State v. Suter

290 P.3d 620, 296 Kan. 137, 2012 Kan. LEXIS 531
CourtSupreme Court of Kansas
DecidedDecember 21, 2012
DocketNo. 103,164
StatusPublished
Cited by9 cases

This text of 290 P.3d 620 (State v. Suter) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Supreme Court of Kansas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. Suter, 290 P.3d 620, 296 Kan. 137, 2012 Kan. LEXIS 531 (kan 2012).

Opinion

[139]*139The opinion of the court was delivered by

Moritz, J.:

We granted Pepin Suter’s petition for review of the Court of Appeals’ decision affirming his convictions for driving under tire influence (DUI) and driving while suspended (DWS). Su-ter argues the panel erred in rejecting his claims that (1) the district court infringed upon his constitutional rights' to due process and to present his defense by interfering with a defense witness’ decision to testify, (2) DWS is an alternative means crime, and (3) the State failed to present sufficient evidence to prove the alternative means of committing DUI and DWS.

We agree with the panel’s conclusion that the district court did not substantially interfere with a defense witness’ choice to testify or violate Suter’s constitutional right to present his defense. We also agree with the panel that DWS is not an alternative means crime, and we affirm Suter’s DWS conviction. Regarding Suter’s DUI conviction, we rely on State v. Ahrens, 296 Kan. 151, 290 P.3d 629 (2012), to conclude K.S.A. 2008 Supp. 8-1567(a) does not contain alternative means of committing DUI. Instead, the phrase “operate or attempt to operate” in K.S.A. 2008 Supp. 8-1567(a) merely describes the factual circumstances that may support die “driving” element of the offense. Because Suter concedes the State presented sufficient proof he operated the vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, we affirm Suter’s DUI conviction without considering the panel’s conclusion that the State presented sufficient evidence of Suter’s attempt to operate the vehicle while under the influence.

Factual and Procedural Background

In the early morning hours of September 5, 2008, paramedics responding to a motorcycle accident found a single individual, Pepin Suter, at the scene. Before officers arrived, Suter told a paramedic he had wrecked his motorcycle. After Wichita Police Officer Joe Spicuglia responded to the scene of the accident, Suter told him that he lost control of his bike going into a turn. Spicuglia smelled alcohol on Suter’s breath and requested and obtained a blood sample from Suter. Subsequent testing revealed that Suter’s blood-alcohol concentration was .10.

[140]*140The State charged Suter with DUI, alleging in Count 1 that Suter “unlawfully, operatefd] or attempt[ed] to operate a motor vehicle” while the alcohol concentration in his blood or breath was .10. In Count 2, the State alleged, in the alternative, that Suter “unlawfully, operate[d] or attempt[ed] to operate a motor vehicle” while under the influence of alcohol to the extent that he was incapable of safely operating the vehicle. The State also charged Suter with DWS, alleging Suter unlawfully operated a motor vehicle “while his privilege to drive was cancelled, suspended or revoked.”

At trial, outside of the presence of the jury, the trial judge noted that Suter had subpoenaed Thomas Bailey as a witness but there had been some suggestion that Bailey might incriminate himself if he testified. The judge engaged in a lengthy colloquy with Bailey about his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination and ultimately appointed independent counsel to represent Bailey.

After conferring with Bailey, Bailey s counsel, Charles O’Hara, informed the judge that, against counsel’s advice, Bailey had decided to testify. The judge then engaged in the following colloquy with Bailey:

“THE COURT: By fortuitous circumstances, Mr. O’Hara was scheduled to appear in my court this afternoon at 1:30, and I prevailed upon him to accept an appointment to represent you. I will say from my experience, both as a lawyer and as a judge now of 14 years and a lawyer of 32 years, the last 14 being a judge, by the circumstances that unfolded this afternoon, you have had tire opportunity to have one of the best criminal defense lawyers in Sedgwick County represent you for free.
“He obviously recognizes there may be some issues, and if you take the witness stand, I don’t know what your relationship is to Mr. Suter, if you are friends and you are trying to help him out, if you take the witness stand, it’s not like a Miranda interview where you can dren refuse to answer questions or you consult an attorney. I have provided that opportunity to you. If you choose to take the witness stand, you may in fact, through eitírer direct or cross-examination of one or bodr of drese lawyers, implicate yourself in dre commission of a crime.
“And needless to say, Ms. Sheila is taking down everything said in this court. You will be under oath. Your testimony will be transcribed for all eternity. And in fact the District Attorney could probably take dre transcript of drese proceedings, if you incriminate yourself, and file criminal charges against you and you would be hard pressed to defend them, given that you have already testified in open court under oath.
[141]*141“Now, this is your individual right and you can choose not to follow the advice of counsel and testily regardless of Mr. O’Hara’s advice, but experienced criminal defense lawyers know more and anticipate and understand the workings and ins and outs of the law much more than you do. He has given you his advice, and I would strongly urge you to follow that advice, but it is your individual decision.
“If you choose to testily, I want to make a very clear record that this is a knowing, intelligent, free and voluntary waiver of your right against self-incrimination, should you be called to testify in this matter. Once you take foe stand, it’s the point of no return. Once you are up there, if you regret having waived your Fifth Amendment, it’s too late.
“So I need to, one, ask you if you need to consult with Mr. O’Hara any more, or if you feel like you are fully informed of your rights against self-incrimination.
"MR. BAILEY: Yes, sir, I am.
“THE COURT: You are fully advised of your rights against self-incrimination?
“MR. BAILEY: Yes, sir.
“THE COURT: What is your decision?
“MR. BAILEY: Your Honor, I would like to testify.
“THE COURT: Okay. The Court will make a finding that Mr. Thomas Bailey, after being afforded foe benefit of counsel and his experience and legal advice, has made a knowing, intelligent, free and voluntary waiver of any of his rights regarding the events of September 5, 2008, that may or may not incriminate him in the event that he takes foe witness stand.”

Because Bailey was not expected to be called to testify until the next day, Bailey’s counsel suggested Bailey come to his office where he could advise him more about the situation if he wished, and Bailey nodded in response.

The next day at trial, Bailey appeared with counsel and indicated he would invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. The judge accepted Bailey’s counsel’s representation that Bailey would invoke his rights.

Suter testified at trial, admitting he consumed alcohol on the night of the accident.

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Bluebook (online)
290 P.3d 620, 296 Kan. 137, 2012 Kan. LEXIS 531, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-suter-kan-2012.