State v. Munson

2007 MT 222, 169 P.3d 364, 339 Mont. 68, 2007 Mont. LEXIS 403
CourtMontana Supreme Court
DecidedSeptember 5, 2007
Docket05-725
StatusPublished
Cited by22 cases

This text of 2007 MT 222 (State v. Munson) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Montana Supreme Court primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Munson, 2007 MT 222, 169 P.3d 364, 339 Mont. 68, 2007 Mont. LEXIS 403 (Mo. 2007).

Opinion

JUSTICE NELSON

delivered the Opinion of the Court.

¶1 Julia Munson (“Munson”) appeals from the order of the District Court for the Twenty-First Judicial District, Ravalli County, denying *70 her motion to suppress statements and evidence related to her prosecution for criminal possession of dangerous drugs, criminal endangerment, and criminal possession of drug paraphernalia. We reverse.

¶2 The issues on appeal are as follows:

1. Did the District Court err in denying Munson’s motion to suppress statements she made to law enforcement officers?
2. Did the District Court err in denying Munson’s motion to suppress evidence seized from her apartment and vehicle?

FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

¶3 On the evening of March 14, 2005, law enforcement officers responded to a report of underage drinking at Munson’s apartment in Corvallis, Montana. Outside Munson’s apartment, the officers encountered George Snell, who appeared to be under the influence of methamphetamine. They discovered that Snell was on probation, interviewed him, and placed him under arrest. During an interview following his arrest, Snell alleged that he had seen evidence of methamphetamine use in Munson’s apartment.

¶4 At approximately 3:00 p.m. the following day (March 15, 2005), Detectives Jason Basnaw and Perry Johnson of the Ravalli County Sheriffs Office (collectively, “the Officers”) went to Munson’s apartment building to follow up on Snell’s allegation. The ensuing events were tape-recorded by the Officers, and a transcript of that recording is part of the record on appeal.

¶5 The Officers knocked on Munson’s door. Munson’s five-year-old son, Chase, opened the door and left it open while he went to get Munson. Standing at the doorway, Basnaw saw what he thought might be paraphernalia for the packaging of methamphetamine or small amounts of dangerous drugs in the living room. When Munson came to the door, Basnaw told her that he would “[l]ike to visit with ya’ for a minute if we could” “about uh, that situation last night with Geroge Snell over here.” Johnson asked Munson if he and Basnaw could come in, but Munson responded that “actually my daughter’s, I’m just puttin’ her down for a nap can you come back-------?” Basnaw declined, stating: “Well actually I don’t have time. Um, I need to visit with ya’ right now.” Munson then let the Officers into the apartment.

¶6 Basnaw asked Munson if she had had any methamphetamine in the apartment the previous night and if she had any drugs in the apartment at present. Munson replied “No” to both questions. Basnaw then asked if Munson would consent to a search of the apartment. *71 Munson twice replied, ‘No.” Next, Johnson asked Munson if she would consent to a search of her body. Munson again said, “No.” Johnson asked Munson why she wouldn’t give the Officers a urine sample and why she wouldn’t allow them to search her home, and Munson explained, “Because George [Snell] doesn’t hang out here or nothin’, you know, I don’t even hardly know him,” and because “I just don’t fell [sic] that it’s right.”

¶7 At this point, Johnson, who knew Munson when she was a young girl and also knew Munson’s father in his (Johnson’s) “professional capacity,” began questioning Munson about her lifestyle. He stated that he was “really proud” of her father because “once he got his arms around whatever problems he had he got on with the rest of his life.” Johnson told Munson that “I want you to get on with the rest o’ your life and I don’t want ya’ to do what you’re doin’.” He opined that she was at “a fork in the road” and stated that he wanted her to “choose wisely.” Johnson also stated, “I know that, that you’re worried about what we’re gonna’ find if we shake your house down”; thus, he told Munson that he and Basnaw were not there “to threaten ya’ or to beat ya’ up or any o’ that.”

¶8 Johnson asked Munson, “How do you suggest that we resolve this? Are you lookin’ for some help? You wanta’ get on with it or do you wanta’ keep goin’ the way you been goin’?” Munson replied, “No I don’t.” Johnson inquired, “If you wanted to uh, if you wanted to quit right now the, the way you’ve been livin’ and change your life how would you do that?” Munson replied, “I don’t know.” Johnson asked whether Munson thought she needed rehab and whether her parents might help her, at which point the transcript reflects that Munson was crying. The following dialogue then ensued:

Detective Johnson: Here’s what I, I want you to know this. Here’s what we didn’t come here and do. We didn’t come here and take that Miranda card out and tell you this. You have the right to remain silent and all o’ that stuff. Right? And we didn’t come here to threaten ya’ or talk mean to ya’. We came here because we’re both dads and neither one of us guys is perfect I’ll tell ya’ that. And, and you know, we don’t live right next door to ya’ but this community’s so small Julia we’re still neighbors.
Julia Munson: I know hhh.
Detective Johnson: And what affects you affects us and that’s why the SherrifPs were [sic] last night ‘cause that affected us. So is there some way that, that we can help you?
Julia Munson: I’m sure there is but I don’t know------------hhh.
*72 Detective Johnson: ‘Kay. Well let’s talk about your kids then for a minute. You wanta’ raise ‘em?
Julia Munson: Yes.
Detective Johnson: Do you think this is the way to do it?
Julia Munson: Um, hmm. (Affirmative)
Detective Johnson: Well then how ya’ gonna’, how ya’ gonna’ manage that?
Julia Munson:------------
Detective Johnson: ‘Kay. Well I agree with ya’. I don’t think this is the way to raise ‘em either. You know, worried about who’s knockin’ at the door, havin’ ‘em spend their time over at the neighbor’s place. I’d sure rather see ‘em bein’ held by their mom and her getting ‘em to kindergarten and stuff like that. Chase go to kindergarten yet?
Julia Munson: Yeah.
Detective Johnson: Yeah? Goes in the morning or what?
Julia Munson: Yeah in the morning.
Detective Johnson: Yeah? You take him or does he just walk down there himself?
Julia Munson: I take him.
Detective Johnson: Do ya’? ‘Kay. So have you got crank in this house?
Julia Munson: No.
Detective Johnson: How come we can’t search it then?
Julia Munson: ‘Cause.

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Bluebook (online)
2007 MT 222, 169 P.3d 364, 339 Mont. 68, 2007 Mont. LEXIS 403, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-munson-mont-2007.