained the consent to search form to Hiles. Hiles proceeded to sign the form and, thus, consent to the search of his hotel room. The subsequent search revealed a red flannel jacket, which Leshnack believed matched the red fibers he retrieved from one of the crime scenes.

{¶ 6} When the detectives returned to the car with the jacket, they asked Hiles if he now wished to speak to the detectives about the Vienna break-ins. Hiles proceeded to admit to the break-ins at Matthews High School, Olympic Dreams, and GSI. Hiles also volunteered information about numerous other break-ins. Leshnack issued Miranda warnings to Hiles for the second time and had him sign a waiver form. In doing so, Leshnack read each line to Hiles and had him initial each line. Hiles then admitted to a number of break-ins and offered to show the officers the various locations.

{¶ 7} Upon conclusion of this tour, the detectives returned to the Sheriff's Department with Hiles. Hiles was given some food and then he was interviewed, which the detectives videotaped and audiotaped. Before conducting the interview, Hiles was, again, advised of his Miranda rights and he, again, signed a waiver form after being read and initialing each line. The subject of this interview was the break-ins at Olympic Dreams, Matthews High School, and GSI.

{¶ 8} Upon completion of this interview, the detectives conducted a second interview regarding the numerous other break-ins to which Hiles admitted. Again, the interview was videotaped and audiotaped.

{¶ 9} After the conclusion of the second interview, Hiles was taken to the county jail. Formal charges were filed on October 22, 2001. On October 23, 2001, Hiles initiated contact with Leshnack and Tackett. The detectives met with Hiles that same day. Hiles was, again, advised of his Miranda rights prior to making any statements to the detectives. Hiles admitted to the break-ins at Fairhaven. He also admitted to further break-ins and agreed to show the detectives the locations of these on the following day.

{¶ 10} Prior to the tour on October 24, 2001, Hiles was advised of his Miranda rights and he signed a waiver form after being read and initialing each line. Hiles proceeded to show the detectives various other locations of his break-ins. Hiles was then taken back to the Sheriff's Department to give another statement. Again, the statement was videotaped and audiotaped. Before this third interview, Hiles was, again, advised of his Miranda rights and, again, he signed a waiver form after being read and initialing each line. The subject of this interview was the break-ins to which Hiles had just identified during this second tour.

{¶ 11} Since Leshnack forgot to ask Hiles about break-ins that occurred at Fairhaven, a fourth interview was conducted. The same procedure was followed. The statement was videotaped and audiotaped. Hiles was, again, advised of his Miranda rights and, again, he signed a waiver form after being read and initialing each line. The fourth interview was then concluded.

{¶ 12} Eventually, Hiles was indicted on November 21, 2001, on 14 counts of breaking and entering, one count of theft, five counts of possession of criminal tools, four counts of safecracking, and one count of attempted safecracking. On December 27, 2001, Hiles filed a motion to suppress all his statements and any evidence obtained as a result of these statements.

{¶ 13} The court conducted a suppression hearing on January 25, 2002. At the hearing, Leshnack testified concerning the substance and nature of his encounters with Hiles. Leshnack testified that he never promised or threatened Hiles. Leshnack further testified that at no time throughout any of his encounters with Hiles did Hiles request an attorney or assert any of his Miranda rights. As a matter of fact, Leshnack testified that he advised Hiles of his Miranda rights and that he even specifically asked Hiles if he wanted an attorney, to which Hiles declined.

{¶ 14} Hiles also testified at the suppression hearing. He stated that he was never threatened by the detectives and that no promises were made to him. Hiles, however, claimed that when he initially was advised of his Miranda rights, he asked for an attorney. He asserts that the detectives ignored his request. Hiles also claims that he requested an attorney at another point. Hiles stated that, again, his request was ignored.

{¶ 15} On cross-examination, Hiles admitted that he was advised of his Miranda rights and signed each of the waivers proffered. Hiles further admitted that he understood each of his Miranda rights and that he asserted his Miranda rights at least once before. Hiles also testified that he had been to prison seven or eight times.

{¶ 16}

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Related

State v. Henry, 2007-L-082 (12-14-2007)
2007 Ohio 6732 (Ohio Court of Appeals, 2007)

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Bluebook (online)
2003 Ohio 6411, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-hiles-unpublished-decision-11-26-2003-ohioctapp-2003.