State v. Picchini

463 So. 2d 714
CourtLouisiana Court of Appeal
DecidedJanuary 11, 1985
DocketKA-2345
StatusPublished
Cited by7 cases

This text of 463 So. 2d 714 (State v. Picchini) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Louisiana Court of Appeal primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Picchini, 463 So. 2d 714 (La. Ct. App. 1985).

Opinion

463 So.2d 714 (1985)

STATE of Louisiana
v.
Renee PICCHINI.

No. KA-2345.

Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Fourth Circuit.

January 11, 1985.
Rehearing Denied February 26, 1985.

*716 Salvatore Panzeca, Suzette Powers of Racivitch, Carriere, Panzeca & Charbonnet, New Orleans, for appellant.

William J. Guste, Jr., Atty. Gen., Barbara Rutledge, Asst. Atty. Gen., Harry F. Connick, Dist. Atty., William R. Campbell, Jr., Asst. Dist. Atty., David Legett, Law Clerk, New Orleans, for appellee.

Before KLEES, CIACCIO and WARD, JJ.

CIACCIO, Judge.

Renee Picchini was charged with "attempted unnatural carnal copulation." R.S. 14:89 and 14:27. She was found guilty as charged after a bench trial. She was sentenced to serve six (6) months in Parish Prison, the sentence was suspended and the defendant was placed on six (6) months active probation and ordered to pay $174.00 and to refrain from escort service employment. Defendant appeals relying upon five (5) assignments of error. We affirm the conviction and sentence.

The facts in this case are in conflict.

On March 3, 1983, Officer Ken Meynard of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, Vice Squad, was investigating an escort service known as The House of the Rising Sun Escort Service. The investigation was conducted in conjunction with the New Orleans Police Department Vice Squad. After obtaining a room at the Fairmont Hotel, at approximately 1 A.M. on March 3, 1983, Officer Meynard, assisted by New Orleans Vice Officer David Henley, contacted the escort service and made an appointment to have a girl sent to his room. After the service called to confirm the request, Officer Meynard requested a short girl with dark hair. About 35 minutes later, the defendant, known as "Kim", arrived at the officer's hotel room. Upon entering the room she began a search and then stated that she wanted $60 for the escort fee and $300 for herself. Officer Meynard handed *717 her four $100 bills which she placed in her purse. Defendant and Officer Meynard disrobed and Ms. Picchini attempted to commit an oral sex act upon Meynard. Meynard advised the defendant that he was a policeman and she was placed under arrest. She was allowed to cover herself with a sheet. New Orleans Police Officer David Henley, who also participated in this undercover operation, was with Officer Meynard until shortly before the defendant's arrival at the room. He observed the defendant's arrival at the hotel room as he stood near a hallway fire escape. At approximately 2 A.M., Meynard summoned Henley to the room where Henley identified himself to the defendant as she was lying in bed, nude, with a sheet over her. Meynard advised Henley of what had transpired. Henley then recovered the four $100 bills from the defendant's purse and checked their serial numbers. The numbers matched the recorded money list.

According to Renee Picchini, she went to the Fairmont Hotel in response to a request for an escort. She searched the room for weapons in order to assure herself of her safety as the undercover officer had told her that he was a drug dealer and she was not to tell anyone of his whereabouts. According to the defendant, Meynard then pulled out $300 and tried to solicit her. She requested $60.00 escort fee and the right to contact her employer by phone, but she refused. She was placed under arrest and told that if she cooperated with police in order to secure an arrest of the escort service's owner, Ken Brouilette, that she would only face a misdemeanor charge. Ms. Picchini denied that she had undressed and she also denied that she had attempted to engage in oral sex.

Assignment of Error No. 1

Defendant, by this assignment of error, contends that the trial judge erred when he granted a mistrial on the state's motion following a disclosure by the trial judge that he and his family had represented the target of this probe, one Ken ("Frenchy") Brouilette. Specifically, the defendant contends that the judge erroneously granted a mistrial in her first trial, which resulted in her current trial and conviction, subjecting her to double jeopardy.[1] Generally, an error cannot be availed of after verdict unless it is objected to at the time of its occurrence. C.Cr.P. Art. 841. However, the plea of double jeopardy is not a matter which is waived by the defendant's failure to object to an allegedly improper grant of a mistrial. C.Cr.P. Art. 594. State v. Simpson, 371 So.2d 733 (La. 1979).

Code of Criminal Procedure Article 596 sets forth the requirements for double jeopardy:

C.Cr.P. Art. 596. Requirements for double jeopardy:
Double jeopardy exists in a second trial only when the charge in that trial is:
(1) Identical with or a different grade of the same offense for which the defendant was in jeopardy in the first trial, whether or not a responsive verdict could have been rendered in the first trial as to the charge in the second trial; or
(2) Based on a part of a continuous offense for which offense the defendant was in jeopardy in the first trial.

When a defendant pleads not guilty, in a bench trial, jeopardy begins when the first witness is sworn at the trial on the merits. C.Cr.P. Art. 592.

This constitutional safeguard against double jeopardy protects a defendant in a criminal proceeding from repeated prosecutions for the same offense, and it prevents repeated convictions and punishments for the same offense. C.Cr.P. Art. 591. State v. Simpson, supra. There are however, certain statutorily prescribed exceptions to the rule that a person shall not be twice put in jeopardy of life or liberty for the same offense. C.Cr.P. Arts. 591, *718 595. More particularly, where a mistrial is legally ordered under La. Code of Criminal Procedure Article 775, double jeopardy does not attach. That article provides:

Art. 775. Mistrial; grounds for

A mistrial may be ordered, and in a jury case the jury dismissed, when:
(1) The defendant consents thereto;
(2) The jury is unable to agree upon a verdict;
(3) There is a legal defect in the proceedings which would make any judgment entered upon a verdict reversible as a matter of law;
(4) The court finds that the defendant does not have the mental capacity to proceed;
(5) It is physically impossible to proceed with the trial in conformity with law; or
(6) False statements of a juror on voir dire prevent a fair trial.

Upon motion of a defendant, a mistrial shall be ordered, and in a jury case the jury dismissed, when prejudicial conduct in or outside the courtroom makes it impossible for the defendant to obtain a fair trial, or when authorized by Article 770 or 771.

A mistrial shall be ordered, and in a jury case the jury dismissed, when the state and the defendant jointly move for a mistrial.

In this case, the trial judge gave the following basis for recusal:

BY THE COURT:
During the testimony of the witness that was on the stand the name of Kent Brouillette or Frenchy Brouillette was brought forward.
This is this Court's first knowledge that it is alledged that Mr. Brouillette was the owner.
BY MR. PANZECA:
Target.
BY THE COURT:

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463 So. 2d 714, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-picchini-lactapp-1985.