tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216337932024-03-15T21:09:56.950-04:00CYB3RCRIM3Observations on technology, law and lawlessness.Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.comBlogger1605125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-31559024804563806462017-09-29T15:21:00.002-04:002017-09-29T15:21:45.854-04:00 The University Computer Lab, the Pro Se Complaint and False Arrest<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This post examines a recent decision from a federal District
Court Judge who sits in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_District_Court_for_the_Middle_District_of_Tennessee">U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee:</a> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Molthan, v. Vanderbilt
University</i>, 2017 WL 1489099. The judge begins the opinion by explaining
that “Plaintiff Jason Steven Molthan has filed this <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro_se_legal_representation_in_the_United_States"><i>pro se</i> action</a>
under <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/1983">42 U.S. Code § 1983</a>, alleging a violation of his constitutional
rights. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The opinion goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[h]aving granted Plaintiff leave to
pursue this suit without paying the filing fee, the Court must conduct an
initial review of the complaint under <a href="http://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-28-judiciary-and-judicial-procedure/28-usc-sect-1915.html">28 U.S. Code § 1915(e)(2</a>) and
dismiss it or any portion of it that is frivolous or malicious, fails to state
a claim for which relief may be granted, or seeks monetary relief from a
defendant who is immune from such relief. If an action is filed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_forma_pauperis">IFP</a>, `the court
shall dismiss the case at any time if the court determines that ... the action
. . .fails to state a claim on which relief may be granted.’ <a href="http://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-28-judiciary-and-judicial-procedure/28-usc-sect-1915.html">28 U.S. Code § 1915(e)(2)(B)(ii)</a>. In assessing whether a complaint states a claim on which
relief may be granted, the Court applies the standards under <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_12">Rule 12(b)(6)</a>
of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Rules_of_Civil_Procedure">Federal Rules of Civil Procedure,</a> as construed by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashcroft_v._Iqbal">Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662, 678–79 (2009)</a>, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_Atlantic_Corp._v._Twombly">Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555–57 (2007)</a>. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Hill v. Lappin</i>, 630 F.3d 468, 470–71 (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Court_of_Appeals_for_the_Sixth_Circuit">6th Cir. 2010</a>). `Accepting
all well-pleaded allegations in the complaint as true, the Court ‘consider[s]
the factual allegations in [the] complaint to determine if they plausibly suggest
an entitlement to relief.’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Williams
v. Curtin,</i> 631 F.3d 380, 383 (6th Cir. 2011) (quoting <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Iqbal,</i> 556 U.S. at 681) (alteration in
original). `[P]leadings that . . .are no more than conclusions[ ] are not
entitled to the assumption of truth. While legal conclusions can provide the
framework of a complaint, they must be supported by factual allegations.’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Iqbal</i>, 556 U.S. at 679; <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">see also Twombly</i>, 550 U.S. at 555
n.3 (`<a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcp/rule_8">Rule 8(a)(2)</a> still requires a ‘showing,’ rather than a blanket
assertion, of entitlement to relief. Without some factual allegation in the
complaint, it is hard to see how a claimant could satisfy the requirement of
providing not only ‘fair notice’ of the nature of the claim, but also ‘grounds'
on which the claim rests.’).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Molthan, v. Vanderbilt
University</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The court’s opinion goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">`Pro se complaints are to be held to
less stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers, and should
therefore be liberally construed.' <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Williams</i>,
631 F.3d at 383 (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). Pro se
litigants, however, are not exempt from the requirements of the Federal Rules
of Civil Procedure. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wells v. Brown,</i>
891 F.2d 591, 594 (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Court_of_Appeals_for_the_Sixth_Circuit">6th Cir. 1989</a>). It is the plaintiff, not the court, who must
set forth a coherent cause of action. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Brown v. Matauszak,</i> 415 Fed.Appx. 608,
613 (6th Cir. 2011) (`[A] court cannot create a claim which [a plaintiff]
has not spelled out in his pleading’) (internal quotation marks and citation
omitted); <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Payne v. Sec'y of Treas., </i>73
Fed.Appx. 836, 837 (6th Cir. 2003) (affirming <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sua_sponte">sua sponte</a></i> dismissal of complaint pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P.
8(a)(2) and stating, `[n]either this court nor the district court is
required to create Payne's claim for her’); <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">cf. Plyler v. Ford</i>, 542 U.S. 225, 231 (2004) (`District
judges have no obligation to act as counsel or paralegal to pro se litigants.’); <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Young Bok Song</i> v. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Gipson</i>, 423 Fed.Appx. 506, 510 (6th Cir. 2011) (`[W]e decline to
affirmatively require courts to ferret out the strongest cause of action on
behalf of pro se litigants. Not only would that duty be overly burdensome, it
would transform the courts from neutral arbiters of disputes into advocates for
a particular party. While courts are properly charged with protecting the
rights of all who come before it, that responsibility does not encompass advising
litigants as to what legal theories they should pursue.’).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Molthan, v. Vanderbilt
University</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The District Court Judge then summarized the “factual
allegations” that the plaintiff alleged supported his cause of action:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Plaintiff alleges that at 10:30 p.m. on
April 5, 2016, he was conducting research in the computer lab in the Sarratt
Student Center on Vanderbilt University's campus, which is open to the general
public until 11 p.m. (Doc. No. 1, at 6, 8.) Plaintiff was approached at 10:30
by three Vanderbilt University police officers who said that a Vanderbilt
employee had recognized him from local news media reports. The officers asked
to see Plaintiff's identification, then asked him to gather his belongings and
step outside, where they searched his belongings and questioned him about the
news coverage. (<u>Id.</u> at 6.) Despite Plaintiff's explanation that the
media coverage was `defamatory’ and that he had not been `<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">convicted</span> of the felony,’ at
10:55 p.m. the officers told Plaintiff to leave the Vanderbilt campus and never
return. Plaintiff began to leave, but before he could, the officers ordered him
to stop and arrested him for criminal trespassing. (<i>Id.</i> at 6–7.) On
April 11, 2016, Plaintiff pleaded not <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> in General Sessions Court; the charge was dismissed,
and Plaintiff was released from jail at approximately 8 p.m. (<i>Id.</i> at
7–8.) Since that incident, Plaintiff alleges that Vanderbilt police officers
have intimidated him in areas near the Vanderbilt campus and have threatened
him with arrest `if he does not find another area of town to frequent.’ (<i>Id.</i> at
8.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Molthan, v. Vanderbilt
University</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The District Court Judge then begins her analysis of the
facts and legal issues in the case, explaining, which she divides into two
parts: “Claims Related to Plainitff’s Arrest” and “Claims Related to
Post-Release Events.” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Molthan, v.
Vanderbilt University</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">She begins her analysis of the claims related to Molthan’s
arrest by explaining that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Plaintiff alleges that Defendants are
liable for false arrest/imprisonment in violation of his federal constitutional
rights under the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution">Fourth Amendment</a>, pursuant to <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/1983">42 U.S.C. § 1983</a>. Section
1983 confers a private federal right of action against any person who,
acting <a href="https://definitions.uslegal.com/c/color-of-law/">under color of state law,</a> deprives an individual of any right, privilege
or immunity secured by the Constitution or federal laws. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wurzelbacher v. Jones–Kelley,</i> 675 F.3d
580, 583 (6th Circuit 2012). Thus, to state a § 1983 claim, a
plaintiff must allege two elements: (1) a deprivation of rights secured by the
Constitution and laws of the United States, and (2) that `the deprivation was
caused by a person acting under color of state law.’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tahfs v. Proctor</i>, 316 F. 3d 584, 590 (6th Cir. 2003) (citations
omitted); 42 U.S.C. § 1983. For the purposes of initial review, the Court
accepts Plaintiff's allegation that the Vanderbilt University police officers
were acting under color of state law and finds that Plaintiff has stated a
nonfrivolous claim for false arrest/imprisonment. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Mettetal v.
Vanderbilt Univ.,</i> Legal Dep't, 147 Fed. Appx. 577, 581 (6th Cir. 2005) (reversing
dismissal of § 1983 claim against Vanderbilt police department on
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statute_of_limitations">statute of limitation</a> grounds). The Court also finds, again solely for the
purpose of initial review, that Plaintiff's allegation that he was not
arraigned until April 11, 2016, makes his April 10, 2017 Complaint for false arrest/imprisonment
under the Fourth Amendment timely. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See <a href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/549/384/">Wallace
v. Kato,</a></i><a href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/549/384/"> 549 U.S. 384, 391 (2007)</a> (holding that plaintiff's federal
false arrest/imprisonment claim accrued, and statute of limitations began to
run, on the date that his false imprisonment ended when the plaintiff appeared
in court and was bound over for trial); <a href="http://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2010/title-28/chapter-3/part-1/28-3-104">Tenn. Code Ann. § 28–3–104(a)(1)</a> (setting
one-year <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Statute_of_limitations">statute of limitations</a> for actions for false imprisonment and for
actions brought under the federal civil rights statutes).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Molthan, v. Vanderbilt
University</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Judge goes on to explain that in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wallace, supra,</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">the petitioner claimed that his
confession to murder was the product of his unlawful arrest, which occurred on
January 19, 1994. 549 U.S. at 386. The state court agreed on direct appeal
following his conviction, finding the petitioner's arrest violated the Fourth
Amendment. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Id. </i>The state
appellate court ultimately remanded the case for a new trial, but rather than
retrying the petitioner, the prosecution dropped the charges against him on
April 10, 2002. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Id. </i>On
April 2, 2003, the petitioner filed a § 1983 claim seeking damages
for the unlawful arrest. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Id. </i>The
petitioner argued that his claim was barred by <a href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/512/477/"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Heck v. Humphrey,</i> 512 U.S. 477 (1994)</a>, until the charges against
him were dropped, and that his lawsuit filed within one year of that event was
therefore timely. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Id</i>. at
392. The Supreme Court held, however, that <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Heck</i> only bars cases that would invalidate an `extant
conviction,’ and that while it would warrant staying a § 1983 claim
through the course of a plaintiff's prosecution, it did not delay the accrual
of a Fourth Amendment claim or commencement of the limitations period. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Id</i>. at 392–97. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Instead, the Court held that the
limitations period on a Fourth Amendment claim for false arrest begins to run
on the day that the false arrest/imprisonment ends, e.g. when continued
confinement becomes lawful pursuant to legal process, when the defendant
appears in court and is bound over for trial. Id. at 389–91.
Accordingly, from the face of the complaint, it appears that the limitations
period for Plaintiff's Fourth Amendment claim began to run, not on April 5 when
he was arrested, but on April 11, 2016, when the charge against him was
dismissed and he was released after his initial court appearance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Molthan, v. Vanderbilt
University</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Judge, though, goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[h]owever, the rule of delayed
limitations-period commencement announced in <i>Wallace </i>for federal
false arrest claims is a `distinctive rule’ that arises from `the common law's
distinctive treatment of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tort">torts</a> of false arrest and false imprisonment,’ and
does not apply to other state or federal claims arising out of the
arrest. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wallace,</i> 549 U.S. at
388–89; <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fox v. DeSoto,</i> 489 F.3d
227, 233, 235 (6th Cir. 2007) (holding that despite delayed accrual under <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wallace</i> for false arrest
claim, `claim for excessive force in effectuating an arrest accrues at the time
of arrest,’ and affirming dismissal of state law claim for assault and battery
as untimely). Accordingly, with the exception of his Fourth Amendment claim for
false arrest, all of Plaintiff's state and federal claims arising from
Defendants' actions on the date of his arrest—including his claims for
conspiracy, official oppression, fraud, entrapment, extortion, assault and
battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress—are untimely.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Molthan, v. Vanderbilt
University</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The judge then took up the “claimes related to Post-Release
Events”, noting that <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Plaintiff's claim for harassment
appears to relate to events occurring since his release. That claim, and any
other claims that could be liberally construed to relate to the alleged
harassment he has experienced since his release, are timely but fail to state
any claim for which relief can be granted. Plaintiff bases his claims for
conspiracy, official oppression, fraud, entrapment, extortion, assault and
battery, and harassment on state criminal statutes that define crimes and their
defenses; they do not create private causes of action. (See Doc. No. 1, at
10–12 (citing Tenn. Code Ann. §§
39–12–103, 39–16–403, 39–11–106, 39–11–505, 39–14–112, 39–13–101 and
102, 39–17–308, 39–17–315)); <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dirks
v. Tudors</i>, No. E200801384COAR3CV, 2009 WL 1372180, at *2 (Tenn. Ct. App.
May 18, 2009) (`[W]ith respect to the plaintiff's claim based upon
official oppression, the applicable statute, Tenn. Code Ann. §
39–16–403 (2006) does not indicate, in any way, that a private cause of
action for official oppression was contemplated by the legislature when the
statute was enacted.’).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Plaintiff also cites <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/42/1985">42 U.S.C. §1985</a> among his grounds for filing suit. (Doc. No. 1, at 1.) However, any
claim for conspiracy to interfere with Plaintiff's civil rights pursuant
to 42 U.S.C § 1985(3) fails because he has not alleged that such
conspiracy was based on his race or other `inherent personal characteristics.’ <i>Webb
v. United States</i>, 789 F.3d 647, 672 (6th Cir. 2015) (`The Supreme Court
requires that § 1985 claims contain allegations of `class-based, invidiously
discriminatory animus.’ <a href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/403/88/case.html">Griffin v.Breckenridge, 403 U.S. 88, 102 (1971)</a>. The class must be based upon race or
other `inherent personal characteristics.’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Browder v. Tipton, </i>630 F.2d 1149, 1150 (6th Cir. 1980).”).<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Molthan, v. Vanderbilt
University</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Judge goes on to explain that, to<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> the extent that the claims for
which Plaintiff has relied upon criminal statutes actually exist as civil
claims under state law, Plaintiff's allegations do not satisfy the elements of
those claims. For example, the mere fact that Vanderbilt has banned Plaintiff
from campus despite maintaining open hours for the general public does not
state a claim for fraud. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See Grant
v. Tucker</i>, 57 F. Supp. 3d 852, 858 (M.D. Tenn. 2014) (`Under Tennessee
law, a plaintiff must establish four elements to prove fraud: (1) an
intentional misrepresentation with regard to a material fact; (2) knowledge of
the representation's falsity (i.e., it was made ‘knowingly’ or ‘without belief
in its truth,’ or ‘recklessly’ without regard to its truth or falsity); (3) the
plaintiff reasonably relied on the misrepresentation and suffered damage; and
(4) the misrepresentation relates to an existing or past fact, or, if the claim
is based on promissory fraud, the misrepresentation ‘must embody a promise of
future action without the present intention to carry out the promise.’). And
the verbal harassment Plaintiff has allegedly experienced in the Vanderbilt
vicinity since his release is clearly not shocking enough to state a claim for
intentional infliction of emotional distress. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Davis v. Covenant
Presbyterian Church</i>, No. M2013–02273–COA–R3CV, 2014 WL 2895898, at *6–7
(Tenn. Ct. App. June 23, 2014) (`A claim for intentional infliction of
emotional distress requires a showing that “the defendant's conduct was (1)
intentional or reckless, (2) so outrageous that it is not tolerated by
civilized society, and (3) resulted in serious mental injury to the plaintiff”’...The
cases thus far decided have found liability only where the defendant's conduct
has been extreme and outrageous. It has not been enough that the defendant has
acted with an intent which is tortious or even criminal, or that he has
intended to inflict emotional distress, or even that his conduct has been
characterized by ‘malice,’ or a degree of aggravation which would entitle the
plaintiff to punitive damages for another tort. Liability has been found only
where the conduct has been so outrageous in character, and so extreme in
degree, as to go beyond all bounds of decency, and to be regarded as atrocious
and utterly intolerable in a civilized community.' ”); <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">see also Johnson v. Unknown Dellatifa</i>,
357 F.3d 539, 545–46 (6th Cir. 2004) (holding that harassment and verbal
abuse, no matter how `shameful and utterly unprofessional,’ do not violate the
Constitution).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Molthan, v. Vanderbilt
University</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Judge went on to explain that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[a]nd finally, Plaintiff's reliance on
`personal injury’ merely invokes a legal connection between certain torts, such
as negligence or assault, and a right to relief. `Personal injury' itself is
not an independent cause of action upon which Plaintiff can proceed. Rather, it
is a ‘blanket assertion of entitlement to relief,’ which fails to state a
claim. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_Atlantic_Corp._v._Twombly">Bell Atlantic Corp.
v. Twombly</a></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_Atlantic_Corp._v._Twombly">, 550 U.S. 544, 555 n.3 (2007)</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Molthan, v. Vanderbilt
University</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The judge went on to conclude the opinion with these
comments:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For the reasons set forth above, the
Court finds that Plaintiff has stated a nonfrivolous claim for false arrest
pursuant to the Fourth Amendment and § 1983, and process shall issue on
those claims. The remainder of Plaintiff's claims will be dismissed for <a href="http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Failure+to+State+a+Claim%20http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Failure+to+State+a+Claim">failure to state a claim.</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">An appropriate Order will enter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Molthan, v. Vanderbilt
University</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-42336524489122890202017-09-27T15:52:00.000-04:002017-09-27T15:52:00.171-04:00Child Sex Trafficking and Bypassing Security on a Tablet Computer<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jp7yzDke5z4/Wcv-4hKF-bI/AAAAAAAAF3g/bWT2Dyzt2Ro0CLjR3_B2cxQuY0RgTwgwwCLcBGAs/s1600/Guantanamo_court_room_control_system.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1292" data-original-width="1600" height="258" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jp7yzDke5z4/Wcv-4hKF-bI/AAAAAAAAF3g/bWT2Dyzt2Ro0CLjR3_B2cxQuY0RgTwgwwCLcBGAs/s320/Guantanamo_court_room_control_system.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This post examines a recent opinion from the U.S. Court of
Appeals for the 11<sup>th</sup> Circuit:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">U.S. v. Blake</i>, 868 F.3d 960
(2017). The court begins the opinion by explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[a]fter a nine-day trial, a jury found
Dontavious Blake and Tara Jo Moore <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> of
child sex trafficking for managing a prostitution ring involving at least two
girls under the age of eighteen. Blake and Moore challenge numerous rulings the
district court made before and during trial, and at sentencing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">U.S. v. Blake</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court goes on to explain why, and how, the prosecution
arose:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Blake and Moore had a system for
running their prostitution ring. One of them would post ads for prostitution
services on the classifieds website Backpage. Moore would then take phone calls
from potential customers who were responding to the ads. And Blake would give
the prostitutes rides to their appointments and provide muscle. The money was
split 50/50 between the working prostitute on the one hand and Blake and Moore
on the other.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Through a variety of leads, the FBI
discovered Blake and Moore's prostitution ring. It learned that the Backpage
ads had been posted using an <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> address
(hereafter the “S.B. <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> address”),
which the FBI determined belonged to Moore. And it found out that at least two
girls, known as T.H. and E.P., had been under the age of eighteen when they
engaged in prostitution for Blake and Moore.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
In the wake of those discoveries, the
FBI arrested Blake and Moore. It continued the investigation, executing four
post-arrest search warrants relevant to this appeal. First, it executed a
warrant to seize and search electronics in Blake and Moore's townhouse,
including an `Apple iPad tablet [ ].’ Once in possession of that iPad tablet,
however, the FBI found itself unable to access any of the device's data due to
its security features. So the FBI requested and received a district court
order, issued under the All Writs Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1651(a), requiring the
iPad's manufacturer, Apple Inc., to assist the FBI in bypassing the iPad's
passcode lock and other security measures. With Apple's help, the FBI was able
to successfully unlock the device and download its data.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">U.S. v. Blake</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to explain that the<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
second relevant search warrant the FBI
executed directed Microsoft, which owns Hotmail, to turn over <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">emails</span> from two of Blake and
Moore's <b>email</b> accounts, including the S.B. email account. The
Microsoft warrant did not seek all <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">emails</span> in
those two <b>email </b>accounts; instead, it was limited to certain
categories of <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">emails</span> in
them that were linked to the sex trafficking charges against Blake and Moore.
For example, the warrant required Microsoft to turn over all `[<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">e]mails</span>, correspondence, and contact
information for Backpage.com’ and all `[<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">e]mails</span> and
correspondence from online adult services websites’ that were contained within
the two <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> accounts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Finally, the FBI also applied for and
received two almost identical search warrants for Moore's <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> account. Because that
account was associated with the S.B. <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email </span>address and Moore's phone number, the FBI knew it belonged
to her. At the time it executed the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> warrants, the FBI had extensive evidence linking
Moore to the prostitution ring, including statements by T.H. inculpating her.
And Moore's <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook<b> </b></span>account
was suggestive of criminal conduct: the publicly viewable version of the
account listed Moore's occupation as `Boss Lady’ at `Tricks R [U]s.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The two warrants required <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> to `disclose’ to the
government virtually every type of data that could be located in a <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> account, including every
private instant message Moore had ever sent or received, every IP address
she had ever logged in from, every photograph she had ever uploaded or
been `tagged’ in, every private or public group she had ever been a member of,
every search on the website she had ever conducted, and every purchase she had
ever made through `<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> Marketplace,’
as well as her entire contact list. The disclosures were not limited to data
from the period of time during which Moore managed the prostitution ring; one
warrant asked for all data `from the period of the creation of the account’ and
the other did not specify what period of time was requested. The warrants did
state that the only information that would be `seized,’ after all that data had
been `disclosed’ to the FBI, was data that “constitute[d] fruits, evidence and
instrumentalities” of a specified crime.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">U.S. v. Blake</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court ended its prefatory comments on the case by
explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[a]fter the execution of those four
warrants, a third superseding indictment charged Blake and Moore with six
violations of 18 U.S.C. § 1591: substantive child sex trafficking of T.H.
(Count 1); substantive child sex trafficking of E.P. (Count 2); conspiracy to
sex traffic children—T.H. and E.P. (Count 3); two substantive counts of sex
trafficking adults by coercion (Counts 4 and 5); and one count of conspiracy to
sex traffic by coercion (Count 6).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Blake and Moore filed several pre-trial
motions relevant to this appeal. Moore moved to sever Counts 1 through 3, which
involved sex trafficking of children, from Counts 4 through 6, which involved
sex trafficking of adults by coercion. Blake and Moore moved to suppress
evidence obtained from the iPad. And they moved to suppress all the evidence
gathered as a result of the search warrants served on Microsoft and <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span>. The district court denied
all of those motions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">U.S. v. Blake</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next, the court outlines what occurred during the trial and
the later sentencing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It began by
explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[a]t trial T.H. testified about her
time prostituting for Blake and Moore, starting when she was sixteen years old.
To explain why she turned to prostitution, T.H. described her difficult upbringing.
She explained that her great uncle had sexually abused her when she was between
the ages of five and eight. During that same period, her parents separated, her
father left her life, and her mother fell into a deep depression, leaving
T.H.'s older sister to raise her. That older sister was a drug addict who
physically abused her.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
E.P. testified as well. She stated that
she called Blake after she found his business card and started prostituting for
him soon thereafter. She was sixteen when she started—young enough that Blake
had to buy her cigarettes. On cross examination she admitted that she saw Moore
only six times `at most.’ One of those times was when Moore spent about twenty
minutes taking pictures of her for a Backpage ad.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The government also called Khrystyna
Trejo, an adult prostitute who had spent time working alongside T.H. and E.P.
She testified that, although E.P. had told her that she was eighteen, E.P.'s
way of `approach[ing] certain things’ and her interest in children's television
shows made her seem `younger than what . . .she said she was.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
In addition to testimony related solely
to the child sex trafficking charges, the government called several witnesses
in an attempt to prove its theory that Blake and Moore `coerced’ adult prostitutes
by controlling their drug supply, evidence that went to Counts 4 through 6.
Several adult prostitutes testified both to the general structure of the
prostitution ring and the fact that almost all the money the prostitutes
made was immediately spent buying drugs from Blake. The government also called
an addiction expert who testified about the physical and neurological
characteristics of drug dependency and withdrawal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">U.S. v. Blake</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion went on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Blake and Moore did not present any
evidence of their own. The jury found them <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> of the remaining charges—two substantive counts of
child sex trafficking and one count of conspiracy to sex traffic children, and
the district court entered judgment of conviction on those counts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
After applying a number of
enhancements, the district court sentenced Blake to 324 months imprisonment,
followed by supervised release for a term of life. And it sentenced Moore to
180 months imprisonment followed by 240 months supervised release.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">U.S. v. Blake</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to take the arguments the defendants
made in their appeal, starting with the “bypass order.” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">U.S. v. Blake</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The court explains that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Blake and Moore next contend that the
order requiring Apple to assist in bypassing the iPad's security features—what
we will call the `bypass order’—exceeded the authority granted by the All Writs
Act. As a threshold matter, we must address whether Blake and Moore have
standing to make this challenge. They satisfy the three requirements of
constitutional standing because they `(1) suffered an injury in fact, (2) that
is fairly traceable to the challenged conduct ... and (3) that is likely to be
redressed by a favorable judicial decision.’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Spokeo, Inc. v. Robins</i>, 578 U.S. ––––, 136 S.Ct. 1540, 1547,
194 L.Ed.2d 635 (2016). Specifically, they were injured because the evidence
gathered as a result of the bypass order was used to convict them. That injury
is fairly traceable to the government's request for and the district court's issuance
of the bypass order. And if a court ruled in their favor on the All Writs Act
issue, and if a court further ruled that suppression was the proper remedy for
the violation of the All Writs Act, Blake and Moore's injury would be
redressed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
In addition to the three constitutional
standing requirements, `the Supreme Court has held that prudential requirements
pose additional limitations on standing.’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Wolff v. Cash 4 Titles</i>, 351 F.3d 1348, 1353 (11th Cir. 2003). One
of those prudential limitations is the rule that a litigant `generally must
assert his own legal rights and interests, and cannot rest his claim to relief
on the legal rights or interests of third parties.’ Warth v. Seldin, 422
U.S. 490, 499, 95 S.Ct. 2197, 2205, 45 L.Ed.2d 343 (1975); <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">see also </i>Craig v. Boren, 429 U.S.
190, 193, 97 S.Ct. 451, 455, 50 L.Ed.2d 397 (1976) (explaining that the
limitation on asserting third parties' rights is not `constitutionally
mandated’ but instead `stem[s] from a salutary rule of self-restraint’) (quotation
marks omitted). Here, Blake and Moore are attempting to invoke All Writs Act
protections, such as its restriction that any burden imposed on a third party
not be `unreasonable,’ that shield third parties like Apple, not criminal
defendants. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See United States
v. N.Y. Tel. Co</i>., 434 U.S. 159, 171, 98 S.Ct. 364, 372, 54 L.Ed.2d 376
(1977). In other words, they are attempting to assert Apple's legal rights, not
their own. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">U.S. v. Blake</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then took up Blake’s and Moore’s
argument that “the district court did not have the authority to issue the
bypass order, and, as a result, it should have suppressed any evidence
resulting from Apple's compliance with that order.” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">U.S. v. Blake</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The court began its analysis of whether the
trial court ‘s order “exceeded the court's authority under the All Writs Act.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">U.S. v.
Blake</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It began by explaining that the All Writs Act provides as
follows:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
`The Supreme Court and all courts
established by Act of Congress may issue all writs necessary or appropriate in
aid of their respective jurisdictions and agreeable to the usages and
principles of law.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
28 U.S.C. § 1651(a). The Supreme Court
has recognized five requirements that must be met before a court can compel under
the All Writs Act the assistance of a third party in a criminal investigation:
(1) the order must be necessary or appropriate to effectuate a previously
issued order, (2) it must not be covered by another statute, (3) it must not be
inconsistent with the intent of Congress, (4) the third party must not be too
far removed from the underlying case, and (5) the burden imposed on the
third party must not be unreasonable. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">United States v. N.Y. Tel. Co.,</i> 434 U.S.
159, 172–78 (1977).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">U.S. v. Blake</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then began its analysis of all five
requirements, in the order given above:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
1. <u>Necessary
or Appropriate<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The first requirement for use of the
All Writs Act is that the use be necessary or appropriate to carry out an
issued order. <u>See</u> id. at 172, 98 S.Ct. at 372. (`This
Court has repeatedly recognized the power of a federal court to issue such
commands under the All Writs Act as may be necessary or appropriate to
effectuate and prevent the frustration of orders it has previously issued....’).
The bypass order in this case was necessary or appropriate because there was no
other way for the FBI to execute the district court's order to search the
contents of the iPad. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See </i>In
re Grand Jury Subpoena Duces Tecum Dated March 25, 2011, 670 F.3d 1335, 1346–49
(11th Cir. 2012) (holding that compelling a defendant to produce data
protected by his password without providing constitutionally sufficient
immunity violates the Fifth Amendment).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
2. <u>Not
Otherwise Covered by Statute<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The authority granted by the All Writs
Act is broad but not boundless. The Act `is a residual source of authority’
that permits issuing writs only if they `are not otherwise covered by statute.’ Penn.
Bureau of Corr. v. U.S. Marshals Serv., 474 U.S. 34, 43, 106 S.Ct. 355, 361, 88
L.Ed.2d 189 (1985). It is a gap filler. `Where a statute specifically addresses
the particular issue at hand, it is that authority, and not the All Writs Act,
that is controlling.’ <u>Id.</u> And where Congress has proscribed a
certain type of judicial action, the Act cannot overcome that
proscription. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See id. </i> The
bypass order meets this requirement because no statute expressly permits or
prohibits it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
3. <u>Not
Inconsistent with Intent of Congress<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Even where, as here, no statute
expressly permits or prohibits a particular judicial action, the court cannot
always use the Act to fill the gap. Any order issued under the All Writs Act
must still be `consistent with the intent of Congress.’ S<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ee United States v. New York Telephone Co</i>.,
434 U.S. 159 (1977). To determine if a judicial action is consistent with
congressional intent, it is not enough to ask whether there is an on-point
statute. We must also look at laws that are not directly on point but that
speak to similar issues in order to determine whether the proposed judicial
action is in line with congressional intent. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See<u> </u>id. </i>at 172, 176–78, 98 S.Ct. at 372, 374–75. If the
legislative context bearing on the proposed action suggests that Congress did
not intend for the court to have a given power, taking the action under the All
Writs Act is inconsistent with congressional intent and cannot be the basis for
the action. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See id.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The Supreme Court's decision in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New York Telephone illustrates</i> this
principle. In that case the district court had issued an order under the All
Writs Act requiring a phone company to assist the FBI in installing pen
registers on certain phone lines. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Id</u></i><u>. at
161–62, 98 S.Ct. at 367</u>. The Supreme Court held the order was consistent
with congressional intent for two reasons. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Id. </u></i><u>at
176–78, 98 S.Ct. at 374–75.</u> First, the legislative history of Title III of
the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act, which governs the issuance of
wiretaps, makes clear that Congress intended for courts to be able to order the
installation of pen registers. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See id</i>. at
176–77, 98 S.Ct. at 374. Second, amendments to Title III had authorized courts
to compel assistance <u>in installing wiretaps</u>, though they did not
specifically mention pen registers. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Id</i>. at
176–77, 98 S.Ct. at 374–75. The Court reasoned that Congress likewise
intended for courts to be able to compel assistance <u>in installing pen
registers</u> when assistance was necessary. Id. at 177–78, 98
S.Ct. at 374–75. As a result, the Court held that the district court's order
was within the authority granted by the All Writs Act. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Id. </i>at 177–78, 98 S.Ct. at 375.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Blake and Moore argue that the <u>N<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ew York Telephone</i></u> case is
distinguishable because, unlike the pen register order involved in that case,
the issuance of the bypass order in this case is contrary to congressional
intent. They rely on the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act
(CALEA), 47 U.S.C. §§ 1001-1010, for that proposition. Section 1002, which is
part of CALEA, requires `telecommunications carrier[s]” to provide certain
forms of assistance to law enforcement, while exempting “information services’
companies—a category that includes Apple—from those same requirements<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>. See </u></i>i<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">d.</i> §§ 1001(6), 1001(6), 1002(a),
(b)(2). Blake and Moore assert that the `information services’ exemption in §
1002 shows that Congress intends for companies like Apple to be insulated from
court-ordered law enforcement cooperation through bypass orders.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The problem is that the § 1002
requirements are all about design choices and ensuring that telephone networks
“are capable of” delivering evidence to law enforcement. <u>See</u> <u>id.</u> §
1002(a). If this case were about a court order forcing Apple to initially
design its devices so that law enforcement would be capable of accessing them
in the future, § 1002's exemption of information services companies would be
relevant. But that is not what this case is about. It is, instead, about a
device that has already been designed, manufactured, sold, and used, and about
how to access the information on that device. In light of the distinction
between initial design and later access, § 1002 does not show that bypass
orders are inconsistent with congressional intent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
4. <u>Third
Party Not Too Far Removed from Underlying Case</u><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The fourth requirement for use of the
All Writs Act, at least for compelling a non-party in a criminal case, is that
the non-party not be `so far removed from the underlying controversy that its
assistance could not be permissibly compelled.’ N.Y. Tel., 434 U.S. at
174, 98 S.Ct. at 373. Blake and Moore argue that `Apple's connection to the
case [is] merely that it ... originally manufactured the iPad,’ so it is
too far removed for its assistance to be compelled. That argument misstates the
technology. Apple continued being connected to Blake and Moore's use of the
iPad even after they bought it: the iPad ran on an operating system owned by
Apple (Blake and Moore were only licensing it); Apple servers conveyed messages
sent from the iPad; and Apple servers backed up the iPad's data. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See</i> Apple, Inc., Apple iOS
Software License Agreement 1 (2016), http://apple.co/2nl946W; Greg
Kumparak, Apple Explains Exactly How Secure iMessage<u> Really Is</u>,
TechCrunch (Feb. 27, 2014), http://tcrn.ch/2kNxy3q. Apple's continued
connection to the case means that it was not so far removed from the underlying
controversy that its assistance could not be compelled.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
5. <u>Not
Unreasonable Burden on Third Party<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The final <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">New York Telephone </i>requirement is that any burden imposed
on the compelled party must not be `unreasonable.’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">N.Y. Tel</i>., 434 U.S. at 172, 98 S.Ct. at
372. To comply with the bypass order, Apple simply had to have an employee plug
the iPad into a special <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">computer</span> and
then transfer the iPad's data to a thumb drive. That is not an unreasonable
burden, especially in light of the fact that Apple did not object to the bypass
order's requirements.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">U.S. v. Blake</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals sums up the analysis above by
explaining that the<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
bypass order was necessary or
appropriate to carry out the search warrant the district court had issued, the
assistance sought was not specifically addressed by another statute, the bypass
order was not inconsistent with Congress' intent, Apple was not too far removed
from the underlying controversy, and the burden the order imposed on it was not
unreasonable. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See </i>i<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">d</i>. at 172–74, 98 S.Ct. at 372–73.
It follows that the bypass order did not exceed the district court's authority
and the evidence gathered as a result of that order did not have to be
suppressed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">U.S. v. Blake</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to examine some additional issues not
related to the analyses aboe and ended the opinion by affirming Blake’s
conviction and sentence. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">U.S. v. Blake</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-65570647439615588482017-09-22T09:59:00.002-04:002017-09-22T09:59:46.715-04:00 Forgery, Theft by Unlawful Taking and Tamper with/Fabricate Physical Evidence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3lf6sjDuzUE/WcUTSay9wYI/AAAAAAAAF3Q/W9FRMFetkLwakzECqyUACcADIoaCPAmwQCLcBGAs/s1600/Chester_County_PA_Courthouse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3lf6sjDuzUE/WcUTSay9wYI/AAAAAAAAF3Q/W9FRMFetkLwakzECqyUACcADIoaCPAmwQCLcBGAs/s320/Chester_County_PA_Courthouse.JPG" width="256" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This post examines a recent decision from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superior_Court_of_Pennsylvania">Superior Court of Pennsylvania</a>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v. Aponte</i>,
2017 WL 4118438 (2017).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The court begins
the opinion by explaining how and why the prosecution was brought:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<a href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/appellant">Appellant,</a> Luz Enid Aponte, appeals
from the judgment of sentence entered on September 19, 2016, in the Monroe
County Court of Common Pleas. We affirm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The trial court set forth the relevant
facts and procedural history of this matter as follows:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
On April 8, 2016, Stroud Area Regional
Police received a call from NYPANET.com, a business located in East
Stroudsburg, regarding a theft. Michael Jarvis, the business's accountant,
reported that he noticed a check written to Appellant for $877.36 paid out from
the general expense account rather than through payroll. The check was signed
using the signature `A. Rodriguez.' Appellant, who had worked at the business
as [a] bookkeeper since May 2013, admitted to Jarvis that she issued the check
to herself and forged Angela Rodriguez's signature. Jarvis subsequently looked
into the business's account and saw that 83 checks were issued to Appellant
over a three (3) year period from 2014 to 2016 totaling $46,310.92, none of
which were authorized. Each check was signed using the signatures of either
Fred Budetti, the owner, or Angela Rodriguez, an employee authorized to sign
checks. Both Budetti and Rodriguez relayed to Jarvis that they did not the sign
the checks and their signatures were forged. After further investigation,
Jarvis learned that Appellant would issue checks to herself and change the
check images in the computer system so it appeared as if the
check had been paid to one of their vendors/payees.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Appellant was charged by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_(formal_criminal_charge)#United_States">Criminal Information</a> with two counts of Forgery—Unauthorized Act in Writings, three
counts of Theft by Unlawful Taking—Movable Property, and one count of Tamper
with/Fabricate Physical Evidence. On June 22, 2016, Appellant pled <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> to one count each of
Forgery—Unauthorized Act in Writing, a felony of the second degree, Theft by
Unlawful Taking—Movable Property, a felony of the third degree, and Tamper
with/Fabricate Physical Evidence, a misdemeanor of the second degree.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v. Aponte,
supra.</i> The opinion uses footnotes to cite the Pennsylvania statutes that
respectively define the offenses above:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>18 Pennsylvania Statutes and Consolidated Statutes § 4101 (forgery); 18
Pennsylvania Statutes and Consolidated Statutes § 3921(a) (unlawful taking); 18
Pennsylvania Statutes and Consolidated Statutes §4910(1) (Tamper with/
Fabricate Physical Evidence). <i style="font-size: 11pt;">Commonwealth v. Aponte,
supra.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court then goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[o]n September 19, 2016, at Appellant's
sentencing hearing, we heard a statement from Appellant and oral argument from
both defense counsel<sup> </sup>and counsel for the Commonwealth. Additionally,
prior to sentencing, we read the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presentence_investigation_report">presentence investigation report</a> (`PSI’)
prepared by the Adult Probation Office. After carefully considering Appellant's
statement and arguments of counsel, as well as the PSI, we sentenced Appellant
to incarceration in a state correctional institution for a total aggregate
sentence of not less than 35 months nor more than 72 months. Because Appellant
was <a href="http://www.cor.pa.gov/General%20Information/Pages/RRRI.aspx">RRRI</a> eligible, her alternate minimum sentence was 26 months and 7 days. We
imposed c<a href="https://www.nolo.com/dictionary/consecutive-sentence-term.html">onsecutive sentences</a> on each count, all within the aggravated range
and within the statutory limits.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
At sentencing, the <a href="http://www.monroecountypa.gov/Dept/PD/Pages/default.aspx">Monroe County Public Defender's Office</a> represented Appellant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Appellant, through the Monroe County
Public Defender's Office, filed a Motion to Reconsider Sentence on September
26, 2016, claiming that Appellant believes the sentence is excessive. We denied
Appellant's Motion without a hearing on September 26, 2016.<sup> </sup>On
October 25, 2016, Jeffrey G. Velander, Esq. entered his appearance on behalf of
Appellant. On October 26, 2016, Attorney Velander filed a Notice of Appeal to
the Pennsylvania Superior Court, citing our September 19, 2016 sentencing Order
as the matter to be appealed. We ordered a Concise Statement to be filed within
21 days, which was timely received. Also on October 26, Attorney Velander filed
[a] Motion for Leave to File an Amended Post–Sentence Motion, as well an
Amended Post–Sentence Motion. We denied both without a hearing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v. Aponte,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Superior Court went on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[a]s noted, Appellant filed a timely
post-sentence motion for reconsideration of her sentence on September 26, 2016,
claiming only that the sentence was excessive. <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">See</span></i> <a href="http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/234/chapter7/s720.html">Pa.R.Crim.P. 720(A)(1)</a> (stating that a written
post-sentence motion shall be filed no later than ten days after imposition of
sentence). The trial court denied Appellant's post-sentence motion that same
day. Thus, Appellant had until October 26, 2016, in which to file a timely
appeal to this Court. Pa.R.Crim.P. 720(A)(2)(a). At 11:51 A.M., on October
26, 2016, Appellant filed a motion for leave to file an amended post-sentence
motion and an amended post-sentence motion, seeking to amend the original
post-sentence motion to include specific reasons for appealing the discretionary
aspects of her sentence. However, at 3:09 P.M. that same day, Appellant also
filed a timely notice of appeal from the judgment of sentence. The filing of
that appeal, which is presently before this Court, divested the trial court of
jurisdiction to consider the October 26, 2016 motions. <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">See</span></i> <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Commonwealth v. Pearson</span></i>, 685 A.2d
551, 556–557 (Pa. Super. 1996) (pursuant to <a href="http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/210/chapter17/s1701.html">Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure 1701(a)</a>, once a notice of appeal is filed, the trial court
is divested of jurisdiction to act further in the matter); <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">see also Commonwealth v. Melvin</span></i>,
103 A.3d 1, 58 (Pa. Super. 2014) (once an appeal is filed, the trial court
has no jurisdiction to modify its sentence) (citations omitted).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v. Aponte,
supra.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Superior Court then explained that on <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
October 27, 2016, the trial court
directed Appellant to file a concise statement of errors complained of on
appeal pursuant to <a href="http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/210/chapter19/s1925.html%20(1925)">Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure 1925(b) </a>twenty-one
days. Therefore, Appellant’s <a href="http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/210/chapter19/s1925.html">Pa.R.A.P. 1925(b)</a> statement was due on or
before Thursday, November 17, 2016. Appellant did not file her Pa.R.A.P.
1925(b) statement until November 21, 2016. It appears the trial court
overlooked the lateness of Appellant's filing, and it issued an opinion
pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) on December 21, 2016.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v. Aponte,
supra.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court then took up one of the arguments Aponte raised in
her appeal, i.e., whether<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">the Honorable Trial Court abuse[d] its discretion in sentencing
Appellant to serve three consecutive terms of imprisonment at the highest
aggravated range of the Sentencing Guidelines where the reasons cited by the
Court were that she had been convicted of embezzlement-related offenses in New
York State and Pennsylvania on two prior occasions, a fact which is taken into
account by the Guidelines in assessing a prior record score?</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v. Aponte,
supra.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Superior Court began its analysis of this argument by
explaining that Aponte’s argument outlined above represented a <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
challenge to the discretionary aspects
of Appellant's sentence. More specifically, Appellant challenges the imposition
of aggravated range sentences based on her prior convictions in both her
rejected amended post-sentence motion and her second issue, <i>supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
It is well settled that there is no
absolute right to appeal the discretionary aspects of a sentence. <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Commonwealth v. Hartle</span></i>, 894 A.2d
800, 805 (Pa. Super. 2006). Rather, where an appellant challenges the discretionary
aspects of a sentence, the appeal should be considered a petition for allowance
of appeal. <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Commonwealth v.
W.H.M.</span></i>, 932 A.2d 155, 163 (Pa. Super. 2007).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v. Aponte,
supra.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we observed in <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Commonwealth v. Moury</span></i>, 992 A.2d 162 (Pa. Super. 2010):<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
An appellant challenging the
discretionary aspects of his sentence must invoke this Court's jurisdiction by
satisfying a four-part test:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[W]e conduct a four-part analysis to
determine: (1) whether appellant has filed a timely notice of appeal, <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">see</span></i> Pa.R.A.P.
902 and 903; (2) whether the issue was properly preserved at
sentencing or in a motion to reconsider and modify sentence, <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">see<b> </b></span></i>Pa.R.Crim.P. [720]; (3)
whether appellant's brief has a fatal defect, Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f); and (4)
whether there is a substantial question that the sentence appealed from is not
appropriate under the Sentencing Code, <a href="http://law.justia.com/codes/pennsylvania/2016/title-42/chapter-97/section-9781/">42 Pa.C.S.A. § 9781(b)</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Commonwealth v.
Moury, supra. </span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[w]ith respect to the four-part test,
we conclude that Appellant satisfied the first and third prongs in that she
filed a timely notice of appeal and included a Pa.R.A.P. 2119(f) statement
in her brief. However, Appellant's first issue on appeal relates to the preservation
of her challenge to the discretionary aspects of her sentence, specifically,
the second prong of the test set forth in <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Moury</span></i>. In her brief on appeal, Appellant concedes that her
specific challenge was not included in the boilerplate post-sentence motion
filed by prior counsel on September 26, 2016, and that this failure could
result in dismissal of the appeal. Appellant's Brief at 17, 19.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
After review, we conclude that
Appellant's prior counsel's failure to include Appellant's challenge in her
post-sentence motion is fatal to the appeal because the omission of this
specific claim results in waiver. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See</i>
<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">See</span></i> <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Commonwealth v. Reeves</span></i>, 778 A.2d
691, 692–693 (Pa. Super. 2001) (by failing to raise the specific claim
that the trial court failed to state reasons for sentence on the record in
post-sentence motion, the trial court was deprived of opportunity to consider
the claim; thus, the claim was waived on appeal). Additionally, we note that
while the trial court addressed Appellant's issue in its opinion, we are not
permitted to overlook Appellant's failure to properly preserve this
issue. <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">See Commonwealth v.
Tejada</span></i>, 107 A.3d 788, 799 (Pa. Super. 2015) (holding, <i><a href="http://dictionary.law.com/Default.aspx?selected=996%20inter%20alia">inter alia</a></i>, that where a challenge to the discretionary aspects of a sentence is
not raised in a timely post-sentence motion, that issue is waived; the fact
that the trial court addressed the issue in its Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) opinion
does not preserve the issue); <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">see
also</span></i> <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Commonwealth v.
Schrader</span></i>, 141 A.3d 558, 564 (Pa. Super. 2016) (holding that despite
the trial court addressing the appellant's challenge to the discretionary
aspects of his sentence in its Pa.R.A.P. 1925(a) opinion, the
appellant's challenge was waived for failing to properly raise it before the
trial court).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
For the reasons set forth above, we
conclude that Appellant has waived her challenge to the discretionary aspects
of her sentence. Accordingly, we affirm Appellant's judgment of sentence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Judgment of sentence affirmed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Commonwealth v.
Moury, supra.</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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</style>Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-1173627398199914782017-09-21T15:59:00.002-04:002017-09-21T15:59:28.421-04:00First Degree Perjury, Attempt to Influence a Public Servant and Tracing IP Addresses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XlQCLIOj0go/WcQYD_eJB0I/AAAAAAAAF28/3UukeznDjuI-mlF0neWTOk3y8_HU0ydoQCLcBGAs/s1600/SanJuanCountyCourthouseCO.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XlQCLIOj0go/WcQYD_eJB0I/AAAAAAAAF28/3UukeznDjuI-mlF0neWTOk3y8_HU0ydoQCLcBGAs/s320/SanJuanCountyCourthouseCO.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This post examines a recent opinion from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_Court_of_Appeals">Colorado Court of Appeals – Division III</a>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v.
Garrison</i>, 2017 WL 3431820 (2017). The court begins the opinion by
explaining that the<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">common knowledge
and experience of an ordinary person have become one marker of the boundary
separating lay from <a href="https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-difference-between-expert-and-lay-testimony">expert testimony</a>. This case involves <a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/lay+witness">lay witness</a> testimony
about e-mail. So, one might wonder whether this ubiquitous person would be
aware that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-right: .5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">the record of each e-mail transmission includes an Internet Protocol
(IP) address from which the transmission initiated<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-right: .5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">the IP address can be linked to an Internet service provider (ISP); and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-right: .5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #212121; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">in turn, the ISP can often trace the IP address to the physical address
of a particular ISP customer?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People
v. Garrison</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[d]espite the dramatic increase in use
of e-mail, we join the few jurisdictions to have addressed this question and
conclude that such a person would not be aware of these facts, at least in the
combination used by the prosecution to explain how the investigation began with
charges against the victim, but led to evidence of criminal acts by defendant,
Lawson P. Garrison. And because this information was the glue that held much of
the prosecution's case against Garrison together, he is entitled to a new trial
on the charges of first degree perjury, attempt to influence a public servant
(three counts), and conspiracy to attempt to influence a public servant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Garrison</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion then explains that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">[t]urning to
Garrison's second issue, the trial court did not abuse its considerable
discretion in denying him a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuance">continuance</a> </span><span style="color: #212121; font-size: 11pt;">of the trial. And because the charges
of possessing a defaced firearm and felony menacing were unrelated to IP
addresses, his conviction by a jury on those charges stands affirmed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Garrison</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then outlined the “facts and procedural
background” in the case:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
According to the prosecution's evidence
bearing on the two issues raised on appeal,<a href="https://1.next.westlaw.com/Document/Ibd03e7a07e2c11e7a3f3a229dca6c9c6/View/FullText.html?navigationPath=Search%2Fv3%2Fsearch%2Fresults%2Fnavigation%2Fi0ad6ad3e0000015e91a55f482cc925c5%3FNav%3DCASE%26fragmentIdentifier%3DIbd03e7a07e2c11e7a3f3a229dca6c9c6%26startIndex%3D1%26contextData%3D%2528sc.Search%2529%26transitionType%3DSearchItem&listSource=Search&listPageSource=9d1a8d84aba67763ee2faf536ef7f169&list=CASE&rank=2&sessionScopeId=69b6a4ad2c392e4f9328328bed6b356e841f54ae3110c2efdb11ea839ee383b4&originationContext=Search%20Result&transitionType=SearchItem&contextData=%28sc.Search%29#co_footnote_B00012042333974"><sup>1</sup></a>Garrison
had an affair with the victim's wife. After the affair ended, Garrison and his
wife set up through Google a Gmail account in the victim's name. Using that
account, they began sending themselves derogatory and threatening e-mails.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Based on these e-mails, Garrison and
his wife made several police reports against the victim and provided related
documents to the police. They sought a protection order against the victim and
testified about the e-mails at the hearing. The police filed charges against
the victim.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Seeking evidence to support these
charges, the police obtained a subpoena concerning the Gmail account. In
response, Google identified two IP addresses. The police associated these
addresses with two ISPs. After being subpoenaed, the ISPs identified one IP
address as the home of Garrison's wife, where Garrison lived at the time, and
the other as her employer. When interviewed by police, both Garrison and his
wife denied having set up the account.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Even so, all charges against the victim
were dropped, the investigation focused on the Garrisons, and they were
charged. Garrison's wife pleaded <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> to
several charges. Garrison elected to go to trial but he did not testify. His
theory of defense was that the victim had hacked into his home computer and the
server at his wife's workplace, changing the IP addresses used to access the
Gmail account. This process is called `<a href="http://spoofing./">spoofing.</a>’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Garrison</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then took up Garrison’s argument that
the trial court judge abused his or her discretion by “refusing to grant
Garrison a continuance.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Garrison</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>. The court began its analysis of Garrison’s argument
concerning this issue by explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[i]f the trial court erred in denying
Garrison a continuance and he could show prejudice, he would be entitled to a
new trial on all charges. So, we begin with this contention.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
On the first day of trial—March 3,
2015—defense counsel renewed her motion for a continuance that she had made at
the trial readiness conference four weeks earlier. She conceded that Garrison
`d[id] not want a continuance,’ but argued that she was not prepared for trial
because the case required `specialized computer knowledge,’ she did not `get
approval for [an] expert until January 30th,’ and she had `only met with [the
expert] one time.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Garrison</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to explain that the<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>prosecutor
opposed the continuance for the following reasons:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
This is one more delay causing one more
frustration and anxiety from the victims, from the police officers that I have
spent the last, you know, two weeks scheduling and going though all the
reports. Again over a thousand pages of reports and discovery. This is the second
time, well, that I prepped for this trial in its entirety.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
As to Garrison's expert witness, the
prosecutor argued that he had `in my receipt what the expert is going to
testify to so apparently he's prepared to testify.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The trial court denied the motion. The
court explained that `[t]he procedural history of this case includes a lot of
motions to continue’ and the `risk of prejudice that has been argued by
[defense counsel] can be managed by the court.’ Specifically, the court said
that Garrison's expert would be allowed to testify even though he had not been
timely endorsed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Garrison</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then began its analysis of the issues
in the case by explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[a] trial court's denial of a motion
for a continuance is reviewed for an abuse of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discretion#Criminal">discretion</a>. <i>People v.
Faussett</i>, 2016 COA 94M, ¶ 12, ––– P.3d ––––.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>`A trial court abuses its discretion in
denying a motion to continue if, under the totality of the circumstances, its
ruling is manifestly arbitrary, unreasonable, or unfair.’ <i>Id.</i> (citation
omitted).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>`No mechanical test exists for determining
whether the denial of a request for a continuance constitutes an abuse of
discretion.’ <i>Id.</i> (citation omitted). Rather, `the answer must
be found within the circumstances of each case, particularly in the reasons
presented to the trial judge at the time of the request.’ <i>People v.
Roybal</i>, 55 P.3d 144, 150 (Colo. App. 2001).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Garrison</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then took up Garrison’s argument as to
how the trial court judge dealt with his request for a continuance:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Garrison first argues that the trial
court should have granted a continuance because his new trial counsel
“inherited the case just two months prior and was running an entirely different
defense than the prior public defender.” But Garrison fails to explain why the
`different defense’ could not have been developed earlier, such as if it had
arisen from newly discovered evidence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
In any event, the record shows that
prior defense counsel was well aware of the technical aspects of this case.
When that counsel first requested and received a continuance on February 3, 2014,
he argued that there was `[p]retty complex internet legal service that needs be
done before I can even subpoena the materials that I'm going to need to prepare
for trial.’ Later, on May 5, 2014, defense counsel requested and received another
continuance because he had `received 10 disks . . . which includes Google
search warrant executions, videos, computer forensic information. And that's all
information that is beyond the scope of my expertise.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
At that time, defense counsel also
advised the court, `I have a request in for approval for an expert to help me
review all of the computer forensics in this case.’ True, successor
counsel later told the court that the expert had not been approved until
January. But this delay of over seven months must be attributed to the defense.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Garrison</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion then explains that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[a]s well, the record supports the
trial court's finding that since the original trial date of April 1, 2014,
numerous continuances had already been granted—three of which were at
Garrison's request. <i>See People v. Casias</i>, 2012 COA 117, ¶ 21
n.3, 312 P.3d 208 (There was no abuse of discretion where `the case had been
pending for over two and a half years,’ and `the court had already granted
defendant two continuances.’).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Still, Garrison argues that a
continuance should have been granted because this was his new counsel's first
request. But Garrison cites no authority, nor have we found any in Colorado,
that prior continuances are disregarded once new counsel has been appointed. To
the contrary, in <i>People in Interest of J.T.</i>, 13 P.3d 321, 322
(Colo. App. 2000), the division upheld denial of a continuance, even though new
counsel had been appointed `three weeks before,’ because `the case had been
pending for over six months and had been previously continued twice at
[defendant's] request.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Undaunted, Garrison argues that a
continuance was needed because his new counsel was not prepared for trial. And
during the trial, his counsel repeatedly sought a continuance on this basis.
But the record belies this argument. It shows that Garrison's counsel `gave an
opening statement; examined and cross-examined witnesses’ extensively,
including the police officers who testified about IP addresses, as discussed
below; `preserved objections to evidence; gave significant input on jury
instructions; and presented a lengthy closing argument.’ <i>People v.
Alley</i>, 232 P.3d 272, 274 (Colo. App. 2010) (upholding denial of a
continuance).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>For these
reasons, we discern no abuse of the court's discretion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Garrison</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court goes on, in what U.S. law refers to as “<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dictum">dicta</a>,” to
explain that <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[f]urther, even if the trial court abused
its discretion, to obtain a reversal, Garrison must also `demonstrate actual
prejudice arising from denial of the continuance.’ <i>People v. Denton</i>,
757 P.2d 637, 638 (Colo. App. 1988). But the prejudice argued by Garrison
involves only charges related to the IP testimony:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .7in; margin-right: .7in; margin-top: 0in;">
`After the motion to continue was
initially denied, the only option left was to present a significantly hampered
defense with a blind expert and without the ability to understand the
technological intricacies of computer hacking, spoofing and how to find
evidence of hacking or spoofing.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
He does not even suggest that the
continuance denial caused prejudice related to his convictions for possessing a
defaced firearm and felony menacing. Thus, because we have given Garrison a new
trial on his convictions related to the IP testimony, as discussed in the next
section, no prejudice has occurred.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
In sum, we discern no basis for
reversal in denying Garrison's motion for a continuance.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Garrison</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then took up Garrison’s next argument,
which was that the trial court judge abused his “discretion by allowing police
officers, testifying as lay witnesses, to testify about tracing IP addresses.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People
v. Garrison</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>. The court
began its analysis of this argument by explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[b]efore trial,
defense counsel noted her `concern about the . . . type of evidence that the
[prosecution] is going to attempt to introduce via lay witnesses, being police
officers.’ She asked that `police officers not be able to give expert
testimony’ on computer evidence. The prosecutor responded that the police
officers' testimony did not require any specialized knowledge because it
involved `get[ting] a warrant and compar[ing] two sets of data ... which they
do all the time.’ The trial court declined to rule, explaining that it
would `listen to the evidence’ and `handle it as it happens.’<sup><o:p></o:p></sup></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mark Garcia, one of
the investigating detectives, was the first officer to take the witness stand.
Testifying as a lay witness, he explained that during the investigation,
warrants were issued for `emails, facebook messages, and stuff like that.’ He
added,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">`You can get the
actual emails, text messages if they are still there and have not been
destroyed, as well as you can get the internet protocol address on where the
messages are coming from or who set up the account. When you go online, you set
up an account, you fill out all the documents.’<sup> <o:p></o:p></sup></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The trial court
overruled defense counsel's objection that Garcia was giving expert testimony.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Garrison</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The opinion goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[n]ext, Garcia
testified:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">`We sent Google a
production of records for the internet protocol address. We provided Go[o]gle
with the email address of [the Gmail account] and email addresses that
basically were being used. Go[o]gle then provided the internet protocol
addresses. They provided two. And what we get is just numbers. And with the
numbers that [sic] we did the research....’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Again, the trial court
overruled defense counsel's objection.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Garrison</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion then goes on to explain that <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Then, Garcia took the investigation to
its culmination:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Q. And you have said there was two
numbers. So they were associated with that [Gmail] account?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
A. Yes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Q. And in your investigation, did you
determine where those two IP addresses belong?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
A. Yes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Q. Who belonged to those IP addresses?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
A. Yes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Q. What did you determine in your
investigation?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
A. One belonged to Century Link and
another belonged to Comcast.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Q. And did you review the investigation
as it pertains to the IP addresses for those two?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
A. Along with Officer Calloway.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Q. And what did that investigation
reveal? Were you able to determine based on your investigation with Comcast and
Century Link who owned those IP addresses?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Defense counsel: Objection. I renew my
objection.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The Court: Overruled. There's been an
adequate foundation in the context of the investigation for this officer to
testify. It doesn't step over into expert testimony in my view. Overruled. You
may answer that question.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
A. Yes, we completed a production of
records search warrant and sent them to the companies requested on who owns the
IP addresses.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Q. And what was the result of that
investigation?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
A. One address returned back to
[Garrison's wife's home].... And the other one returned back to her
employer....<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Garrison</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion then explains that Officer Charles Calloway <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
testified next, also as a lay witness.
By now, the trial court had given defense counsel a standing objection. According
to Calloway:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
`Q. You got an IP address, a couple of
IP addresses that you said were associated with the [Gmail account]. You said
that you sent those to your computer guys, investigation folks?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
A. Yes.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Q. And then what is the next step in
the process?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
A. ... those IP addresses came to
Century Link and Comcast which I sent search warrants to both Century Link and
Comcast.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Q. What were the results of those
search warrants?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
A. One came back to the address [of
Garrison's wife and the other to her employer]....’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
At the end of Calloway's testimony, the
trial court asked him a juror's question: `Regarding the warrant to Google,
what specific information was requested? Was there just a date range only
requested or specific account names only?’ Calloway answered:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
`The warrant to Google what I was
requesting is all pretty much everything I can get from Google: The names, log
in times, log out times. Anything dealing with that account. And what they
produced back is to gave [sic] me a disk which had a lot of information on
there. And one of the sheets on the paper were IP addresses. And those
had—there were two distinct IP addresses.... [B]ut those two IP addresses it
was determined came from singularly from Century Link and Comcast.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
`And the thing with Google when people
create a[n] account with Google like any [of] us can go on Google and create an
account, that's like a public account type. So what they give you is an IP
addresses back. And then from there you see who is the provider. Century Link
and Comcast. And so another warrant had to be done that way to find out where
those locations are coming from. Because the IP address is as it says like an
address of that computer specific on there. So that's the information I got
back.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Garrison</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At this point, the opinion explains that the “`sheets of
paper’ to which Calloway referred included the following undifferentiated
character string’”, which I am not including in this post due to formatting
issues. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Garrison</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then began its analysis of the fact,
law and arguments in this appeal, explaining, initially, that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[a]s always, a trial court's
evidentiary rulings—including those involving expert testimony—are reviewed for
an abuse of discretion. <i>People v. Howard-Walker</i>, 2017 COA 81M, ¶
44, ––– P.3d ––––. The trial court abuses its discretion if, among other
things, its decision `is based on a misunderstanding or misapplication of the
law.’ <i>People v. Thompson</i>, 2017 COA 56, ¶ 91, ––– P.3d ––––.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
When an abuse of discretion occurs, `[w]e
review nonconstitutional trial errors that were preserved by objection for
harmless error.’ <i>Howard-Walker</i>, ¶ 44 (citation omitted).
Evidentiary rulings involving experts are reviewed as such errors. Under this
standard, reversal results only if the error `substantially influenced the
verdict or affected the fairness of the trial proceedings.’ <i>Id.</i> (citation
omitted).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Garrison</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion then explains that <a href="http://www.boulder-bar.org/bar_media_manual/evidence/13.11.html">Colorado Rules of Evidence Rule 701</a> “governs admission of lay testimony” and provides as follows:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[i]f the witness is not testifying as
an expert, the witness' testimony in the form of opinions or inferences is
limited to those opinions or inferences which are (a) rationally based on the
perception of the witness, (b) helpful to a clear understanding of the witness'
testimony or the determination of a fact in issue, and (c) not based on
scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge within the scope of Rule
702.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Garrison</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court then explained that after Garrison’s trial, the
Colorado Supreme Court “`clarified the standards that distinguishes lay
testimony from expert testimony.’” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People
v. Garrison</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>. It explained
that the court should <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
`[t]ake the standard first. To
determine `whether testimony is lay testimony under Colorado Rule of Evidence
701 or expert testimony under Colorado Rule of Evidence 702, the trial
court must look to the basis for the opinion.’ <i>Venalonzo</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">v. People</i>, 388 P.3d 868 (Colorado
Supreme Court). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Then consider its reasoning. To
distinguish between lay and expert testimony, `the proper inquiry is not
whether a witness draws on her personal experiences to inform her testimony;
all witnesses rely on their personal experience when testifying.’ <i>Id.</i>at
¶ 22. Rather, `the nature of the experiences that could form the opinion's
basis ... determines whether the testimony is lay or expert opinion.’ So,
expert testimony `is that which goes beyond the realm of common experience and
requires experience, skills, or knowledge that the ordinary person would not
have.’ <i>Id.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The supreme court recognized that this
`distinction can be a difficult one.’ <i>Id.</i> at ¶ 24. To be sure,
`[t]his is particularly the case when the witness is a police officer.’ <i>Howard-Walker</i>,
¶ 51.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Garrison</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals went on to analyze how it should decide
what, if anything, the usual lay person can be expected to know about IP
addresses and email transmission. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People
v. Garrison</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>. It explained
that two of the cases the Attorney General cited in the prosecution’s brief <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
persuade us that the concept of an
e-mail transmission including an IP address, which can be linked to an ISP, and
in turn traced to the physical location of a particular ISP customer, is not
within the knowledge or experience of ordinary people. Thus, because some of
the police testimony on direct examination was based on particular experience
and specialized knowledge within the scope of [Colorado Rule of Evidence] Rule
702, we conclude that the trial court abused its discretion in admitting this
portion of the testimony as lay testimony.<a href="https://1.next.westlaw.com/Document/Ibd03e7a07e2c11e7a3f3a229dca6c9c6/View/FullText.html?navigationPath=Search%2Fv3%2Fsearch%2Fresults%2Fnavigation%2Fi0ad6ad3e0000015e91a55f482cc925c5%3FNav%3DCASE%26fragmentIdentifier%3DIbd03e7a07e2c11e7a3f3a229dca6c9c6%26startIndex%3D1%26contextData%3D%2528sc.Search%2529%26transitionType%3DSearchItem&listSource=Search&listPageSource=9d1a8d84aba67763ee2faf536ef7f169&list=CASE&rank=2&sessionScopeId=69b6a4ad2c392e4f9328328bed6b356e841f54ae3110c2efdb11ea839ee383b4&originationContext=Search%20Result&transitionType=SearchItem&contextData=%28sc.Search%29#co_footnote_B00092042333974"><sup>9</sup></a> <i>See</i> Colorado
Rule of Evidence] Rule 701(c).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Garrison</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court therefore went on to hold that <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
we conclude that Garrison is entitled
to a new trial on his convictions for first degree perjury, attempt to
influence a public servant (three counts), and conspiracy to attempt to
influence a public servant, all of which turned on the e-mails which the Garrisons
presented as having come from the victim.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Garrison</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.</div>
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</style>Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-73607219806239713742017-09-15T18:03:00.003-04:002017-09-15T18:03:49.908-04:00The Judge, the Email and “Violating a Criminal Protection Order”<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bItEtWIuYuE/WbxKq6WC9II/AAAAAAAAF2s/UFrez9Sveqs4AbyhOyTfWzBCDx67Hv_CgCLcBGAs/s1600/Oregon_Supreme_Court_courtroom_doors2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bItEtWIuYuE/WbxKq6WC9II/AAAAAAAAF2s/UFrez9Sveqs4AbyhOyTfWzBCDx67Hv_CgCLcBGAs/s320/Oregon_Supreme_Court_courtroom_doors2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This post examines an opinion issued by the Presiding
Disciplinary Judge of the <a href="http://www.coloradopdj.com/">Supreme Court of Colorado</a>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Lesuer</i>, 2017 WL 3588713. The opinion begins by explaining
that the<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Presiding Disciplinary Judge approved the parties'
conditional admission of misconduct and suspended James D. Lesuer (attorney
registration number 18379) for six months, effective August 11, 2017.<br /><o:p> </o:p>In January 2014, a t<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restraining_order">emporary protection order</a> was entered
against Lesuer, forbidding him to contact his ex-wife. In March 2014, Lesuer
sent his ex-wife a text message. He was arrested, was <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">convicted</span> of a violation of the
protection order, and received a deferred judgment. In November 2014, Lesuer
contacted his ex-wife by <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span>.
He was again arrested and was <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">convicted</span> of
violating a criminal protection order, a class-one <a href="http://misdemeanor./">misdemeanor.</a> He was
sentenced to sixty days in jail and two years of supervised probation. His
deferred judgment was also revoked. Lesuer failed to report both of his
convictions to disciplinary authorities.</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Lesuer,
supra.</i></div>
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The opinion goes on to explain what happened next, i.e.,
that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[i]n October 2016, Lesuer violated a
protection order by contacting his ex-wife via an online mail service. He was
arrested, charged with violating a protective order, and released on bond. He
then emailed his ex-wife again in November 2016. He was again arrested and
charged. In April 2017, Lesuer pleaded guilty to violating a protective order
in one case in exchange for the dismissal of the second case. He was sentenced
in June 2017 to 120 days in jail. He was later placed on work release.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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In this matter, Lesuer violated <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/ethics/co/code/CRule_8.4.htm">Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct 8.4(b)</a> (a lawyer shall not commit a criminal
act that reflects adversely on the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, or
fitness as a lawyer in other respects); Colorado Rules of Procedure Regarding
Attorney Discipline 251.5(b (any criminal act that reflects adversely on
the lawyer's honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer amounts to
grounds for discipline); and Colorado Rules of Procedure Regarding
Attorney Discipline 251.20(b) (a lawyer shall notify disciplinary
authorities of any conviction within fourteen days of the conviction).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Lesuer,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<i style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></i>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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</style>Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-49550854265324205702017-09-11T16:47:00.000-04:002017-09-11T16:47:06.205-04:00“Doing Something on a Laptop,” Ineffective Assistance of Counsel and the Bench Trial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2jqjKs-Uxck/WbbyIHDcNsI/AAAAAAAAF2M/qOr-NePmxaMAtiVTXJ7GwHiUHjUtZxrDwCLcBGAs/s1600/Lake_County_Courthouse_in_Waukegan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2jqjKs-Uxck/WbbyIHDcNsI/AAAAAAAAF2M/qOr-NePmxaMAtiVTXJ7GwHiUHjUtZxrDwCLcBGAs/s320/Lake_County_Courthouse_in_Waukegan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post examines a recent decision from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illinois_Appellate_Court">Appellate Court of Illinois – Second Distric</a>t: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People
v. Perry,</i> 2017 WL 3328365 (2017). The court began the opinion by explaining
that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the trial court properly summarily
dismissed defendant's <a href="http://law.justia.com/codes/illinois/2005/chapter54/61359.html">postconviction</a> petition, which alleged that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ineffective_assistance_of_counsel">appellate counsel had been ineffective</a> for failing to argue that the State presented
false testimony to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_juries_in_the_United_States#Federal_law">grand jury</a>: defendant did not demonstrate that the
testimony at issue was even arguably false and, in any event, defendant did not
provide the entirety of the grand-jury testimony and thus we could not
determine that the grand jury, even arguably, would not have indicted him
absent that testimony.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Defendant, Clarence E. Perry, appeals the
trial court's order summarily dismissing his postconviction petition. He
contends that he stated the gist of a meritorious claim that his appellate
counsel was <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ineffective_assistance_of_counsel">ineffective</a> for not arguing that the State knowingly used false or
misleading testimony to obtain the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indictment">indictment</a>. . . .<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Perry, supra</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Appellate Court went on to explain that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> [f]ollowing a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bench_trial#United_States">bench trial</a>,
defendant was <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">convicted</span> of
two counts of online theft by deception (<a href="http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=072000050K16-40">720 [Illinois Compiled Statutes]5/16–40(b)</a> (West 2012)). At that trial, Tannie Wilson testified that he
owned Wilson Maintenance Company. In April and May 2012, he received two
invoices from Grainger Corp. totaling more than $10,000 for merchandise that he
did not order. Both invoices listed the purchaser as Cheryl Curry. The shipping
address was a Smartstop storage facility, and the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">e</span>-<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">mail</span> address
was in the name of Edward Johnson. Wilson recognized neither name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Perry,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The court then explained what happened next:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After receiving the first invoice,
Wilson called Grainger. Kenneth Boyd, Grainger's loss-prevention specialist,
discovered that the order was placed from Grainger's website. With his
suspicions thus aroused, Boyd noticed that, when the second order came in, the
shipping address was the same storage facility in Cicero as the first order.
Both orders listed the name Cheryl Curry and the e-mail address
edwardjohnson491@yahoo.com. The Internet protocol (IP) address on both forms
was 99.179.146.37.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Boyd contacted Lincolnshire detective
Adam Hyde. They placed a tracking device on one of the boxes shipped with the
second order. Hyde later recovered that device from a box found in the basement
of a Maywood address that Hyde knew was the residence of defendant's brother,
Elgin Perry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An employee of the storage facility
provided Hyde with information about a rented storage locker, as well as Cheryl
Curry's phone number. Curry said that she picked up the packages for a person
she knew as `Snag.’ From a photographic array, she identified defendant as
`Snag.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hyde also requested business records
from AT&T regarding the IP address 99.179.146.37. Based on the information
he received, he obtained a search warrant for 2007 12th Avenue in Maywood. He
executed the warrant with Dean Kharasch, cybercrimes investigator for the Lake
County State's Attorney's office. While there, Kharasch discovered a U–verse
wireless router and an HP laptop. Kharasch learned that the home's Internet
signal was an unsecured wireless signal, meaning that it was not
password-protected. The IP address for the laptop was 99.179.146.37.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Perry,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The opinion then explains that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kharasch testified that the wireless
account had been accessed at one time or another by at least 20 different
devices. The homeowner, Jennifer Jackson, recognized only two of those devices,
the laptop and a wireless printer. The other devices that accessed the network
had been used outside the residence. Another indicator that `outside subjects’
were using the wireless connection without the Jackson's authority came from
Hyde, who told Kharasch that someone had told him that `a subject by the
nickname of “Snag” would sit in a vehicle down the street using this witness's
wireless connection.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the search-warrant application, Hyde
wrote that, while at the residence, the next-door neighbors approached him and
said that `Snag,’ whom they identified as defendant, frequented the area.
Driving a cream-colored Buick, he would park halfway down the block from the
house. According to the neighbors, `He sits in the car doing something, and
then drives away.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On cross-examination, defendant asked
Hyde whether `[t]his phantom someone came up to you and told you that Snag
sometimes parks on the block and sits in his car and does something that they
don't know, is that correct?’ Hyde replied, `A gentleman does do that. And a
group of gentlemen said that to us, yes.’<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Perry,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since this case presented a rather complicated set of facts,
the court went on to outline what happened next:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A consensual search of Elgin Perry's
house revealed that it had no Internet connection. However, an office was set
up in the basement with a computer, some other equipment, and two cell phones.
Hyde returned to Elgin Perry's house later to attempt to speak with defendant.
As Hyde approached, defendant stood up and ran, jumped the fence behind the
house, and ran into an apartment complex.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A former Grainger branch manager
testified that defendant worked for the company for two or three months during
the summer of 2005. During that time, he could have had access to customer
account information.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Curry testified that she met defendant
through a mutual friend. Defendant asked her if she would be willing to rent a
storage locker. She and defendant drove to the facility and she went in and
paid the rent. A week later, she returned to the facility to pick up packages
that Grainger had sent there. She brought them back to Maywood, and defendant
put them in a garage. Approximately a week later, she picked up more packages
from the same location. defendant once again took the packages and put them in
the garage.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Perry,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The opinion then takes up Perry’s prosecution, explaining
that the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">parties <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stipulation">stipulated</a> to defendant's
conviction of computer fraud, which was introduced to show common design and
knowledge. The earlier case involved defendant using customer account numbers
to place fraudulent online orders with Grainger. The orders were then shipped
to a storage locker, which was opened in another person's name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The court found defendant guilty on
both counts and sentenced him to concurrent 12–year prison terms. On direct
appeal, defendant argued that the trial court erred in denying a motion to
dismiss for improper venue. This court affirmed. <i>People v. Perry</i>,
2014 IL App (2d) 130397–U.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Defendant then filed a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post_conviction">postconviction petition</a> in which he contended, <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Latin_phrases_(I)#inter_alia">inter alia</a></i>, that appellate counsel
was ineffective for failing to argue that his <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Due_process">due process</a> rights were violated
when the prosecutor presented false or misleading evidence to the grand jury.
The court summarily dismissed the petition, and defendant timely appeals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Perry,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The court then took up the arguments Perry made on appeal,
beginning with his claim that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the court should not have dismissed his
petition summarily, because it stated at least the gist of a claim that
appellate counsel was ineffective. He points out that Hyde told the grand
jury that neighbors said they saw defendant in the neighborhood of the 12th
Avenue home doing something `on a <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">laptop</span>,’
while in his application for a search warrant and at trial, he related that the
neighbors merely saw defendant `doing something.’ Defendant contends that,
given the low threshold presented by the `gist’ standard at the first stage of
postconviction review, it is at least arguable that, had the grand jurors not
been told that defendant was seen with a <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">laptop</span>, they might not have indicted him for crimes of <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">computer</span> fraud, and, thus,
appellate counsel was ineffective for not arguing this issue.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Perry,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The opinion goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[w]e begin our analysis of this issue
with a brief review of the Post–Conviction Hearing Act (the Act) (<a href="http://725%20illinois%20compiled%20statutes%205/122%E2%80%931">725 Illinois Compiled Statutes 5/122–1</a> <i>et seq.</i> (West 2016)). A proceeding
under the Act is not an appeal of a defendant's underlying conviction. Rather,
it is a collateral attack on the judgment. The purpose of the proceeding is to
resolve allegations that constitutional violations occurred at trial, when
those allegations have not been, and could not have been, adjudicated
previously. To be entitled to postconviction relief, the defendant bears the
burden of establishing a substantial deprivation of federal or state
constitutional rights. <i>People v. Evans</i>, 186 Ill. 2d 83, 89 (1999).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A proceeding under the Act may consist
of three stages. At the first stage, the court independently reviews the
petition to decide if it is `frivolous or is patently without merit.’ 725 Illinois
Compiled Statutes 5/122–2.1(a)(2) (West 2016). If the court reaches this
conclusion, it must dismiss the petition in a written order. 725 Illinois
Compiled Statutes 5/122–2.1(a)(2) (West 2016). A petition is considered `frivolous
or patently without merit only if the allegations in the petition, taken as
true and liberally construed, fail to present the ‘gist of a constitutional
claim.’ <i>People v. Edwards</i>, 197 Ill. 2d 239, 244 (2001) (quoting <i>People
v. Gaultney</i>, 174 Ill. 2d 410, 418 (1996)). The `gist’ standard is `”a low threshold.”’
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Id.</i> (quoting <i>Gaultney</i>, 174
Ill. 2d at 418)). To set forth the `gist’ of a constitutional claim, a petition
`need only present a limited amount of detail’ (<i>Gaultney</i>, 174 Ill. 2d at
418) and, thus, need not set forth the claim in its entirety. The petition need
not include `legal arguments or [citations] to legal authority.’ <i>Id.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Perry,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The court, though, also goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[h]owever, the recognition of a low
threshold does not mean that a <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro_se_legal_representation_in_the_United_States">pro se</a></i> petitioner is excused
from providing any factual detail at all surrounding the alleged violation.
Section 122–2 also provides that `[t]he petition shall have attached thereto
affidavits, records, or other evidence supporting its allegations or shall
state why the same are not attached.’ 725 Illinois Compiled Statutes
5/122–2 (West 2016). `The purpose of the ‘affidavits, records, or other
evidence’ requirement is to establish that a petition's allegations are capable
of objective or independent corroboration.’ <i>People v. Hodges</i>, 234
Ill. 2d 1, 10 (2009).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A claim of ineffective assistance of
appellate counsel is cognizable in a postconviction petition. To successfully
state such a claim, a defendant must show that the failure to raise an issue
was objectively unreasonable and that the decision prejudiced the defendant. <i>People
v. Easley</i>, 192 Ill. 2d 307, 328–29 (2000). Appellate counsel is not
obligated to brief every conceivable issue on appeal, and it is not
incompetence of counsel to refrain from raising issues that, in his or her
judgment, are without merit, unless counsel's appraisal of the merits is
patently wrong. Accordingly, unless the underlying issue is meritorious,
the defendant has suffered no prejudice from counsel's failure to raise it on
appeal. <i>Id.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Perry,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Court went on to explain that <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Defendant argues that appellate counsel
should have argued that the prosecution presented misleading evidence to the
grand jury. We disagree. Initially, Hyde's statements are not fundamentally
inconsistent. `Doing something on a laptop’ is `doing something,’ so the
statements are consistent. Defendant's entire argument, then, is based on the
fact that Hyde omitted the detail `on a laptop’ from the search-warrant
application. Why he did so is unknown. Perhaps he simply forgot. However, his
failure to include this detail in the warrant application does not even
arguably show that the reference in his grand-jury testimony to a laptop was
invented.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Defendant makes much of the fact that
Hyde did not testify at trial that the neighbors told him that defendant was
using a laptop. However, as the State points out, the prosecutor did not ask
Hyde about the statement at all on direct examination (perhaps because it was
hearsay). Hyde's only mention of it consisted of answering on cross-examination
defendant's leading questions, which in turn were based on the warrant
application.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Interestingly, Kharasch testified that
Hyde told him that neighbors said that Snag `would sit in a vehicle down the
street using this witness's wireless connection.’ From this version of the
statement, it is at least inferable that the neighbors did in fact tell Hyde
that they saw defendant with a computer. Alternatively, if what the neighbors
told Hyde was that they saw defendant using Williams's wireless connection, it
was reasonable for Hyde to infer that he was using a laptop to do so<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Perry,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The court then explains that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[i]n any event, even assuming that
Hyde's statement about the laptop was utterly false, the ultimate question is
to what extent the statement influenced the grand jury's deliberations. `”The
due process rights of a defendant may be violated if the prosecutor
deliberately or intentionally misleads the grand jury, uses known perjured or
false testimony, or presents other deceptive or inaccurate evidence.”’ <i>People
v. Oliver</i>, 368 Ill. App. 3d 690, 694 (2006) (quoting <i>People v.
DiVincenzo,</i> 183 Ill. 2d 239, 257 (1998)). However, to permit the
dismissal of an indictment, the denial of due process must be unequivocally
clear and the prejudice must be actual and substantial. <i>Id.</i> at
694–95.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In <i>Oliver</i>, on which defendant
relies, we said that `it seems fairly self-evident’ that a due-process
violation based on prosecutorial misconduct before a grand jury is actually
prejudicial only if without it the grand jury would not have returned an
indictment. <i>Id.</i> at 696–97. We cannot make that critical
determination here, because we do not know what other evidence the grand jury
heard. Defendant's petition includes only the page containing the allegedly
offending statement. Without knowing the rest of the evidence that the grand
jury heard, we cannot assess the impact of Hyde's statement on the jury's
deliberations. The State argues that, if the evidence was similar to that
presented at trial, the grand jury had ample other evidence on which to base an
indictment. However, this requires us to speculate, and we need not do so.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Perry,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The court went on to explain that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[a]s noted, the Act requires that a
petition shall have attached thereto `affidavits, records, or other evidence
supporting its allegations or shall state why the same are not attached.’ 725
ILCS 5/122–2 (West 2016). Defendant argues that, to state the gist of a claim,
it need only be `arguable’ that the alleged violation prejudiced him. However,
the `arguable’ claim must still have factual support. A reasonably clever
defendant can always construct a hypothetical argument, but the purpose of the
evidentiary-support requirement is to demonstrate that the critical allegations
underlying the argument can be independently corroborated. <i>Hodges</i>,
234 Ill. 2d at 10. Thus, the record does not demonstrate that any alleged
violation prejudiced defendant, <i>i.e.</i>, that the grand jury would not
have indicted him but for the challenged statement.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The judgment of the circuit court of
Lake County is affirmed. As part of our judgment, we grant the State's request
that defendant be assessed $50 as costs for this appeal. 55 ILCS
5/4–2002(a) (West 2016); <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">see
also <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">People v. Nicholls</span></i>,
71 Ill. 2d 166, 178 (1978).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Perry,
supra.</i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></div>
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-->Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-37711687420646537282017-09-01T09:52:00.001-04:002017-09-01T09:52:14.564-04:00Murder, the Facebook Message and Self-Defense<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zhu7eDEmt9s/WaliAd8739I/AAAAAAAAF14/m_O9v5teY8oCvDQbz2jRiLCuLb6Fj1DawCLcBGAs/s1600/Grant_County_Courthouse_in_Marion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Zhu7eDEmt9s/WaliAd8739I/AAAAAAAAF14/m_O9v5teY8oCvDQbz2jRiLCuLb6Fj1DawCLcBGAs/s320/Grant_County_Courthouse_in_Marion.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
T<span style="font-size: 11pt;">This post examines a recent opinion from the Court of
Appeals of Indiana:</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><i style="font-size: 11pt;">Richardson v. State,</i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> 2017 WL 2872300 (2017). The court began the
opinion by explaining that “Appellant-Defendant, Terrance L. Richardson (Richardson), appeals his conviction for murder, a felony, <a href="http://codes.findlaw.com/in/title-35-criminal-law-and-procedure/in-code-sect-35-42-2-1.html">Ind. Code § 35-42-1-1</a>.” </span><i style="font-size: 11pt;">Richardson v. State, supra.</i></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court goes on to explain that <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
Richardson raises two issues for our
review, which we restate as:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
(1)
Whether the trial court abused its discretion when it excluded a Facebook message from the
evidence presented at trial; and<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
(2) Whether the State presented
sufficient evidence beyond a reasonable doubt to rebut Richardson's claim of
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-defense_(United_States)">self-defense</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Richardson v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then began explaining how, and why,
this prosecution arose:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
On the afternoon of October 4, 2015,
Richardson, and his three friends, Jalen Heffner (Heffner), Kaylend Gilbert
(Gilbert), and Steven Kendall (Kendall)—all approximately seventeen years
old—walked together to the New York Express convenience store, located at 2801
East New York Street—on the corner of Rural Street and New York Street—in
Indianapolis, Indiana. Richardson and Gilbert entered the store, while Heffner
and Kendall waited outside. After a short while, Kendall walked around the
corner of the store, while Heffner sat on the curb in front of the store's
entrance. A couple of seconds after Kendall walked around the corner,
Richardson exited the store and joined Heffner on the curb; Gilbert remained
inside, waiting in line at the cash register. When his purchase was complete,
Gilbert joined Richardson and Heffner at the curb, just as Kendall turned the
corner and walked towards them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
About a minute later, the group turned
their attention to Rural Street as a black car pulled up. Richardson, Heffner,
and Gilbert moved toward the vehicle and leaned into the passenger side window
to start conversing with the occupant. Kendall hung back, remaining on the
curb. Eventually, Kendall walked towards the vehicle and appeared to speak with
the occupant. Then, Richardson, Gilbert, and Kendall moved away and began
talking amongst themselves on the curb; Heffner remained at the vehicle. During
the conversation, Kendall lifted his shirt with both hands and showed the other
two a black item—appearing to be a gun—in the waistband of his pants. A couple
of seconds later, Heffner shook hands with the occupant of the vehicle, which
then drove away. All four talked briefly in front of the store, before walking
away. Approximately thirty seconds later, Heffner and Richardson returned to
the store. Upon entering, they immediately walked toward the back where Heffner
reached in his right-hand pocket and handed Richardson a black object, which
Richardson quickly pocketed in his jacket. The two then exited the store
without making a purchase.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Richardson v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court goes on to explain that the<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
four boys walked together to the
parking lot behind the convenience store. Behind the store, Kendall stopped
first. Richardson turned and walked back to Kendall, leaning down briefly with
his hands on his knees. Richardson then faced Kendall and put his hand in his
jacket. Heffner faced Kendall at the opposite side of Richardson. Richardson
pulled out a gun and abruptly lunged at Kendall. Kendall put his left hand out
to ward off the attack, and Richardson fired a single shot into Kendall's
chest.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
Heffner immediately sprinted back to
the front parking lot of the New York Express. Richardson and Gilbert ran into
each other as they fled towards Rural Street, causing Gilbert to drop his
cellphone. Richardson, Gilbert, and Heffner met up after crossing the street
and started walking as if nothing had happened. Although shot, Kendall managed
to run in the opposite direction. As he ran, he dropped his gun. Seconds after
he picked up the gun, he collapsed on the sidewalk and died.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
When law enforcement arrived, they
discovered Kendall face-first on the concrete, showing no signs of life. They
recovered a handgun a few feet from Kendall's body. The handgun was fully
loaded but did not have a bullet in the chamber. Forensic testing of the
firearm revealed that it was not the weapon that had fired the fatal shot. A
cellphone was recovered from Kendall's body. Another cellphone, later
determined to belong to Gilbert, was found in the parking lot where Richardson
and Gilbert had bumped into each other as they fled. Police officers obtained
the surveillance footage from the New York Express and from the remodeling
business, which allowed the officers to quickly identify the individuals
involved.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Richardson v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court concludes the introductory portion of the opinion
by explaining that on<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
October 5, 2015, the State filed an
Information charging Richardson with murder, a felony. On November 14 through
16, 2016, the trial court conducted a joint bench trial for Richardson,
Heffner, and Gilbert.<sup> </sup> At the
close of the evidence, the trial court found Richardson guilty as charged, but found
Gilbert and Heffner not guilty.
On December 1, 2016, the trial court sentenced Richardson to fifty-five years
executed in the Indiana Department of Correction.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
Richardson now appeals. Additional
facts will be provided if necessary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Richardson v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court appended a footnote after the second sentence in
the passage quoted above, in which it explained that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
[a]ll three defendants were charged
with murder, but only Richardson was found guilty. The trial court did not find sufficient evidence to prove
beyond a reasonable doubt that Heffner and Gilbert were knowing <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accomplice">accomplices</a> in
Kendall's murder.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<i>Richardson
v. State, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
As noted above, Richardson raised two
issues in his appeal: one of which was that the court “abused its discretion”
when it excluded “a Facebook message” from the evidence that was introduced at
trial. <i>Richardson v. State, supra.</i>
The other issue was whether the prosecution “presented sufficient evidence
beyond a reasonable doubt to rebut Richardson's claim of self-defense.” <i>Richardson v. State, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
The Court of Appeals then began its
analysis of the arguments and facts outlined above in a section of the opinion
that is entitled “discussion and decision.” <i>Richardson
v. State, supra.</i> This post examines those issues in the order that the
Court of Appeals followed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
The court therefore began its analysis
with Richardson’s argument concerning the trial judge’s excluding the Facebook
message:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
Richardson contends that the trial
court abused its discretion when it excluded a Facebook message between Kendall
and a third party from the evidence admitted at trial. The trial court has
inherent discretionary power over the admission of evidence, and its decisions
are reviewed only for an abuse of that discretion. <i>Bowman v. State</i>,
73 N.E.3d 731, 734 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017), <i>trans. denied</i>.
Accordingly, we will reverse the trial court's decision only when it is clearly
against the facts and circumstances before the court. <i>Id</i>. Even
if the trial court abused its discretion in admitting evidence, the judgment
will be undisturbed if the decision to admit evidence is harmless error. <i>Id</i>. `Harmless
error occurs “when the conviction is supported by such substantial independent
evidence of guilt as to satisfy the reviewing court that there is no
substantial likelihood that the questioned evidence contributed to the
conviction.”’ <i>Id</i>. (quoting <i>Lafayette v. State</i>, 917
N.E.2d 660, 666 (Ind. 2009)).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
During his case-in-chief, Kendall
called Detective Grant Melton of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police
Department (Detective Melton). Detective Melton testified about his examination
of the password-protected cellphone that had been recovered from Kendall's
body. During his examination, Detective Melton retrieved a Facebook profile under the name
`Bandman Trapp.’ (Transcript Vol. III, p. 63). Through Facebook's Messenger application,
Detective Melton discovered a conversation between Bandman Trapp and another
account with the name `Little L Mike Brookside’ from a couple days prior to the
shooting. (Tr. Vol. III, p. 64). Richardson moved to admit the message and the
State objected on grounds of improper <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foundation_(evidence)">foundation</a>, relevance, and hearsay.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
After the trial court expressed
concerns about the evidentiary foundation of the message, Richardson questioned
Detective Melton about the author of the message and the recovery of the data
during follow-up questioning. Upon being interrogated by the State, Detective
Melton noted that the Facebook account could not only be accessed through the
cellphone that was recovered at the scene, but could also be accessed through
any computer or any
other telephone. `Other than [ ] having seen Bandman Trapp on that message,’
Detective Melton had `no idea who made that statement or who composed that
message.’ (Tr. Vol. III, p. 72). He clarified that he did not know who composed
the message because anyone could sign into that account on a computer and compose the message
which `would then sync to that phone if it's signed into the account.’ (Tr.
Vol. III, p. 72). After the trial court denied the admission of the message
based on foundation grounds, Richardson made an offer to prove. In his offer to
prove, Richardson indicated that the exhibit would show that on October 1,
2015, Kendall, under his Facebook account of Bandman Trapp, messaged Little L
Mike Brookside, `Nah I'm boutta finesse hoodie for this strap but I need
you[,]’ which Richardson represented to mean, `I'm about to rob somebody for a
black gun.’ (Tr. Vol. III, pp. 83, 84).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Richardson v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then explained that to<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
lay a foundation for the admission of
evidence, the proponent of the evidence must show that it has been
authenticated.” <i>Hape v. State</i>, 903 N.E.2d 977, 989 (Ind. Ct. App.
2009), <i>trans. denied</i>. <a href="http://www.in.gov/judiciary/rules/evidence/#_Toc373857096">Indiana Rule of Evidence 901(a) </a>provides
that `[t]o satisfy the requirement of authenticating or identifying an item of
evidence, the proponent must produce evidence sufficient to support a finding
that the item is what the proponent claims it is.’ Absolute proof of
authenticity is not required. <i>M.T.V. v. State</i>, 66 N.E.3d 960, 963
(Ind. Ct. App. 2016), <i>trans. denied</i>. Rather, the proponent of the
evidence must establish only a reasonable probability that the evidence is what
it is claimed to be, and may use direct or circumstantial evidence to do
so. <i>Pavlovich v. State</i>, 6 N.E.3d 969, 976 (Ind. Ct. App. 2014), <i>trans.
denied</i>. Once this reasonable probability is shown, any inconclusiveness of
the evidence's connection with the events at issue goes to evidential weight,
not admissibility. <i>Fry v. State</i>, 885 N.E.2d 742, 748 (Ind. Ct. App.
2008), <i>trans. denied</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
`Letters and words set down by
electronic recording and other forms of data compilation are included
within Rule 901(a).’ <i>Wilson v. State,</i> 30 N.E.3d 1264,
1268 (Ind. Ct. App. 2015), <i>trans. denied</i>. Moreover, Evidence Rule 901(b)
provides a non-exhaustive list of evidence that satisfies the authentication
requirement. One example is where there is evidence describing a process or
system and showing that it produces an accurate result. Evid. R. 901(b)(9).
Another example, provided in Evidence Rule 901(b)(4), is where, taken
together with all the circumstances, the evidence has distinctive
characteristics in appearance, contents, or substance. <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/fre/rule_901">Federal Rule of Evidence 901(b)(4)</a> uses language identical to that of Indiana Rule of
Evidence 901(b)(4). `We have previously acknowledged that federal courts have
recognized Federal Rule of Evidence 901(B)(4) as one of the most
frequently used means to authenticate electronic data, including text messages
and emails.’ <i>Wilson</i>,
30 N.E.3d at 1268.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Richardson v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals goes on to explain that in <i>Wilson</i>, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
we addressed whether messages sent
through a Twitter social
media account were properly authenticated as having been authored by the
defendant. <i>Id</i>. at 1268. During trial, a witness testified that she
often communicated with Wilson on Twitter
and had general knowledge of the account by its `@Nell_FearNoMan’
header. <i>Id</i>. at 1268-69. The contents of the account included
pictures depicting Wilson holding guns that matched the description of those
used in the crime. <i>Id</i>. at 1269. Moreover, there was testimony that
Wilson was affiliated with two gangs, and the @Neil_FearNoMan <span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Twitter</span><b style="font-size: 11pt;"> </b><span style="font-size: 11pt;">account frequently used
terms referring to those gangs, showing that the author of the messages was
affiliated with them. </span><i style="font-size: 11pt;">Id</i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">. We concluded that “`taken together,
the witness testimony identifying the </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Twitter</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> account as belonging to Wilson and the content posted
on the account, including pictures and gang references, are more than
sufficient to authenticate the </span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Twitter</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> posts
as being authored by Wilson.’ </span><i style="font-size: 11pt;">Id</i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
In <i>M.T.V</i>., M.T.V.
admitted, in an interview with law enforcement officers, to having had Facebook conversations with B.E.,
in which B.E. threatened to shoot up the school on April 20, 2018. <i>M.T.V</i>.,
66 N.E.3d at 963-64. The Facebook records
introduced at the hearing contained the content M.T.V. admitted to. <i>Id</i>.
at 964. Furthermore, in addition to having distinctive characteristics in
content, the Facebook records
were also supported by an affidavit from Facebook's authorized records custodian, which
specified, <i>inter alia</i>, that the records were made and kept by Facebook's automated systems and
were made at or near the time the Facebook user
transmitted the information. <i>Id</i>. At the hearing, law
enforcement testified that the procedure used to obtain the Facebook records was an ordinary
procedure, previously used for criminal investigations involving Facebook. <i>Id</i>. Concluding
that, collectively, the State had established the requisite reasonable
probability that the Facebook records
corresponded to M.T.V.'s and B.E.'s accounts and that M.T.V. and B.E. authored
the conversations therein, we found the records properly authenticated. <i>Id</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Richardson v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court goes on to point out that <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
[h]ere, Detective Melton described the
procedure used to unlock the password-protected cellphone and after opening up
the Facebook application,
he located an account under the name of Bandman Trapp. Upon preliminary
questioning by the State, Detective Melton explained that there are several
ways a Facebook account
could be accessed. He clarified that anyone who signed into the Facebook account, through a computer or cellphone, could
compose messages that would then sync to the Facebook application on the recovered cellphone. In other
words, Detective Melton had `no idea who made that statement or who composed
that message.’ (Tr. Vol. III, p. 72). Unlike the defendants in <i>Wilson</i> and <i>M.T.V.,</i> Richardson did not present any evidence describing
distinctive characteristics that could connect the particular statement to
Kendall, nor did he present any other indicia of reliability establishing
Kendall as the author of the contested statement. Accordingly, the trial court
did not abuse its discretion when it refused to admit the Facebook message.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Richardson v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then took up Richardson’s next
argument, <i>i.e.</i>, “that the State failed to present sufficient evidence beyond a
reasonable doubt to rebut his claim of self-defense.” <i>Richardson v. State, supra.</i> The court began this analysis by
explaining that the standard for <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
reviewing a challenge to
the sufficiency of evidence to rebut a claim of self-defense is the same
standard used for any claim of insufficient evidence. <i>Wilson v. State</i>,
770 N.E.2d 799, 801 (Ind. 2002). We neither reweigh the evidence nor judge the
credibility of witnesses. <i>Id</i>. If there is sufficient evidence of
probative value to support the conclusion of the trier of fact, the judgment
will not be disturbed. <i>Id.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
`A valid claim of self-defense is a
legal justification for an otherwise criminal act.’ <i>Henson v. State</i>,
786 N.E.2d 274, 277 (Ind. 2003). To prevail on his self-defense claim,
Richardson must show that he: (1) was in a place where he had a right to be;
(2) acted without fault; and (3) was in reasonable fear of apprehension of
bodily harm. <a href="about:invalid#zClosurez">Indiana Code § 35-41-3-2</a>; <i>Henson v. State</i>, 786 N.E.2d 274,
277 (Ind. 2003). A person who provokes, instigates, or participates willingly
in the violence does not act without fault for the purposes of
self-defense. <i>Shoultz v. State</i>, 995 N.E.2d 647, 660 (Ind. Ct. App.
2013), <i>trans. denied</i>. A mutual combatant, whether or not the
initial aggressor, must declare an armistice before he may claim
self-defense. <i>Wilson</i>, 770 N.E.2d at 801.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Richardson v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[w]hen self-defense is
raised and finds support in the evidence, the State bears the burden of negating
at least one of the necessary elements. </span><a href="https://1.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=2002406595&pubNum=0000578&originatingDoc=Idfc6d280627e11e7a3f3a229dca6c9c6&refType=RP&fi=co_pp_sp_578_800&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)#co_pp_sp_578_800"><em><span style="color: #145da4; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">Id</span></em><span style="color: #145da4; font-size: 10.5pt; text-decoration-line: none;">. at 800</span></a><span style="color: #212121; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">.
The State may meet this burden by offering evidence directly rebutting the
defense, by affirmatively showing that the defendant did not act in
self-defense, or by relying on the sufficiency of the evidence from its
case-in-chief. <i>Miller v. State</i>, 720
N.E.2d 696, 700 (Ind. 1999). If a defendant is </span><span class="cosearchterm"><i><span style="color: #252525; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">convicted</span></i></span><span style="color: #212121; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> despite
his self-defense claims, we will reverse only if no reasonable person could say
that self-defense was negated beyond a reasonable doubt. <i>Wilson</i>, 770 N.E.2d at 801.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Richardson v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals goes on to analyze Richardson’s claim
of self-defense which It describes as resting<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
entirely on Gilbert's testimony and the
surveillance video of the incident. He presented a theory that he shot Kendall
in response to Kendall grabbing a gun from his waistband and clicking the
trigger, which failed to fire because there was no bullet in the chamber. Upon
rendering its guilty judgment,
the trial court discussed Richardson's self-defense claim as follows:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
`The [c]ourt finds that first at
looking at this, and as I indicated, I looked at this, the tapes for about four
hours last night and I looked at, again, reviewed two critical parts of the
tape, one the part of the shooting, the second, the part of the grocery store
and whether or not there was a handoff of a weapon or not. Those to me were the
two critical points at issue.... The [c]ourt does not believe that this was
self-defense. It believes the State's case in chief proved beyond a reasonable
doubt, one, that [Richardson] did fire the shot and did knowingly killed
[Kendall], two, that it was not a matter of self-defense. The film does not
show the decedent in this case attacking anyone, raising his hands or doing
anything, even if he had his hand on the gun outside. [Gilbert] is simply not
credible on this point. [Gilbert's] testimony indicates he was standing not
near—that he was merely watching and not doing anything, the tape is pretty
clear to the [c]ourt that once [Richardson] shoots [Kendall], everybody is
moving and everybody is moving quickly. And so the [c]ourt doesn't find him
credible on that point and does find the tape to be pretty clear, that the
[three defendants] fled the area, they did not return to the area in terms of a
self-defense claim, in the common language of things, they didn't stand their
ground, wait for the police and tell them that it was a justified shooting.
They didn't do anything to aid [Kendall]. And, again, this is someone,
according to [Gilbert], they were all friends and had no beef against each
other and that they all got along ... This was a deliberate shooting. It was a
deliberate killing.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
(Tr. Vol. III, pp. 99-101).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Richardson v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion then goes on to explain that in his appeal,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
Richardson urges us to re-interpret the
images captured by the surveillance video to find that Kendall made a movement
`which could have been a reach for his loaded weapon’ immediately before
Richardson pointed a gun and shot Kendall. (Appellant's Br. p. 20). He also
argues that the trial court `could not properly consider Gilbert's testimony,
and any lack of his credibility, as evidence against Richardson.’ (Appellant's
Br. p. 17). However, as there were no eyewitnesses to the killing and Gilbert
was the only defendant testifying, Richardson relied on Gilbert's version of
the facts in addition to his interpretation of the surveillance video to
bolster his claim of self-defense. In fact, during closing argument, Richardson
compared Gilbert's testimony and the images captured on the surveillance tapes
almost side-by-side, noting that `Gilbert got up there and told the truth.’
(Tr. Vol. III, p. 93). If any error existed in the trial court's consideration
of Gilbert's testimony when weighing its judgment against Richardson, it was
invited by Richardson and he cannot now be heard to complain. In other words,
Richardson's entire argument is an invitation to reweigh the evidence displayed
on the surveillance video and Gilbert's credibility. We decline to accept his
invitation. <i>See Wilson</i>, 770 N.E.2d at 801.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<b> CONCLUSION<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
Based on the foregoing, we hold that
the trial court properly excluded a Facebook<b> </b>message from the evidence at trial; and the State
presented sufficient evidence beyond a reasonable doubt to rebut Richardson's
claim of self-defense.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Richardson v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals therefore affirmed Richardson’s
conviction for murder. <i>Richardson v.
State, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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</style>Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-54023617280127801782017-08-31T16:01:00.002-04:002017-08-31T16:01:51.379-04:00“Compelling Prostitution,” the Social Networking Website and the Search Warrant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RP9FL2LjYxs/WahodExoKLI/AAAAAAAAF1k/s-yHSyY72_0r5N17hEOgRDNk_DqMqOCmACLcBGAs/s1600/Bexar_County_Court_House_Postcard_Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="518" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RP9FL2LjYxs/WahodExoKLI/AAAAAAAAF1k/s-yHSyY72_0r5N17hEOgRDNk_DqMqOCmACLcBGAs/s320/Bexar_County_Court_House_Postcard_Image.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This post examines a recent opinion from the <a href="http://www.txcourts.gov/4thcoa">Court of Appeals of Texas, San Antonio</a>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murray v.
State</i>, 2017 WL 2664436. The court begins the opinion by describing the
history of the case:<o:p></o:p></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Allen John Murray was <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">convicted</span> by a jury of compelling
prostitution. To support this conviction, the State introduced into evidence
pictures, private messages, and other electronic data from a <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> account assigned to
Murray. On appeal, Murray contends: (1) the affidavit supporting the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_warrant#United_States">search warrant</a> did not establish <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Search_warrant#United_States">probable cause</a> to search Murray’s Facebook account
because it did not demonstrate the reliability of the informant or source of
information; and (2) the evidence the trial court admitted from the Facebook
account was not properly <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evidence_(law)#Authentication">authenticated</a>. We affirm the trial court's judgment of
conviction.</span></blockquote>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murray v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then went on to outline the relevant
facts in the prosecution:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
This case arose based upon an outcry
statement made by C.J., a 13-year-old girl, in which C.J. alleged she met Allen
John Murray after she ran away from home. C.J. claimed Murray took pictures of
her and posted them on his <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> page
to advertise her for sex. C.J. stated that at least three men came to Murray's
house, gave money to Murray and engaged in sexual intercourse with her. After
two days, C.J. left Murray's house and returned to her grandmother's home;
however, she then stole her grandmother's car and ran away again. C.J. was
eventually arrested and taken to the Bexar County Juvenile Detention Center
where she made the outcry statement to a juvenile detention officer. A state
trooper from the Department of Public Safety (DPS), conducted an investigation
and prepared an investigative report of his findings. The report stated the
officer's observation of a Facebook page assigned to Murray, as it appeared to
the general public, confirmed the presence of sexually provocative pictures of
C.J., and these pictures were attached to the report.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Subsequently, Jonathan Brown, a Texas
Peace Officer assigned as an investigator with the Bexar County District
Attorney's Office, executed an affidavit to obtain a search warrant of
Murray's <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> account,
profile, and private messages based upon the information provided by C.J. to
law enforcement and the DPS officer's investigative report. The magistrate
issued a search warrant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murray v. State,
supra.</i><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion went on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
As a result of this investigation, the
State charged Murray in a four-count indictment with trafficking of a child and
compelling prostitution. During trial, the prosecution introduced evidence of
the pictures of C.J. that appeared on the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> page assigned to Murray, as well as private messages
received and written pertaining to C.J. through the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook<b> </b></span>account. A jury
acquitted Murray of three counts and returned a <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> verdict on one count of compelling prostitution.
Murray now appeals.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murray v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As noted above, Murray raised two issues in his appeal:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
(1) the affidavit supporting the search
warrant did not establish probable cause to search Murray's <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> account because it did
not demonstrate the reliability of the informant or source of information; and
(2) the evidence the trial court admitted from the Facebook account was not
properly authenticated<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murray v. State,
supra.</i>The Court of Appeals took up the two issues in the order given above.
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murray v. State, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court began its analysis of Murray’s first issue by
explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[i]n his first issue, Murray argues the
trial court abused its discretion by denying his motion to suppress evidence
obtained as a result of the search warrant. Murray contends the affidavit
supporting the search warrant did not contain sufficient facts to establish
probable cause to search Murray’s <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> account.
Specifically, Murray asserts Officer Brown attested to information provided by
C.J. through other law enforcement officers, but failed to verify the
information or otherwise establish C.J.'s reliability. Therefore, the affidavit
is based solely upon <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearsay">hearsay</a> and cannot establish probable cause to issue a
search warrant of Murray's <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> account.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murray v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court began its analysis of the first issue by
explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
search warrant must be supported by an
affidavit which sets forth substantial facts establishing probable cause for
its issuance. <i>See</i> <i>Davis v. State</i>, 27 S.W.3d 664, 667
(Tex. App.—Waco 2000, pet. ref'd); <i>Mayfield v. State</i>, 800 S.W.2d
932, 934 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1990, no pet.). Probable cause to support the
issuance of a search warrant exists when the totality of the circumstances
presented to the magistrate in the affidavit are sufficient to justify a conclusion
that evidence of the specified crime, or the object of the search, is probably
in a particular place. <i>Davis</i>, 27 S.W.3d at 667; <i>Gonzales v.
State</i>, 481 S.W.3d 300, 306 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2015, no pet.). To
satisfy this standard, there must exist at least a fair probability or
substantial chance that evidence of a specific crime will be found in the
place, person or thing to be searched. <i>Rodriguez v. State</i>, 232
S.W.3d 55, 60-61 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007); <i>Gonzales</i>, 481 S.W.3d at
306. While only the four corners of the affidavit may be examined to determine
whether probable cause exists, reasonable inferences may be drawn from the
affidavit, and it must be interpreted in a commonsense and realistic
manner. <i>Gonzales</i>, 481 S.W.3d at 306.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murray v. State, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to explain that the<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
reliability of the affiant and his
sources of information are part of the totality of the circumstances that the
magistrate should evaluate in making a probable-cause determination. <i>Johnson
v. State</i>, 803 S.W.2d 272, 289 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990), <i>cert. denied</i> 501
U.S. 1259, 111 S.Ct. 2914, 115 L.Ed.2d 1078, <i>overruled on other grounds
by Heitman v. State</i>, 815 S.W.2d 681 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991). However, `where
a crime victim, who is a private citizen, reports the commission of a criminal
offense, and whose only contact with law enforcement authorities is a result of
having been victimized at the hands of another, the credibility and reliability
of the information is inherent.’ <i>Nelson v. State</i>, 855 S.W.2d 26, 30
(Tex. App.—El Paso 1993, no pet.). Therefore, in making a probable-cause
determination, a magistrate is entitled to rely on source information supplied
by a victim eyewitness without an independent showing of reliability. <i>Id.</i>; <i>see
also</i> <i>Gonzales</i>, 481 S.W.3d at 308. Similarly, `[t]he magistrate
may rely on the affidavit of a police officer based on ... the knowledge of
other officers.’ <i>Johnson</i>, 803 S.W.2d at 289.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murray v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then outlines the “standard of review”
it applies in cases in which an<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
appellate court must review a trial
court's ruling on a motion to suppress using the “bifurcated” standard of
review set forth in <i>Guzman v. State</i>, 955 S.W.2d 85 (Tex. Crim. App.
(1997). <i>Robuck v. State</i>, 40 S.W.3d 650, 654 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 2001,
pet. ref'd); <i>see also</i> <i>Burke v. State</i>, 27 S.W.3d 651,
654 (Tex. App.—Waco 2000, pet. ref'd). Thereby, the appellate court will `give
deference to the trial court's determination of historical facts that depend on
credibility choices, but review its application of the law of probable
cause <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_of_review#De_novo">de novo</a>.</i>’ <i>Burke</i>, 27 S.W.3d at 654. Because it
examines only the four corners of the affidavit to determine whether probable
cause to issue a warrant exists, the trial court is not required to make any
credibility choices in examining the affidavit. <i>Robuck</i>, 40 S.W.3d
at 654; <i>Burke</i>, 27 S.W.3d at 654. Therefore, the appellate court
will review the trial court's ruling <i>de novo</i> and must give
great deference to the magistrate's decision to issue the warrant to determine
whether, considering the totality of the circumstances, the magistrate had a
substantial basis for concluding probable cause existed. <i>Bonds v. State</i>,
403 S.W.3d 867, 873 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013); <i>Robuck</i>, 40 S.W.3d at 654; <i>Burke</i>,
27 S.W.3d at 654.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murray
v. State, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then began its analysis of Murray’s
Fourth Amendment argument:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
In his affidavit, Officer Brown named
C.J. as a source of information and attested he obtained information “through
personal investigation or discussions with other law enforcement personnel.”
Based upon this information provided, Officer Brown attested Murray took photos
of C.J. and uploaded those photos to <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span>. A short time later, individuals contacted Murray through <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> private messages. When
these individuals arrived and paid Murray, he instructed C.J. to engage in
sexual intercourse with them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Because C.J. was the victim of the
alleged crime, Officer Brown did not need to independently verify the
information provided or establish C.J.'s reliability. As the victim, C.J.'s
credibility and the reliability of the information she provided are
inherent. <i>See</i> <i>Nelson</i>, 855 S.W.2d at 30. Similarly, the
magistrate could have relied on information provided to Officer Brown by other
law enforcement officers. <i>See</i> <i>Johnson</i>, 803 S.W.2d at
289. Therefore, the failure of Officer Brown to establish C.J.'s credibility or
to verify information provided by other officers are not valid bases to
suppress the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span>-account
evidence obtained through the search warrant.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
To the extent Murray contends Officer
Brown did not convey sufficient facts to establish probable cause to issue a
search warrant, this argument fails as well. From the information C.J.
provided, the magistrate could reasonably infer that Murray uploaded the
pictures to his <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> account
for the purpose of prostituting C.J., and evidence of the crime could be found
in Murray’s <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> account.
Thus, considering C.J.'s description of Murray's actions, the magistrate had a
substantial basis to conclude probable cause existed to issue the search
warrant of Murray's <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> account.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Therefore, the trial court did not err
by denying Murray's motion to suppress the Facebook evidence obtained as a
result of the search warrant. We overrule Murray's first issue on appeal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murray v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court then took up Murray’s second argument: the
authentication of the Facebook evidence. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murray
v. State, supra.</i> It began by explaining that in<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
his second issue on appeal, Murray
contends the trial court erred by admitting evidence of the electronic contents
of a <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> page,
particularly the private messages and account subscriber information. Murray
alleges the State did not properly authenticate the Facebook evidence pursuant
to <a href="about:invalid#zClosurez">Texas Rule of Evidence 901</a> because it failed to prove he created
and maintained the content of the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> page.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Authentication of evidence is a
condition precedent to its admissibility. TEX. R. EVID.901(a); <i>Tienda
v. State</i>, 358 S.W.3d 633, 638 (Tex. Crim. App. 2012). To cross the
threshold of authentication, the proponent must produce evidence `sufficient to
support a finding that the item is what the proponent claims it is.’ <i>See</i> TEX.
R. EVID. 901(a); <i>Reed v. State</i>, 811 S.W.2d 582, 586 (Tex.
Crim. App. 1991); <i>Tienda</i>, 358 S.W.3d at 638. Rule of Evidence
901(b) provides an illustrative, though not exhaustive, list of examples
of extrinsic evidence that satisfies the requirement of authentication. TEX.
R. EVID. 901(b)(1)-(10); <i>Reed</i>, 811 S.W.2d at 586. <a href="https://www.biicl.org/files/1683_texas_rule_of_evidence_902.pdf">Rule 902</a>
identifies certain evidence as self-authenticating and dismisses Rule 901's
requirement of extrinsic evidence of authenticity. TEX. R.
EVID.902(1)-(10). Rule 902(10) allows for business records to be
self-authenticated by an affidavit, rather than by testimony at trial, and
enumerates language for such affidavit. TEX. R. EVID. 902(10). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An unsworn declaration made under penalty of
perjury may be used in place of an affidavit. TEX. R.
EVID. 902(10)(B).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murray v. State, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[o]nce the threshold of admissibility
is satisfied, the ultimate question whether an evidentiary item is what its
proponent claims it to be, then it becomes an issue for the fact-finder to
determine. <i>Tienda</i>, 358 S.W.3d at 638. When presented with the issue
of admissibility of evidence, in performing its gate-keeping function, the
trial court itself need not be persuaded that the proffered evidence is
authentic. <i>Id.</i> Rather, the preliminary question for the trial
court to decide is whether the proponent of the evidence presents sufficient
facts to support a reasonable jury determination that the evidence proffered is
authentic. <i>Id.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murray v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to outline the “standard of review” it
applies to issues involving the trial court judge’s admitting certain material
into evidence at a trial. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murray v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
We review the trial court's
admission of evidence under an abuse of discretion standard. <i>Montgomery
v. State</i>, 810 S.W.2d 372, 379-80 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991) (op. on
reh'g); <i>Jones v. State</i>, 111 S.W.3d 600, 606 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2003,
pet. ref'd). A trial court does not abuse its discretion if its ruling was
within the “zone of reasonable disagreement.’ <i>Tienda</i>, 358 S.W.3d at 638.
A trial court abuses its discretion when it acts in an arbitrary or
unreasonable manner or if it acts without reference to any guiding rules or principles.
<i>Montgomery</i>, 810 S.W.2d at 391. Therefore, if the trial court's ruling
that a jury could reasonably find proffered evidence authentic is at least `“within
the zone of reasonable disagreement,”’ a reviewing court should not
interfere. <i>Tienda</i>, 358 S.W.3d at 638 (quoting <i>Montgomery</i>,
810 S.W.2d at 391).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murray v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then began its analysis of this issue,
explaining, initially, that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">[h[ere, the State proffered evidence of
Murray's </span><span class="cosearchterm"><span style="color: #252525; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Facebook</span></span><span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> account
by way of a `Certificate of Authenticity of Domestic Records of Regularly Conducted
Activity’ executed by Facebook’s Records Custodian. This Certificate of
Authenticity sufficiently complied with the requirements of self-authentication
outlined in Rule 902(10)(B), obviating the State's need to produce
extrinsic evidence to authenticate the properly admitted </span><span class="cosearchterm"><span style="color: #252525; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Facebook<b> </b></span></span><span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">evidence.
Because the State satisfied the requirements of Rule 902(10), it presented
sufficient facts to support a reasonable jury determination that the </span><span class="cosearchterm"><span style="color: #252525; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Facebook</span></span><span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> evidence
proffered was authentic. </span><em><span style="color: #145da4; font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tienda</span></em><span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">, 358 S.W.3d at
638.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Murray contends the State failed to prove he
created and maintained the contents of the </span><span class="cosearchterm"><span style="color: #252525; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Facebook</span></span><span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> pages and
therefore did not properly authenticate the Facebook </span><span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">evidence
as required by Rule 901. The State is not required to conclusively
establish that the defendant authored the messages; rather, the State must
present prima facie evidence such that a reasonable jury could find the
defendant created the content of the </span><span class="cosearchterm"><span style="color: #252525; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Facebook<b> </b></span></span><span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">pages. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Id</i>.at 642. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Campbell v. State</i>, 382 S.W.3d 545,
552-53 (Tex.App.-Austin 2012). The courts are mindful of today's electronic
world of cyber challenges where passwords can be compromised, </span><span class="cosearchterm"><span style="color: #252525; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">computers</span></span><span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> can be
hacked and cell phones can be stolen, raising questions about the origin or
source of the information. <em><span style="font-family: Arial;">See</span></em><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> Tienda,</i> 358 S.W.3d at 641. Because of
the wide array of `electronically generated, transmitted and/or stored
information, including information found on social networking web sites,’ the
most appropriate method of authenticating electronic evidence to determine
authorship will often depend upon the nature of the evidence and the
circumstances of the particular case. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Id</i>. at
638-39.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murray v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to explain that in<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i>Tienda</i>, the appellant complained
the trial court erred in admitting into evidence the electronic content
obtained from MySpace, a social networking website, because the State failed to
prove he created and maintained the content of the MySpace pages. <i>See</i> <i>id.</i> at
637. The State's circumstantial evidence from the MySpace pages included photographs
of the appellant with visibly unique arm, body, and neck tattoos wearing
distinctive eyeglasses and an earring, reference to the deceased and music from
his funeral, references to appellant's gang and messages referring to a
shooting, a snitch, and the user having been on an ankle monitor for one year
along with a photograph of appellant displaying an ankle monitor sent from the
MySpace pages of `ron Mr. T’ or `MR. SMILEY FACE’ with an <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email<b> </b></span>address of
`ronnietiendajr@’. The Court of Criminal Appeals held the State produced ample
circumstantial evidence, when `taken as a whole with all of the individual,
particular details considered in combination’ to support a finding that the
MySpace pages not only belonged to appellant but were also created and
maintained by him. <i>Tienda</i>, 358 S.W.3d at 645.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murray v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court then explains that in<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
this case, the State introduced
sufficient circumstantial evidence of photographs, comments, and private
messages from the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> account
to establish a prima facie case such that a reasonable jury could find Murray
created and maintained the contents of the Facebook account. Consistent with
C.J.'s testimony that Murray took photos of her and posted them on <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span>, photos of C.J. were posted
on the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> account
bearing the name `Allen Murray’. C.J. identified Murray as the other person in
one picture with her. The post relating to that photograph of C.J. reads `For
sale hmu’ and shows `August 24’ as the date of the post. In addition, the
following private exchange of messages between the account user and another
person, A.G., appeared on Murray's <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> account
in the late hours of August 24, 2013, and the early hours of August 25, 2013:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[Murray]: Hmu girl for sale<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
A.G.: What?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
....<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[Murray]: I got a girl for sale u wanna
sample<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
.....<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
A.G.: Send me a pic<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[Murray]: I put two up<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
A.G.: Where<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[Murray]: On my status<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
A.G.: I see<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
We conclude the State presented
sufficient prima facie evidence to support a finding by a reasonable jury that
the exhibits were what they purported to be, that is, <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> pages created by Murray.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
For these reasons, the trial court's
admission of the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> evidence
was within the “zone of reasonable disagreement”, and the trial court did not
abuse its discretion by admitting the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> evidence. We overrule Murray's second issue on
appeal.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Murray v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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[I need to point out that the image which appears at the beginning of this post is, of course, not a contemporary image. It's the only image of the courthouse I could find that is in the public domain, presumably because apparently depicts the courthouse as it looked circa 1896-1907.]</div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><br /></i></div>
Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-4012537851641500302017-08-31T11:01:00.003-04:002017-08-31T11:01:51.143-04:00“Assault with a Deadly Weapon,” the Trial and the Juror’s Cell Phone Call<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G1Yk6Ce0TLE/WagkIDtNceI/AAAAAAAAF1U/QFqETVGl6vsk-FnDH2tv5qSGHN4B8-UYgCLcBGAs/s1600/Cell_phones_are_left_outside_the_Roosevelt_Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G1Yk6Ce0TLE/WagkIDtNceI/AAAAAAAAF1U/QFqETVGl6vsk-FnDH2tv5qSGHN4B8-UYgCLcBGAs/s320/Cell_phones_are_left_outside_the_Roosevelt_Room.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This post examines a recent decision from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_courts_of_appeal#Second_District">California Court of Appeal – Second District</a>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v.
Barner</i>, 2017 WL 3668446. The court begins the opinion by explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
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Defendant Ashley Craig Barner was
convicted of assault with a deadly weapon. Subsequently, a person who
identified himself as Juror No. 35 reported that another juror had used a cell
phone during jury deliberations. Defendant petitioned for disclosure of Juror
No. 35's identifying information. The court denied defendant's petition,
finding that the petition was deficient as a matter of law because defendant
had not made a prima facie showing of good cause to disclose the juror's
identifying information.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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On appeal, defendant claims that the
court abused its discretion by denying him a hearing. We hold that the trial
court did not abuse its discretion, because the allegation that a juror used a
cell phone, standing alone, did not support a reasonable belief that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juror_misconduct">jury misconduct</a> occurred. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Barner</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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The opinion goes on to explain how, and why, the prosecution
arose:<o:p></o:p></div>
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On December 30, 2015, at around 9:50 p.m.,
defendant approached Merced Carlin, who was waiting for the bus at a bus stop.
Defendant said, “I want my shit,” and pointed a sawed-off shotgun at Carlin.
Carlin, who was afraid, ran to a liquor store across the street. Defendant
chased after Carlin. Carlin entered the liquor store, and a few minutes later,
defendant entered with the gun in his jacket. Defendant approached Carlin, but
somebody in the store stopped and took defendant outside by force.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Carlin called 911 from the store while
defendant was outside of the store. A few minutes later, police found and
arrested defendant who was sitting on the porch of a house near the liquor
store. Defendant had a gun. A police officer later observed defendant in a
security video. Defendant's right arm was rigid and his jacket was protruding.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Barner</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court then outlined the “procedural background” of the
case, i.e., what had happened to initiate the prosecution and how it had
proceeded. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Barner</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra.</i> It explained that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Defendant was charged with attempted
second degree robbery and assault with a firearm. The trial court admonished
jurors to stay off the <b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Internet</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">.</i> Jurors found defendant <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> of assault with a firearm,
and not <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> of
attempted second degree robbery.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Four days after the jury returned the
verdict, a person called the court and reported that he saw another juror use a
cell phone during the jury deliberations. The caller identified himself as
Juror No. 35 and promised to write a letter to the court describing the cell
phone use. The caller did not report that the juror had used the cell phone for
any purpose related to the trial. The court never received the juror's promised
letter. The court informed both parties that Juror No. 35 had reported the
incident, but the juror had not followed up with any written documentation.
Defendant then filed a petition to disclose Juror No. 35's identifying information.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The court denied defendant's petition
because it failed to establish a prima facie showing of good cause for the
release of the juror's identifying information. The court reasoned that `[t]he
unsworn allegation that may have been made by one of the jurors does not
establish a probability that the verdict was improperly influenced.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The court sentenced defendant to prison
for a total term of 39 years to life. This appeal followed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Barner</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeal then began its analysis of the arguments
Barner made in his appeal, explaining, initially, that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Defendant contends that the trial court
abused its discretion by finding that he did not make a prima facie showing of
good cause for release of Juror No. 35's identifying information. According to
defendant, he showed good cause because Juror No. 35's account suggested that
Juror No. 35 could produce evidence of juror misconduct. As we shall explain,
we disagree.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Under Code of Civil Procedure
section 237, all personal identifying information (names, addresses, and
telephone numbers) of jurors sitting on criminal cases shall be sealed upon the
recording of a jury's verdict. (§ 237, subd. (a)(2).) A person wishing
access to that information may petition the court for release of the
information, and must support that petition by a declaration that includes
facts sufficient to establish good cause for the release. (<i>Id.</i>, subd.
(b).) `The court shall set the matter for hearing if the petition and
supporting declaration establish a prima facie showing of good cause for the
release of the personal juror identifying information, but shall not set the
matter for hearing if there is a showing on the record of facts that establish
a compelling interest against disclosure.’ (<i>Ibid.</i>)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The trial court's determination of
whether to hold a hearing on a petition to disclose juror identifying
information is reviewed under an abuse of discretion standard. (<i>People v.
Cook</i>(2015) 236 Cal.App.4th 341, 346; <i>People v. Santos</i> (2007)
147 Cal.App.4th 965, 978.) The trial court is not required to hold a hearing if
the facts presented by petitioner are not sufficient to establish a prima facie
showing of good cause for release of the information. (§ 237, subd. (b).) `”Good
cause, in the context of a petition for disclosure to support a motion for a
new trial based on juror misconduct, requires ;a sufficient showing to support
a reasonable belief that jury misconduct occurred. . . .’” (<i>People v.
Johnson</i> (2015) 242 Cal.App.4th 1155, 1161-1162; see <i>People v.
Cook</i>, <i>supra</i>, at p. 345.) `Absent a showing of good cause for
the release of the information, the public interest in the integrity of the
jury system and the jurors' right to privacy outweighs the defendant's interest
in disclosure.’ (<i>People v. McNally</i> (2015) 236 Cal.App.4th 1419,
1430.) Therefore, in order to be entitled to evidentiary hearing, defendant
must show specific facts, which, if established, support a reasonable belief
that jury misconduct occurred. Jury misconduct occurs when a juror receives
evidence outside of court. (Pen. Code, § 1181, subd. (2).)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Barner</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra. </i>I apologize for not including
hyperlinks with the citations to the statutes above, but for some reason I
cannot find these statutes online. Since Texas Penal Code § 1181(2) plays a
significant role in the resolution of this case, I am pasting its provisions in
here:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
When a verdict has been rendered or a
finding made against the defendant, the court may, upon his application, grant
a new trial, in the following cases only:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
1. When the trial has been had in his
absence except in cases where the trial may lawfully proceed in his absence;<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
2. When the jury has received any
evidence out of court, other than that resulting from a view of the premises,
or of personal property;<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
3. When the jury has separated without
leave of the court after retiring to deliberate upon their verdict, or been
guilty of any misconduct by which a fair and due consideration of the case has
been prevented;<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
4. When the verdict has been decided by
lot, or by any means other than a fair expression of opinion on the part of all
the jurors;<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
5. When the court has misdirected the
jury in a matter of law, or has erred in the decision of any question of law
arising during the course of the trial, and when the district attorney or other
counsel prosecuting the case has been guilty of prejudicial misconduct during
the trial thereof before a jury;<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
6. When the verdict or finding is
contrary to law or evidence, but if the evidence shows the defendant to be not
guilty of the degree of the crime of which he was convicted, but guilty of a
lesser degree thereof, or of a lesser crime included therein, the court may
modify the verdict, finding or judgment accordingly without granting or
ordering a new trial, and this power shall extend to any court to which the
cause may be appealed;<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
7. When the verdict or finding is
contrary to law or evidence, but in any case wherein authority is vested by
statute in the trial court or jury to recommend or determine as a part of its
verdict or finding the punishment to be imposed, the court may modify such
verdict or finding by imposing the lesser punishment without granting or
ordering a new trial, and this power shall extend to any court to which the
case may be appealed;<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
8. When new evidence is discovered
material to the defendant, and which he could not, with reasonable diligence,
have discovered and produced at the trial. When a motion for a new trial is
made upon the ground of newly discovered evidence, the defendant must produce
at the hearing, in support thereof, the affidavits of the witnesses by whom
such evidence is expected to be given, and if time is required by the defendant
to procure such affidavits, the court may postpone the hearing of the motion
for such length of time as, under all circumstances of the case, may seem
reasonable.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
9. When the right to a phonographic
report has not been waived, and when it is not possible to have a phonographic
report of the trial transcribed by a stenographic reporter as provided by law
or by rule because of the death or disability of a reporter who participated as
a stenographic reporter at the trial or because of the loss or destruction, in
whole or in substantial part, of the notes of such reporter, the trial court or
a judge, thereof, or the reviewing court shall have power to set aside and
vacate the judgment, order or decree from which an appeal has been taken or is
to be taken and to order a new trial of the action or proceeding.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Barner</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Getting
back to the opinion, the court goes on to explain that</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[t]urning to this case, there was no
abuse of discretion in the court's summary denial of defendant's petition. The
allegation that another juror used her cell phone, even if established, does
not reasonably support the conclusion that a jury improperly considered outside
information about the case.<sup> </sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although
Juror No. 35 reported that another juror `used’ her cell phone, Juror No. 35
did not report that the other juror used the Internet, discussed any subject
connected with the trial over the phone, used the dictionary, or received any
outside information. There was no evidence the juror used the phone in any
manner connected with defendant's criminal proceeding. Therefore, there was no
basis to conclude that the juror used her cell phone for an improper purpose.
Juror No. 35's report did not suggest misconduct occurred or even may have
occurred and defendant's petition was basically a fishing expedition in search
of misconduct. In short, defendant failed to satisfy defendant's burden to
establish a prima facie showing of good cause to disclose juror information. (See,
e.g., <i>People v. Jefflo</i> (1998) 63 Cal.App.4th 1314, 1318-1319 [no
good cause for identifying information when defendant's girlfriend reported
that she spoke to a juror and defendant wanted to investigate whether the juror
spoke to nonjurors about case]; see also <i>People v. Cook, supra</i>, 236
Cal.App.4th at p. 346 [`Good cause does not exist where the allegations of
jury misconduct are speculative, conclusory, vague, or unsupported.’].)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b>DISPOSITION<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The court's decision summarily denying
defendant's petition to disclose Juror No. 35's identifying information is
affirmed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Barner</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-35048170253892074082017-08-26T18:11:00.001-04:002017-08-26T18:11:41.884-04:00A Digression: Starting Next Week, It Will be Legal to Carry Swords in Texas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cxcfqKxB8OI/WaHqBZLn-tI/AAAAAAAAF1E/Uhing300sOgiw_Ny2uK-UTQM4Ww_WkwIwCLcBGAs/s1600/LivoniaKnight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="358" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cxcfqKxB8OI/WaHqBZLn-tI/AAAAAAAAF1E/Uhing300sOgiw_Ny2uK-UTQM4Ww_WkwIwCLcBGAs/s320/LivoniaKnight.jpg" width="274" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">According to a recent story in <i>Above the
Law</i>, the</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">new advertisement from
the </span><a href="http://texaslawhawk.com/" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><span style="background: white; color: #387c9d;">Texas Law Hawk </span></i></a><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">highlights three significant legal changes taking
effect next week. First, drivers can no longer text and drive. That’s the sort
of straightforward, logical regulation Texas is known for when there isn’t a
powerful, well-financed lobbying group on the other side. Second, drivers can,
under some conditions, seal their first DUI conviction. The stigma of a
conviction is real and one-time offenders who’ve paid their debt to society
deserve to move on after DUIs as much as any other convict. Third, it’s legal to
carry swords in public.</span></blockquote>
</div>
<span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joe Patrice, <a href="http://abovethelaw.com/2017/08/next-week-swords-are-legal-to-carry-down-the-street-in-texas/"><i>Next Week, Swords Are Legal to Carry Down the Street in Texas,</i> </a></span><a href="http://abovethelaw.com/2017/08/next-week-swords-are-legal-to-carry-down-the-street-in-texas/"><span style="background-color: transparent;">Above the Law</span><i style="background-color: transparent;"> </i></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://abovethelaw.com/2017/08/next-week-swords-are-legal-to-carry-down-the-street-in-texas/">(August 23, 2017)</a>. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span><span style="background: white; color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As to the last item noted above, another report by a local news channel explains that a</span></span><o:p> bill </o:p></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">signed into law by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott
will now allow adult Texans to carry around long-bladed weapons, according
to KPRC-TV.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Abbott signed House Bill 1935 in June,
allowing Texans to carry around swords, spears, bowie knives, or anything you
may have seen in `Game of Thrones.'</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Currently, the law prohibits state residents from
carrying around anything larger than 5.5 inches. The law will go into effect on
Sept. 1, allowing anyone 18 years of age or older to carry their weapon of
choice around with them.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;">Despite the change, carrying weapons longer than
5.5 inches will still be prohibited in certain places. Schools, prisons,
hospitals, amusement parks, churches, sporting events, and bars will remain
sword-free by law</span></span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/07/14/governor-signs-bill-allowing-texans-to-carry-swords-spears-and-more/">Brandon Morse,<i> </i></a></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="https://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/07/14/governor-signs-bill-allowing-texans-to-carry-swords-spears-and-more/"><i>Governor Signs Bill Allowing Texans to Carry Swords, Spears and More, </i>The Blaze<i> </i>(July 14, 2017)</a>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt;">I realize this story has nothing to do with cybercrime, but I was surprised by this legislation and what could not resist doing a short -- concededly irrelevant -- post about it. </span><br />
<br />
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-->Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-55557708503840930222017-08-25T14:09:00.002-04:002017-08-25T14:09:42.734-04:00Possessing a Controlled Substance, Proving Prior Convictions and Reading From a Computer Screen <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OwHmD-ndkwY/WaBk9OyFiZI/AAAAAAAAF00/JzXhDyGwHd4LCs4GjUXiGx3HjIhb5iyWwCLcBGAs/s1600/Stlouis_oldcathedral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OwHmD-ndkwY/WaBk9OyFiZI/AAAAAAAAF00/JzXhDyGwHd4LCs4GjUXiGx3HjIhb5iyWwCLcBGAs/s320/Stlouis_oldcathedral.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post examines an opinion from the <a href="about:invalid#zClosurez">Missouri Court of Appeals – Eastern District</a>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v.
Ralph,</i> 2017 WL 2450414 (2017). The court begins the opinion by explaining
that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Matthew Ralph (Ralph) appeals from a
sentence and judgment of conviction for possession of a controlled substance.
He challenges the trial court's admission of hearsay evidence and asserts <a href="about:invalid#zClosurez">error</a>
in the trial court's imposition of an enhanced sentence under the prior and
persistent offender statutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Ralph, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The court goes on to explain that the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">State of Missouri (State) charged Ralph
as a prior and persistent offender with the class C <a href="about:invalid#zClosurez">felony</a> of possession of a
controlled substance, Hydrocodone. The evidence at the 2016 jury trial showed
the following, viewed in a light most favorable to the verdict.<sup><o:p></o:p></sup></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The police responded to an anonymous 911
call reporting open air drug sales in the 6000 block of Lucille in the City of
St. Louis. Officer Andrew Brown (Officer Brown) testified that when he and his
partner, Officer Timothy Nolan (Officer Nolan), approached the area in their
marked patrol vehicle, he witnessed an individual later identified as Ralph
standing at the front passenger window of an occupied vehicle in a manner
associated with, in Officer Brown's experience, the sale of narcotics. Officer
Brown made eye contact with Ralph, who then took something from his pocket and
threw it under the vehicle, which caused Officer Brown to suspect, again from
his experience and the surrounding circumstances, that Ralph had discarded
narcotics. Officer Brown approached Ralph on foot and detained him. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Officer Brown picked up a blue plastic
knotted baggie from underneath the edge of the vehicle where Ralph had been
standing and confirmed that the baggie contained pills. He seized the baggie of
pills, which contained Hydrocodone. Officer Brown clarified, however, that he
did not witness an exchange of narcotics or money. Finally, Officer Nolan
testified over a hearsay objection that during booking, which Officer Brown
conducted, Officer Nolan `learned’ that Ralph lived in an area about a
ten-minute drive from the 6000 block of Lucille.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To prove Ralph's
prior-and-persistent-offender status, the State relied upon Ralph's 2014 guilty
plea in Cause No. 1322-CR1218 for the felony of resisting arrest and his 2008
guilty plea in Cause No. 0822-CR03740 for the felonies of second-degree assault
of a law enforcement officer and tampering in the first degree. Ralph did not
stipulate to the prior convictions, and the State called the court clerk, who
testified without objection that the Missouri Justice Information System
(JIS)—which is a computerized statewide automated record-keeping system
established by the supreme court—records reflected Ralph had at least two prior
felony convictions in Cause Nos. 1322-CR01218 and 0822-CR03740. The State
did not introduce physical copies of these court records, but asked the trial
court to take judicial notice of its own files. On this evidence, the trial
court found beyond a reasonable doubt Ralph was a prior and persistent
offender.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Ralph, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The opinion then notes that the<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> jury found Ralph guilty of
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constructive_possession">constructive possession</a> of a controlled substance, and the trial court
sentenced him as a prior and persistent offender to eight years in the Missouri
Department of Corrections. This appeal follows.</span></blockquote>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Ralph, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ralph made two arguments in his appeal, the first of which
was that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the trial court erred in overruling his
objection to Officer Nolan's testimony that he had learned Ralph did not live
in the neighborhood where the crime occurred because such testimony was
inadmissible <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearsay">hearsay</a> that prejudiced Ralph by presenting him as an outsider
causing trouble in the neighborhood. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Ralph, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The opinion then explains that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[h]earsay is any out-of-court statement
that is used to prove the truth of the matter asserted and is generally
inadmissible unless it is a recognized exception to the hearsay rule. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Tisius</i>, 362 S.W.3d 398, 405-06
(Mo. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/En_banc#United_States">banc</a> 2012). We review a trial court's decision to admit or exclude hearsay
evidence for an abuse of discretion. S<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">tate
v. Justus</i>, 205 S.W.3d 872, 878 (Mo. banc 2006). An abuse of discretion
occurs when the trial court's ruling is dearly against the logic of the
circumstances or is so arbitrary and unreasonable so as to shock the sense of
justice and indicate a lack of careful consideration. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Hughes,</i> 497 S.W.3d 400, 403 (Mo. App. E.D. 2016). We
reverse for an error in the admission of evidence only if the erroneously
admitted evidence was so prejudicial that it affected the outcome of the trial,
meaning that but for its admission there is a reasonable probability the jury
would have acquitted. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Adams</i>,
350 S.W.3d 864, 866 (Mo. App. E.D. 2011). Even if the evidence admitted was
improper hearsay, we will only reverse the conviction if a defendant can prove
both error and prejudice. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v.
Jackson,</i> 426 S.W.3d 717, 719 (Mo. App. E.D. 2014).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Ralph, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Court of Appeals goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[h]ere, Ralph asserts on appeal that
prejudicial error resulted when Officer Nolan testified that he `learned’
during booking that Ralph lived about a ten-minute drive from where he was
arrested in the 6000 block of Lucille, because Officer Brown was the declarant
of the challenged statement, which was admitted for its truth. We note that
Ralph bears the burden on appeal to prove both that the trial court erroneously
admitted hearsay evidence and that evidence prejudiced him, which he has not
done. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See</i> J<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ackson</i>, 426 S.W.3d at 719. Although
Ralph asserts Officer Brown was the declarant of the challenged statement, the
record does not support this assertion. Officer Nolan testified that Officer
Brown booked Ralph, but Officer Nolan did not reveal from whom he learned where
Ralph lived. From the record before us, it is just as likely Officer Nolan
learned this information from Ralph himself as from Officer Brown, and the
admission of relevant, material out-of-court statements by the party opponent
is a recognized exception to the hearsay rule. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Stokes</i>, 492 S.W.3d 622, 625 (Mo. App, E.D. 2016). The
record itself does not show the trial court admitted hearsay evidence, and we
will not supply a deficiency in the record through speculation or conjecture.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Ralph, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The court went on to find that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ralph has not met his burden to show the
erroneous admission of hearsay evidence, and, even if he had, he has not shown
prejudice therefrom. `The reason hearsay is generally inadmissible is because
the person who made the offered statement is not under oath or subject to
cross-examination.’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jackson</i>, 426
S.W.3d at 719. Thus, where the declarant is a witness at trial, testified on
the same matter, and was subject to cross-examination, prejudice does not
result. </span><a href="https://1.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=2033076727&pubNum=0004644&originatingDoc=Ie1bad9004b8211e794a1f7ff5c621124&refType=RP&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)"><span style="color: #145da4; text-decoration: none;">Id.</span></a><span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Even assuming Officer Brown was the
declarant, he testified at trial, and after his testimony was complete, counsel
for Ralph requested that Officer Brown remain through Officer Nolan's testimony
`in case there [was] any need for impeachment.’ Because Officer Brown was
available for cross- examination, no prejudice resulted. <span class="counderline"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See</i></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i></span><a href="https://1.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=Y&serNum=2033076727&pubNum=0004644&originatingDoc=Ie1bad9004b8211e794a1f7ff5c621124&refType=RP&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.Search)"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #145da4; text-decoration: none;">id.</span></i></a><span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> The trial
court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the challenged statement.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Point denied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Ralph, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Court of Appeals then took up Ralph’s second argument in
his appeal, i.e., that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">the trial court plainly erred in
finding him to be a prior and persistent offender because the State failed to
present sufficient evidence of his prior convictions by not entering any `physical
court files nor any hard copies of any documents’ into the record but only
having the clerk testify to computer records. Thus, Ralph argues his eight-year
sentence is beyond the seven-year maximum sentence for an unenhanced class C
felony, and he requests remand for resentencing. We disagree.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In order to preserve an evidentiary
issue for appeal, a party must object upon the introduction of the
evidence. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Walter</i>, 479
S.W.3d 118, 122-23 (Mo. banc 2016). Here, Ralph did not object to the State
presenting the court clerk's testimony from the JIS records of Ralph's prior
convictions in lieu of the `physical court files [ ]or any hard copies of
any documents.’ Accordingly, Ralph did not preserve the issue for appellate
review, and we may review it, if at all, only for plain error.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When a party fails to properly preserve
an argument at trial, the Court may, in its discretion, review the argument for
plain error when the claim of error facially establishes substantial grounds
for believing a manifest injustice or miscarriage of justice resulted. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Id</i><u>.</u> We review for plain
error using a two-step analysis. First, we determine whether the record
facially establishes substantial grounds to believe plain error occurred, which
is error that is evident, obvious, and clear. If so, we then consider whether
the error resulted in manifest injustice or a miscarriage of justice. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Id. </i>Plain-error review requires
that the alleged error have a decisive effect on the jury's determination. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. White</i>, 247 S.W.3d 557, 563 (Mo.
App. E.D. 2007).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We find no error in the trial court's
prior-and-persistent-offender finding. <a href="http://law.justia.com/codes/missouri/2014/title-xxxviii/chapter-558/section-558.016/">Section 558.016</a> provides for an enhanced
sentence for persistent offenders, which is defined as a person who has been
found guilty of two or more felonies. Section 558.016.1(1),.3. To enhance
a sentence on the basis of prior convictions, the State `must prove the fact of
the prior convictions and do so in conformity with applicable statutory
requirements for such proof.' <i>State v. Martinez,</i> 407 S.W.3d 669, 673 (Mo.
App. S.D. 2013) (citation omitted). Here, Section 558.021 provides that
the trial court shall find a defendant to be a prior and persistent offender
where, as relevant to this appeal, the State introduces evidence `establish[ing]
sufficient facts to warrant a finding beyond a reasonable doubt that the
defendant is a prior offender [and] persistent offender.’ Section 558.021.1(2).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Ralph, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The opinion goes on to explain that <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[s]ection 558.021 requires merely that
the evidence be sufficient to warrant a finding, and it does not specify the
evidence be physical rather than testimonial. Accordingly, Missouri courts have
found sufficient evidence to comply with the requirements of <a href="https://www.lawserver.com/law/state/missouri/mo-laws/missouri_laws_558-021">Section558.021.1(2)</a> through testimony by a court clerk or prosecutor narrating prior
court records.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> See</i><u>,</u> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">e.g., State v. Taylor</i>, 373 S.W.3d
513, 526 (Mo, App. E.D. 2012) (prosecutor read into record defendant's
prior convictions from case files without admitting physical copies, which was
sufficient evidence to prove defendant's status as prior and persistent drug
offender); <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Johnson</i>, 150
S.W.3d 132, 137 (Mo. App. E.D. 2004) (affirming trial court's
prior-offender finding when court clerk testified to defendant's prior
conviction by reading from official court file present in courtroom); <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Quinn,</i> 717 S.W.2d 262, 265-66
(Mo. App. S.D. 1986) (finding sufficient evidence to support
prior-and-persistent-offender status where court clerk testified to content of
records physically present in court, although records themselves were not
admitted).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Ralph, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The court then explains that,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[h]ere, the State presented the court
clerk's testimony, who read from JIS records on a <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">computer</span> screen rather than from a physical document, that
Ralph had pleaded <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> in
2014 to a felony in Cause No. 1322-CR01218 and had pleaded <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> in 2008 to a felony in
Cause No. 1522-CR01416. Ralph relies on this Court's 2004 decision in J<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ohnson</i>, 150 S.W.3d 132, to argue that
the State cannot establish a prior conviction solely through a court clerk's
testimony narrating court files from a <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">computer</span> screen unless the official court file or a certified
physical copy is present in the courtroom and capable of being examined. Id. at
137. The State relies on Section 490.130 to argue that because electronic
records contained in a statewide court automated record-keeping system, like
JIS, are admissible without certification, testimony describing those
electronic records are sufficient without physical printouts. In this case
of <a href="about:invalid#zClosurez"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">first</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">impression</span></a>, we agree with the State.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Ralph, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The court then goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[s]ection 490,130 provides that `[r]ecords
of proceedings of any court of this state contained within any statewide court
automated record-keeping system established by the supreme court shall be
received as evidence of the acts or proceedings in any court of this state
without further certification of the clerk, provided that the location from
which such records are obtained is disclosed to the opposing party.’ JIS
records are electronic and can be `received as evidence’ by a trial court only
via a printout or oral description of the digital image.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here, the court clerk's testimonial
evidence reading the 2014 and 2008 convictions from JIS was sufficient to
establish Ralph's prior convictions, allowing the trial court to find beyond a
reasonable doubt that he was a prior offender and persistent offender. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See</i><u> </u>Section 558.021.1(2). There
is no allegation before us that the JIS records were inaccurate, that the court
clerk was not qualified to testily to the JIS records, or that the State had
not convicted Ralph of these two prior felonies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although Ralph relies on this Court's
2004 decision in <u>J</u><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ohnson</i>,
we note <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Johnson </i>predated the 22<sup>nd</sup> Judicial
Circuit Court's 2006 adoption of JIS. Thus, in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Johnson,</i> when the court clerk read from the “circuit court's
computer system,” she was not reading from a statewide court automated
record-keeping system established by the supreme court. Because the trial court
in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Johnson </i>did not receive
evidence from JIS, this Court on appeal had no reason to—and did not—discuss
Section 490.130, which sets forth the procedure for admitting records stored in
JIS. Because the trial court here received sufficient evidence under Section
490.130 via the court clerk's oral testimony reading Ralph's prior convictions
from JIS on the clerk's computer screen, the trial court did not err in finding
him to be a prior and persistent offender. Point denied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Conclusion<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The judgment and sentence of the trial
court is affirmed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Ralph, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At two places in the portions of the opinion quoted above,
the Court of Appeals appended lengthy footnotes to statements quoted above. The
first footnote explained that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[i]n <u>J</u><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ohnson</i>, the State offered the testimony of a court clerk to prove
the defendant's prior-and-persistent-offender status. 150 S.W.3d 132, 134
(Mo. App. E.D. 2004). The clerk testified to Johnson's 1998 conviction, using
the official court file in her possession in the courtroom. She also testified
to Johnson's 1992 conviction by reading from the minutes that she accessed via
the “circuit court's computer system”; she acknowledged the official court file
was in storage and she did not have a hard copy with her in the
courtroom. Id. at 134-35. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This Court held the trial court
properly took judicial notice of Johnson's 1998 conviction because the court
file was physically before the court and capable of being
examined. Id. at 137. Conversely, this Court then held the trial
court erred in taking judicial notice of the 1992 conviction where `neither a
certified copy of the judgment nor the court file was physically before the
trial court,” noting that “a fact judicially noticed must have independent reliability
and trustworthiness.’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Id.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Ralph, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The second footnote explained that the court record of the
proceedings in this case<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">demonstrates only that the court clerk
was testifying from JIS. We do not know if she was reading from the digital
image of the sentence and judgment or from a summary elsewhere in JIS. If she
was reading from the digital image of the document, then for the 2014
conviction she was reading from the official court record. Missouri Rule
of Civil Procedure 103.03(a), which was adopted in 2011, states that the
digital entry of a document is now the official court record. Thus, the court
clerk's testimony from the digital image is admissible under the theory set
forth in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Taylor, Johnson</i>,
and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Quinn</i>, that testimony from
the official court record present in the courtroom is sufficient evidence to
comply with the requirements of Section 558.021.1(2). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Taylor,</i>
373 S.W.3d 513, 526 (Mo. App. E.D. 2012): <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Johnson</i>, 150 S.W.3d 132, 137 (Mo. App. E.D. 2004): <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Quinn</i>, 717 S.W.2d 262, 265-66
(Mo. App. S.D. 1986). As for Ralph's 2008 conviction, unless the clerk's office
had scanned the 2008 judgment and sentence into JIS as permitted by Rule
103.03(b) in 2011, JIS would not show a digital image of the official
court record. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See</i> Rule
103.03(b) (`If a court digitizes, records, scans, or otherwise reproduces
a document that is filed in paper into an electronic record, ... the electronic
record ... is the official court record.’). Nevertheless, the clerk's testimony
from JIS here was sufficient evidence to establish Ralph's prior convictions
under Section 558.021.1(2).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">State v. Ralph, supra.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And in one final footnote, the court explained that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">[w]hile there is no clear error here,
it is by far the better practice for the State to also introduce a physical
printout of the JIS record testified to before the trial court, for the
purposes of creating an exact record for appellate review of what the clerk
testified to. Section 490.130 does not require certification of this document.
We cannot delineate all the problems associated with relying solely on oral
testimony narrating JIS records, but suffice it to say a clerk may not even
have access to JIS if it is temporarily unavailable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Ralph, supra.</i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></span></div>
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-->Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-87056637830482013672017-08-18T18:15:00.001-04:002017-08-18T18:15:47.757-04:00 Armed Robbery, Using a Computer to Commit a Crime and the Habitual Offender<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t89uqYCphfU/WZdlfzZAoCI/AAAAAAAAF0k/nnuJX3VuvAYgqA0UD8jXtvbw7jcJx78tgCLcBGAs/s1600/Hillsdale_County_Courthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="672" height="216" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t89uqYCphfU/WZdlfzZAoCI/AAAAAAAAF0k/nnuJX3VuvAYgqA0UD8jXtvbw7jcJx78tgCLcBGAs/s320/Hillsdale_County_Courthouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This post examines a recent decision from the <a href="http://wiki/Michigan_Court_of_Appeals">Court of Appeals of Michigan</a>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Washington</i>,
2017 WL 3397494 (2017) (<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Per_curiam_decision">per curiam</a></i>).
The court begins the opinion, as courts usually do, by explaining how and why
the prosecution arose:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Defendant, Martell Washington,
was <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">convicted</span> by a
jury of armed robbery, Michigan Compiled Laws 750.529, assault with intent
to do great bodily harm less than murder, Michigan Compiled Laws 750.84,
assault by strangulation, Michigan Compiled Laws 750.84(1)(b), using a <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">computer</span> to commit a crime,
Michigan Compiled Laws 752l796, unauthorized use of a financial transaction
device, Michigan Compiled Laws 750.157n(1), felon in possession of a
firearm, Michigan Compiled Laws 750.224f, and second-offense possession of a
firearm during the commission of a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Felony">felony</a>, Michigan Compiled Laws 750.227b
and was sentenced as a fourth-offense habitual offender, Michigan Compiled Laws
769.12, to concurrent prison terms of 37 to 70 years for the robbery,
assault, and using-a-<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">computer</span>-to-commit-a-crime
convictions and 10 to 15 years for the unauthorized-use-of-a-financial-device
and felon-in-possessions convictions as well as a consecutive prison term of 5
years for the felony-firearm conviction. We affirm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Washington</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[o]n appeal, defendant first argues
that there was insufficient evidence to support the felon-in-possession, Michigan
Compiled Laws 750.224f, and felony-firearm, Michigan Compiled Laws
750.227b, convictions. We disagree. This Court reviews a defendant's challenge
to the sufficiency of the evidence <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_of_review#De_novo">de novo</a>. <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">People v. Bailey</span></i>, 310
Mich. App. 703, 713; 873 N.W.2d 855 (2015). When determining whether the
prosecution presented sufficient evidence to support a conviction, we view the
evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution to decide whether a
rational trier of fact could have found that the essential elements of the
crime or crimes at issue were proved beyond a reasonable doubt. <i>People
v. Reese</i>, 491 Mich. 127, 139; 815 N.W.2d 85 (2012). <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumstantial_evidence">Circumstantial evidence</a>, as well as any reasonable <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inference">inferences</a> that may be drawn therefrom, can
constitute sufficient proof of the essential elements of a crime. <i>People
v. Brantley</i>, 296 Mich. App. 546, 550; 823 N.W.2d 290 (2012). When reviewing
a defendant's challenge to the <a href="https://definitions.uslegal.com/s/sufficient-evidence/">sufficiency of the evidence</a>, we are required to
draw all reasonable inferences and make all credibility determinations in
support of the jury's verdict. <i>People v. Nowack</i>, 462 Mich. 392,
400; 614 N.W.2d 78 (2000).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Washington</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then explains that in<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
order to find a defendant guilty of
felon-in-possession, a jury must find that he or she possessed a firearm and
had been previously convicted of a felony. Michigan Compiled Laws
750.224f; see also <i>People v. Perkins</i>, 262 Mich. App. 267, 270–271;
686 N.W.2d 237 (2004), abrogated in part on other grounds by <i>People v.
Smith–Anthony</i>, 494 Mich. 669; 837 N.W.2d 415 (2013). In order to find a
defendant guilty of felony-firearm, a jury must find that he or she possessed a
firearm during the commission or attempted commission of a felony. Michigan
Compiled Laws 750.227b; see also <i>People v. Avant</i>, 235 Mich. App.
499, 505; 597 N.W.2d 864 (1999). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Washington</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court goes on to explain that <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[o]n appeal, defendant does not argue
that the prosecution presented legally insufficient evidence to support a
conclusion that he had been previously been convicted of a felony or that he
participated in the commission of a felony at the relevant time in this case.
Instead, he only argues that the prosecution presented legally insufficient
evidence to support a conclusion that he possessed a firearm during the
commission of the crimes at issue in this case. The term `firearm’ is statutorily
defined as follows: `”Firearm” means any weapon which will, is designed to, or
may readily be converted to expel a projectile by action of an explosive. Michigan
Compiled Laws 750.222(e).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
In this case, the prosecution's case
relied largely on the testimony of the victim. The victim testified, in
relevant part, that defendant threatened him with `[a] silver gun.’ When
subsequently asked whether the gun was `a handgun,’ the victim answered
affirmatively. This testimony, when viewed in a light most favorable to the
prosecution, <i>Reese</i>, 491 Mich. at 139, drawing all reasonable
inferences and making all credibility determinations in support of the jury's
verdicts, <i>Nowack</i>, 462 Mich. at 400, constitutes legally sufficient
evidence to support the jury's guilty verdicts on the felon-in-possession and
felony-firearm charges. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Defendant claims on appeal that `there
was no evidence from which a jury could reasonably infer that [defendant]
possessed a firearm[,]’ but, in our view, the victim's testimony is precisely
that. Defendant also claims on appeal that reversal is required because the
prosecution did not disprove that the `silver gun’ was not a `handgun designed
or manufactured exclusively for propelling by a spring, or by gas or air, BB's
not exceeding .117 caliber.’ See <i>People v. Peals</i>, 476 Mich. 636,
640; 720 N.W.2d 196 (2006). However, his position in this regard relies on a
previous version of the statutory definition of the term `firearm.’ The current
version, which is quoted above, was effective as of July 1, 2015, see 2015 PA
26, and the crimes at issue in this case were committed on July 3, 2015. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Accordingly, we conclude that the
prosecution presented sufficient evidence to support the felon-in-possession
and felony-firearm convictions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Washington</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then took up an issue relating to the
using a computer to commit a crime offense with which Washington was charged
and of which the jury found him guilty. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People
v. Washington</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>. It began by
explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[o]n appeal, defendant also argues that
the trial court's 37–to–70-year prison sentence for his
using-a-computer-to-commit-a-crime conviction, Michigan Compiled Laws
752.796, must be vacated because Michigan Compiled Laws 752.797(3)(d) only
allows for a prison term of not more than 7 years under the facts and
circumstances of this case. We disagree. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Michigan Compiled Laws 752.prohibits a
person from using a `computer program, computer, computer system, or computer
network to commit, attempt to commit, conspire to commit, or solicit another
person to commit a crime.’ The penalty for violating Michigan Compiled
Laws 752.796 is determined based on the maximum sentence for the crime
that was committed using the computer, which, in this case, was the
unauthorized use of a financial transaction device, Michigan Compiled Laws
750.157n(1). Because Michigan Compiled Laws 750.157n(1) does not set
forth a penalty for a violation of its provisions, the applicable prison term
is required to be not more than 4 years. See Michigan Compiled Laws
750.503. Consequently, because a 4–year prison term falls between 4 and 10
years, Michigan Compiled Laws 752.797(3)(d) provides that the maximum
sentence for a violation of Michigan Compiled Laws 752.796 premised
on a violation of Michigan Compiled Laws 750.157n(1) would,
ordinarily, be 7 years.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Washington</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals goes on to explain that <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[h]owever, that is not the case here.
On appeal, defendant fails to acknowledge that he was sentenced as a
fourth-offense habitual offender. See Michigan Compiled Laws 769.12.
Consequently, pursuant to Michigan Compiled Laws 769.12(1)(b), the trial
court was permitted to sentence defendant, a fourth-offense habitual offender,
to a prison term of up to life. While Michigan Compiled Laws
769.12(3) limits a court's authority to impose a sentence such as this in
some circumstances, it does not appear that any of those circumstances are present
here. Indeed, as indicated above, defendant does not even acknowledge his
status as a fourth-offense habitual offender when making this argument on
appeal. Furthermore, had the Legislature intended to prohibit the
application of the habitual-offender enhancements to circumstances
involving Michigan Compiled Laws 750.157n, Michigan Compiled Laws
752.796, or Michigan Compiled Laws 752.797, it certainly could have
expressed such an intent. But, it did not. See <i>People v. Allen</i>, 499
Mich. 307, 317–318; 884 N.W.2d 548 (2016). Accordingly, we conclude that
defendant is not entitled to resentencing with respect to his
using-a-computer-to-commit-a-crime conviction.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Washington</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then took up an issue that is,
honestly, new to me. The court explains that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Defendant's last argument on appeal
challenges the trial court's scoring of offense variable (OV) 1, OV 2, and OV
10. He claims that all three OVs were scored erroneously and that resentencing
is required. We disagree.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Under the sentencing guidelines, the
circuit court's factual determinations are reviewed for clear error and must be
supported by a preponderance of the evidence. Whether the facts, as found, are
adequate to satisfy the scoring conditions prescribed by the statute, i.e., the
application of the facts to the law, is a question of statutory interpretation,
which an appellate court reviews de novo. [<i>People v. Hardy</i>, 494 Mich.
430, 438; 835 N.W.2d 340 (2013) ]<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
With respect to OVs 1 and 2, defendant
argues that each OV was improperly scored because there was insufficient
evidence to support a conclusion that he possessed a firearm during the crimes
at issue. OV 1 is to be scored at 15 points if a firearm was pointed at or
toward a victim, Michigan Compiled Laws 777.31(1)(c), and OV 2 is to be
scored at 5 points if the offender possessed or used a firearm (subject to some
exceptions not applicable here), Michigan Compiled Laws 777.32(1)(d).
Here, as discussed above, the victim expressly testified that defendant
possessed a firearm during the crimes at issue. This testimony was sufficient
to support the trial court's scoring of OVs 1 and 2, and we reject defendant's
argument that `[t]he fact that no shots were fired preponderates in favor of a
finding that [defendant] did not possess a pistol within the meaning of OV–1
and OV–2.’ <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
A simple review of the language
in Michigan Compiled Laws 777.31(1)(c) and Michigan Compiled
Laws 777.32(1)(d) demonstrates that the Legislature did not include a
requirement that `shots [be] fired’ in order to score OV 1 at 15 points and OV
2 at 5 points. Accordingly, we conclude that the trial court correctly scored
OV 1 and OV 2.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Washington</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court then took up the issue of the remaining OV,
explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[w]ith respect to OV 10, defendant
argues that `[t]he evidence show[s] that this was a purely opportunistic
crime.’ OV 10 is to be scored at 15 points if `[p]redatory conduct was involved.’
Michigan Compiled Laws 777.40(1)(a), in the commission of the crimes at issue.
Defendant claimed at sentencing and again argues on appeal that OV 10 should
have been scored at 10, not 15 points. Even if we assume that defendant is
correct, however, resentencing is not required. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Defendant, a fourth-offense habitual
offender, was sentenced based on an applicable minimum sentence range of 135 to
450 months, which was premised on his placement in OV Level III with a total OV
score of 45 points. See Michigan Compiled Laws 777.62. Even if we were to
reduce that total OV score by 5 points as requested by defendant, he would
remain placed in OV Level III and would, therefore, be subject to the same
applicable minimum sentence range. When an alleged scoring error would not
impact the appropriate minimum sentence range, resentencing is not required.
See <i>People v. Fransisco</i>, 474 Mich. 82, 89 n 8; 711 N.W.2d 44 (2006);
see also <i>People v. Biddles</i>, 316 Mich. App. 148, 156; ––– N.W.2d
–––– (2016). Accordingly, even if we assume that the trial court erroneously
scored OV 10 at 15 points, resentencing is not required.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Affirmed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Washington</i>,
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-54351779758574811942017-08-16T10:00:00.000-04:002017-08-16T10:00:08.423-04:00The Text Messages, Criminal Harassment and the Sufficiency of the Evidence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BVCHjqS9S8g/WZRMe5JEQPI/AAAAAAAAF0Q/o_DMwqF9T3UZOBPNwqiVsFGin7anHkeKgCLcBGAs/s1600/OldSuffolkCMaCourt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BVCHjqS9S8g/WZRMe5JEQPI/AAAAAAAAF0Q/o_DMwqF9T3UZOBPNwqiVsFGin7anHkeKgCLcBGAs/s320/OldSuffolkCMaCourt.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This post examines an opinion from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts_Appeals_Court">Appeals Court of Massachusetts</a>:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v. Villaneuva</i>, 92 Mass. App. Ct. 1101 (2017). The
court begins the opinion by explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[f]ollowing a jury-waived trial, the
defendant was <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">convicted</span> of
criminal harassment pursuant to <a href="https://malegislature.gov/Laws/GeneralLaws/PartIV/TitleI/Chapter265/Section43">Massachusetts General Laws 265, § 43A(a)</a>, based
on a series of <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">text</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">messages</span> he sent over a two-hour
period to the victim. On appeal, he claims that the evidence was
insufficient to prove that he committed three separate acts of harassing
conduct over a period of time, as required by the statute. For the reasons that
follow, we affirm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Villaneuva</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[w]e recite the facts in the light most
favorable to the Commonwealth. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See Commonwealth v. Latimore</i>,
378 Mass. 671, 677 (1979). On January 1, 2014, the victim, whom we shall call
Mary, met the defendant while shopping at a Walmart store in Fairhaven. The two
engaged in some polite conversation. At a certain point, the defendant asked
Mary if she had a boy friend and then requested her telephone number. Mary gave
the defendant the number of her cellular telephone because she felt nervous.
The defendant tried the number and Mary's telephone rang. He then asked Mary
where she lived. She replied that she lived on Smith Street, but she did not
give her full address. That night, the defendant telephoned Mary twice and sent
her a number of text messages. Mary sent a text message in response to the telephone
calls telling the defendant that she was with her family. She ignored the text
messages.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The defendant and Mary had no further
contact until January 13, 2014, when the defendant sent Mary the following text
messages between 4:24 A.M. and 4:37 A.M.:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
4:24 A.M.: `Hey u FAT FucKEN CUNT,
when I see u, am fucken ur shitt upp.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
4:25 A.M.: `N when I see ur car,
am settin it ON fire too BiTcH, lmfaooooo.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
4:27 A.M.: `Hey When u sit down,
without a shirt n bra. Look DOWN at ur Rolls at ur belly n see how many u have,
lmfaooo.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
4:28 A.M.: `How many, like 3. Lol,
let me stop, cause I can't stop laughin tho.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
4:29 A.M.: `I feel bad for ur ass,
cause I don't forgitt faces. So ill be seein u soon.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
4:33 A.M.: `So-yeah I work at a
Fish House gittin paid $650.00 per week. N I have my own house by tha South End
Beach. I think am doin better then u, with jus ljob tho u fucken CUNT.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
4:35 A.M.: `U must always Smell
like FiSh when u wake up. Look at urself ur fat, ur not a model tho. Fat
bitches r only good enough for stuffin thea mouth all tha tim with food n COCK
too, lol.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
4:37 A.M.: `Peace n goodluck PuTA,
lmfaoooo.’ <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Villaneuva</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Mary did not read the messages until
later that morning. At 6:10 A.M., she replied:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
`You don't even know me!? I don't know
you I don't even know your name! Don't threaten me. Your going to fuck me up
and set my car on fire because I don't want to talk to a stranger? Wth is wrong
with you? Just delete my number like I thought you did and leave me alone!?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The defendant responded immediately by
sending three more text messages between 6:11 A.M. and
6:13 A.M.:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
6:11 A.M.: `Cunt.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
6:12 A.M.: `Smith st. Baby.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
6:13 A.M.: `Well why did u even
give me ur numba for?, if am a stranger. U make no sense for a sexy white gurl
tho.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Then, at 6:15 A.M., the defendant
sent Mary a photograph of a penis, after which Mary replied:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
6:15 A.M.: `K one min your telling
me I'm a fat cunt next your calling me sexy. I've never had someone I didn't
know what so ever ask for my number so I said ok because I was nervous and I
just got back with my bf. You just need to leave me alone I really don't want
to be threatened at 4 in the morning.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The defendant's last communication,
also sent at 6:15 A.M., was a photograph of himself smiling.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Villaneuva</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Appeals Court goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Mary testified that she felt scared
when she read the defendant's text messages. Due to her fear, she woke up her
cousin, with whom she lived, and asked her to sleep with her. She alerted her
mother and stepfather and reported the incidents to the police. For the
following two months, Mary carried a knife for protection and arranged to have
someone accompany her in and out of her house.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Villaneuva</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having explained how the prosecution arose, the Appeals
Court took up the defendant’s argument that the evidence presented at trial was
not sufficient to establish his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth
v. Villaneuva</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court began its analysis by explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
General Laws c. 265, § 43A(a), as
amended by St. 2010, c. 92, § 10, prohibits `willfully and maliciously
engag[ing] in a knowing pattern of conduct or series of acts over a period of
time directed at a specific person, which seriously alarms that person and
would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial emotional distress.’ The
defendant claims that his motion for a required finding of not guilty should
have been allowed because the Commonwealth failed to prove that he engaged in a
series of criminally harassing acts over a period of time. Instead, he claims,
the evidence established one continuous act of criminal harassment. The
Commonwealth asserts that each one of the thirteen text messages sent by the
defendant constitutes a separate and distinct act of harassment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Villaneuva</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>. The Appeals
Court began its analysis of the arguments made by both sides to the prosecution
by inserting this footnote after the sentence above in which Villaneuva argues
that the prosecution had not proven that he engaged in a series of criminally
harassing acts over a period of time:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Because the defendant challenges the
sufficiency of the evidence on only one element of the offense, we need not
address the evidence supporting the remaining elements. It suffices to note
that the Commonwealth met its burden of proof on all of the statutory elements.
Instead, he claims, the evidence established one continuous act of criminal
harassment. The Commonwealth asserts that each one of the thirteen text
messages sent by the defendant constitutes a separate and distinct act of
harassment.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Villaneuva</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Appeals Court went on to explain that the<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
statute does not define the meaning of
the words, `pattern of conduct or series of acts’ or `over a period of time.’
The Supreme Judicial Court has determined that the phrase, `pattern of conduct
or series of acts,’ requires the Commonwealth to prove three or more incidents
of harassment. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See Commonwealth v. Welch,</i>
444 Mass. 80, 89-90 (2005), overruled on another ground by <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">O'Brien v. Borowski,</i> 461 Mass.
415 (2012); <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">McDonald,</i> 462 Mass. 236, 240 (2012).
In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v. Valentin,</i>
91 Mass. App. Ct. 515, 523 (2017), we interpreted the phrase, `over a period of
time,’ to `simply denote[ ] the passage of time.’ We rejected the defendant's
contention that his conviction of stalking in violation of a restraining order
could not be sustained because each of the alleged acts occurred on the same
day. Giving the words, `over the course of time,’ `their usual and accepted
meanings,’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v. Zone
Book, Inc</i>., 372 Mass. 366, 369 (1977), we `s[aw] no reason to require a
particular interval of time between acts. As long as the acts are separate,
distinct, and separated by some interval, they occur ‘over a period of time’
within the meaning of the statute.’ <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Villaneuva</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court then began the process of enunciating its ruling
on the issues outlined above, explaining, initially, that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[w]e view the evidence and all
reasonable inferences that may be drawn therefrom in the light most favorable
to the Commonwealth, to determine whether `any rational <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trier_of_fact">trier of fact</a> could
have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v. Latimore</i>, 378
Mass. at 677-678. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Here, there was evidence that the
defendant sent eight text messages within a span of thirteen minutes. The
intervals between each message varied from one to four minutes. With respect to
this group of messages, it is clear that each one was separated by `some
interval,’ but not so clear that the messages are separate and distinct from
each other. We need not resolve this issue, because it matters not whether we
treat the first group of texts as one or eight incidents of harassing conduct. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
As we have noted, Mary read the first
group of text messages and replied to them about one and one-half hours after
they were sent. Thereafter, the defendant sent three additional text messages,
at least two of which qualify as harassing in nature. He then sent a
photograph of a penis. When Mary again responded, the defendant sent a
photograph of himself smiling. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Viewing this sequence in the light most
favorable to the Commonwealth, the judge could have found beyond a reasonable
doubt that the defendant engaged in at least four separate and distinct acts of
harassment separated by some interval. <i><a href="http://cf./">Cf.</a> </i>Commo<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">nwealth v. Kulesa</i>, 455 Mass.
447, 451 (2009) (`defendant's two telephone calls to the victim's sister’
on one afternoon were sufficient for two of three required acts). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Judgment affirmed</i>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Villaneuva</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i>.<span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
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</style>Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-64023383510271409792017-08-14T09:42:00.003-04:002017-08-14T09:42:42.223-04:00 Aggravated Indecent Exposure, Probation and the Internet Restrictions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oOwChibhpco/WZGmtj8c4MI/AAAAAAAAFz8/QEpOrOJ0DnofK2amUAKYvjOxb8joclUMwCLcBGAs/s1600/Hillsdale_County_Courthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="672" height="216" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oOwChibhpco/WZGmtj8c4MI/AAAAAAAAFz8/QEpOrOJ0DnofK2amUAKYvjOxb8joclUMwCLcBGAs/s320/Hillsdale_County_Courthouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This post examines a recent decision from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_Court_of_Appeals">Court of Appeals of Michigan</a>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Wilson</i>,
2017 WL 3197681 (2017) (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Per_curiam_decision"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">per curiam</i>)</a>.
The court begins the opinion by explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Defendant appeals, by delayed leave
granted, certain <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Probation">probation conditions</a> imposed for her <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> plea conviction of
aggravated indecent exposure, [<a href="http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(4mj2wpjoqdvfu03ewnqrfcm5))/mileg.aspx?page=getObject&objectName=mcl-750-335a">Michigan Compiled Laws] 750.335a(2)(b)</a>. The
trial court sentenced defendant to a five year term of probation, with the
first nine months to be served in jail. The trial court imposed additional
probation conditions upon defendant and required the payment of specific court
costs and fees. We vacate the condition of the defendant's probation
restricting her from owning, possessing, or using `any computer or any device
capable of connecting to the [i]nternet[,] either directly or indirectly[,]
through a third party provider or reside in any residence in which these are
present.’ We also remand for a hearing on whether the internet restrictions are
warranted and, if so, for the court to tailor those internet restrictions to
conform to the purpose behind defendant's individualized order of probation. We
affirm in all other respects.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Defendant, 24 years old when she
entered her <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> plea,
admitted that at some point between 2005 through 2010 (when she was between 14
and 19 years old) she exposed and fondled her breast in front of a young
person. The trial court sentenced defendant to a five year probation which
included as a condition of probation that defendant not `own, possess, or use
any computer or any device capable of connecting to the [i]nternet[,] either
directly or indirectly[,] through a third party provider or reside in any residence
in which these are present’ unless she first obtains written permission from
the field agent. Additionally, the trial court ordered defendant to pay $68 for
`State Cost,’ $130 as a crime victim assessment fee, $300 in court costs, $600
as a supervision fee, and $400 as a <a href="https://www.lawserver.com/law/state/michigan/mi-laws/michigan_laws_771-3c">county probation oversight fee</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Wilson,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[t]hereafter, defendant moved the trial
court to correct an `invalid sentence.’ Defendant argued that the complete ban
on computer and internet use was an unlawful, overbroad probation condition and
was not rationally related to defendant's rehabilitation or the facts of the
case. Defendant further sought to have the order for a $400 `county probation
oversight fee’ vacated, contending that the trial court lacked the necessary
statutory authorization to impose that assessment. The trial court denied
defendant's motion. The trial court acknowledged that the computer ban seemed
overbearing and was `excessive maybe on some levels,’ but opined that because
the county apparently imposed the computer ban as a restriction on all
individuals under their supervision for sex offenses, it was not going to `step
on the toes of the legislation.’ The trial court further found that the $400
fee is supported through the county and that there was verification as to how
the funds were to be used by the county. A panel of this Court denied
defendant's delayed application for leave to appeal the above decision. <i>People
v. Wilson</i>, unpublished order of the Court of Appeals, entered February 4,
2016 (Docket No. 330799). However, our Supreme Court, in lieu of granting
defendant's application for leave to appeal the Court of Appeals' denial,
remanded the cases to the Court of Appeals for consideration as on leave
granted. <i>People v. Wilson</i>, 500 Mich. 928; 889 N.W.2d 249 (2017).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Wilson,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then took up the issue of the probation
conditions, explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[w]e review the trial court's decision
to set terms of probation for an <a href="https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/abuse_of_discretion">abuse of discretion</a>. <i>People v. Zujko</i>,
282 Mich. App. 520, 521; 765 N.W.2d 897 (2008). A trial court abuses its
discretion only when its decision falls outside the principled range of
outcomes. <i>People v. Malinowski</i>, 301 Mich. App. 182, 185; 835 N.W.2d
468 (2013).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
A sentencing judge is accorded wide
discretion in setting conditions of probation. <i>People v. Miller</i>,
182 Mich. App. 711, 713; 452 N.W.2d 890 (1990). <a href="http://www.legislature.mi.gov/(S(p05dja1xjc1lhloitji2oqzb))/mileg.aspx?page=GetObject&objectname=mcl-771-3">MCL 771.3(3) </a>permits
a court to `impose other lawful conditions of probation as the circumstances of
the case require or warrant or as in its judgment are proper.’ Thus, only if
the conditions are unlawful will the judge's determination be disturbed. <i>Miller</i>,
182 Mich. App. at 713. `While there is no ultimate catalog of legal or illegal
terms, and the Legislature did not define what constitutes a ‘lawful’ term of
probation, there must be a rational relationship between the restriction and
rehabilitation.’ <i>Id.</i> (internal citations omitted).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Wilson,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court goes on to explain that the<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
discretion given to the trial court to
impose `other lawful conditions of probation’ is `obviously necessary to allow
trial judges to tailor sentences to the differing circumstances of those <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">convicted</span> of crimes and to meet
the requirement of individualized sentencing.’ <i>People v. Peters</i>,
191 Mich. App. 159, 165; 477 N.W.2d 479 (1991); Michigan Compiled Laws
771.3(3). According to this Court:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
`To accomplish the purpose of
[probation], an exceptional degree of flexibility in administration is
essential. It is necessary to individualize each case, to give that careful,
humane[,] and comprehensive consideration to the particular situation of each
offender which would be possible only in the exercise of broad discretion. [<i>Peters</i>,
191 Mich. App. at 165, quoting <a href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/287/216/case.html%20(burns)">Burns v. United States, 287 U.S.216, 220; 53 S.Ct. 154; 77 L.Ed. 266 (1932)</a>].<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
`[E]ach judge must decide for himself
whether there is a rational relationship between the restriction and
rehabilitation.’ <i>People v. Johnson</i>, 92 Mich. App. 766, 768; 285
N.W.2d 453 (1979).’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Wilson,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals went on to explain that the<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
challenged probation term restricted
defendant from owning, possessing, or using `any computer or any device capable
of connecting to the[i]nternet [,] either directly or indirectly[,] through a
third party provider or reside in any residence in which these are present’
unless she first obtains written permission from the field agent. According to
defendant's probation officer, Bruce Garchow, the condition was imposed on all
individuals that are under supervision for sex offenses. <i>Any</i> universal
probation condition defeats the aim of rehabilitation where it is not tailored
to each individual's offense and rehabilitation. The victim in this matter
reported various incidents of sexual assault by defendant, and included a
statement that defendant showed him pornographic movies. While pornography can
be accessed on the internet, the restriction failed to account for other legitimate,
lawful and necessary use of a computer and the internet. Placing a total ban on
one's ability to use a computer and the internet for five years, or to reside
in any residence where a computer or the internet is present, could pose a
significant barrier to a defendant's transition back into society. Moreover,
such a broad restriction could prove unworkable in today's high-tech society
where some jobs require online applications and even the most basic cell phones
are “capable of connecting to the internet.”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
In her brief on appeal, as she did
before the trial court, defendant outlines several legitimate reasons to use
the internet. Specifically, defendant desires to use the internet to
research questions and issues related to the parenting of her recently born
twins, job hunting, housing, and daycare, and to communicate with her fiancé
and to allow her children to do so while he is on military duty. The trial
court did not state any reason for the blanket restriction and the prosecution
did not explain how the restriction might be related to defendant's
rehabilitation. In fact, the trial court was troubled by the overbearing and
the excessive nature of the condition, but declined to modify the restriction.
A broad blanket restriction on the use of the internet and computers, without
regard to a defendant's need for the resources and the state's interest in
rehabilitation of the defendant is questionable, particularly when there was
nothing to show that the restriction was lawfully and logically related to the nt's defendant's rehabilitation. <i>Miller</i>, 182 Mich. App. at 713; <i>Peters</i>,
191 Mich. App. at 164–165.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Wilson,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court then goes on to point out that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[f]ederal appellate courts have
addressed similar issues regarding computer and/or internet
restrictions. For instance, in <i>United States v. Sofsky</i>, 287
F3d 122, 124 (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Court_of_Appeals_for_the_Second_Circuit">U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2d Circuit 2002</a>), the defendant
pleaded <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> to
receiving child pornography. A condition of his probation prohibited him from
using a computer or the internet without the approval of his probation
officer. <i>Id.</i> Quoting <i>United States v. Peterson</i>,
248 F3d 79, 83 (U.S. Court of Appeals for the 2d Circuit, 2001), the court
noted that `”‘computers and Internet access have become virtually indispensable
in the modern world of communications and information gathering,”’ and that ‘”although
a defendant might use the telephone to commit fraud, this would not justify a
condition of probation that includes an absolute bar on the use of telephones."' <i>ofsky</i>, 287 F3d at 126. The court vacated the
condition and remanded for `entry of a more restricted condition.’ <i>Id.</i> at
127.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Similarly in <i>United States v.
Miller</i>, 594 F3d 172 (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Court_of_Appeals_for_the_Third_Circuit">U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3<sup>rd</sup> Circuit</a>
2010), the third circuit vacated the trial court's probation condition imposing
a lifetime limitation on internet use where the defendant was <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">convicted</span> of child pornography,
holding that it was a greater restraint of liberty than is reasonably necessary
and that `conditions restricting computer and internet usage for child
pornography offenders . . . as they bear on tools that are essential in modern
life for legitimate purposes of communication, commerce, and
information-gathering, must be narrowly tailored according to the context of
the particular offense.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Wilson,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then began the process of articulating
its ruling – its decision – in this case:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
. . . [W]hile there was a mention at
the motion hearing that the police report indicated that the pornography shared
with the victim was accessed on the internet, this could not be gleaned from
the PSIR or the victim's statement, which indicated only that he had been shown
pornography, but did not indicate whether it was on the computer as opposed to
a television. In any event, while these facts might provide some basis for a
restriction, the trial court did not individualize or tailor the restriction in
this case. Rather, the trial court imposed the condition because it was universal,
while noting that it was `overbearing’ and `excessive on some levels.’ Given
the broadness of the probation condition in this case and the failure to tailor
it to defendant's rehabilitation, we vacate the condition and remand to the
trial court for a hearing on whether the internet restrictions are warranted
and, if so, for the trial court to tailor those internet restrictions to
conform to the purpose behind defendant's individualized order of probation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
With respect to defendant's challenge
to the $400 `county oversight fee,’ as unauthorized by statute, we note that
issues of statutory interpretation are questions of law that we review <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_of_review#De_novo">de novo</a></i>. <i>Koontz v. Ameritech
Services, Inc.</i>, 466 Mich. 304, 309; 645 N.W.2d 34 (2002). `The right of the
court to impose costs in a criminal case is statutory.’ <i>People v.
Cunningham</i>, 496 Mich. 145,149; 852 N.W.2d 118 (2014), quoting <i>People
v. Wallace</i>, 245 Mich. 310, 313; 222 NW 698 (1929). `Thus, courts may impose
costs in criminal cases only where such costs are authorized by statute.’ <i>Id.</i> `[W]hen
a criminal defendant is placed on probation, courts may require the probationer
to pay expenses specifically incurred in prosecuting the defendant or providing
legal assistance to the defendant and the supervision of the probationer.’ <i>Id.</i> (internal
quotation marks omitted); Michigan Compiled Laws 771.3(5).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Wilson,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals goes on to explain that <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Michigan Compiled Laws
771.3(2)(c) provides that as a condition of probation, the court may
require the probationer to pay costs pursuant to subsection (5). Subsection (5)
provides: `If the court requires the probationer to pay costs under subsection
(2), the costs shall be limited to expenses specifically incurred in
prosecuting the defendant or providing legal assistance to the defendant and
the supervision of the probationer.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
During the motion hearing, plaintiff
explained that county probation oversight fees are used by the county to cover
probation expenses like heat, light, and other utilities. Specifically,
plaintiff stated that the statutory purpose for the fee was for the supervision
of probationers. Additionally, probation officer Garchow explained that the
probation oversight fee was a “standard” fee associated with all probationers,
which “goes to cover the office supplies used in the supervision of
probationers.” The oversight fee is thus authorized under Michigan Compiled
Laws 771.3(2)(c) and (5) as an expense incurred in the supervision of a
probationer and the trial court did not err in imposing the fee.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Wilson,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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And the court concluded the opinion with these comments:<o:p></o:p></div>
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We vacate the condition of the
defendant's probation restricting her from owning, possessing, or using `any
computer or any device capable of connecting to the [i]nternet[,] either directly
or indirectly[,] through a third party provider or reside in any residence in
which these are present’ and remand to the trial court for a hearing on whether
the internet restrictions are warranted and, if so, for the court to tailor
those internet restrictions to conform to the purpose behind defendant's
individualized order of probation. We affirm in all other respects. We do not
retain jurisdiction.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Wilson,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-25496883374443172882017-08-11T15:06:00.001-04:002017-08-11T15:06:13.100-04:00 The Emails, the Nolo Contendere Plea and Attorney Discipline<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cP6osN-IaVA/WY37DBhg2uI/AAAAAAAAFzs/ZZq_lDhRZ48Gj-B0XJMyBK3dQKkC-u7yQCLcBGAs/s1600/Seal_of_the_Supreme_Court_of_Georgia%2B%25281%2529.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="273" data-original-width="273" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cP6osN-IaVA/WY37DBhg2uI/AAAAAAAAFzs/ZZq_lDhRZ48Gj-B0XJMyBK3dQKkC-u7yQCLcBGAs/s200/Seal_of_the_Supreme_Court_of_Georgia%2B%25281%2529.gif" width="200" /></a></div>
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This post examines a recent opinion the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_Georgia_(U.S._state)">Supreme Court of Georgia</a> issued in an attorney discipline proceeding:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Matter
of Spain,</i> 2017 WL 2822453 (2017) (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Per_curiam_decision">per curiam)</a>. The Court begins the opinion by explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
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[t]his disciplinary matter is before
the Court on the second petition for voluntary discipline filed by Respondent
John Michael Spain (State Bar No. 668898) pursuant to <a href="https://www.gabar.org/barrules/handbookdetail.cfm?what=rule&id=195">Bar Rule 4-227 (b)(2)</a>; this Court rejected Spain's first petition for voluntary discipline. See <i>In
the Matter of Spain</i>, 300 Ga. 641, 797 S.E.2d 452 (2017). As recited in
our opinion on Spain's first petition,<o:p></o:p></div>
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In his petition, Spain, who became a
member of the Georgia Bar in 1999, admits that he pled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nolo_contendere">nolo contendere</a></i> in the State Court of Fayette County, Georgia to
one <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misdemeanor">misdemeanor</a> violation of <a href="http://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2010/title-16/chapter-5/article-7/16-5-90/">Georgia Code § 16-5-90</a> (<a href="http://statelaws.findlaw.com/georgia-law/georgia-stalking-laws.html">stalking</a>), and
one misdemeanor violation of <a href="http://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2015/title-16/chapter-11/article-2/section-16-11-39.1">Georgia Code § 16-11-39.1</a> (<a href="http://law.justia.com/codes/georgia/2010/title-16/chapter-11/article-2/16-11-39-1/">harassing communications</a>). He was sentenced to one year of probation on each count to be served
<a href="http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/concurrent-consecutive-sentences-double-punishment.html">consecutively</a>. He states that the charges to which he pled <i>nolo contendere</i> were
based on numerous emails that he sent over an approximately two-day period to
opposing counsel in a divorce case, in which he is the defendant, and that he
was acting pro se at the time, although he has since retained counsel. Spain
further admits that the emails included inappropriate threatening language,
intimidation and personal attacks directed to opposing counsel, including
inappropriate remarks about counsel and members of her family, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_hominem">ad hominem</a></i> statements about his wife.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Matter of Spain,
supra.</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to explain that Spain<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
admitted that by virtue of his
convictions he had violated Rule 8.4(a)(3) of the Georgia Rules of
Professional Conduct, and sought as discipline a Review Panel or public
reprimand; the maximum sanction for a violation of Rule 8.4(a)(3) is
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disbarment">disbarment</a>. This Court concluded that the suggested discipline of a reprimand,
as requested by Spain and supported by the Bar, was insufficient in light of
our prior case law on violations of <a href="https://www.gabar.org/barrules/handbookdetail.cfm?what=rule&id=160%20(8(4)(a)(3)">Rule 8.4(a)(3)</a> and rejected
Spain's petition.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Matter of Spain,
supra.</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Supreme Court goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[i]n the present petition, Spain states
that he seeks a suspension of at least 30 days in duration but acknowledges
that he would accept a longer suspension, or even disbarment. As in his prior
petition,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Spain offers in mitigation that he has
no prior disciplinary record and at the time of his misconduct he was suffering
from personal and emotional problems related to his marriage, compounded by the
divorce which, contrary to his expectations based on a prenuptial agreement,
entailed substantial litigation for which his bankruptcy practice provided no
helpful experience. Spain states that he has since retained an attorney to
represent him in the divorce action and that he has sought professional help
for these problems. In addition, he states that he acted in good faith to
rectify the consequences of his conduct by entering <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nolo_contendere">nolo contendere</a></i> pleas, and
he has cooperated fully with the State Bar in bringing this matter to a
voluntary resolution. Finally, he states that his misconduct did not involve
his own practice or his own clients, he is deeply remorseful and recognizes
that his conduct was contrary to his professional obligations and longstanding
personal values, and he wishes that he could reverse his actions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Matter of Spain,
supra.</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Supreme Court goes on to explain that,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[h]owever, in the present petition and
a subsequently filed brief in support, Spain elaborates that he seeks to have
this Court consider his `actual conduct’ in relation to his fitness to practice
law. In furtherance of that goal, Spain recounts the facts that led to the
incident underlying his criminal convictions, but his presentation of facts
consists mostly of an explanation of the reasons for his email tirade against
the victim, rather than an assessment of his conduct. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
For instance, Spain asserts in his
petition that the victim of his email tirade—opposing counsel in his
divorce—was `in violation of certain ethical rules relating to the practice of
law,’ that the victim could have and should have provided a variety of
testimony in support of his motion to enforce the couple's prenuptial
agreement, and that he `hopes never to file a grievance against [the victim]
because Petitioner does not believe even a successful grievance <i>would
ameliorate his own station in life</i>.’ (emphasis added). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The first section of his supporting
brief is given over to a similar, although even more detailed, recitation of
the underlying facts. The brief then proceeds to a discussion of some
authority, much of it from other states or from federal immigration
proceedings, that bears on the question of whether his crimes of conviction constituted
offenses involving <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moral_turpitude">moral turpitude</a>. The brief ultimately concludes that no
authority definitely resolves that question but that, nevertheless, his conduct
should be punished under Rule 8.4(a)(3).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Matter
of Spain, supra.</i> If you click on the link above to Rule 8.4(a)(3), you will
see that Rule 8.4(a)(3) says it is “a violation of the Georgia Rules of Professional
Conduct for a lawyer to . . .<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 9.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"> </span>be convicted of a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Misdemeanor">misdemeanor</a> involving
moral turpitude where the underlying conduct relates to the lawyer's fitness to
practice law”.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Matter of Spain,
supra.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court goes on to explain that <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[i]n the Bar's response, it states that
it supports Spain's petition, but believes that a suspension greater than
Spain's suggestion of 30 days would be appropriate. The Bar's response reviews
the case facts, with particular attention to the details of Spain's emails to
the victim, discusses the general law regarding the establishing of a proper
level of discipline, and notes that this Court's opinion rejecting Spain's
prior petition clarified the range of permissible discipline when an attorney
is <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">convicted</span> or
found <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> of a
crime in violation of <a href="https://www.gabar.org/barrules/handbookdetail.cfm?what=rule&id=160">Rule 8.4(a)(3)</a>. The Bar also notes that, although
Spain stridently insists that he is deeply remorseful for his conduct and that
he is throwing himself on the mercy of the Court, his filings before this Court
focus largely on an attempt to explain the circumstances that led to his <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> tirade. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The Bar also recognizes that the manner
in which Spain goes about this explanation may cause one reasonably to doubt
the true extent of his remorse, including whether he considers himself the
ultimate victim in all of this—possibly bringing into question the extent to
which Spain's professed remorse should be taken in mitigation. The Bar's
response does not otherwise contest Spain's asserted factors in mitigation, but
does suggest in aggravation of discipline that Spain had a selfish motive in
trying to extract a settlement in the divorce proceedings, that he has failed
to completely accept responsibility for his conduct, and that he has
considerable experience in the practice of law. Finally, the Bar notes that
Spain's probation for the convictions that gave rise to this petition is
scheduled to end on June 27, 2018, and suggests that a suspension that
terminates at the conclusion of Spain's probation may be an appropriate
sanction.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Matter of Spain,
supra.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Supreme Court then explains that,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[h]aving reviewed the record, we find
that a one-year suspension with reinstatement conditioned upon proof of
termination of probation is an appropriate level of discipline in this matter.
See <i>In the Matter of Williams</i>, 284 Ga. 96, 663 S.E.2d 181
(2008); <i>In the Matter of Paine</i>, 280 Ga. 208, 210, 625 S.E.2d 768
(2006). Accordingly, Spain's petition for voluntary discipline is accepted and
Spain is suspended from the practice of law in this State for one year from the
date of this opinion, with his reinstatement conditioned upon acceptable proof,
provided to the State Bar's Office of General Counsel, that his probation has
been terminated. If the State Bar agrees that the condition has been met, it
will submit a notice of compliance to this Court, and this Court will issue an
order granting or denying reinstatement. Spain is reminded of his duties
under <a href="https://www.gabar.org/barrules/handbookdetail.cfm?what=rule&id=150">Bar Rule 4-219(c)</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Petition for voluntary discipline
accepted. One year suspension with conditions for reinstatement.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Matter of Spain,
supra.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[a]ll the Justices <a href="http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/concur">concur</a>
except Blackwell and Peterson, JJ., who concur in part and
dissent in part.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Blackwell, Justice, concurring in part
and dissenting in part.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
I concur in the acceptance of the
petition for voluntary discipline, but I am not convinced that a one-year
suspension is necessary, and I <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissenting_opinion">dissent</a> from the imposition of the suspension.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
I am authorized to state that
Justice Peterson joins this opinion.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Matter of Spain,
supra.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-69070134051321256262017-08-09T10:27:00.004-04:002017-08-09T10:27:38.439-04:00 The GPS Bicycle, Grand Theft and Formal Probation <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAsnp-uYjvM/WYsaTlw5W_I/AAAAAAAAFzc/eet8EbE-nVYojbldtQ49hUaHeDz7ci-mACLcBGAs/s1600/bicycle%2Bphoto.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAsnp-uYjvM/WYsaTlw5W_I/AAAAAAAAFzc/eet8EbE-nVYojbldtQ49hUaHeDz7ci-mACLcBGAs/s320/bicycle%2Bphoto.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This post examines a recent opinion from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_courts_of_appeal#Fourth_District">California Court of Appeal – Fourth District</a>: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Lewis</i>, 2017 WL 2591284
(2017).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The court begins the opinion by
explaining that <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Randall Lewis pleaded <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> to one count of grand
theft of property with a value exceeding $950 (<a href="http://law.onecle.com/california/penal/487.html">Pen. Code § 487</a>, subd. (a);
count 1). The court placed Lewis on three years of <a href="https://www.avvo.com/legal-guides/ugc/understanding-probation-in-california">formal probation </a>and imposed
certain probation terms and conditions. The court committed Lewis to 90 days in
county jail with 85 days of credit for time served. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
On appeal, Lewis challenges two of the
probation conditions. First, he contends the condition requiring him to obtain
approval from the probation officer regarding his residence is
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overbreadth_doctrine">unconstitutionally overbroad</a>. Second, he contends the portion of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution">Fourth Amendment</a> waiver condition permitting warrantless searches of `<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">computers</span>, and recordable media’ is
unreasonable and constitutionally overbroad. We conclude Lewis forfeited his
challenge to the residence approval condition and, even if he did not, the condition
is not unconstitutional. We conclude the warrantless electronic search
condition is valid under <i>People v. Lent</i> (1975) 15 Cal.3d 481,
486 (<i>Lent</i> ) and is not unconstitutionally overbroad. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Lewis</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeal goes on to outline the “factual and
procedural background” of this case, explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Lewis took a bicycle, which a police
officer had placed against a tree. Police officers observed Lewis take the
bicycle, walk it around a building, and then ride the bicycle down the block.
The officers stopped and arrested Lewis for theft. The bicycle was appraised at
$4,300 based upon global positioning and radio frequency equipment integrated
in the bicycle.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Lewis</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion then takes up the issues of Lewis’ “criminal
history”, which the Court of Appeal says<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
spanned nearly 30 years with numerous
misdemeanor and felony convictions, most of which involved crimes related to
drugs and alcohol. Although he was granted summary probation on more than 20
occasions over the years, he was unable to remain law abiding.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Based upon the stipulated <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> plea, the court granted
formal probation in this case, but imposed various conditions. These conditions
included completion of treatment, therapy, and counseling programs, including
substance abuse and anti-theft programs. The conditions also prohibited use of
controlled substances and alcohol when required by the probation officer and
submission to drug and alcohol testing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Pertinent to this appeal, one probation
condition required Lewis to obtain prior approval of his residence. The
general <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Fourth</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Amendment</span> waiver condition
required Lewis to `[s]ubmit [his] person, vehicle, residence, property,
personal effects, <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">computers</span>,
and recordable media</i> to search at any time with or without a warrant,
and with or without reasonable cause. . . .’ (Italics added.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Lewis's counsel objected to probation
condition 6.n. regarding warrantless searches in its entirety, and specifically
objected to the part of the search condition regarding Lewis's computers and
recordable media based on <i>People v. Lent, supra</i>, 15 Cal.3d at page
481 and <i>In re J.B.</i> (2015) 242 Cal.App.4th 749, 758 (<i>J.B</i>.).
The court rejected Lewis's objection stating, `I'm imposing 6[.n.], all of it.
Full fourth waiver, you, your personal property, your residence can be searched
at any time by law enforcement no questions asked. It's a theft case. Again,
like guns, like alcohol, unfortunately—that's not my determination, but
pictures can be taken of evidence. I think it's appropriate.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Lewis</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court goes on to outline the “general principles and
standard of review” it needed to apply to the issues in this case.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People
v. Lewis</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra.</i> It began by
explaining that <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trial_court">trial courts <o:p></o:p></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
enjoy wide discretion when determining
the conditions and scope of probation. (§ 1203.1 et seq.) A trial court may
impose any `reasonable conditions, as it may determine are fitting and proper
to the end that justice may be done, . . ., and generally and specifically for
the reformation and rehabilitation of the probationer . . . .’ (§ 1203.1, subd.
(j).) Accordingly, a condition will only be invalid if it is: (1) not
reasonably related to the defendant's crime, (2) conduct that is otherwise
legal, and (3) not reasonably related to preventing future criminality. (<i>Lent,
supra</i>, 15 Cal.3d at p. 486.) A party seeking to invalidate a condition must
show each of the three prongs is satisfied. (<i>People v. Olguin </i>(2008) 45
Cal.4th 375, 379 (<i>Olguin</i> ).)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
When a probation condition imposes
limitations on a constitutional right, the limitations must be closely tailored
to the purpose of the condition so as to avoid being unconstitutionally
overbroad. (<i>Olguin, supra,</i> 45 Cal.4th at p. 384.) `The essential
question in an overbreadth challenge is the closeness of the fit between the
legitimate purpose of the restriction and the burden it imposes on the
defendant's constitutional rights—bearing in mind, of course, that perfection
in such matters is impossible, and that practical necessity will justify some
infringement.’ (<i>In re. E.O.</i>(2010) 188 Cal.App.4th 1149, 1153.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Lewis</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to explain that <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[p]robation is not an inherent right;
it is an act of leniency. (<i>People v. Wardlow</i> (1991) 227 Cal.App.3d
360, 365.) The purpose of probation is to serve as a `period of genuine
rehabilitation.' (<a href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/483/868/"><i>Griffin v. Wisconsin</i> (1987) 483 U.S. 868, 875</a>.)
In California, probationers may consent to limiting their constitutional rights
in preference to incarceration. (<i>Olguin, supra</i>, 45 Cal.4th at p. 384.)
In other words, a defendant may choose to serve the prison sentence and reject
probation if a condition appears too onerous. (<i>Id</i>. at p. 379.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Generally, we review conditions of
probation for abuse of discretion. (<i>Olguin, supra</i>, 45 Cal.4th at p. 379.)
However, when a probation condition is challenged on constitutional grounds, we
review the condition <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_of_review#De_novo">de novo</a></i>. (<i>In
re Shaun R.</i> (2010) 188 Cal.App.4th 1129, 1143.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Lewis</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeal then took up Lewis’ challenges to two of
the probation conditions imposed on him, beginning with the one that his
probation officer approve where he was living. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Lewis</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra.</i>
The court began its analysis of this condition by explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Lewis contends the probation condition
requiring approval of his residence violates his right to travel and freedom of
association under the First Amendment. The People contend Lewis forfeited this
challenge by failing to object to the condition at the sentencing hearing
because the challenge does not present a pure question of law, easily
remediable on appeal without reference to the factual record. (<i>In re Sheena
K.</i> (2007) 40 Cal.4th 875, 888 (<i>Sheena K.</i>).)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
`[A]bsent an objection, a defendant
may, on appeal, argue a condition is unconstitutional if the claim presents a “‘pure
question[ ] of law that can be resolved without reference to the particular
sentencing record developed in the trial court.’” ([<i>Sheena K., supra,</i>]
40 Cal.4th [at p.] 889, quoting <i>People v. Welch</i> (1993) 5
Cal.4th 228, 235.) In the usual case, however, probationers are well advised to
object at sentencing to conditions they find improper or unjustified, thereby
ensuring they have preserved the issue for appeal.’ (<i>People v. Moran</i>(2016)
1 Cal.5th 398, 403, fn. 5.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Lewis admitted, `whether the residence
approval condition impedes appellant's constitutional right to travel cannot be
assessed without at least a glance at the record, given that the condition is
not necessarily overbroad in the abstract.’ Lewis did not object to the residence
approval requirement at the sentencing hearing and did not develop a factual
record to show an unreasonable impingement of his constitutional rights. As
such, he forfeited the challenge to this condition.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Lewis</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court continued its analysis of Lewis’ challenge to this
condition, explaining that <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[e]ven if we were to exercise our
discretion to consider the challenge, the condition is not unconstitutionally
overbroad. Although conditions requiring prior approval of a probationer's
residence may affect the constitutional rights to travel and freedom of
association (<i>People v. Bauer</i> (1989) 211 Cal.App.3d 937, 944 (<i>Bauer</i> )),
courts have the authority to do so if there is an indication the probationer's
living situation contributed to the crime or would contribute to future
criminality. (<i>People v. Soto</i> (2016) 245 Cal.App.4th 1219, 1228.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Similarly, the right to free
association may be limited if it is reasonably necessary to meet the essential
needs of rehabilitation and public order. (<i>People v. O'Neil</i> (2008)
165 Cal.App.4th 1351, 1356.) A probation condition limiting the right to
association `”is permissible if it is `(1) primarily designed to meet the ends
of rehabilitation and protection of the public and (2) reasonably related to
such ends.’”’(<i>Ibid.</i>)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Lewis's history of substance abuse and
criminal activity spans nearly three decades and appears to impact his living
situation. He has repeatedly been found sleeping on sidewalks or under trees.
He also was involved in disturbances at his prior residences. Unlike in <i>Bauer,
supra</i>, 211 Cal.App.3d 937, where the condition appeared designed to
prohibit the defendant from living with his overprotective parents, the
condition here is reasonably related to Lewis's rehabilitation and protection
of the public. Requiring approval of Lewis's residence will allow probation
officers to supervise Lewis and limit his exposure to sources of temptation for
future criminality. Probation officers cannot withhold residential approval for
irrational or capricious reasons. Therefore, the requirement is not unduly
burdensome. (<i>Olguin, supra</i>, 45 Cal.4th at p. 383.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Lewis</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeal then took up Lewis’ challenge to the
probation condition that required “warrantless electronic searches”. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Lewis</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra.</i> The court began the analysis by explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Lewis does not challenge on appeal the
general waiver of Fourth Amendment protections against warrantless searches.
However, he contends the portion of the condition authorizing warrantless
searches of <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">computers</span> and
recordable media does not satisfy the applicable three-prong test under <i>Lent</i> and
is unconstitutionally overbroad. The People concede the electronic search
condition is not reasonably related to Lewis's current theft crime and
owning <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">computers</span> or
recordable media is not itself illegal. Thus, Lewis's condition is only valid
if it is reasonably related to preventing future criminality.<sup><o:p></o:p></sup></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Generally, probation conditions
allowing probation officers to effect supervision or enforce other probation
requirements are conditions that prevent future criminality. (<i>Olguin, supra</i>,
45 Cal.4th at p. 381.) However, `[n]ot every probation condition bearing a
remote, attenuated, tangential, or diaphanous connection to future criminal
conduct can be considered reasonable.’ (<i>People v. Brandao</i> (2012)
210 Cal.App.4th 568, 574.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Lewis</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[w]e conclude the electronic search
condition is reasonable in this case. The trial court approved the electronic
search condition as part of the full Fourth Amendment waiver stating it is `a
theft case’ and `pictures can be taken of evidence.’ In the same sentence, the
court referenced gun and alcohol conditions. We interpret the trial court's scant
statement justifying the condition to mean the electronic search condition,
along with gun and alcohol restrictions, would aid in Lewis's probation
supervision and is reasonably related to deterring future criminality. There
was no abuse of discretion in this determination because Lewis's long criminal
history and poor performance on probation, largely related to Lewis's chronic
drug and alcohol use, shows the need for intensive supervision of Lewis.
(See <i>In re J.E.</i> (2016) 1 Cal.App.5th 795, 801, review granted
Oct. 12, 2016, S236628<a href="https://1.next.westlaw.com/Document/I4c42ab10524811e7bb97edaf3db64019/View/FullText.html?navigationPath=Search%2Fv3%2Fsearch%2Fresults%2Fnavigation%2Fi0ad740370000015dc372ba7634c9bba2%3FNav%3DCASE%26fragmentIdentifier%3DI4c42ab10524811e7bb97edaf3db64019%26startIndex%3D21%26contextData%3D%2528sc.Search%2529%26transitionType%3DSearchItem&listSource=Search&listPageSource=9cbb09c36f6776d9dd4eace0f2358702&list=CASE&rank=31&sessionScopeId=6c8df1eb94dba507574a0eb7c61f8f3b2a151172b40fcc014998c680c7e23323&originationContext=Search%20Result&transitionType=SearchItem&contextData=%28sc.Search%29#co_footnote_B00032041874411"><sup>3</sup></a> [electronic
search condition is appropriate as `means of effectively supervising’ minor
with `constellation of issues requiring intensive supervision’], <i>In re
P.O.</i>(2016) 246 Cal.App.4th 288, 295 [electronic search condition is
reasonably related to future criminality because it enables peace officers to
review electronic activity for drugs or probation violations, but condition
modified to address overbreadth].)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
We are not persuaded the cases of <i>In
re Erica R.</i> (2015) 240 Cal.App.4th 907, 914 (<i>Erica R.</i>)
and <i>J.B., supra</i>, 242 Cal.App.4th at pages 752, 756 should
govern this case. The court in both cases struck electronic search conditions
for juvenile probationers because there was no showing of a connection between
electronic devices and the crimes committed by the juveniles or for preventing
potential future criminal activity. (<i>Erica R., supra</i>, at p. 914; <i>J.B.,</i> at
p. 756.) Both cases pointed out the difference between adult and juvenile
probation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
`”’[J]uvenile probation is not, as with
an adult, an act of leniency in lieu of statutory punishment; it is an
ingredient of a final order for the minor's reformation and rehabilitation.”’’
[Citation.] A juvenile `cannot refuse probation [citations] and therefore is in
no position to refuse a particular condition of probation.’ [Citation.] Courts
have recognized that a `minor cannot be made subject to an automatic search
condition; instead, such condition must be tailored to fit the circumstances of
the case and the minor.' (<i>J.B.</i> at p. 756, quoting <i>Erica R.</i> at
p. 914.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Lewis</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court goes on to explain that,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[a]lthough not every condition that may
aid in supervision of an adult probationer necessarily will be
reasonable, <i>Olguin</i> does not require that the supervision
method relate to the defendant's past criminal conduct. As the court in <i>Olguin</i> observed,
`probation is a privilege and not a right, and that adult probationers, in
preference to incarceration, validly may consent to limitations upon their
constitutional rights—as, for example, when they agree to warrantless search
conditions.’ (<i>Olguin, supra,</i> 45 Cal.4th at p. 384.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
In this case, Lewis's history as a
repeat offender with significant probation noncompliance justifies intensive
supervision, including warrantless searches of electronic devices to ensure
compliance with the probation conditions. After the court overruled objections
to the search condition, Lewis confirmed he agreed with the terms and
conditions of probation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
We also conclude Lewis has not
established the electronic search condition is unconstitutionally overbroad.
Lewis does not identify any specific privacy interests that would be infringed
or any harm stemming from imposition of an electronic search
condition. (See <i>In re J.E., supra</i>, 1 Cal.App.5th at p. 806 [`Nothing
in the record shows Minor even has a cell phone or any electronic devices, and
Minor does not point us to anything in the record showing any actual harms
stemming from their inspection’].)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Lewis</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeal went on to conclude the opinion with
these comments:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Lewis cites to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riley_v._California">Riley v. California (2014) 573 U.S. –––– [134 S.Ct. 2473],</a> to support his
general contention that digital devices contain private information and
searches of such devices are intrusive. The United States Supreme Court
recognized electronic devices contain personal data, but <i>Riley</i> only
held that the information on a cell phone is subject to the Fourth Amendment's
protection, `not that the information on a cell phone is immune from search.’ (<i>Id.</i> at
p. 2493.) Further, the Supreme Court in <i>Riley</i> was analyzing
the privacy interests of arrestees who are afforded the assumption of innocence
until proven <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span>. (<i>Id.</i> at
pp. 2488–2489.) Here, Lewis pleaded <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> to grand theft. As a probationer, Lewis does not enjoy
the same absolute liberty afforded to every citizen. (See <i>U<a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/00-1260.ZO.html">nited States
v. Knights</a></i><a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/00-1260.ZO.html"> (2001) 534 U.S. 112, 119.</a>) Given the legitimate purpose of
an electronic search condition and Lewis's diminished privacy expectations as
an adult probationer, we conclude the condition is not overbroad. (<i>In re
J.E., supra</i>, 1 Cal.App.5th at pp. 799, 804.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
DISPOSITION<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The judgment is affirmed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Lewis</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra.</i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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</style>Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-3661534094240679202017-08-07T10:42:00.002-04:002017-08-07T10:42:47.780-04:00The Email, the Day Planner and First-Degree Murder<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ArcBP0YYn2Y/WYh3z9lmm3I/AAAAAAAAFzM/5xh7Vm_DljckKAbCNELDGgvn9T5GIRboACLcBGAs/s1600/Troopers_near_Selkirk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ArcBP0YYn2Y/WYh3z9lmm3I/AAAAAAAAFzM/5xh7Vm_DljckKAbCNELDGgvn9T5GIRboACLcBGAs/s320/Troopers_near_Selkirk.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This post examines a recent decision of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superior_Court_of_Pennsylvania">Superior Court of Pennsylvania</a>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Fitzpatrick</i>, 159 A.3d 562 (2017). The court begins the opinion by
explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[t]he <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania">Commonwealth of Pennsylvania</a>
appeals from the order granting the post-sentence motion for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acquittal#United_States">judgment of acquitta</a>l filed by Appellee, Joseph Bernard Fitzpatrick, III. In addition,
Appellee has filed a <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/cross-appeal">cross-appeal</a>. For the following reasons, we reverse and
remand for reinstatement of the jury verdict and judgment of sentence, and we quash
Appellee's cross-appeal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Fitzpatrick, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Superior Court’s opinion goes on to outline the “factual
and procedural history of this case”:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
On June 6, 2012, emergency personnel
were dispatched to 2288 Old Forge Road in Chanceford Township, which is located
in York County, Pennsylvania. EMTs found [Appellee] and his wife, Annemarie
Fitzpatrick [`Victim’], down near the shore line of Muddy Creek. [Victim] was
unresponsive, but EMTs were eventually able to get a pulse and she was transported
to the hospital. A short time later, [Victim] was pronounced dead. Foul play
was not suspected and the family began making arrangements; [Victim's] body was
sent to the mortician for embalming.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Two days later, on June 8, 2012, the
Pennsylvania State Police received a call from Rebekah Berry, who was employed
by the same company as [Victim]. Employees at Collectibles Insurance had found
a note in [Victim's] day planner that they felt was `suspicious.’ The note
said, `If something happens to me—JOE.’ It was dated June 6, 2012, and signed
`A. Fitzpatrick.’ Upon request, Ms. Berry was given access to [Victim's] work
email where she found an <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> from
[Victim] to `feltonfitz@gmail.com,’ which was [Victim's] personal [<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span>] account. The subject line of the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> stated, `if something
happens to me,’ and the body of the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> read ‘Joe and I are <b><i>`</i></b>having marital
problems. Last night we almost had an accident where a huge log fell on me. Joe
was on the pile with the log and had me untying a tarp directly below.’
This <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> was sent
June 6, 2012 at 10:30 A.M. Ms. Berry showed police the note and gave them
access to [Victim's] <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> account.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Fitzpatrick, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Superior Court goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[a]fter viewing the note and <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span>, troopers contacted [Appellee]
and asked if he would be willing to come in for an interview; [Appellee]
agreed. [Appellee] was asked to again explain what occurred the night [Victim]
died; he was never asked about the note or <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
On June 9, 2012, approximately two days
after [Victim's] death and after the body had been embalmed, an autopsy was
conducted. Dr. Barbara Bollinger, the forensic pathologist, determined that the
cause of death was drowning. Although she was not asked to opine on the manner
of death, she did state that she thought the circumstances were `suspicious.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
From the point the handwritten note
and <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> were found,
the investigation turned from an accident investigation into a homicide
investigation with the prime suspect being [Appellee]. Eventually, troopers
discovered that [Appellee] was having a non-sexual affair with a woman named
Jessica Georg, and was thinking of leaving his wife for her. When confronted,
[Appellee] admitted to hiding [Victim's] phone from the police in an effort to
hide this affair. Troopers also discovered that [Appellee] would gain
approximately $1.7 million in life insurance if [Victim] were to die. After
searching [Appellee's] work <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">computer</span>,
troopers recovered two <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span> searches
from around the time of [Victim's] death. The first search, done on June 1,
2012, searched for `life insurance review during contestability period.’ The
second search, done on June 5, 2012, searched for `polygraph legal in which
states.’ This all led to [Appellee's] arrest on March 6, 2014—approximately a
year and a half after [Victim's] death.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[Appellee] was formally arraigned on
May 19, 2014, and Christopher A. Ferro, Esquire, entered his appearance on May
22, 2014. The case was assigned to the Honorable Gregory M. Snyder, who scheduled
a pre-trial conference for August 18, 2014. After two extensions, [Appellee]
filed an omnibus pre-trial motion on August 7, 2014. In that motion he
raised several issues, however, because he only raises the issue of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearsay">hearsay</a>
note and <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> in his
post-sentence motion we will not discuss the other issues. Specifically,
[Appellee] argued that the handwritten note and email were <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearsay">inadmissible hearsay</a> and the Commonwealth
should not be allowed to present either as evidence. The Commonwealth countered
that the note and <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> were
hearsay, but admissible <a href="https://nccriminallaw.sog.unc.edu/hearsay-exceptions-then-existing-mental-emotional-or-physical-condition/">under the state of mind exception</a>. On October 20, 2014,
Judge Snyder denied [Appellee's] request, and permitted the Commonwealth to
present both the handwritten note and <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Fitzpatrick, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court goes on to explain that the case was <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
reassigned to the undersigned Judge due
to Judge Snyder's reassignment into the Family Division. We listed the
case for trial during the May term of trials.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[Appellee's] trial began on May 4,
2015. On May 13, 2015, [Appellee] was found g<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">uilty<b> </b></span>of First Degree Murder,
and was sentenced to life imprisonment on the same day. On May 22, 2015,`[Appellee]
filed a timely post-sentence motion. We directed each side to submit briefs in
support of their respective positions by the close of business July 1, 2015.
[Appellee] filed his brief on June 30, 2015, and the Commonwealth filed its
brief July 2, 2015.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
After reviewing the briefs, we
scheduled oral argument on the sole issue of whether the Commonwealth presented
sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that [Appellee]
unlawfully killed his wife. That argument took place on August 6, 2015. We
reserved decision on all three issues.<sup><o:p></o:p></sup></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Fitzpatrick, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In a footnote, the Superior Court explains that the<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
three issues presented to the trial
court were as follows:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
I. Was the jury's verdict of <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> against the <a href="http://dictionary.findlaw.com/definition/manifest-weight-of-the-evidence.html">weight of the evidence,</a> which would entitle the Defendant to a new trial?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
II. Did the Commonwealth present
sufficient evidence to prove each element of First Degree Murder beyond a
reasonable doubt?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
III. Did the original trial judge
commit reversible error in permitting the Commonwealth to present a handwritten
note and email penned by the victim?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Trial Court Opinion, 9/1/15, at 4.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Fitzpatrick, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Superior Court goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[o]n September 1, 2015, the trial court
issued an order denying in part and granting in part Appellee's <a href="http://www.chestercountycriminallawyer.com/blog/2013/10/post-sentence-motions.shtml">post-sentence motion</a>. Specifically, the trial court denied Appellee's request for a new
trial, but granted Appellee's motion for judgment of acquittal based on the
Commonwealth's failure to present sufficient evidence to sustain a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murder#Degrees_of_murder (first degree murder)">first-degree murder conviction</a>. Order, 9/1/15, at 1. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Also on September 1, 2015, the
Commonwealth filed an appeal. On September 29, 2015, Appellee filed a
cross-appeal from the September 1, 2015 order. The Commonwealth, Appellee, and
the trial court have complied with [Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate
Procedure <a href="http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/210/chapter19/s1925.html">Rule 1925</a>. On October 19, 2015, this Court <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sua_sponte">sua sponte</a> </i>consolidated
the appeals for disposition.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Fitzpatrick, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to explain that the<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Commonwealth presents the following
issue for our review:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
I. DID THE TRIAL COURT ERR IN GRANTING
[APPELLEE'S] POST–SENTENCE MOTION FOR ACQUITTAL AS THE EVIDENCE WAS SUFFICIENT
TO SUSTAIN A FIRST DEGREE MURDER CONVICTION?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Commonwealth's Brief at 5.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Fitzpatrick, supra.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to explain that, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
In addition, Appellee presents the
following issues in his cross-appeal:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
I. WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT, AFTER
DETERMINING THE COMMONWEALTH FAILED TO PRESENT SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO PROVE
EACH ELEMENT OF FIRST DEGREE MURDER BEYOND A REASONABLE DOUBT, PROPERLY GRANTED
A JUDGEMENT [sic] OF ACQUITTAL?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
II. WHETHER [APPELLEE] WAS DENIED
RIGHTS GRANTED TO HIM BY THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND PENNSYLVANIA
CONSTITUTION WHEN INADMISSIBLE HEARSAY, IN THE FORM OF A NOTE AND EMAIL FROM
[APPELLEE'S] DECEASED WIFE, WAS ADMITTED INTO EVIDENCE AND USED BY THE COMMONWEALTH
TO SECURE A CONVICTION ON THE CHARGE OF MURDER?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Appellee/Cross–Appellant's Brief at 4.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Fitzpatrick, supra.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Superior Court goes on to explain that in<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
its sole issue on appeal, the
Commonwealth argues that the trial court erred in granting Appellee's
post-sentence motion for j<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acquittal#United_States">udgment of acquittal</a>. Commonwealth's Brief at 30–81.
In essence, the Commonwealth contends that it presented sufficient evidence at
Appellee's trial to establish the necessary elements of first-degree murder
beyond a reasonable doubt. We are constrained to agree.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Fitzpatrick, supra.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court went on to note that “[o]ur standard of review is
as follows:” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v. Fitzpatrick,
supra.</i> It then explained that a motion for judgment of acquittal<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
`challenges the sufficiency of the
evidence to sustain a conviction on a particular charge, and is granted only in
cases in which the Commonwealth has failed to carry its burden regarding that
charge.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
`The standard we apply in reviewing the
sufficiency of the evidence is whether viewing all the evidence admitted at
trial in the light most favorable to the verdict winner, there is sufficient
evidence to enable the fact-finder to find every element of the crime beyond a
reasonable doubt. In applying the above test, we may not weigh the evidence and
substitute our judgment for the fact-finder. In addition, we note that the
facts and circumstances established by the Commonwealth need not preclude every
possibility of innocence. Any doubts regarding a defendant's guilt may be
resolved by the fact-finder unless the evidence is so weak and inconclusive
that as a matter of law no probability of fact may be drawn from the combined
circumstances. The Commonwealth may sustain its burden of proving every element
of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt by means of wholly <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumstantial_evidence">circumstantial evidence</a>. Moreover, in applying the above test, the entire record must be
evaluated and all evidence actually received must be considered. Finally, the
trier of fact while passing upon the credibility of witnesses and the weight of
the evidence produced, is free to believe all, part or none of the evidence.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Commonwealth v. Hutchinson</span></i>,
947 A.2d 800, 805–806 (Pa. Super. 2008) (citations <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>and quotation marks omitted).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Fitzpatrick, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court goes on to explain that <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Murder is
<a href="http://law.onecle.com/pennsylvania/title-18/2502.html">defined</a>, in relevant part, as follows:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b>§ 2502. Murder<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">(a)
<b>Murder of the first degree</b>.</span>—A criminal homicide constitutes
murder of the first degree when it is committed by an intentional killing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
18 [Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes]
§ 2502(a). The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has discussed the elements of
first-degree murder as follows:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
To convict a defendant of first degree
murder, the Commonwealth must prove: [ (1) ] a human being was unlawfully
killed; [ (2) ] the defendant was responsible for the killing; and [ (3) ] the
defendant acted with malice and a <a href="http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Specific+Intent">specific intent</a> to kill.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Commonwealth v. Houser</span></i>, 610 Pa. 264, 18 A.3d 1128, 1133 (2011) (internal
citations omitted.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Fitzpatrick, supra.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Superior Court went on to explain that a<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
killing is intentional if it is done in
a `willful, deliberate and premeditated fashion.’ 18 [Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes] § 2502(d).The period of reflection needed to establish
deliberation and premeditation may be as brief as a fraction of a second. <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Commonwealth v. Rivera</span></i>, 603 Pa.
340, 983 A.2d 1211, 1220 (2009). Indeed, the deliberation and premeditation
needed to establish intent exist whenever the assailant possesses the conscious
purpose to bring about death. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Id</i>. The
Commonwealth may use circumstantial evidence to establish the elements of
first-degree murder, including the element of intent. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Id</i>. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Regarding the element of intent, our Supreme
Court has long explained that `murder may be committed without a motive, either
actual or apparent, but <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">an
established motive may go to prove the related intent</span>[,] just as an
absence of motive may be used to deny the existence of intent.’ <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Commonwealth v. Jones</span></i>, 355 Pa.
522, 50 A.2d 317, 321 (1947) (citations omitted) (emphasis added). In
addition, we observe the following:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">`</span>When there is no direct evidence of intent
to kill, the fact-finder may glean the necessary intent from the act itself and
from all surrounding circumstances. <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Specific intent to kill can be proven where the defendant knowingly
applies deadly force to the person of another<b>. </b></span>Death caused by
strangulation is sufficient to infer the specific intent required for a
conviction of first degree murder.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Commonwealth v. Hawkins</span></i>, 549 Pa. 352, 701 A.2d 492, 500 (1997) (citations
omitted) (emphasis added). Furthermore, our Supreme Court has stated that `[t]he
fabrication of false and contradictory accounts by an accused criminal, for the
sake of diverting inquiry or casting off suspicion, is a circumstance always
indicatory of guilt.’ <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Commonwealth
v. Homeyer</span></i>, 373 Pa. 150, 94 A.2d 743, 747 (1953) (quoting <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Commonwealth v. Spardute</span></i>, 278 Pa.
37, 122 A. 161, 163 (1923)).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Fitzpatrick, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Superior Court went on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[o]ur review of the record reflects
that each of the three elements of first-degree murder was proven beyond a
reasonable doubt. At trial, the Commonwealth presented the testimony of
forensic pathologist, Dr. Barbara K. Bollinger, who performed Victim's autopsy
three days after the murder. N.T., 5/6/15, at 494–568. Dr. Bollinger opined
that the manner of death was drowning. <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Id.</span></i> at 497. Further, Dr. Bollinger testified to the
multiple injuries appearing on Victim's body, which totaled at least
twenty-five. <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Id<b>.</b></span></i> at
563. She stated that Victim had fourteen or more injuries about her torso,
eight injuries to her upper extremities, and at least twelve injuries
about her lower extremities. <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Id<b>.</b></span></i> at
562–563. Specifically, Dr. Bollinger documented the following injuries to
Victim: bruises over the upper and lower lip; bruises over the right temporal
region of the head and bruises to the upper right portion of the head;
hemorrhages about the back of the head and about the mid aspects of the head; head
hemorrhages on the right side of the neck within the muscles of the neck; three
bruises to the scapular regions; a patterned bruise on the infrascapular
region; several bruises to the right kidney region; abrasions on the left
buttock; a bruise on the right buttock; a bruise between the breasts; a small
bruise in the right lower abdominal quadrant; a bruise near the shoulder where
the Victim's left arm and shoulder meet; a bruise along the left side of the
torso that continued to the backside; bruises above the left hip area; a small
scratch of the skin in the groin region; bruises on the back of the left thigh;
a bruise on the outer aspect of the left foot; a bruise on the back of the
right leg; scattered abrasions on the right leg and a severe lasceration to the
great toe; abrasions and contusions to the upper and lower parts of both of the
arms; scratching and bruising about both of the elbows; scrapes
and contusions on the back of both hands. <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Id.</span></i> at 505–513.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
In addition, Dr. Bollinger opined that,
within a reasonable degree of medical certainty, the various bruises and
injuries Victim suffered could have resulted from Victim being held under the
water in a creek by another person and drowning. N.T., 5/6/15, at 558–564. Furthermore,
repudiating Appellee's claim that Victim drowned in an ATV mishap involving
both Appellee and Victim, Dr. Bollinger opined that `the lack of injuries to
[Appellee] did not correspond with [Appellee's] rendition of the scene
circumstances [regarding] what occurred at the time of [Victim's] drowning.’<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> <i>Id<b>.</b></i></span> at
528. Accordingly, this evidence was sufficient for the jury to conclude beyond
a reasonable doubt that Victim was unlawfully killed by being drowned in the
creek. Thus, we conclude that the Commonwealth established the first element of
the crime of first-degree murder.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Fitzpatrick, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to explain that,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[w]ith regard to the second element of
first-degree murder, the evidence likewise established that the Commonwealth
proved that Appellee was responsible for killing Victim. Indeed, it is
undisputed that Appellee and Victim were alone on the property at the time that
Victim drowned in the creek. Trooper Grothey testified that during the initial
investigation, Appellee explained that he and Victim were celebrating their
thirteenth wedding anniversary at the time of the incident and that their two
children were staying with Appellee's parents. N.T., 5/5/15, at 225. Appellee
has not disputed this fact. Thus, Appellee was the only person who could have
held Victim underwater in the creek, thereby making him responsible for the
killing.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Fitzpatrick, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Superior Court then took up the issue of Fitzpatrick’s
specific intent, explaining that <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[c]oncerning the issue of specific
intent possessed by Appellee, the Commonwealth presented ample evidence of the
couple's estranged relationship, including the fact that Appellee was in the
midst of an extramarital relationship with another woman, Jessica Georg. N.T.,
5/7/15–5/8/15, at 724–846. Appellee indicated to Ms. Georg that he was nervous
about losing his house and his children in a separation or divorce. N.T.,
5/8/15, at 772. In addition, Ms. Georg read into the record a Facebook post
authored by Appellee to Ms. Georg two weeks prior to the murder, which
provided, in relevant part, as follows:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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`My children love their home and I
would not want to take that from them. I know you are [a] package deal and have
frankly thought about how I could change the girls['] rooms to accommodate your
girls. But they are the easy things to get past. The hardest will be my
separation.’<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Id<b>.</b></span></i> at 783. Also, on June 1, 2012, Appellee sent
Ms. Georg an email which Ms. Georg described as follows, `[Appellee] wrote, I
love you, in all caps with more exclamation points tha[n] I can count.’ <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Id<b>.</b></span></i> at 793.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Fitzpatrick, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to explain that <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[o]n the evening of June 2, 2012,
Appellee sent the following Facebook message to Ms. Georg:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
`Can't believe how I've fallen in love
with you in such a short period of time. It's crazy when you step back and
think about it. I feel like I'm in a jail cell. Wanting something I can't have.
So it hurts real bad. I believe you feel the same. I understand your position.
Single, want to be with someone, have a man pursuing you that you have been
intimate with, so you are torn and want satisfaction. Understanding this, I
tried to push the limits, take risks at getting caught prematurely to develop
what I truly believe will be something that few people on this earth get to
experience. My life is riddled with so many emotions, it's hard to comprehend.
I want to be yours. I want to help you pack, move, do whatever I can to help
you, but I can't. It feels like something is sticking in my chest with a knife.
I hate feeling this way. So tears are filling my eyes because I guess I have to
say good-bye [sic] until things are appropriate.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Fitzpatrick, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Ms. Georg also testified that on the
afternoon of the murder, Appellee sent Ms. Georg multiple text messages. N.T.,
5/8/15, at 802–805. One of the text messages from Appellee stated, `[R]eally
miss you.’ <b><i>I</i></b><i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">d<b>.</b></span></i> at
803. The next text message from Appellee to Ms. Georg exclaimed, `And really
really really feel I was made for you.’ <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Id<b>.</b></span></i> Another text message from Appellee stated,
`Yes. But it is true I love you.’ <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Id.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
In addition, on that same afternoon
Appellee sent Ms. Georg a text message with the lyrics of the song `You Are My
Sunshine,’ and the comment, `Well, maybe one day you won't need to buy another
property.’ N.T., 5/8/15, at 805. Appellee ended that particular text message
with the statement, `Love you. XOOOOO.’ <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Id.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The Commonwealth also presented stipulated
evidence of the existence of a total of $1,714,000 in life insurance policies
upon Victim, with Appellee being the designated beneficiary of those
policies. N.T., 5/11/15, at 920–921. In addition, it was stipulated that
on the morning of June 1, 2012, Appellee conducted a Google search on his work
computer using the words `life insurance review during contestability period.’ <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Id<b>.</b></span></i> at 918. This
cumulative evidence, although circumstantial, viewed in the light most
favorable to the Commonwealth, is sufficient to establish a motive for
Appellee's murder of Victim, thereby satisfying the necessary element of
intent. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Fitzpatrick, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Superior Court went on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[i]n conclusion, the record, viewed in
the light most favorable to the Commonwealth, reflects that the Commonwealth
established Victim was unlawfully killed and that Appellee committed the murder
with the requisite motive and intent. Accordingly, we reverse the order
granting Appellee's motion for judgment of acquittal, and remand for
reinstatement of the jury verdict on the charge of first-degree murder and
judgment of sentence.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Fitzpatrick, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-45519667306689422492017-08-04T09:40:00.001-04:002017-08-04T09:40:21.091-04:00“Burglary of a Building,” the Cell Phone and the Judgment of Acquittal<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ylHgOocquM0/WYR2o1MWTbI/AAAAAAAAFys/6-0X1Ij6Ka0WNyj3mqA2zHoCWMpFlS1nwCLcBGAs/s1600/Quad_Yamaha_Grizzly.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ylHgOocquM0/WYR2o1MWTbI/AAAAAAAAFys/6-0X1Ij6Ka0WNyj3mqA2zHoCWMpFlS1nwCLcBGAs/s320/Quad_Yamaha_Grizzly.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This post examines a recent opinion from the <a href="http://www.txcourts.gov/6thcoa">Sixth Court ofAppeals of Texas – Texarkana</a>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v.
Fowler</i>, 2017 WL 977378 (2017). The Court of Appeals began the opinion by
explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[a]fter Jamel McLelland Fowler was
found guilty of burglary of a building by a Hunt County jury, the trial court
granted Fowler's motion for new trial, then entered a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acquittal#United_States">judgment of acquittal</a>. The State has appealed. Finding no <a href="http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Abuse+of+Discretion">abuse of discretion</a> by the
trial court, we affirm the judgment of acquittal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Fowler,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals goes on to explain what had happened
with the prosecution from the time that the<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
State charged Fowler with three
offenses: (1) burglary of a building owned by William Martin (the Martin
burglary case); (2) a state jail felony offense of theft alleging Fowler stole
an all-terrain vehicle belonging to Paul Blassingame (the ATV case); and (3) an
alleged burglary of a building alleging Fowler stole a trailer (the theft of
trailer case). Each alleged crime occurred on different dates and involved
different victims. The State moved to try all three cases together,
alleging they `constitute[d] the same criminal episode because they are the
repeated commission of similar acts.’ Fowler did not oppose the consolidation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
After three days of trial, the State
dismissed the theft of a trailer case. The trial court granted Fowler's motion
for new trial and entered a judgment of acquittal in the Martin burglary case,
and the jury convicted Fowler of theft in the ATV case. Fowler's appeal of the
theft conviction in the ATV case is still pending in this Court. In this case,
we address the State's appeal of the trial court's order granting new trial and
judgment of acquittal in the Martin burglary case.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Fowler,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals went on to outline the “factual background”
from which the prosecution arose, noting, initially, that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Martin owned real property in Hunt
County which contained a home, a woodshop, and an aircraft hangar. The property
was enclosed with a fence and a gate. Although Martin did not reside on the
property, he traveled there every two or three days to inspect it. On December
14, 2014, he noticed that the aircraft hangar had been burglarized. Martin
observed that some equipment and aircraft parts were missing, including `some
carburetors, some aircraft equipment panel meters, [and] some ignition systems’
that were `[v]ery expensive’ and could be easily sold. Martin reported the
burglary to the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Hunt-County-Sheriffs-Office-351968785012035/?rf=182548881778896">Hunt County Sheriff's Department</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Hunt County Sheriff's Deputy Joshua
Robinson met with Martin at his property. Robinson investigated the scene and
gave Martin paperwork to list missing or stolen items. Robinson observed that
an office in one of Martin's buildings was in disarray and appeared as if it
had been rummaged through. Robinson found a fingerprint on a filing cabinet and
made a copy of it for his investigation. On direct examination, Robinson
testified that it was a complete fingerprint, but on cross-examination, he
acknowledged that his report said it was a partial fingerprint.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Martin also observed ATV tracks along
the back fence inside his property, and he showed them to Robinson, who took
photographs of them. Martin described the tracks as `just imprints in the
grass.’ Robinson testified that he did not investigate the cut fence because it
was very muddy that day. The State's theory at trial was that the tracks
observed by Martin were made by the ATV taken in the ATV case.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Fowler,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to explain that, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[i]n response to the burglary, Martin
installed two game cameras in the aircraft hangar. About five to six weeks
afterward, however, Martin observed the property had been burglarized a second
time and that the game cameras had been stolen. Martin knew that this was a
separate burglary, and not merely damage related to the first burglary, because
a new section of fencing had been cut and a previously secured dead-bolted door
had been forced open. Martin observed that the burglar had gained entrance to
his property each time by cutting holes in his fence. The first time, the
burglar cut two holes in the fence, and the second time he cut a third hole.
Each of the holes was approximately six feet wide.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
After the second burglary, Martin found
an Alcatel cell phone near the location where the third section of fence had
been cut. The telephone was about three feet from the newly cut fence section,
which was approximately twenty-five feet from the hangar. Martin testified that
he put the cell phone in a plastic bag, taking care not to touch it, and then
took it to the Sheriff's Department where he gave it to an investigator. While
Martin was there, the investigator was able to turn it on and operate it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Fowler,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to explain that <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Nathan Erhart was the operations
captain for the Hunt County Sheriff's Department. Erhart testified that
Investigator Phillips gave him a cell phone number to research using a data
service called CLEAR. Erhart testified that CLEAR was a paid service used by law
enforcement agencies for investigative purposes. He also testified that he had
used the program twenty times.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Erhart also testified that by using the
CLEAR service, he was able to determine that the cell phone belonged to `Mr.
Fowler.’ Specifically, Erhart testified as follows:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
A. [By Erhart] When I ran the number
through the C[LEAR] system, the results came back to Mr. Fowler.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Q. [By the State] Full name, please.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
A. I couldn't tell you the full name. I
didn't look at the report before I came up here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Q. Okay. Did you actually do a report?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
A. I did not do a report for this
instance, no.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Q. Okay. So whose report did you review
when you said you had reviewed one this morning?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
A. I looked at Deputy Phillips'—or Inv.
Phillips' report.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Erhart testified that running the cell
phone number through the CLEAR system was the extent of his participation in
the investigation. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Fowler,
supra.</i> The court appended a footnote to the final sentence quoted above,
which explained that the<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
State asked Erhart if he had `ever used
the C[LEAR] program’ himself and found that it was `not . . . accurate for
whatever [he] used it for?’ Erhart answered, `I've never had it be—.’ However,
before he could complete his answer, Fowler objected on the basis that the
State failed to lay a proper predicate that Erhart had sufficient expertise
with the program to testify to its accuracy. The trial court sustained the
objection, thereby preventing the State from establishing that the program was
accurate based on Erhart's prior experience.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Fowler,
supra.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to note that the<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 10.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">State did not call
Investigator Phillips to testify. Nor did the State present any evidence
identifying the owner of the partial fingerprint found in Martin's hangar.</span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Fowler,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals’ opinion included a footnote that was
appended to the end of the first sentence in the paragraph quoted above. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Fowler, supra.</i> The footnote
explained that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[b]efore <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opening_statement">opening statements,</a> the court
administered oaths to two persons identified by the court reporter as
Investigator Kelly Phillips and Investigator Marsha Phillips. The witnesses
were then placed under the rule and excluded from the courtroom. In its opening
statement, the State stated that Investigator Phillips would be one of the last
witnesses called by the State. The State then told the jury that the number
assigned to the cell phone found by Martin `[came] back to the Defendant's
name.’ The State continued, `I believe you're going to get evidence that that
comes back to the Defendant's name, Jamel Fowler.’ The State also said Phillips
would testify that the global positioning system for the cell phone appeared to
be functioning, leading to the conclusion that the phone's owner was trying to
find it. The State did not identify which one of the two investigators named
Phillips it was referring to, but based on the fact that it referred to him as
`he,’ it appears the investigator was Kelly, not Marsha Phillips. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
However, the record is not clear as to
the identity of the investigator to whom Miller gave the cell phone, or whether
this investigator was the same investigator who turned the cell phone on.
Ultimately, after the testimony concluded and before the case was submitted to
the jury, the State announced that it would not call `Inv. Phillips’ and moved
to dismiss the trailer case. The trial court granted the State's motion to
<a href="http://www.atlantatrial.com/dismissal-prejudice-vs-dismissal-without-prejudice/">dismiss the trailer case with prejudice</a>. The State did not offer testimony from
either Investigator Kelly Phillips or Investigator Marsha Phillips.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Fowler,
supra. </i>The court also noted that “[n]or did the State present any evidence
identifying the owner of the partial fingerprint found in Martin's hangar.” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Fowler, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having outlined the evidence and proceedings at trial, the
Court of Appeals outlined the “<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_of_review">standard of review</a>” it would apply in analyzing
the arguments of both sides to this case. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State
v. Fowler, supra.</i> More precisely, it explained that<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
We have previously held that,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
`[w]here the trial court, as in this
case, enters a judgment notwithstanding the verdict, we treat it as the
functional equivalent of an order granting a motion for new trial for
insufficient evidence. A motion for new trial based on insufficiency of the
evidence presents a legal rather than a factual question, and the trial court
must apply the same legal test as that employed by the appellate court. The
trial court must decide, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable
to the verdict, whether any rational trier of fact could have found the
essential elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. If the evidence
meets the standard, it is an abuse of discretion for the trial court to grant
the motion for new trial.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i>State v. Fuller</i>, 480 S.W.3d 812,
819 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2015, pet. ref'd) (quoting <i>State v.
Savage</i>, 905 S.W.2d 272, 274 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1995), <i>aff'd</i> 933
S.W.2d 497; <i>State v. Chavera</i>, 386 S.W.3d 334, 336 (Tex. App.—San
Antonio 2012, no pet.)). Moreover, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[i]n evaluating the legal sufficiency
in this case, we must review all the evidence in the light most favorable to
the jury's verdict to determine whether any rational jury could have found,
beyond a reasonable doubt, that [the defendant] committed the offense. <i>See
Brooks v. State</i>, 323 S.W.3d 893, 912 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010) citing (citing <i>J<a href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/443/307/case.html">ackson
v. Virginia</a></i><a href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/443/307/case.html">, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979)</a>); <i>Hartsfield
v. State</i>, 305 S.W.3d 859, 863 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2010, pet. ref'd) (citing <i>Clayton
v. State</i>, 235 S.W.3d 772, 778 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007)). We examine legal
sufficiency under the direction of the <i>Brooks</i> opinion, while
giving deference to the responsibility of the jury `to fairly resolve conflicts
in testimony, two weigh the evidence, and to draw reasonable inferences from
basic facts to ultimate facts.’ <i>Hooper v. State</i>, 214 S.W.3d 9, 13
(Tex. Crim. App. 2007) (citing <i>Jackson</i>, 443 U.S. at 318–19, 99
S.Ct. 2781).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Legal sufficiency of the evidence is
measured by the elements of the offense as defined by a hypothetically correct
jury charge. <i>Malik v. State</i>, 953 S.W.2d 234, 240 (Tex. Crim. App.
1997). The hypothetically correct jury charge `sets out the law, is
authorized by the indictment, does not unnecessarily increase the State's
burden of proof or unnecessarily restrict the State's theories of liability,
and adequately describes the particular offense for which the defendant was
tried.’ <i>Id.</i>; <i>see</i> <i>Allen v. State</i>, 436 S.W.3d
815, 818 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2014, pet. ref'd).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Id.</i> at
819–20.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then began its analysis of whether the
trial court judge abused his discretion in granting Fowler a new trial,
explaining, initially, that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[v]iewing the evidence in the light
most favorable to the verdict, the record contains the following evidence
tending to connect Fowler to the Martin burglary: (1) a cell phone<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><b> </b></span>was found near the third section of cut fence on the
Martin property after the second burglary; (2) Erhart's testimony that, using a
private data research program, he found that the phone number associated with
the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">cell</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">phone</span> belonged to `Mr. Fowler’;
(3) testimony establishing that bolt cutters were found in Fowler's vehicle
more than once; (4) Fowler's acknowledgement that the bolt cutters were his;
(5) the presence of tracks on Martin's property after the first robbery which
Martin testified looked like ATV tracks; (6) evidence that an ATV had been
stolen in the ATV case and later found in Royse City; (7) `the fact that,
because law enforcement was able to power on the phone found by Martin, the
cellphone had been left recently at [Martin's] property.’ In addition to that
evidence, the State argues that there is sufficient evidence that Fowler stole
Blassingame's ATV, which further bolstered its belief that Fowler burglarized
Martin's building. While this evidence may lead to a suspicion that Fowler was <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> of burglarizing Martin's
building, bridging the gap between mere suspicion and proof beyond a reasonable
doubt depends on the acceptance of factual conclusions that were never proven.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
To begin with, Fowler was charged with
the first burglary committed on December 14, 2014. Yet, the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">cell</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">phone</span> was found after the second burglary five to six weeks
later. There was no evidence establishing how long the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">cell</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">phone</span> had been present, but the State argues in its brief
that the fact the officers were able to power it on demonstrated it had been
recently lost. While we do not necessarily agree with the State's
argument—particularly since no evidence was introduced to establish the
reasonable operating life of <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">cell</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">phone</span> batteries for this model
of <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">cell</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">phone</span>—even if the State's argument is
correct, it merely suggests that the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">cell</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">phone</span> had
been left recently. Therefore, under the State's own argument, the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">cell</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">phone</span> is not evidence connecting Fowler to the first burglary
for which he was <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">indicted</span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Moreover, the testimony merely
established that a `Mr. Fowler' was connected to the cell phone number, not the
appellee, Jamel Fowler. While this is some evidence that the cell phone number
belonged to the appellee, the surname `Fowler' is hardly so unique that it
leads inexorably to the conclusion that it was the appellee's cell phone. Yet,
even if the evidence were sufficient to establish that the cell phone belonged
to the appellee, there is no evidence establishing that the phone was related
to the first burglary, for which he was tried.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Likewise, the evidence establishes that
the fence was cut and that Fowler had bolt cutters on different occasions.
While we do not doubt that bolt cutters can cut a fence, it
is likewise true that other tools can cut a fence as well. There is no evidence
to demonstrate that Martin's fences were cut with a bolt cutter and not some
other tool. Nor is there evidence that bolt cutters are such a rare tool that
Fowler's possession of them demonstrates that the fence was cut by him with the
bolt cutters in his possession and not by someone else with a different set of
bolt cutters.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Finally, even if we accept the State's
position that there is sufficient evidence to establish that Fowler stole
Blassingame's ATV, there is no evidence to demonstrate that only an ATV similar
to Blassingame's ATV could make the tracks witnessed by Martin. Just as there
are other tools that can cut fences, there are different kinds of ATV's that
can make tracks on wet grass.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
In actuality, the only way the State's
evidence could establish that Fowler was guilty in this case
is if one started with the assumption that Fowler was <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> as charged and worked
backwards from there. For example, only if one assumes that Fowler committed
the second burglary does the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">cell</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">phone's</span> registration establish
that the defendant owned the cell phone and not some other `Mr. Fowler.’
Likewise, only if one assumes that Fowler owned the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">cell</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">phone</span> found after the second burglary and then assumes that
such fact demonstrates that he committed the first burglary as well do the ATV
tracks establish that Blassingame's ATV made those tracks, and not some other
ATV. Furthermore, only if one assumes that Fowler cut Martin's fence does his
possession of bolt cutters establish that his bolt cutters were used to cut
that fence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
At best, the State's evidence
demonstrated that (1) Fowler had stolen an ATV and an ATV was possibly used
during the first burglary; (2) Martin's fences were cut during both burglaries,
(3) Fowler possessed bolt cutters, and bolt cutters can cut a fence; and (4)
a <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">cell</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">phone</span> belonging to a `Mr. Fowler’
was found near the fence after the second burglary. While this evidence may
lead to a strong suspicion that Fowler was <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> of the December 14, 2014, burglary of Martin's
property, no rational jury could find that these facts proved Fowler's guilt
beyond a reasonable doubt.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Fowler, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals therefore concluded its opinion by
explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[c]onsequently, the trial court did not
abuse its discretion in granting the new trial. Because <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prejudice_(legal_term)#Criminal_law">jeopardy had attached</a>,
an acquittal was the only possible result. <i>See </i> <i>Savage</i>,
933 S.W.2d at 499. Therefore, we affirm the trial court's judgment of
acquittal.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Fowler,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-61245793689455925002017-08-02T12:43:00.000-04:002017-08-02T12:43:49.628-04:00 The Pickup Truck, the Traffic Violations and the Passenger<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l8wl_g22p88/WYH_Z6GxPDI/AAAAAAAAFyc/nBz5Gqa0WuwCvnejtAqj7zF9V1mKi34xQCLcBGAs/s1600/Bexar_County_Court_House_Postcard_Image.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="518" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l8wl_g22p88/WYH_Z6GxPDI/AAAAAAAAFyc/nBz5Gqa0WuwCvnejtAqj7zF9V1mKi34xQCLcBGAs/s320/Bexar_County_Court_House_Postcard_Image.jpg" width="221" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This post examines a recent opinion from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Courts_of_Appeals">Fourth Court of Appeals of Texas – San Antonio</a>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aguirre
v. State,</i> 2017 WL 2561557 (2017). The court begins the opinion, as courts
usually do, by explaining how the prosecution arose:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Jose Guadalupe Aguirre was a passenger
in a pick-up truck stopped by police after officers observed the driver commit
several traffic violations. Police searched the truck and found cocaine near
the passenger's seat. The State charged Aguirre with possession of cocaine in
an amount between one and four grams.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aguirre moved to suppress the cocaine,
but the trial court denied the motion to suppress. Aguirre subsequently waived
a jury trial and pled <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nolo_contendere">nolo contendere</a></i>
to the offense of possession of cocaine. The trial court entered an order
placing Aguirre on deferred adjudication community supervision for four years.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On appeal, Aguirre argues the trial court erred in denying
his motion to suppress.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aguirre v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Court of Appeals goes on to outline the events that
resulted in this prosecution:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The only witness to testify at the
suppression hearing was a San Antonio Police Department officer, Jessica
Aelvoet. According to Aelvoet's testimony, she and another officer were
patrolling an area on the city's east side just before 10:00 p.m. on January
17, 2015. The officers saw a truck stop in front of a house that the officers
knew to be a place where drugs were sold. As the truck drove away, the driver
failed to come to a complete stop at a stop sign. Shortly thereafter, the
driver failed to signal properly before making a turn. Additionally, one of the
truck's brake lights was not operating. Because of these traffic violations,
the officers decided to stop the truck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once the truck was parked on the side
of the road, Aelvoet's partner approached the driver's side of the truck and
started talking to the driver. Meanwhile, Aelvoet approached the passenger's
side of the truck and saw Aguirre in the passenger's seat, `shuffling’ and
looking around nervously. Aguirre did not notice Aelvoet at first. Aguirre had
a beer in his right hand that he was trying to conceal from the other officer.
Aguirre also had a cigarette case in the same hand, which he `was shoving down
into his crotch area underneath his lap.’ In addition, Aguirre had a cigarette
and some money in his left hand. Aguirre's behavior suggested to Aelvoet that
he was trying to conceal contraband. According to Aelvoet, when the driver
stepped out of the truck, Aguirre `became more nervous and started to reach
around a little bit more.’ In response, Aelvoet opened the passenger-side door
and asked Aguirre to put the beer down and step out of the truck so they could
talk. Aelvoet said that she asked Aguirre to step out of the car for the
officers' safety. Aelvoet felt there was a chance that Aguirre could reach for
a weapon or something else that could harm the officers. As Aguirre stepped out
of the truck, he shoved his hand down by the left side of the passenger's seat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After Aguirre exited the vehicle,
Aelvoet handcuffed him and directed him to stand next to the patrol
car. Aelvoet told her partner that Aguirre had put something down by the
left side of the passenger's seat. The other officer conducted a search of the
passenger's compartment of the truck and found a cigarette case on the
passenger's seat and a roll of currency by the left side of the passenger's
seat. The cigarette case contained a crack cocaine pipe. Inside the roll of
currency was a plastic bag filled with cocaine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aguirre v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Court of Appeals also explained that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[t]he only other evidence admitted at
the hearing was the video and audio recording from the patrol car's dashboard
camera, which had recorded the traffic stop and the officers' subsequent
interaction with Aguirre and the driver of the truck. Aelvoet's testimony was
consistent with the events captured on the recording.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After considering this evidence, the
trial court denied the motion to suppress. In its findings of fact and
conclusions of law, the trial court concluded, among other things, that Aguirre
lacked <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standing_(law)">standing</a> to challenge the search of the truck because he was a passenger
in the truck and he presented no evidence showing that he had any ownership
interest in the truck.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aguirre v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Court of Appeals began its analysis of Aguirre’s
argument by explaining that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[i]n his opening
brief, Aguirre argues the trial court should have granted his motion to
suppress because the search of the truck was unlawful. According to Aguirre,
the officers lacked <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Probable_cause">probable cause</a> to search the truck, the search was not
incident to a lawful custodial arrest, and the cocaine was not in plain view.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In its brief, the
State counters that the trial court correctly denied the motion to suppress
because Aguirre did not have standing to complain about the search of the
truck. The State emphasizes that Aguirre did not claim a possessory interest in
the truck and that the evidence shows that Aguirre was a mere passenger in the
truck.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In his reply brief,
Aguirre concedes that he did not have a possessory interest in the truck.
Nevertheless, Aguirre argues he has standing to challenge the search because
his detention was `unlawfully prolonged because instead of beginning the
necessary traffic stop investigation, which includes a check for warrants, the
officers instead immediately conducted an illegal search of the vehicle.’
According to Aguirre, his `standing argument is based on his right not to be
detained past a point that is constitutionally permissible.’<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aguirre v. State,
supra.</i><span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Court of Appeals then began its analysis of the
arguments made by both parties to the litigation, explaining, initially, that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[t]he purpose of both the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution">Fourth Amendment</a> and <a href="http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/CN/htm/CN.1.htm">Article I, section 9 of the Texas Constitution</a> is to
safeguard an individual's legitimate expectation of privacy from unreasonable
governmental intrusions. <i>Villarreal v. State</i>, 935 S.W.2d 134, 138
(Tex. Crim. App. 1996). Thus, a defendant seeking to suppress evidence obtained
in violation of the Fourth Amendment must first show that he personally had a
reasonable expectation of privacy that the government invaded. <i>Kothe v.
State</i>, 152 S.W.3d 54, 59 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004). The defendant must prove
that he was a `victim’ of the unlawful search or seizure; he has no standing to
complain about the invasion of someone else's rights. <i>Id.</i> Only
after a defendant has established his standing to complain may a court consider
whether he suffered a substantive constitutional violation. <i>Id.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Consistent with these principles, a
defendant who shows no more than mere presence as a passenger in a vehicle when
it is searched does not establish his standing to complain about the
search. <i>Lewis v. State</i>, 664 S.W.2d 345, 347 (Tex. Crim. App. 1984) (citing <a href="http://wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakas_v._Illinois">Rakas v. Illinois, 439 U.S. 128 (1978)</a>). However, this does not mean that a mere
passenger automatically lacks standing to challenge the search of a
vehicle. <i>Id.</i> 347–48. A defendant has standing to challenge a
vehicle search if he shows the search `has been come at by exploitation of an
infringement on his personal Fourth Amendment rights.’ <i>Id.</i> at
348. In other words, `a mere passenger can challenge the search of the
automobile in which he is riding <i>if</i> the search resulted from
an infringement (such as an illegal detention) of the <i>passenger's</i> Fourth
Amendment rights.’ <i>Id.</i> (emphasis in original).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aguirre v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The court goes on to explain that in<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">reviewing a trial
court's ruling on a suppression motion, appellate courts defer to the trial
court's factual findings and view them in the light most favorable to the
prevailing party. <i>Kothe</i>, 152 S.W.3d at 59. Nevertheless, the issue
of standing presents a legal question that we review de novo. <i>Id.</i> Furthermore,
`[i]n addressing standing, it is critical that the precise police conduct being
objected to be properly identified, for this may itself turn out to be determinative
on the standing issue.’ <i>Id.</i> at 60 (internal quotations
omitted).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here, Aguirre does
not challenge the legality or the reasonableness of the initial stop, which he
concedes was legal and reasonable. Nor does Aguirre claim that he had an
ownership interest in the truck. Instead, Aguirre asserts that he has standing
because his detention was prolonged and the officers failed to begin their
investigation into the traffic violations immediately after stopping the truck.
In making this argument, Aguirre contends the evidence shows that the officers
did not conduct a warrant check or proceed with the investigation of the
traffic violations and, thus, prolonged his detention.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="color: #212121; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Courts measure
`reasonableness’ under the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Fourth</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Amendment</span> in objective terms by
examining the totality of the circumstances. <i>Kothe</i>, 152 S.W.3d at
63. A reasonableness determination is fact-specific in nature, and therefore,
eschews bright-line rules. <i>Id.</i> The general rule is that an
investigative stop can last no longer than necessary to effect the purpose of
the stop; however, no rigid time limitation exists on the duration of an
investigative stop. <i>Id.</i> at 63–64. During a routine traffic
stop, an officer may request certain information from a driver, such as a
driver's license and car registration, and an officer may conduct a <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">computer</span> check on that information. <i>Id.</i> An
officer may inquire about the purpose of the trip and the intended
destination. <i>St. George v. State</i>, 197 S.W.3d 806, 817–18 (Tex.
App.–Fort Worth 2006), <i>aff'd</i>, 237 S.W.3d 720 (Tex. Crim. App.
2007); <i>Freeman v. State</i>, 62 S.W.3d 883, 888 (Tex. App.–Texarkana
2001, pet. ref'd). An officer is permitted to make these inquires of the driver
and of any passengers. <i>Kothe</i>, 152 S.W.3d. at 63–64 n.36; <i>Freeman</i>,
62 S.W.3d at 888.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aguirre v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The opinion then explains that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[n]o requirement exists that officers
perform an investigation of a traffic violation in any particular order. <i>See Kothe</i>,
152 S.W.3d at 65–66 (`Fourth Amendment “reasonableness” does not require a
“single, formulaic approach” to a traffic stop investigation, nor does it
require rigid adherence to "the least intrusive means" of investigation defined
by Monday–morning reviewing courts.’). Additionally, in determining whether the
duration of a detention is reasonable, we consider legitimate law enforcement
purposes served by the stop as well as the time reasonably needed to effectuate
those purposes. <a href="https://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/470/675/case.html"><i>United States v. Sharpe</i>, 470 U.S. 675, 685, 688 (1985)</a>.
The law imposes no rigid time limitation on investigative stops; however, the
brevity of the stop is an important factor in determining whether the seizure
is justifiable. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Id</i>. (holding a
twenty-minute stop was reasonable when the police acted diligently and the
suspect's actions contributed to the delay). `[I]n evaluating whether an
investigative detention is unreasonable, common sense and ordinary human
experience must govern over rigid criteria.’ <i>Id.</i> Finally, once
a valid traffic stop is made, officers are entitled to take sufficient measures
to guarantee their safety. <i>Goodwin v. State</i>, 799 S.W.2d 719, 727
(Tex. Crim. App. 1990), <i>cert. denied</i>, 501 U.S. 1259 (1991), <i>superseded
on other grounds by Long v. State</i>, 823 S.W.2d 259, 272 (Tex. Crim.
App. 1991).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aguirre v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Court of Appeals then began its analysis of the issue in
contention in this case, explaining that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">[t]he evidence in this case showed that
one of the officers approached the driver's side of the truck and attempted to
communicate with the driver; however, it appears that this communication was
hampered by a language barrier. The officer asked the driver to show his hands
and inquired about the number of people in the car. The officer looked inside
the truck and saw two people, the driver and a passenger, who was later
identified as Aguirre. Before the officer had a chance to inquire about where
the driver was coming from, the driver stated that he and Aguirre had been
pouring concrete. The officer expressed doubts about this statement because it
was almost 10:00 at night and he had just seen the driver leave a known drug
house. Meanwhile, the other officer, Aelvoet, observed Aguirre shuffling around
in the passenger seat and attempting to conceal items. Because Aguirre was
actively hiding things on his person, Aelvoet directed him to exit the truck.
Aelvoet suspected Aguirre could have weapons on him or something else that
could harm them. As he exited the truck, Aguirre shoved his hand to the left of
the passenger's seat. When Aguirre exited the truck, his erratic movements
continued and the officers had to instruct him multiple times to relax and calm
down. Thereafter, Aelvoet asked Aguirre if she could conduct a search of his
person and he consented.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The evidence showed that the officers
had justifiable concerns for their own safety, not only because of Aguirre's
nervous, restless behavior, but also because the stop was made late at night
after the officers had seen the truck leave a known drug house. Because of
these circumstances, the officers took precautions, such as having the driver
and Aguirre exit the truck, handcuffing them, and conducting pat-down searches.
Additionally, one of the officers searched the passenger area of the truck
where Aguirre had been sitting. The cocaine was found in this area. Less than
four minutes after the cocaine was found, Aelvoet asked the driver if he had a
form of identification with him. She also asked the driver for his name and
birth date. Again, communication between Aelvoet and the driver appeared to be
hampered by a language barrier. Aelvoet then asked Aguirre for his name and for
the driver's name.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aguirre v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The opinion continues, explaining that<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aguirre claims his detention was
unreasonably prolonged because one of the officers searched the passenger
compartment of the truck instead of investigating the traffic violations. According
to Aguirre, the search of the truck unreasonably lengthened his detention. We
disagree. The evidence shows the search of the passenger compartment took less
than two minutes and it was performed at the same time Aelvoet conducted a
pat-down search of Aguirre. The evidence also shows the officers took steps to
ensure their safety before seeking more routine information needed for their
investigation. In sum, the record does not support the conclusion that
Aguirre's detention was prolonged, nor does it show that the search
unreasonably lengthened Aguirre's detention. To the contrary, the events
that transpired during the stop occurred quickly. Less than four minutes
elapsed from the time the officers first approached the truck to the time the
cocaine was found. And, less than four minutes later, Aelvoet began questioning
the driver about his identification card, name, and birth date.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aguirre v. State,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The opinion goes on to articulate the Court of Appeals’
holding in the case:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The main case Aguirre relies on to
support his argument is <i>Kothe</i>. In <i>Kothe</i>, an officer
lawfully stopped the defendant, who was the driver of the vehicle, for
suspected driving while intoxicated. 152 S.W.3d at 58. After conducting
field sobriety tests and determining the defendant was not intoxicated, the
officer continued to detain the defendant and a passenger. <i>Id.</i> During
the continued detention, the passenger told the officer that she was hiding
heroin in her clothing and that the defendant had asked her to do so. <i>Id.</i> The
defendant was <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">indicted</span> for
possession of a controlled substance and moved to suppress the heroin, arguing
that his continued detention after the officer had determined that he was not
intoxicated was constitutionally unreasonable and illegal. <i>Id.</i> The
State argued that the defendant lacked standing to complain about any search
and seizure of the passenger. <i>Id.</i> However, the Texas Court of
Criminal Appeals held that the defendant had a reasonable expectation of
privacy in not being subjected to an unduly prolonged detention and, thus, he
had standing to challenge the seizure of evidence obtained by exploiting that
detention. <i>Id.</i> at 57, 61–62.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i>Kothe</i> is readily
distinguishable from the present case. In <i>Kothe</i>, the defendant
argued that he was subjected to a continued detention after the officer had
completed his initial investigation and that the search of the passenger was
made by exploiting this initial illegality. <i>Id</i>. at 60. The <i>Kothe</i> court
concluded that the testimony in the case established that the defendant had a
reasonable expectation of privacy in not being detained beyond the time
necessary for the officer to complete his initial investigation. <i>Id.</i> at
61. Here, unlike <i>Kothe</i>, the evidence does not show that Aguirre was
subjected to a continued detention after the officers' initial investigation
was completed, nor does it show that Aguirre's detention was unduly prolonged.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We conclude that Aguirre failed to
establish that he was the victim of an unlawful seizure. Therefore, we reject
Aguirre's argument that he has standing to complain about the search of the
truck and overrule his sole issue on appeal.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #212121; font-size: 10.5pt;">We affirm the trial court's order denying Aguirre's motion to suppress.</span><span style="color: windowtext; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Aguirre v. State,
supra.</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-39851863866296328442017-07-31T10:37:00.000-04:002017-07-31T10:37:02.739-04:00The No Contest Plea, Probation and Routine Searches of Computers and Other Devices<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pTlNxRkzaJo/WX88WsDBhUI/AAAAAAAAFyE/w54B8eq4SrsWUEjwA7cg8Ej1x7bHfvaUQCLcBGAs/s1600/Unrolled_joint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="1600" height="199" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pTlNxRkzaJo/WX88WsDBhUI/AAAAAAAAFyE/w54B8eq4SrsWUEjwA7cg8Ej1x7bHfvaUQCLcBGAs/s320/Unrolled_joint.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This post examines a recent opinion from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_courts_of_appeal#Sixth_District">Court of Appeals – Sixth District, California</a>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People
v. Ermin, </i>2017 WL 2929356 (2017). The court begins the opinion by
explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Defendant Vladimir Ermin pleaded no
contest to being an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessory_(legal_term)">accessory</a>. (<a href="http://codes.findlaw.com/ca/penal-code/pen-sect-32.html">Penal Code, § 32.</a>) He was placed on <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Probation">probation</a>
for three years with conditions that included the following: `Your <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">computer</span> and all other electronic
devices, including but not limited to cellular telephones, <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">laptops</span>, <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">computers</span>, or notepads, shall be subject to forensic analysis
search for information reasonably related to criminal activity.’ Defendant was
also required to `consent to and provide all passwords necessary to access and
search said electronic devices to Probation and law enforcement.’<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
On appeal, defendant challenges the
electronic devices search condition, claiming it is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overbreadth_doctrine">unconstitutionally overbroad</a>, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vagueness_doctrine">unconstitutionally vague</a>, and invalid under <i>People v. Lent </i>(1975)
15 Cal.3d 481 (<i>Lent</i> ). Defendant also contends the trial court
improperly imposed a criminal justice administration fee of $259.50 (<i>see </i>Gov.
Code, §§ <a href="http://codes.findlaw.com/ca/government-code/gov-sect-29950.html">29950</a>, <a href="http://29550.1/">29550.1</a>, & <a href="http://29550.2/">29550.2</a>), because the trial court did not
determine whether that amount exceeded the actual administrative costs of his <a href="http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/what-happens-during-booking.html">booking process</a>. For reasons that we will explain, we will affirm the order of
probation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Ermin,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then explained why, and how, this
prosecution arose:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
On December 7, 2015, defendant was
arrested. He was found to be in possession of marijuana, and he consented to a
search of his cell phone. During the search of defendant's cell phone, a deputy
found photographs and videos of `packaged plastic bags and plastic containers,’
similar to those found on defendant's person, along with several text messages
indicating defendant was connected to sales of marijuana.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Defendant was charged with possession
for sale of marijuana (<a href="http://law.onecle.com/california/health/11359.html">Health & Saf. Code, § 11359;</a> count 1) and
transportation and distribution of marijuana (<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=11360.&lawCode=HSC">Health & Saf. Code, § 11360,subd. (a);</a> count 2). Pursuant to a plea agreement, the prosecution amended the
complaint, adding a charge of being an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessory_(legal_term)">accessory</a> (Penal Code, § 32; count 3),
and the trial court dismissed counts 1 and 2 after defendant pleaded no contest
to count 3.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Prior to sentencing, the probation
officer's report recommended the following probation condition: `The
defendant's <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">computer</span> and
all other electronic devices (including but not limited to cellular
telephones, <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">laptop</span> <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">computers</span> or notepads) shall be subject
to Forensic Analysis search.’ The probation officer's report also recommended
defendant be ordered to pay a $259.50 criminal justice administration fee,
payable to the County of Santa Clara. The probation report cited Government
Code sections 29550, 29550.1, and 29550.2 as the basis for that
fee.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Ermin,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeal goes on to explain that, at Ermin’s
sentencing hearing, his<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
trial counsel argued that the condition
regarding electronic searches was `too broad' under <i>Lent</i> and
would violate defendant's right to privacy. Defendant's trial counsel
noted that `people's bank records, health records, personal information, and
journal entries are now all being stored on cell phones as well as <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">laptops</span> and notepads.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The trial court agreed that the
proposed condition `does read rather broadly’ and suggested the condition could
be modified to add the following clause: `for the purpose of discovering
information reasonably related to criminal activity.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Defendant's trial counsel asked the
trial court to further limit the scope of the condition to permit searches of
defendant's cell phone only. In addition, defendant's trial counsel argued that
permitting a `forensic analysis search’ would give an officer access to the
`entire device,’ including hard drives and personal information.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Ermin,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to explain that the <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
prosecutor argued that the condition
should not be restricted to cell phones only, noting that electronic
communication is `easily transferable’ between devices. The prosecutor also
argued that forensic analysis was often the `only . . . way’ for officers to
get the information they need from an electronic device.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The trial court overruled the defense
objection to the `forensic analysis’ language and indicated the condition would
read as follows: `The defendant's <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">computer</span> and
all other electronic devices, including but not limited to cellular telephones, laptops, <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">computers</span>, or notepads, shall be
subject to forensic analysis search for information reasonably related to
criminal activity.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Ermin,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court goes on to explain that the<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
probation officer requested that the
trial court add an order that defendant provide all passwords necessary to
access or search his electronic devices. Defendant's trial counsel objected
`under the same reasoning.’ The trial court found the proposed additional
condition `reasonable’ and ordered defendant to `provide all passwords
necessary to access or search said electronic devices.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The trial court then suspended
imposition of sentence, placed defendant on formal probation for three years,
and imposed various additional probation conditions. Finally, the trial court
ordered defendant to pay various fees and fines, including a $259.50 criminal
justice administration fee payable to the County of Santa Clara `under the
Government Code.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Ermin,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having outlined what had happened to this point in the
litigation, the Court of Appeals began its analysis of the legal issues in the
case, beginning with Ermin’s “<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overbreadth_doctrine">overbreadth</a>” argument. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Ermin, supra.</i> As the opinion explains, Ermin argued that <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
the electronic devices search condition
is unconstitutionally overbroad because it infringes on his privacy interests
and violates his <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fourth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution">Fourth Amendment rights</a>. He contends that the trial court
could have imposed a more narrowly tailored condition, i.e., one that permits
searches only of his cell phone, and permits searches for only information `likely
to yield evidence of drug use, other criminal activity or noncompliance with
probation conditions.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
We review the constitutionality of a
probation condition <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_of_review#De_novo">de novo</a></i>. (<i>In
re Sheena K.</i> (2007) 40 Cal.4th 875, 888–889 (<i>Sheena K.</i>).)
`A probation condition that imposes limitations on a person's constitutional
rights must closely tailor those limitations to the purpose of the condition to
avoid being invalidated as unconstitutionally overbroad. [Citation.]’ (<i>Id.</i> at
p. 890.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Defendant asserts that his overbreadth
claim is supported by the reasoning of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riley_v._California">Riley v. California (2014)[134 S.Ct. 2473]</a> (<i>Riley</i>), in which the United States Supreme Court
held that the warrantless search of a suspect's cell phone implicated and
violated the suspect's Fourth Amendment rights. (<i>Id.,</i> 134 S.Ct. at
p. 2493.) In so <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holding_(law)">holding</a><span style="font-size: 11pt;">, the court explained that modern cell phones, which may
have the capacity to be used as mini-</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">computers</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;">,
can potentially contain sensitive information about a number of areas of a
person's life. (</span><i style="font-size: 11pt;">Id.</i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> at pp. 2488–2489.) The court emphasized,
however, that its holding was only that cell phone data is subject to Fourth
Amendment protection, `not that the information on a cell phone is immune from
search.’ (</span><i style="font-size: 11pt;">Id</i><span style="font-size: 11pt;">. at p. 2493.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Ermin,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The Court of Appeals went on to explain that, since<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i>Riley</i> did not involve
probation conditions, it is inapposite. Unlike the defendant in <i>Riley</i>,
who at the time of the search had not been <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">convicted</span> of a crime and was still protected by the
presumption of innocence, defendant is a probationer. `Inherent in the very
nature of probation is that probationers `do not enjoy `the absolute liberty to
which every citizen is entitled. [Citations.] Just as other punishments for
criminal convictions curtail an offender's freedoms, a court granting probation
may impose reasonable conditions that deprive the offender of some freedoms enjoyed
by law-abiding citizens.’ (<a href="http://www.casebriefs.com/blog/law/criminal-procedure/criminal-procedure-keyed-to-saltzburg/searches-and-seizures-of-persons-and-things/united-states-v-knights/%20(U.S.%20v.%20Knights)"><i>United States v. Knights</i> (2001) 534 U.S.
112, 119.)<o:p></o:p></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
This court rejected an overbreadth
argument in <i>People v. Ebertowski</i> (2014) 228 Cal.App.4th 1170 (<i>Ebertowski</i> ),
where the challenged probation condition required the defendant to “`provide
all passwords to any social media sites, including <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span>, Instagram and Mocospace and to submit those sites to
search at any time without a warrant by any peace officer.”’ (<i>Id.</i> at
p. 1172.) The <i>Ebertwoski</i> defendant was a member of a criminal
street gang who had promoted his gang on social media. This court rejected the
defendant's claim that the probation condition was `not narrowly tailored to
[its] purpose so as to limit [its] impact on his constitutional rights to privacy,
speech, and association.’ (<i>Id.</i> at p. 1175.) This court explained
that the state's interest in preventing the defendant from continuing to
associate with gangs and participate in gang activities, which was served by
the probation condition, outweighed the minimal invasion of his privacy. (<i>Ibid.</i>)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
In <i>People v. Appleton</i> (2016)
245 Cal.App.4th 717 (<i>Appleton</i> ), a different panel of this
court distinguished <i>Ebertowski</i> and found unconstitutionally
overbroad a probation condition requiring the defendant's electronic devices to
be `”subject to forensic analysis search for material prohibited by law.”’ (<i>Appleton,
supra</i>, at p. 721.) In <i>Appleton,</i> the defendant was <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">convicted</span> of false imprisonment
based on an incident that occurred about a year after he used a social media
website to meet the minor victim. (<i>Id.</i> at p. 719–720.) The <i>Appleton
</i>panel held that the electronic devices search condition was overbroad
because it `would allow for searches of vast amounts of personal information
unrelated to defendant's criminal conduct or his potential for future
criminality.’ (<i>Id.</i> at p. 727.) The <i>Appleton</i> panel
concluded that `the state's interest here—monitoring whether defendant uses
social media to contact minors for unlawful purposes—could be served through
narrower means,’ such as by imposing `the narrower condition approved in <i>Ebertowski</i>,
whereby defendant must provide his social media accounts and passwords to his
probation officer for monitoring.’ (<i>Ibid</i>., fn. omitted.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Ermin, supra</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals goes on to explain that, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[h]ere, the search condition regarding
defendant's electronic devices properly serves the state's interest in
preventing defendant from using electronic devices to engage in criminal
activity such as the sale of narcotics. Indeed, defendant recognizes that some
intrusion on his privacy rights would be justified, but he asserts that a more
narrowly tailored condition should have been imposed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
As noted above, defendant claims that
the condition is overbroad because it permits searches of all his electronic
devices and not just his cell phone. As the prosecutor noted below, electronic
information is `easily transferable’ between devices. By allowing the search of
other electronic devices, the condition ensures that defendant is not engaging
in narcotics sales by the use of any electronic device. If the condition were
limited to cell phones, defendant could simply use another electronic device,
such as a <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">laptop</span> or
tablet, to engage in criminal activity, and the probation officer would not be
able to effectively monitor defendant's probation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Defendant also claims that the
condition is overbroad because it permits searches for more than just
information `likely to yield evidence of drug use, other criminal activity or
noncompliance with probation conditions.’ However, the trial court did limit
the scope of the condition to provide that defendant's electronic devices could
only be searched for `information reasonably related to criminal activity.’
Thus, the condition is narrowly tailored to further the state's interest of
preventing the defendant from using his electronic devices to conduct future
criminal activity and it does not `allow for searches of vast amounts of
personal information unrelated to defendant's criminal conduct or his potential
for future criminality.’ (Cf. <i>Appleton, supra,</i> 245 Cal.App.4th
at p. 727.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
We conclude that the challenged
probation condition is not overbroad. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Ermin,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ermin also argued that the probation condition at issue in
this case was “unconstitutionally vague, because it does not clearly provide
notice of what he is forbidden from doing and is not specific enough to inform
a probation officer what to search for or how to conduct a search.” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Ermin, supra. </i>You can read
more about the vagueness doctrine, which is what Ermin was relying on, in this
Wikipedia entry. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals began its analysis of this argument by
explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[t]he underpinning of a vagueness challenge
is the due process concept of ‘fair warning.’ [Citation.] The rule of fair
warning consists of ‘the due process concepts of preventing arbitrary law
enforcement and providing adequate notice to potential offenders' [citation],
protections that are ‘embodied in the due process clauses of the federal and
California Constitutions.’ (<i>Sheena K., supra,</i> 40 Cal.4th at p. 890.)
Our examination of the challenged condition is `guided by the principles that
‘abstract legal commands must be applied in a specific <i>context</i>,’
and that, although not admitting of ‘mathematical certainty,’ the language used
must have <i>reasonable</i> specificity.' (<i>Ibid.</i>) In sum, the
probation condition must be ‘sufficiently precise for the probationer to know
what is required of him [or her], and for the court to determine whether the condition
has been violated.’ (<i>Ibid.</i>)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
In <i>In re Malik J.</i> (2015)
240 Cal.App.4th 896, the appellate court considered whether a probation condition
requiring the minor to `provide all passwords to any electronic devices,
including cell phones, <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">computers</span> or
[notepads], within [the probationer's] custody or control’ was
unconstitutionally vague or overbroad. (<i>Id.</i> at p. 900.) The minor
argued that the phrase `any electronic devices' <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>could be interpreted to include Kindles,
Playstations, iPods, the codes to his car, home security system, or even his
ATM card. (<i>Id.</i>at p. 904.) However, the appellate court concluded that
the imposed search condition was in response to the trial court's concern that
the minor would use items such as his cell phone to coordinate with other
offenders. Additionally, the minor had previously robbed people of their
iPhones. (<i>Id.</i> at pp. 904–905.) Therefore, the appellate court
concluded that it was reasonably clear that the condition was meant to
encompass `similar electronic devices within [minor's] custody and control that
might be stolen property, and not, as [minor] conjectures, to authorize a
search of his Kindle to see what books he is reading or require him to turn
over his ATM password.’ (<i>Id.</i> at p. 905.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Ermin,
supra.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals went on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[h]ere, defendant appears to be arguing
that the condition should have been more specific as to what type of
information could be `reasonably related to criminal activity.’ However, as
noted above, the language used in a probation condition must only have `”“<i>reasonable</i> specificity,”’<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>not “‘mathematical certainty.’” (<i>Sheena
K., supra</i>, 40 Cal.4th at p. 890.) A probation condition is sufficiently
specific “`if any reasonable and practical construction can be given its
language or if its terms may be made reasonably certain by reference to other
definable sources.”’ (<i>People v. Lopez</i> (1998) 66 Cal.App.4th 615,
630.) The condition here explicitly permits a search of defendant's electronic
devices for evidence that he is conducting narcotics sales or engaging in other
criminal activity and thus implicitly does not permit a search for other
purposes. The condition thus provides defendant with fair warning and prevents
arbitrary searches of his electronic devices for information not reasonably
related to criminal activity. In sum, the challenged condition is not
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vagueness_doctrine">unconstitutionally vague</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Ermin,
supra.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For these and other reasons, the Court of Appeal “affirmed”
the order of probation. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">People v. Ermin,
supra.</i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> </span></div>
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</style>Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-40743423896388097282017-07-30T17:18:00.000-04:002017-07-30T17:18:17.387-04:00Little Caesar’s Pizza, First-degree Robbery and the Facebook Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UYQVInuTzvo/WX5IX8tyqUI/AAAAAAAAFx4/lwvZM9vGmgYjE80pRocqp4Cw66lA8uFUwCLcBGAs/s1600/Cash_register_Japan2007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="990" data-original-width="1600" height="122" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UYQVInuTzvo/WX5IX8tyqUI/AAAAAAAAFx4/lwvZM9vGmgYjE80pRocqp4Cw66lA8uFUwCLcBGAs/s200/Cash_register_Japan2007.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This post examines a recent opinion from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missouri_Court_of_Appeals#Western_District_.28Kansas_City.29">Missouri Courtof Appeals – Western District</a>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v.
McElroy,</i> 2017 WL 2332760 (2017). The court begins the opinion by explaining
that “Jerome McElroy appeals the trial court's judgment, following a jury
trial, convicting him of first-degree robbery (§ <a href="http://569.020/">569.020</a>, [Revised Statutes of
Missouri]) and armed criminal action (<a href="https://www.lawserver.com/law/state/missouri/mo-laws/missouri_laws_571-015">§ 571.015</a>).” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. McElroy, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals goes on to explain how, and why, the
prosecution arose:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The evidence at McElroy's trial showed
that two men entered a Little Caesar's pizza restaurant on May 24, 2014, while
manager April Bell was counting the money in a cash register. Bell saw that one
of the men was carrying a gun, so she quickly closed the register. Bell
testified that she could see both men's faces. She stated that the gunman, whom
she later identified as McElroy, had `a little bit’ of facial hair, and she
particularly noticed `his eyes and his size.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Bell told the jury that McElroy jumped
over the counter, put a gun to the back of her head, and told her to open the
register. Bell complied. McElroy then pulled her to the other register,
demanded the money from it, and threatened to shove the gun into her head
harder unless she gave him the money immediately. After Bell opened the second
register, McElroy ordered her to open the safe. She told him that it was on a
time lock and she could not open it. McElroy jumped back over the counter,
and the two men ran out the door. Bell called the police.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Detective Anthony Castelletto reviewed
the store's surveillance video.<sup><a href="https://1.next.westlaw.com/Document/I851a9b10459011e799c1e9209d7cf8d2/View/FullText.html?navigationPath=Search%2Fv3%2Fsearch%2Fresults%2Fnavigation%2Fi0ad740120000015d9509fab02211e7d5%3FNav%3DCASE%26fragmentIdentifier%3DI851a9b10459011e799c1e9209d7cf8d2%26startIndex%3D21%26contextData%3D%28sc.Search%29%26transitionType%3DSearchItem&listSource=Search&listPageSource=9d1b495fa4ab0c3302b4ce87887f2d77&list=CASE&rank=39&sessionScopeId=10322b042c848fd81ed68f5d4c7499a9f5732b14bc6298ee894870c6ca6a529b&originatio#co_footnote_B00032041759918">3</a></sup> He
saw that the robbers were not wearing gloves and had touched certain areas that
an ordinary customer would not touch. Castelletto asked a crime scene
technician to dust those areas for fingerprints. Four of the recovered prints
were matched to McElroy: one was lifted from the counter between the cash
registers; the other three were taken from the glass on the upper portion of a
door.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The next day, police arrested Charles
Harris, who was riding in the passenger seat of a vehicle that matched the
description of one used in the robbery. The police received information from
Harris about a suspect who went by `JJ.’ Officer Johnathon Dawdy searched
social media accounts and found a <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> page
for someone named `JJ da guy.’ He compared a picture of McElroy to pictures on
the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> page and
confirmed that McElroy was `JJ da guy.’ The photos on the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> page showed a tattoo
that said `RIP Kevin’ and covered nearly the entire top of McElroy's right
hand. Dawdy testified that he had seen the same tattoo on one of the robbers in
the Little Caesar's surveillance video. Detective Castelletto also concluded
that the same tattoo was depicted in both the video and the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> photos.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. McElroy,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals also notes that, <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[u]pon arresting McElroy, Officer Dawdy
could see that he was the same person identified on <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> as `JJ da guy.’ Dawdy
also noticed that McElroy had the same tattoo on his right hand that he had
seen on the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> page
and on the surveillance video.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
April Bell identified both Harris and
McElroy from photo line-ups. She identified McElroy as the gunman, and she
stated at trial that she was absolutely sure of her identification. Bell also
made an in-court identification of McElroy. She told the jury that there was no
doubt in her mind that he was the man who held a gun to her head.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. McElroy,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals went on to explain that <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
McElroy did not present any evidence.
During closing argument, defense counsel reminded the jurors of McElroy's `very
large ornate and dark tattoo on his right hand’ that they had seen in one of
the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> photos.
She urged the jury to ask to see everything that had been admitted into
evidence (which the jury did), and she proposed that the video and the stills
from it would <i><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">not</span></i> show
a tattoo on the gunman's hand. Counsel also asserted that, if Bell's
identification of McElroy was wrong, then the State did not have any evidence.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The jury found McElroy <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> of first-degree robbery
and armed criminal action. The court sentenced him to <a href="http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Concurrent+sentence">concurrent prison terms</a>
of twelve years and three years, respectively.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. McElroy,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then took up the arguments McElroy made
in appealing his conviction, beginning with this issue:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
McElroy contends that the circuit court
plainly erred in allowing evidence obtained from the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> page to be presented at
trial and in permitting the State to elicit testimony about and argue that
the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> profile
of `JJ da Guy’ connected McElroy to Harris and to the Little Caesar's robbery,
`because the ownership and identity of the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> page was not properly authenticated.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
At no point during the trial did
McElroy's defense counsel dispute that the `JJ da guy’ <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> page belonged to McElroy or that he was depicted in
the photos on that page. In fact, during a bench conference on an unrelated
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motion_in_limine">motion <i>in limine</i></a>, defense counsel told the court that, as part of
her trial strategy, she intended to elicit testimony about he Facebook page to
discredit Harris's identification of the owner of that page as one of the
robbers.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. McElroy,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion then explains that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[d]uring Officer Dawdy's testimony, he
stated that, based on information from Harris about a suspect who went by the
name `JJ,’ he discovered a <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> page
for a person named `JJ da guy.’ Dawdy told the jury that he then compared a
photo of McElroy to photos posted on JJ da guy's <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> page and determined that McElroy and JJ da guy were
the same person.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
When the State sought to admit
those <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> photos
as State's Exhibits 13-15, defense counsel asked to approach the bench, and the
following discussion ensued:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[Defense Counsel]: `Judge, I'm going to
object to these pictures being introduced into evidence, because there is
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearsay">hearsay</a> all over them. These are actually <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> page, like stills that have been taken and printed
off of the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">computer</span>. I
mean, there's writing on here. I haven't read everything, but it is not just a
picture. So I'm going to object to the hearsay that is included in the
photographs.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
THE COURT: `So you're okay with the
photos, just not some of the words?’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[Defense Counsel]: `Right, right.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The prosecutor offered to use other
photos from the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> page
that did not include any words, and defense counsel stated that that would
resolve her objection. Officer Dawdy then identified State's Exhibits 17, 18,
and 19 as photos of McElroy and of the tattoo on his right hand. Defense
counsel stated, `No objection,’ when the photographs were offered into
evidence. The court admitted the exhibits, and they were published to the jury.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. McElroy,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having explained how the issue of the Facebook photos arose,
the Court of Appeals went on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[t]he prosecutor offered to use other
photos from the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> page
that did not include any words, and defense counsel stated that that would
resolve her objection. Officer Dawdy then identified State's Exhibits 17, 18,
and 19 as photos of McElroy and of the tattoo on his right hand. Defense counsel
stated, `No objection,’ when the photographs were offered into evidence. The
court admitted the exhibits, and they were published to the jury.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. McElroy,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals went on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[g]enerally, we review a trial court's
admission of evidence for an <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discretion#Abuse">abuse of discretion</a>. <i>State v. Blair</i>,
443 S.W.3d 677, 682 (Mo. App. 2014). Where there was no objection to the
admission of the evidence, our review, if any, is for <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Error_(law)">plain error</a> only. <i>Id.
</i>citing <i>State v. McFadden,</i> 369 S.W.3d 727, 753 (Mo. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/En_banc">en banc</a></i> 2012)). Rule 30.20 authorizes
this Court, in its discretion, to review `plain errors affecting substantial
rights . . . when the court finds that manifest injustice or miscarriage of
justice has resulted therefrom.’ Here, McElroy concedes that he failed to
preserve this claim and asks this Court to review it for plain error.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
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We decline to do so. McElroy has waived
review of <b><i>any</i></b> claim of error related to the admission
of this evidence. <i>See</i> <i>State v. Johnson</i>, 284 S.W.3d 561,
582 (Mo. banc 2009). Plain error review is waived when counsel has
affirmatively acted in a manner that precludes a finding that the failure to
object was due to `inadvertence or negligence.’ <i>Id.</i> `Plain error
review does not apply when a party affirmatively states that it has no
objection to evidence an opposing party is attempting to introduce or for a
trial strategy reason.’ <i>Id.</i>; <i>State v. Goers</i>, 432 S.W.3d
276, 282 (Missouri Court of Appeals 2014) (a statement of `no objection’
when evidence is introduced `affirmatively waives’ plain error review of its
admission). Here, defense counsel stated `no objection’ to the admission
of the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> photographs,
and she told the court that she intended to use testimony about the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> page as part of her
trial strategy. Defense counsel's strategic decision not to object to the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook<b> </b></span>evidence and her affirmative
statement that she had `no objection’ to the admission of the Facebook photographs
constituted a waiver.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Accordingly, McElroy has waived his
claim that the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> evidence
was improperly admitted. In any event, this is not a case where we would
exercise our discretion to conduct a plain error review.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
We affirm the circuit court's judgment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. McElroy,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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</style>Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-35929011975369560982017-07-28T09:47:00.003-04:002017-07-28T09:47:59.204-04:00The Scrap Materials, Hearsay and Dealing in Stolen Property
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NOg8uW282mg/WXs9MBFJXEI/AAAAAAAAFxg/jjMNqin-PYEKu_vXZpbNw1hOjgXWNOgEwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Allegheny_Ludlum_Steel_Corp_Scrap_Piles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="708" data-original-width="922" height="245" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NOg8uW282mg/WXs9MBFJXEI/AAAAAAAAFxg/jjMNqin-PYEKu_vXZpbNw1hOjgXWNOgEwCEwYBhgL/s320/Allegheny_Ludlum_Steel_Corp_Scrap_Piles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This post examines a recent decision from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florida_Second_District_Court_of_Appeal">District Court of Appeals of Florida – Second District</a>: <i>North v. State</i>, <span style="color: #212121;">2017 WL 2484944. The court begins by explaining that Shane North was “convicted in the <a href="http://tenth%20circuit%20-%20hardee%2C%20highlands%2C%20and%20polk/">Circuit Court, Polk County</a> . . . of dealing in stolen property and he appealed. </span><i>North v. State, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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The Court of Appeals goes on to explain that<span style="color: #212121;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Mr. North was a foreman involved in a dismantling project for a shuttered power plant, a job which entailed removing copper cables, electrical bus bars, rectifiers, and batteries—materials that, even when scrapped, apparently hold significant resale value. His company's policy prohibited employees from taking or selling these decommissioned materials; instead, a designated scrap vendor was supposed to remove the materials from the job site. When Mr. North's company truck's GPS tracking device indicated that his truck had traveled to a metal recycling facility during working hours, the company became suspicious and commenced an investigation into Mr. North's activities. As a result of that investigation, it was determined that Mr. North had transported and sold nearly four tons of the power plant's scrapped materials to a recycling facility by representing to the facility that the scrap belonged to him. He was arrested and charged shortly afterward.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mr. North initially elected to testify at his trial. But before he took the stand, the circuit court engaged in a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colloquy_(law)">colloquy</a> with defense counsel concerning the scope and nature of the defendant's anticipated testimony. The court remarked that Mr. North's prospective testimony, in which he intended to describe the contents of purported email messages he claimed to have received from his supervisors granting him permission to sell the scrap, appeared to the court to be <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearsay">inadmissible hearsay.</a> Defense counsel argued that the statements would not be hearsay because they went to Mr. North's state of mind—that is, prior to him selling the material at the recycling facility, Mr. North's understanding, based upon these emails, was that he had permission from both the scrap vendor and his construction manager to take the materials for himself. The circuit court remained unconvinced and ruled that the testimony was inadmissible hearsay. His testimony thus excluded, Mr. North did not testify and, following the jury's guilty verdict, was adjudicated and sentenced to thirty months in prison concurrently on each charge. He now timely appeals.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>North v. State, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then began its analysis of the issue in the case, explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
[g]enerally speaking, a trial court's ruling on the admission of evidence will not be reversed unless an abuse of discretion is demonstrated, <i>Armstrong v. State</i>, 73 So.3d 155, 166 (<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supreme_Court_of_Florida">Florida Supreme Court</a> 2011), but `the question of whether a statement is hearsay is a matter of law and is subject to <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_of_review#De_novo"><i>de novo</i> review on appeal</a>,’ <i>Cannon v. State,</i> 180 So.3d 1023, 1037 (Florida Supreme Court 2015) (citing <i>Burkey v. State</i>, 922 So.2d 1033, 1035 (Fla. 4th DCA 2006)). Mr. North's appeal concerns the characterization of alleged email statements he claims to have received from third parties, evidence the circuit court believed was hearsay. In the context here, that was an erroneous characterization.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>North v. State, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
[h]earsay, the Florida Evidence Code tells us, `is a statement, other than one made by the declarant while testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence <i>to prove the truth of the matter asserted</i>.’ <a href="http://law.justia.com/codes/florida/2013/title-vii/chapter-90/section-90.801/">§ 90.801(1)(c), Fla. Stat. (2013)</a> (emphasis added). Certain out-of-court statements `may be offered for a multitude of purposes other than to prove the truth of the facts asserted in them.’ <i>Massey v. State</i>, 109 So.3d 324, 328 (Fla. 4th DCA 2013). Thus, an out-of-court statement may be admissible to establish the material effect that statement had on a listener—regardless of whether that statement was true or not—for `[w]hen a statement is offered to prove what a person thought after the person heard the statement, it is being offered to prove the person's state of mind and is not hearsay.’ <i>Jenkins v. State</i>, 189 So.3d 866, 869 (Fla. 4th DCA 2015); <i>see also Miller v. State</i>, 870 So.2d 15, 17 (Fla. 2d DCA 2003) (concluding that defendant's testimony that a deputy told him `Stop or I'll shoot’ was not hearsay because it was not offered to prove that the deputy intended to shoot the defendant, but rather what the effect of hearing that statement had on the defendant to explain his subsequent conduct).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
In that light, the alleged email statements concerning Mr. North's permission to sell the scrap were simply not hearsay.<i> See</i> <i>Buchanan v. State</i>, 743 So.2d 59, 61 (Fla. 2d DCA 1999) (holding that trial court erred in excluding as hearsay proffered statements that defendant accused of theft had been told by a woman to retrieve her property, as the testimony was not presented for the truth of the matter asserted but rather to show that the defendant lacked the necessary intent to steal the property); <i>White v. State, </i>993 So.2d 611, 613 (Fla. 1st DCA 2008) (`The testimony proffered by appellant was not hearsay because it was not offered ‘to prove the truth of the matter asserted’—that appellant's neighbor had been given the generator in return for work done . . . [but] was, instead, offered to negate an essential element of both offenses—intent.’); <i>Alfaro v. State</i>, 837 So.2d 429, 432–33 (Fla. 4th DCA 2002) (holding improper the exclusion of alleged out-of-court statement of permission for an alleged car thief to drive the purportedly stolen vehicle<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>North v. State, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court of Appeals then begins the process of articulating its ruling on the Circuit Court Judge’s barring North’s testimony at trial, explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in; margin-right: 0.5in;">
[t]o be sure, our court has held that section 812.091(1) is a <a href="https://www.legalmatch.com/law-library/article/specific-and-general-intent-crimes.html">general intent criminal offense</a>. <i>See</i> <i>Glenn v. State</i>, 753 So.2d 669 (Fla. 2d DCA 2000). But the <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mens_rea">mens rea</a></i> that the legislature ascribed to this offense (that the defendant `knows or should know’ that the property in question was stolen) must still be proven; Mr. North's state of mind about his purported permission to take these materials, then, was a material issue in his case. <i>Cf.</i><u> </u><i>Foster v. State</i>, 778 So.2d 906, 915 (Florida Supreme Court 2000) (`Of course, the alternative purpose for which the statement is offered must relate to a material issue in the case . . . .’(citing <i>State v. Baird</i>, 572 So.2d 904, 907 (Florida Supreme Court 1990))). Thus we conclude the circuit court erred in precluding the line of testimony Mr. North proffered. Because we cannot construe that error as harmless in this case, we must reverse the circuit court's judgment and sentences and remand Mr. North's case for a new trial.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>North v. State, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div>
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<br />Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-2777050797737455822017-07-26T11:30:00.003-04:002017-07-26T11:30:46.468-04:00 In Re: Two Email Accounts Stored At Google, Inc.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_CQOdHEacwQ/WXixX9eb2JI/AAAAAAAAFxM/tZn8_sCEsZkEkYcEd_5RPylEXBqAERnqgCLcBGAs/s1600/Milwaukee_courthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="216" height="156" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_CQOdHEacwQ/WXixX9eb2JI/AAAAAAAAFxM/tZn8_sCEsZkEkYcEd_5RPylEXBqAERnqgCLcBGAs/s200/Milwaukee_courthouse.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This post examines a recent opinion a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_magistrate_judge">U.S. Magistrate Judge</a>
who is assigned to the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_District_Court_for_the_Eastern_District_of_Wisconsin">U.S. District Court for the Eastern District ofWisconsin</a> issued in a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawsuit">civil case.</a> As Wikipedia <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_district_court">explains</a>, “The <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">United States district courts</span> are
the general trial courts of the United States federal court
system.” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Judge begins the opinion by explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[i]n 1986, spurred by concerns that the
then-current law was `hopelessly out of date,’ S. REP. 99-541, 2, 1986
U.S.C.C.A.N. 3555, 3556, Congress amended the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omnibus_Crime_Control_and_Safe_Streets_Act_of_1968">Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968</a> with the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_Communications_Privacy_Act">Electronic Communications Privacy Act. </a>PL 99–508
(HR 4952), PL 99–508, October 21, 1986, 100 Stat 1848. Included in the Act was
the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stored_Communications_Act">Stored Communications Act</a> (SCA). At the time the SCA was enacted, the
internet did not exist in any practical sense and email was in its infancy. See
S. REP. 99-541, 8, 1986 U.S.C.C.A.N. 3555, 3562, 3563-65 (describing remote
computer services, `computer-to-computer communications’ and `electronic mail’).
Yet this decades-old statute, with a few intervening amendments, remains the
primary tool used by law enforcement to access a myriad of electronic
communications and records.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In re: Two <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> accounts stored at <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span>, Inc.</i>, 2017 WL 2838156
(2017). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The judge then goes on to explain what this case involves
and how it arose:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Naturally, many aspects of contemporary
technology are not directly addressed in the antiquated law. As technology
continues to change beyond bounds even imagined three decades ago, prosecutors
and law enforcement are more and more asking courts to proverbially fit square
pegs into round holes – trying to make current technology fit within the
outmoded constructs created by Congress in 1986 – such that the law might again
be called `hopelessly out of date.’ But it is not the court's role to strain
the strictures of a statute to create a space to fit each request from the
government. If the court concludes that the government's request is outside the
bounds of the statute, the court is obligated to reject it. That is true
regardless of how practical or logical the request might seem; if there is a
gap in the law, it is the obligation of Congress, not the courts, to fill it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
According to <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span>, Inc., the present case
implicates one such gap in the law. On February 15, 2017, the government asked
the court to issue a warrant commanding <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span> to disclose <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> records associated with two particular Gmail
addresses. <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google<b> </b></span>has
turned over responsive records that it concluded were stored in a data center
in the United States. But a dispute exists as to records that are or may be
(for <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span> sometimes
cannot be certain where a record is) stored in a data center outside the United
States. Google’s position is that this court's warrant may not reach property
stored outside the United States.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In re: Two <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> accounts stored at <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span>, Inc., supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The judge then explains that, in<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
light of the recent decision by the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Court_of_Appeals_for_the_Second_Circuit">Courtof Appeals for the 2d Circuit</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in the
case of <i>In Re: Matter of Warrant to Search a Certain <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">E</span>–<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Mail</span> Account Controlled & Maintained by Microsoft Corp.</i>,
829 F.3d 197 (2d Cir. 2016), when issuing the present warrant the court <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sua_sponte">sua sponte</a> </i>paused to consider whether it can order <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span> to disclose information that <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span> stores on servers located
outside of the United States. The court concluded that such an order was
authorized under the SCA and issued a Memorandum in conjunction with the
warrant. <i>See In re Info. Associated with One Yahoo Email Address
that is Stored at Premises Controlled by Yahoo</i>, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS
24591, 2017 WL 706307 (E.D. Wis. Feb. 21, 2017) (discussing present warrant
along with a separate contemporaneous application regarding a Yahoo <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> address). <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span> has moved to `amend’ the
warrant to exclude any data that it stores on servers located outside the
United States. (ECF No. 8.) The court now considers its prior order anew
with the benefit of adversarial argument and a more thorough record.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In re: Two <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> accounts stored at <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span>, Inc., supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The opinion goes on to outline the “relevant facts” involved
in this litigation:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Because the facts presented in the
application relate to an ongoing criminal investigation and an unexecuted
warrant, they will be addressed here in only the broadest terms. For present
purposes it is sufficient to state that the warrant relates to the
investigation of persons who have already been <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indictment#United_States"><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">indicted</span> </a>in this district. There is no indication that the relevant
email accounts were used by persons outside the United States.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The parties <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stipulation">stipulated</a> to various other
facts relevant to the present motion. (ECF No. 11.) <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span> is headquartered in
California. (ECF No. 11, ¶ 1.) It stores user data at various locations, some
of which are in the United States, some of which are not. (ECF No. 11, ¶ 2.) A
user's files might be broken into component parts, and different parts of a
single file may be stored in different locations, including in different
countries. (ECF No. 11, ¶ 3). Google automatically moves user data to optimize
performance, reliability, and other efficiencies. (ECF No. 11, ¶ 4.) Thus, data
might be stored in one location when the government seeks a warrant and in a
different location by the time <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span> is
served with that warrant. (ECF No. 11, ¶ 4.) If data is stored in a foreign
country, the tool that <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google<b> </b></span>uses
to identify data responsive to the warrant does not identify which specific
foreign country the data is stored in. (ECF No. 11, ¶ 4.) The only <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span> personnel who can access
data in response to a warrant are located in the United States. (ECF No. 11, ¶
5.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In re: Two <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> accounts stored at <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span>, Inc., supra.</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having summarized the facts, the Magistrate Judge goes on to
outline the relevant law:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The government may obtain a warrant
requiring `disclosure by a provider of electronic communication service of the
contents of a wire or electronic communication, that is in electronic storage
in an electronic communications system.’ <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/2703">18 U.S. Code § 2703(a)</a>. Translated
into simplified terms relevant to the present case, this means that a federal
law enforcement officer can ask a United States Magistrate Judge to issue a
warrant compelling an <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> service
provider (e.g., <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span>,
Yahoo, Microsoft, etc.) to disclose emails associated with a particular email
address. (Again, the statute covers other sorts of information and the relevant
application seeks details other than <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">emails</span>, such as account information, but for the sake of
simplicity the court will refer here to <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">emails</span>.) If the law enforcement officer demonstrates that probable
cause exists to believe that the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">emails</span> will
contain evidence of a crime, the court will order the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> service provider to
disclose the <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">emails</span> sent
from or received at the identified <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> address.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
With respect to search warrants
generally, under certain circumstances a magistrate judge may issue a warrant
authorizing a search in a district other than his or her assigned district. <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcrmp/rule_41">Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure 41(b)(2)-(6)</a>. However, aside from narrow exceptions
related to searches in a `territory, possession, or commonwealth’ of the United
States, and properties associated with consular missions, <a href="https://www.law.cornell.edu/rules/frcrmp/rule_41">Fed. R. Crim. P.41(b)(5)</a>, Rule 41 is silent as to whether a federal court may issue a
warrant for the search of property located outside of the United States.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In re: Two <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> accounts stored at <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span>, Inc., supra.</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Magistrate Judge then begins the process of articulating
the analysis he must employ in deciding the issue in this case, explaining,
initially, that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[a]ccording to <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span>, a warrant issued under 18
U.S.C. § 2703 is analogous to the court authorizing a government agent to
enter a location in a foreign country, open a file cabinet, and seize all the
papers it contains. Because it is presumed that a federal court does not have
statutory authority beyond the United States, the court's order authorizing the
seizure of data located in a foreign country was an impermissible
extraterritorial order. The government views the warrant as more akin to a
court order directing a person in the United States to collect records under
that person's control and provide them to a government investigator.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span> rests
its position largely on two contentions. First, it argues that the relevant provisions
of 2703 use the term `warrant,’ which traditionally means an order regarding
the search or seizure of physical property rather than an order compelling
action by a person. Second, it contends that under the SCA Congress
recognized <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">emails</span> as
belonging to the user. If the warrant relates to the seizure of an object,
albeit a digital `object,’ the location of that object is material. If that
object is stored on a server located outside the United States, any warrant
authorizing its seizure implicates extraterritoriality considerations.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In re: Two <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> accounts stored at <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span>, Inc., supra.</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court goes on to note that the<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
government characterizes the
distinction between a traditional search warrant and a § 2703 warrant
as one of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_rem_jurisdiction"><i>in rem</i> </a>versus <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In_personam">in personam</a></i> jurisdiction
– whether the court is authorizing the government to search for and seize
certain property or whether the court is ordering a person to do something. In
the government's view, a 2703 warrant compels action by a service provider
(e.g., <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span>), and thus
what matters most is whether the service provider who will disclose the data is
within the reach of the court.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In re: Two <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> accounts stored at <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span>, Inc., supra.</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Magistrate Judge went on to explain that the<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
took Google's side in the debate, concluding that if the records are stored in
data centers located outside the United States they are outside the reach of a
United States court. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Matter of Warrant to
Search a Certain E–Mail Account Controlled & Maintained by Microsoft Co</i>rp.,
829 F.3d 197 (2d Cir. 2016). However, to date, the Second Circuit has been the
only court to take this side. All courts outside the Second Circuit that have
considered the issue, as well as four judges of the Second Circuit who wrote in
dissent of the court's decision not to rehear the panel's decision en banc and
the magistrate judge and district judge who considered Microsoft in the
district court, have disagreed. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Microsoft
Corp. v. United States (In re Warrant to Search a Certain E-Mail Account
Controlled & Maintained by Microsoft Corp.),</i> 2017 U.S. App. LEXIS 1274,
18, 2017 WL 362765 (2d Cir. Jan. 24, 2017); <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In
the Matter of Search of Information Associated with [redacted] @gmail.com,</i>
2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 92601, 2017 WL 2480752 (D.D.C. June 2, 2017); <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In re Search of Content that is Stored at
Premises Controlled by Google,</i> 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 59990, 2017 WL 1398279
(N.D. Cal. Apr. 19, 2017); <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In re Search
Warrant No. 16-960-M-01, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 15232, 2017 WL 471564 (E.D. Pa.
Feb. 3, 2017); In re Warrant to Search a Certain E-Mail Account Controlled
& Maintained by Microsoft Corp</i>., 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 133901, 2014 WL
4629624 (S.D.N.Y. Aug. 29, 2014); <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In re A
Warrant to Search a Certain E-Mail Account Controlled & Maintained by
Microsoft Corp.,</i> 15 F. Supp. 3d 466 (S.D.N.Y. Apr. 25, 2014); <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">see also In re Search of Premises Located at [redacted] @yahoo.com, stored at premises owned, maintained, controlled, or
operated by Yahoo, Inc., No. 6:17-mj-1238</i> (M.D. Fla., April 7, 2017)
(available in the record as ECF No. 12-1) (reversing <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In re Search of Premises Located at xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@yahoo.com,
stored at premises owned, maintained, controlled, or operated by Yahoo, Inc</i>.,
No. 6:17-mj-1238 (M.D. Fla., March 21, 2017) (available in record as ECF No.
9-1))<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In re: Two <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> accounts stored at <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span>, Inc., supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Judge goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[h]aving considered <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google's</span> arguments and the
additional facts now before the court, the court again concludes that an
emphasis on where the relevant data is located at a given point in time is
misplaced. “The data does not occupy any physical space, and it can be divided
up and distributed anywhere.” Orin S. Kerr, <i>Applying the Fourth
Amendment to the Internet: A General Approach</i>, 62 Stan. L. Rev. 1005, 1014
(2010). `Electronic “documents” are literally intangible: when we say they are
stored on a disk, we mean they are encoded on it as a pattern.’ <i>Matter
of Warrant to Search a Certain <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">E</span>-<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Mail</span> Account Controlled &
Maintained by Microsoft Corp.</i>, 855 F.3d 53, 61 (2d Cir. 2017) (Jacobs,
J., dissenting from denial of rehearing). Thus, electronic data, especially
data that exists within a free-flowing international information
infrastructure, cannot be fairly equated to physical property. This is
especially true with respect to data controlled by Google where Google’s
state-of-the-art intelligent network . . .automatically moves data from one
location on <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google's</span> network
to another as frequently as needed to optimize for performance, reliability and
other efficiencies.’ (ECF No. 11, ¶ 4.) In fact, the location of where data is
stored at any given moment is so abstruse that even <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span> sometimes cannot determine
whether the data is located inside the United States. (ECF No. 11, ¶ 4.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In re: Two <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> accounts stored at <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span>, Inc., supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Magistrate Judge goes on to explain that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[t]he court agrees with the government
that a § 2703 warrant is an order compelling action by a service
provider, and the service provider, not the data, is the relevant subject that
the court must reach for the order to be effective. Unlike a traditional search
warrant, which commands law enforcement to do certain things, <i>see</i> Federal
Rule of Criminal Procedure 41(e)(2)(A), a warrant under 2703 compels action by
a service provider. For example, it states, `A governmental entity may require
the disclosure by a provider of electronic communication service . . .’ 18
U.S. Code § 2703(a), and `A governmental entity may require a provider of
remote computing service to disclose<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>. .
.,’ 18 U.S.C. § 2703(b)(1); <i>see also</i> 18 U.S. Code §
2703(g) (`. . . requiring disclosure by a provider of electronic communications
service . . .’). The terms `disclose’ and `disclosure’ are clearly directed
toward the conduct of a service provider. Therefore, the court accepts the
government's view that a § 2703 warrant is, in effect, an exercise of
the court's <i>in personam</i> rather than <i>in rem</i> authority.
Accordingly, the court finds that the concerns regarding extraterritoriality
that were crucial in the court's analysis in <i>Microsoft</i> are not
implicated here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The court acknowledges that a customer
has a privacy interest in the data and that through the SCA Congress sought to
protect that privacy interest. But for purposes of the Fourth Amendment that
privacy interest is protected by the fact that the government must obtain a
warrant, supported by probable cause, from a magistrate judge before it may
obtain the data. <i>See Microsoft Corp. v. United States (In re
Warrant to Search a Certain <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">E</span>-<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Mail<b> </b></span>Account Controlled &
Maintained by Microsoft Corp.)</i>, 855 F.3d 53, 61 (2d Cir. 2017) (Jacobs, J.,
dissenting from denial of rehearing) (`Important as privacy is, it is in any
event protected by the requirement of probable cause; so a statutory focus on
privacy gets us no closer to knowing whether the warrant in question is
enforceable.’).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In re: Two <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> accounts stored at <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span>, Inc., supra.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The judge also noted that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[m]oreover, that privacy interest
applies to the content of the records; the court find no such privacy interest
with respect to the location of the data. That is especially true in the
present case, where <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span> freely
relocates data to further its service needs and without affording the user any
apparent control as to where the data is stored. Therefore, ordering a
service provider to transfer data from a data center in a foreign country to a
data center in the United States does not implicate the user's privacy
interests or rights under the Fourth Amendment `because there is no meaningful
interference with the account holder's possessory interest in the user data’ as
a result of the transfer. <i>In re Search Warrant No. 16-960-M-01</i>,
2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 15232, 2017 WL 471564 (E.D. Pa. Feb. 3, 2017).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In re: Two <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> accounts stored at <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span>, Inc., supra.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court concludes the opinion with the following:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
In sum, the court finds that because
the order is directed toward a service provider that is within the reach of
this court the fortuity of where that service provider may store the relevant
data at a given moment in time does not implicate extraterritoriality concerns.
Nor does it implicate the user's privacy interests to order a service provider
to transfer the relevant data to a data center in the United States so that it
may then be turned over to the government pursuant to a warrant supported by
probable cause. The search and seizure does not occur until the service
provider discloses the demanded information to the government, and this occurs
in the United States.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<b>IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED</b> that <b>Google</b> Inc.'s
motion to amend the warrant (ECF No. 8) is <b>denied</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #212121; font-size: 10.5pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Dated
at Milwaukee, Wisconsin this 30th day of June, 2017.</span><span style="font-family: "times"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In re: Two <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">email</span> accounts stored at <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Google</span>, Inc., supra </i>(emphasis in
the original). . . .<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-18185359681215907952017-07-24T09:52:00.005-04:002017-07-24T09:52:40.346-04:00 The Chief of Police, the Facebook Posts and Stalking <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LXOD2kdso8s/WXX5O93-ImI/AAAAAAAAFwk/ZPpgftswSyI2duOmq6eaq2XgcNdahB_NgCLcBGAs/s1600/NorfolkCoCourt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1425" data-original-width="1600" height="284" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LXOD2kdso8s/WXX5O93-ImI/AAAAAAAAFwk/ZPpgftswSyI2duOmq6eaq2XgcNdahB_NgCLcBGAs/s320/NorfolkCoCourt.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This post examines a rather unusual stalking case from the
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Massachusetts_Appeals_Court">Appeals Court of Massachusetts</a>: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth
v. Cristino,</i> 2017 WL 2989723 (2017). The court begins the opinion by
explaining that <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[a]fter a jury trial, the defendant
was convicted of two counts of stalking pursuant to <a href="http://law.justia.com/codes/massachusetts/2006/gl-pt4-toc/265-43.html">[Massachusetts General Laws 265 § 43(a)</a>. On appeal, he argues
that the evidence presented was insufficient to establish the requisite
elements of the offense, and that the judge's denial of his motion for a
required finding of not guilty was erroneous. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Cristino, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Appeals Court goes on to explain how, and why, the
prosecution arose:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The victims of the defendant's alleged
stalking are the chief of police and deputy chief of police in Milford. The
evidence against the defendant came primarily from a series of Facebook posts
that he made, where he openly criticized the two heads of the police department
and accused them of corruption, drinking on the job, abusing alcohol, and
having improper relationships with local drug dealers and criminals. A total of
seventeen videos from Facebook were submitted in evidence after having been
posted to his private, personal page. There was also evidence of signs the defendant
posted on his property, which was on Milford's Main Street. The signs contained
derogatory statements about the chief and deputy chief. Finally, the chief of
police testified that he had observed the defendant following him in his car
while driving through the town.<sup><o:p></o:p></sup></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The substance of the Facebook videos in
question varied from complaints about the chief and deputy chief, threats to
take them to court, accusations that they were regularly drinking at a local
restaurant and bar named Isabel's, and several videos depicting either the
chief's or the deputy chief's vehicles in the parking lot at Isabel's or parked
nearby. Mixed in throughout the videos are various statements which arguably,
if taken alone, could be considered to be threats. These include the defendant
saying he was going back to `old school’ in a video in which he criticized the
chief and deputy chief for spending time with criminals and stating that they,
and the town, were `bananas.’ In a separate video, while addressing `Chiefy
Weify,’ the defendant stated: `I'm not afraid of you. You're afraid of me, and
I would be too.’ In a broader sense, this video portrays the defendant
recording himself while accusing the chief and deputy chief of using drugs and
associating with drug dealers. Finally, when speaking to the unknown person who
removed a license plate from his vehicle, the defendant said, `I hope they
catch you. Better them catching you than me anyway, because I'd grab you by the
hair and keep you here or a couple of stomps on your face.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Cristino, supra.</i> In another footnote, the court explains that the “defendant
surmises in this video that his license plate was stolen by the deputy chief's
child, but does not offer any basis for this accusation. Regardless, the deputy
chief's son is not a complainant in this matter.” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v. Cristino, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And in yet another footnote, the court explains that “[o]ne
sign read `Fuck you, chiefs of police”, while another “read `Milford police
chiefs, kings of Budweiser.’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth
v. Cristino, supra.</i> In another footnote, the court explains that “[t]he
record suggests that all accusations by the chief of the defendant following
him occurred on public roads and never at the chief's home.” <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v. Cristino, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Getting back to the opinion, the Appeals Court goes on to
explain that to be<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
found <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">guilty</span> of stalking, it must be proven that a person `(1)
willfully and maliciously engages in a knowing pattern of conduct or series of
acts over a period of time directed at a specific person which seriously alarms
or annoys that person and would cause a reasonable person to suffer substantial
emotional distress, and (2) makes a threat with intent to place the person in
imminent fear of death or bodily injury.’ Massachusetts General Law c. 265, §
43(a), as amended through St. 2010, c. 92, § 9. On appeal, the defendant argues
that there was insufficient evidence to prove: that his <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> posts were `directed at’
either alleged victim; that he indicated an intent to physically threaten
either of the officers; that the officers' fear was reasonable; and that he
intended to communicate a threat of bodily injury. He further argues that
his <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> posts
were constitutionally protected speech and that the judge erred in failing to
instruct the jury on `<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/True_threat">true threats</a>.’<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
In denying the defendant's motion for a
required finding of not guilty, the judge ruled that `there was clear evidence
to establish that these were true threats rather than protected speech under the
First Amendment,’ and, therefore, there was sufficient evidence to allow a jury
to determine each element of the stalking statute was met.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Cristino, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Appeals Court went on to explain that on<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
review of the judge's denial of the
defendant's motion for a required finding of not guilty, `we determine whether
the evidence offered by the Commonwealth, together with reasonable inferences
therefrom, when viewed in its light most favorable to the Commonwealth, was
sufficient to persuade a rational jury beyond a reasonable doubt of the
existence of every element of the crime charged.’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v. Campbell</i>, 378 Mass. 680, 686 (1979). A
conviction may not `rest upon the piling of inference upon inference or
conjecture and speculation.’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v. Mandile</i>,
403 Mass. 93, 94 (1988). `[I]t is not enough for the appellate court to find
that there was some record evidence, however slight, to support each essential
element of the offense.' <u>I</u><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">bid</i>.,
quoting from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v. Latimore</i>,
378 Mass. 671, 677 (1979).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
We conclude that the statements made by
the defendant that were the basis for his convictions were constitutionally
protected speech, and therefore could not be the basis for conviction. `[R]emarks
about a local public official constituted political speech and were at the core
of the speech that the First Amendment to the United States Constitution protects.’
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Van Liew v. Stansfield</i>, 474
Mass. 31, 38 (2016). <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See M<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McIntyre_v._Ohio_Elections_Commission">cIntyre v. Ohio
Elections Commn.</a></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McIntyre_v._Ohio_Elections_Commission">, 514 U.S. 334, 346 (1995)</a>, quoting from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roth_v._United_States"><i>Roth v. United States,</i> 354 U.S. 476, 484 (1957)</a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(`Discussion of
public issues and debate on the qualifications of candidates are integral to
the operation of the system of government established by our Constitution. The
First Amendment affords the broadest protection to such political expression in
order 'to assure [the] unfettered interchange of ideas for the bringing about
of political and social changes desired by the people’). Although these types
of public accusations may be `vehement, caustic, and sometimes unpleasantly
sharp,’ <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Times_Co._v._Sullivan"><i>New York Times Co. v. Sullivan</i>, 376 U.S. 254, 270 (1964)</a>,
this form of political speech must remain `uninhibited, robust, and wide-open. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>I</u>bid.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Cristino, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Appeals Court went on with its analysis of “true
threats” and the First Amendment:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
`Nevertheless, “certain well-defined
and narrowly limited classes of speech,” do not receive constitutional protection,
including “true threats.”’ O<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">'Brien v. Borowski</i>,
461 Mass. 415, 422 (2012), quoting from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaplinsky_v._New_Hampshire"><i>Chaplinsky v. New Hampshire,</i> 315 U.S. 568, 571, 572(1942).</a> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threatening_the_President_of_the_United_States#Watts_v._United_States">Watts v. United
States</a></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Threatening_the_President_of_the_United_States#Watts_v._United_States">, 394 U.S. 705, 708 (1979);</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_v._Black"><i>Virginia v. Black</i>, 538 U.S. 343, 359 (2003)</a>. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See
also <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Alvarez">United States v. Alvarez,</a></i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_v._Alvarez"> 132 S. Ct. 2537, 2544 (2012)</a> (listing
`true threats’ as among `historic and traditional’ categories of unprotected
speech [citations omitted]). Comparing the definition of a true threat to the
threat component of the stalking statute, we conclude that any verbal or
written communication that qualifies as a threat as defined in the statute is
also a true threat, and therefore is not entitled to protection under the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution">First Amendment.</a> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See Commonwealth v. Walters</i>,
472 Mass. 680, 690-691 (2015).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
`”True threats” encompass those
statements where the speaker means to communicate a serious expression of an
intent to commit an act of unlawful violence to a particular individual or
group of individuals.. . . The speaker need not actually intend to carry out
the threat.’ Rather, a prohibition on true threats 'protect[s] individuals from
the fear of violence' and 'from the disruption that fear engenders,' in
addition to protecting people 'from the possibility that the threatened
violence will occur.”' <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>Borowski</u></i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>supra</u></i> at 423, quoting from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Virginia v. Black</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">supra</i> at 359-360. This class of unprotected speech was developed `to
help distinguish between words that literally threaten but have an expressive
purpose such as political hyperbole, and words that are intended to place the
target of the threat in fear, whether the threat is veiled or explicit.’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v. Chou</i>, 433
Mass. 229, 236 (2001). `The assessment whether the defendant made a threat is
not confined to a technical analysis of the precise words uttered. Rather, the
jury may consider the context in which the allegedly threatening statement was
made and all of the surrounding circumstances.’ <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v. Sholley</i>,
432 Mass. 721, 725 (2000).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Cristino, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court then explained that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[w]e compare the present case to two
recent decisions by the Supreme Judicial Court. In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Walters</i>, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><u>supra</u> </i>at
694-697, the court vacated a stalking conviction stemming from a
defendant's <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> page
for insufficient evidence. The defendant in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Walters
</i>was <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">convicted</span> of
stalking his former girl friend, who had begun dating another man. Immediately
following their breakup, the defendant made multiple references about his guns
to the victim in veiled apparent threats. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See id</i>.
at 683. The defendant's conviction was based on his <span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Facebook</span> profile page posted
several years after they broke up, which the victim was shown by her boy
friend. The defendant's main profile picture showed him with a large gun across
his lap. Elsewhere on his profile page the defendant wrote a quotation: `Make
no mistake of my will to succeed in bringing you two idiots to justice.’ The
Supreme Judicial Court held that the evidence of the defendant's intent was
insufficient because `even if one reads the sentence in combination with the
photograph of the defendant, any particular violent message that might be
attributed to the defendant from the presence of these two elements on the same
page is speculative.’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Id</i>. at
695.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The defendant in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v. Bigelow</i>, 475
Mass. 554, 555 (2016), was convicted of two counts of criminal harassment after
sending five letters to a town selectman and his wife. The letters were sent
anonymously and were riddled with personal insults and vulgarities, but the
crux of the letters was criticism aimed at the selectman's ability to perform
his job as a public official. In determining that there was insufficient
evidence to support the defendant's conviction as it related to his actions
against the selectman, the Supreme Judicial Court noted that his position as a
government official impacted the reach of the defendant's First Amendment
protections. `Because these letters were directed at an elected political
official and primarily discuss issues of public concern -- [the selectman]'s
qualifications for and performance as a selectman -- the letters fall within
the category of constitutionally protected political speech at the core of the
First Amendment.’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Id</i>. at 562. `Where
matters of public concern are the focus -- that is, “any matter of political,
social, or other concern to community” -- the First Amendment protections are
often more rigorous than when matters of private significance are at issue.’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ibid</i>., quoting from <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snyder_v._Phelps">Snyder v. Phelps, 562 U.S.443, 453 (2011)</a>. Accordingly, since `the essence of the conduct was speech, and
in particular, constitutionally protected speech,’ there was insufficient
evidence to support his criminal harassment conviction as it related to the
selectman. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Id.</i> at 561.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Cristino, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Appeals Court then began the process of announcing its
analysis of the issues in this case and its ruling on them:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Here, we conclude that the judge erred
in qualifying the defendant's Facebook posts as `true threats,’ and therefore
unprotected speech. True threats include both `direct threats of imminent
physical harm’ and `words or actions that -- taking into account the context in
which they arise -- cause the victim to fear such [imminent physical] harm now
or in the future.’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Van Liew,</i> 474
Mass. at 37, quoting from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">O'Brien</i>,
461 Mass. at 425. Having reviewed the Facebook postings that were the grounds
for the defendant's convictions and having considered the context of the
videos, we conclude that they did not constitute threats of the kinds of
unlawful acts of violence that render speech unprotected. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See O'Brien, supra </i>at 423. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Rather, the defendant's posts `primarily
discuss issues of public concern,’ as they are clearly directed at exposing
what the defendant considered to be shortcomings in the chief's and deputy
chief's ability to properly perform their public positions. See <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bigelow, supra </i>at 562. In
accusing the chief and deputy chief of drinking on the job, spending time with
known local criminals, and generally being corrupt, the defendant's videos were
obviously attacking their capacity to effectively serve as police officers.
Statements taken individually after being parsed from the videos as a whole --
such as the chief's testimony that he took the defendant's statement that he
was going back to `old school’ to mean the defendant was going to physically
assault him -- are too remote and speculative to support a determination that
the speech was unprotected. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See Walters,</i>
472 Mass. at 695. As such, the judge erred in determining that the defendant's
speech in the videos constituted `true threats.’ <o:p></o:p></div>
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The Supreme Judicial Court has held
that `any verbal or written communication that qualifies as a threat as defined
in the statute is also a 'true threat,' and therefore is not entitled to protection
under the First Amendment.’ <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Walters, supra </i>at
691. Accordingly, as we have already concluded that the evidence introduced by
the Commonwealth did not rise to the level of a true threat, the threat
component of the stalking statute cannot be met. The judge's denial of the
defendant's motion for a required finding of not guilty was therefore
erroneous, as the defendant's speech was protected by the First Amendment and
an essential element of the charged offense is not supported by the evidence.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Judgments reversed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Judgments for defendant.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Commonwealth v.
Cristino, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21633793.post-50803687729237673132017-07-21T09:55:00.000-04:002017-07-21T09:55:14.553-04:00 Grand Theft, “Unlawful Use of a Computer System” and the Eighth Amendment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i6RJnzNCSXc/WXIEzMzw46I/AAAAAAAAFwM/o4GnbOS2bnsba431czq7eyVifSLWzvcxgCLcBGAs/s1600/Grand_Forks_County_Courthouse_Grand_Forks_ND.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i6RJnzNCSXc/WXIEzMzw46I/AAAAAAAAFwM/o4GnbOS2bnsba431czq7eyVifSLWzvcxgCLcBGAs/s320/Grand_Forks_County_Courthouse_Grand_Forks_ND.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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This post examines a recent opinion from the Supreme Court
of South Dakota: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Krause</i>, 894
N.W.2d 382 (2017). The court begins the opinion by explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[t]win brothers Ryan Alan Krause and
Brian Michael Krause appeal the circuit court's imposition of four <a href="http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/concurrent-consecutive-sentences-double-punishment.html">consecutive</a>,
two-year sentences on each brother for multiple convictions of unlawfully using
a computer system. The Krauses first argue their sentences violate the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eighth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution">Eighth Amendment's prohibition</a> against cruel and unusual punishment. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Krause,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Supreme Court goes on to explain how, and why, the
prosecution arose:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
In 2014, the Krauses were both employed
in information-technology positions in Milbank. Brian worked for Valley Queen
Cheese, and Ryan worked for Big Stone Therapies. Valley Queen Cheese had
contracted with the Xerox Company to supply toner cartridges. Under the
agreement, Xerox maintained ownership of a cartridge even while it was in
Valley Queen Cheese's possession. In order to protect its property interest in
leased cartridges, Xerox maintains a security division that monitors the
internet for the sale of such consumables.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
In January 2014, Xerox's security
division discovered some of its toner cartridges posted for sale on the
internet. The cartridges had been assigned to Valley Queen Cheese and were
offered for sale by someone using the email address Brian.Krause1@html.com.
Xerox purchased the cartridges and made similar purchases from the same seller in
April 2014. Afterward, the seller offered to sell Xerox additional property
worth $5,800 for the price of only $600. After this exchange, Xerox notified
the Milbank Police Department.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The subsequent investigation uncovered
a scheme in which the Krauses stole equipment from both Valley Queen Cheese and
Big Stone Therapies and sold it on the internet. An internal investigation
conducted by Valley Queen Cheese revealed that approximately $180,000 in
equipment had been stolen by the Krauses. The stolen equipment included: toner,
toner cartridges, computers, computer monitors, printers, phones, electronic
equipment, and other miscellaneous items of inventory. The Krauses had also
taken additional electronics from Big Stone Therapies.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
In addition to stealing company
property, the Krauses also accessed sensitive and private information. On
December 27, 2013, the Krauses accessed the restricted database of Valley Queen
Cheese's accounting department and copied the 2013 payroll statement, which
included the ID numbers, salaries, benefits, accrued leave, bonus payments,
mailing addresses, and bank-account numbers of its employees. On July 1,
2014, Brian accessed the email account of the chief financial officer (CFO) and
copied an email containing a local businessman's development-loan application,
which included the businessman's taxpayer ID number, social security number,
underwriting documents, personal financial statement, and business financial
statement. On July 23, 2013, Brian accessed the CFO's personal files and copied
the personal financial statements of the CFO and the chief executive officer.
On May 31, 2013, and February 12, 2014, Brian accessed the CFO's and IT
administrator's email accounts and used their information to access the CFO's
and administrator's online banking records. In each of the foregoing instances,
Brian shared and discussed the information he accessed with Ryan.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Krause,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Supreme Court goes on to explain how, and why, the
Krause brothers came to be charged:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
On July 10, 2015, the Krauses entered
into identical plea agreements with the State. The Krauses agreed to pay
restitution to Valley Queen Cheese and Big Stone Therapies in the amount
of $80,000 and to sign over the title to a jointly owned pontoon boat. In exchange,
the State agreed to limit charges to one count each of grand theft for the
property taken and four counts each of unlawfully using a computer system. The
State also agreed to recommend that the sentences for unlawfully using a
computer system run concurrent with the sentence for grand theft. Pursuant to
these agreements, the State filed separate complaints against the Krauses on
July 14. Each complaint alleged one count of grand theft under <a href="http://www.sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=22-30A-1">[SouthDakota Codified Laws] 22–30A–1</a> and four counts of unlawfully using a
computer under [<a href="https://www.lawserver.com/law/state/south-dakota/sd-laws/south_dakota_laws_43-43b-1">South Dakota Codified Laws] 43–43B–1(2)</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The Krauses entered guilty pleas to all
charges on July 20, 2015, and the circuit court sentenced them on September 15,
2015. Focusing on punishment and deterrence, the circuit court sentenced each
of the Krauses to four years imprisonment for grand theft. The court also
sentenced the Krauses to two years imprisonment for each count of unlawfully
using a computer system. Additionally, the court ordered all sentences run
consecutively.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Krause,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Supreme Court went on to explain that in their “consolidated
appeal”, which I assume means their individual appeals were consolidated,
probably for the interests of maintaining consistency in the legal analysis
applied to both appeals, the defendants raised two issues: <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
1. Whether their consecutive sentences
for unlawfully using a computer system violate the Eighth Amendment's
prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment.<sup><o:p></o:p></sup></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
2. Whether the circuit court erred by
imposing sentences of imprisonment instead of probation for the
unlawful-use-of-computer-system convictions.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Krause,
supra.</i> In a footnote appended to the last word in the description of the
first issue, the Supreme Court noted that the brothers did not appeal their
convictions for grand theft. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v.
Krause, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Supreme Court therefore began its analysis of the
brothers’ arguments concerning their sentencing. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Krause, supra.</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
analyzed the arguments in the order in which they are given above.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court therefore began its analysis of the Krauses’ first
issue by explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
`[w]e generally review a circuit
court's decision regarding sentencing for abuse of discretion.’ <i>State
v. Rice</i>, 2016 S.D. 18, ¶ 11, 877 N.W.2d 75, 79 (quoting <i>State
v. Chipps</i>, 2016 S.D. 8, ¶ 31, 874 N.W.2d 475, 486). `However, when the
question presented is whether a challenged sentence is cruel and unusual in
violation of the Eighth Amendment, we conduct a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_of_review#De_novo"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">de novo</i> review</a> to determine whether the sentence imposed is <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eighth_Amendment_to_the_United_States_Constitution#Proportionality">grossly disproportionate</a> to the offense.’ <i>Id.</i> (quoting <i>Chipps</i>,
2016 S.D. 8, ¶ 31, 874 N.W.2d at 486).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The Krauses argue that their sentences
for unlawfully using a computer are grossly disproportionate to the
circumstances of their crimes. They contend that the circumstances of their
crimes were minor. They also contend their crimes are mitigated because: (1)
neither of the Krauses has a substantial criminal record, (2) they cooperated
with law enforcement in interviews and by surrendering computer evidence, (3)
they immediately enrolled in counseling, and (4) they made restitution prior to
sentencing. However, the Krauses' mitigation arguments are entirely
irrelevant to an Eighth Amendment analysis. The Supreme Court has rejected
individualized sentencing in <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=noncapital+prosecutions&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS753US753&oq=noncapital+prosecutions&aqs=chrome..69i57.4756j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#q=non+capital+cases+definition">noncapital cases</a>. <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harmelin_v._Michigan">Harmelin v. Michigan, 501 U.S. 957, 995 (1991);</a> <i>accord Rice</i>, 2016 S.D. 18, ¶ 18
& n.3, 877 N.W.2d at 81–82 & n.3. Therefore, we simply determine
whether the sentences imposed appear grossly disproportionate to the
offenses committed. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
To determine whether a sentence is
grossly disproportionate to an offense, we first compare `the gravity of the
offense and the harshness of the penalty.’ <i>Chipps</i>, 2016 S.D. 8, ¶
38, 874 N.W.2d at 488 (quoting <i>Solem v. Helm</i>, 463 U.S. 277,
290–91, 103 S.Ct. 3001, 3010, 77 L.Ed.2d 637 (1983)). `This comparison rarely `leads
to an inference of gross disproportionality’ and typically marks the end of our
review.’ <i>Id.</i>¶ 38, 874 N.W.2d at 489 (quoting <i>State v. Garreau</i>,
2015 S.D. 36, ¶ 9, 864 N.W.2d 771, 775). `If the penalty imposed appears to be
grossly disproportionate to the gravity of the offense, then we will compare
the sentence to those “imposed on other criminals in the same jurisdiction” as
well as those ‘imposed for commission of the same crime in other jurisdictions.’ <i>Id.</i> (quoting Solem v. H<i>elm</i>,
463 U.S. at 291, 103 S.Ct. at 3010).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Krause,
supra.</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court goes on to explain that the Krauses pleaded guilty
to <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
unlawfully using a computer system.
Among other instances, this offense occurs when a person `[k]nowingly obtains
the use of, accesses, or exceeds authorized access to, a computer system, or
any part thereof, without the consent of the owner, and the access or use
includes access to confidential data or material[.]’ [<a href="https://www.lawserver.com/law/state/south-dakota/sd-laws/south_dakota_laws_43-43b-1">South Dakota Codified Laws] 43–43B–1(2)</a>.This particular variation of the offense violates
both property and privacy rights of the victim. As noted above, <i>supra</i> ¶
5, the Krauses accessed and discussed payroll data, bank accounts, personal
financial statements, email, and other confidential data belonging to a number
of people. The Krauses argue that because they did not further disseminate the
confidential information they accessed or use it to extort their victims, their
crimes are not representative of the most serious of their kind. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
Yet, the offense for which the Krauses
were convicted addresses only <i>obtaining the use of</i>, <i>accessing</i>,
or <i>exceeding authorized access to</i> a computer system, without
the consent of the owner, to access confidential data or material. <i>Id.</i> The
fact that the Krauses could have committed additional crimes but did not do so
does not diminish the gravity of the crimes that occurred. Regardless, these
crimes already lie on the lower end of the gravity-of-offense spectrum. A
two-year sentence correspondingly lies on the low end of the spectrum of
punishments. Therefore, considering the property and privacy interests that the
Krauses violated, their sentences do not appear grossly disproportionate to
their offenses, and our review ends. <i>See Chipps</i>, 2016 S.D. 8,
¶¶ 43–45, 874 N.W.2d at 490–91 (upholding five-year sentence of imprisonment
for four occurrences of identity theft).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Krause,
supra.</i> (emphases in the original). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Court went on to address the other issue raised in the
defendants’ appeal, explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[n]ext, the Krauses argue the circuit
court erred by deviating from a presumptive sentence of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Probation">probation</a>. At the time
they were sentenced, [South Dakota Codified Laws] 22-6-11 generally
required a sentencing court to impose a sentence of probation for
the commission of a Class 5 or 6 felony. <i>State v. Orr</i>, 2015
S.D. 89, ¶ 9, 871 N.W.2d 834, 837. Deviation from a presumptive sentence
of probation is permitted only if the sentencing court finds aggravating
circumstances posing a significant risk to the public that requires such a
departure. <i>Id.</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The Krauses contend the circuit court's
focus on punishment and deterring future offenders does not establish a
significant risk to the public sufficient to deviate from the presumptive
sentence of probation. They additionally contend that even if aggravating
circumstances were present, the circuit court erred by not stating those
circumstances in the judgment of conviction.<sup> </sup><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The State responds that because the circuit
court imposed a sentence of imprisonment on the Krauses for grand theft, [<a href="http://www.sdlegislature.gov/statutes/DisplayStatute.aspx?Statute=22-6-1&Type=Statute">South Dakota Codified Laws] 22-6-11</a> does not apply to the remaining offenses.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Krause, supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Supreme Court continued its analysis, explaining that<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
[w]e recently reviewed the
constitutionality of [South Dakota Codified Laws] 22-6-11 in <i>State
v. Orr</i>. In that case, a defendant already sentenced to imprisonment in the
penitentiary received additional sentences for consecutive penitentiary time
and a <a href="http://www.nolo.com/dictionary/concurrent-sentence-term.html">concurrent</a> <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Probation">term of probation</a>. <i>Orr</i>, 2015 S.D. 89, ¶ 2, 871
N.W.2d at 835. The defendant appealed, arguing he could not be subjected to
simultaneous supervision by the executive and judicial branches. <i>Id.</i> We
agreed and held: `The judicial branch cannot give itself authority over
offenders that are in the state penitentiary by sentencing a person to
simultaneous probation and penitentiary sentences.’ <i>Id.</i> ¶ 10,
871 N.W.2d at 838. Consequently, a `sentencing court cannot grant probation
where a defendant receives penitentiary time beyond that authorized by [South
Dakota Codified Laws] 22-6-11 <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>23A–27–18.1 and [South Dakota
Codified Laws] 23A–27–18.2.’ <i>Id.</i> ¶ 12, 871 N.W.2d at 838. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The Krauses did not respond to the
State's argument and have not offered any analysis on whether <i>Orr</i> applies
to the present case. We note that <i>Orr</i> involved concurrent
sentences of imprisonment and probation, whereas the current case involves
consecutive sentences. Therefore, this case does not involve the same
dual-supervision problem presented in <i>Orr</i>. Even so, other statutes
also suggest that once the executive branch assumes supervision of an offender,
he does not return to the judicial branch for supervised release. By statute, a
sentencing court does not have discretion to impose a sentence of probation
consecutive to a term of imprisonment. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">See</i>
[South Dakota Codified Laws §] 22–6–6.1. And while a court can supervise
an offender `with an entirely suspended penitentiary sentence’ in some cases,
it may not do so if `the entirely suspended penitentiary sentence is concurrent
or consecutive to an additional penitentiary sentence[.]’ [South Dakota
Codified Laws §] 23A-27-18.4 <a href="https://1.next.westlaw.com/Link/Document/FullText?findType=L&pubNum=1000359&cite=SDSTS23A-27-18.4&originatingDoc=I9b046ef0235911e78e18865f4d27462d&refType=LQ&originationContext=document&transitionType=DocumentItem&contextData=(sc.History*oc.Search)"></a>.
In such a case, the offender remains under the supervision of the executive
branch. <i>Id.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Krause,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The court then takes up a related issue, explaining that in<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
light of the foregoing, it appears the
circuit court did not have the authority—let alone an obligation—to sentence
the Krauses to probation for their unlawful-use-of-computer-system convictions.
As the State correctly points out, the Krauses were each sentenced to a four-year
term of imprisonment in the penitentiary for their grand-theft convictions. The
Krauses have not appealed these sentences. Thus, because the Krauses were
otherwise committed to the supervision of the executive branch, subsequent
supervision by the judicial branch was not an option, and probation was no
longer the presumptive sentence under [South Dakota Codified Laws §] 22–6–11.
Because probation was not the presumptive sentence, the circuit court's
decision to impose a penitentiary sentence was necessarily not a deviation
from under [<a href="http://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=22-6-11">South Dakota Codified Laws §] 22–6–11</a>, and the circuit
court was not required to state aggravating circumstances in the judgment of
conviction.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Krause,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Supreme Court then articulated its holding in the case:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
The sentences the Krauses received for
unlawfully using a computer system do not appear grossly disproportionate to
the gravity of their offenses; therefore, the sentences are not cruel and
unusual. Because the Krauses were sentenced to imprisonment in the
penitentiary, the circuit court was not required or authorized to sentence the
Krauses to probation for their unlawful uses of a computer system. Therefore,
the circuit court did not err by imposing two-year sentences of imprisonment
for each such conviction.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We affirm.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">State v. Krause,
supra.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Susan Brennerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17575138839291052258noreply@blogger.com0