Case Title: Vacendak v. State

Citation: 340 N.E.2d 352

Docket Number: 674S121

State: indiana

Court: Indiana Supreme Court

Date: 1976-01-22T00:00:00Z

Document:
340 N.E.2d 352 (1976)
Michael VACENDAK, Appellant,
v.
STATE of Indiana, Appellee.
No. 674S121.

Supreme Court of Indiana.
January 22, 1976.
Rehearing Denied March 12, 1976.
*353 R. Cordell Funk, Sachs, Hess & Funk, Hammond, for appellant.
Theodore L. Sendak, Atty. Gen., Douglas W. Meyer, Deputy Atty. Gen., Indianapolis, for appellee.
ARTERBURN, Justice.
The Appellant, Michael Vacendak, was convicted on November 14, 1973, of kidnapping one Brenda Burkland of Hammond, Indiana. Testimony at trial revealed that the two first met in October, 1972, at a restaurant near the high school in which the prosecutrix was enrolled. Between October, 1972, and January, 1973, they met numerous times at the school, at the restaurant, at the Appellant's place of employment, and on several occasions in the prosecutrix's home. The visits to the Burkland home were not known to or approved by the parents of the prosecutrix. The prosecutrix testified that there was nothing romantic between them and that when they met they generally discussed the parental problems they each had.
Between the first of the year and July 15, 1973, they did not see each other. On that latter day, a neighbor informed the prosecutrix that the appellant wished to see *354 her. Because her parents were home and because she had to leave for work, she told her neighbor to tell the Appellant to meet her as she walked to work.
The prosecutrix was to be at work at 4:00 p.m. She left her house at about 3:50 p.m. and began walking the three or four blocks to the store in which she clerked. The Appellant suddenly appeared out of some bushes along the sidewalk. After some casual conversation, he offered to give her a ride to work. Since she was running late, she accepted. They got into a two-door sedan driven by a friend of the Appellant, John King. King was referred to as "Chuck" throughout the following events.
The prosecutrix rode in the rear seat, the Appellant and King in the front. When the car reached the corner across from the store in which the prosecutrix worked, the Appellant refused to let her out of the car. According to the prosecutrix's testimony,
The prosecutrix demanded to be let out of the car. King slowed down and asked the Appellant if he wanted to go through with it. The Appellant replied, "Never mind, just keep going."
They drove to the toll road a few blocks away and proceeded to Bloomington. The prosecutrix made no attempt to attract the attention of the toll booth attendant. She testified that she did kick and cry hysterically during the trip. The Appellant admitted saying "I should have brought a club, it would have made it a lot easier." No attempt to flee was made since the Appellant and King blocked the only two doors of the car.
The Appellant and King drank beer during the trip. There was testimony that all three stopped at a rest stop along the way to use the restroom facilities. The prosecutrix denied making this stop. She did say that they stopped at a self-service station just outside Bloomington, where King relieved himself. The Appellant, however, stayed in the car with the prosecutrix.
The prosecutrix was taken to a large house in the countryside in Monroe County. Later that night the Appellant had sexual intercourse with her, allegedly a rape. Just before daybreak, she left the house while King and the Appellant slept. She was picked up by one Steve Dowling, who took her to the house of a friend from which she called her parents.
The Appellant's first challenges are constitutional in nature. Challenged are the mandatory penalty of life imprisonment provided by Indiana's kidnapping statute, Ind. Code § 35-1-55-1 (Burns 1975), and the breadth of that statute as it defines the crime of kidnapping.
Four grounds are asserted for the unconstitutionality of the life sentence imposed for kidnapping: that the sentence is disproportionate to the nature of the Appellant's acts; that it is disproportionate to the punishment of other crimes in this state; that it is disproportionate to the punishment of the same crime in other states; that the kidnapping is arbitrarily enforced and its mandatory penalty is thus unconstitutionally arbitrary.
The first three of these grounds are essentially based upon the prohibitions of "cruel and unusual" punishment contained in the Eighth Amendment of the United States Constitution and Article 1, Section 16 of the Constitution of the State of Indiana. That section of our State Constitution expressly provides that "penalties shall be proportioned to the nature of the offense." *355 Article 1, Section 16 thus specifically provides for proportionality of a crime to a punishment, something the words "cruel and unusual" alone have been interpreted to include in our federal constitution. See Weems v. United States, (1910) 217 U.S. 349, 30 S. Ct. 544, 54 L. Ed. 793.
This court has upheld the sentence of life imprisonment for the crime of kidnapping in the face of cruel and unusualproportionality challenges. Beard v. State, (1975) Ind., 323 N.E.2d 216; Cox v. State, (1931) 203 Ind. 544, 177 N.E. 898, rehearing denied, (1932) 203 Ind. 544, 181 N.E. 469. The arguments presented here do not merit a different result.
The record reveals that this crime was carried out by at least an implied threat of violence. The asportation covered a great distance and was separated from the subsequent alleged rape by a period of hours. The nature of the particular acts involved with this crime are thus not as innocuous as the Appellant would have us believe. The severity of punishment compared to other crimes can be explained by the degree to which the legislature has deplored this crime. See the discussion of kidnapping in Cox v. State, supra. While it is true that only three states mandate life imprisonment for simple kidnapping, this is a potential sentence in a number of other states, and sentences of twenty-five or more years are possible in still more. The Appellant's claim of arbitrariness merely couches his other arguments in different terms and does not acquire merit by its different label.
The determination of appropriate penalties for crimes committed in this State is a function properly exercised by the legislature. Rowe v. State, (1974) Ind., 314 N.E.2d 745; Lowe v. State, (1973) 260 Ind. 610, 298 N.E.2d 421. The Judiciary will disturb such a determination only upon a showing of clear constitutional infirmity. We do not find such here.
The Appellant also asserts that the kidnapping statute is overbroad. The Appellant contends that the only crime committed here, if any, is that of rape. As the Appellant interprets it, the kidnapping statute permits any coerced movement to support a charge of kidnapping, no matter how intertwined or incidental the movement is to another act or crime.
In support of this claim the Appellant cites Papachristou v. City of Jacksonville, (1972) 405 U.S. 156, 92 S. Ct. 839, 31 L. Ed. 2d 110, which is concerned with vagueness rather than overbreadth. Also cited are Livingston v. Garmire, (5th Cir.1971) 437 F.2d 1050, and Marks v. City of Anchorage, (Alaska 1972) 500 P.2d 644, which discuss overbreadth and vagueness in relation to expressive conduct. It has recently been held that the overbreadth doctrine extends no further than protection of first amendment freedoms. Moose Lodge v. Irvis, (1972) 407 U.S. 163, 92 S. Ct. 1965, 32 L. Ed. 2d 627.
The Appellant's contention fails, however, for still another reason:
Wilson v. State, (1970) 253 Ind. 585 at 592, 255 N.E.2d 817 at 821-822.
The Appellant's overbreadth claim is unfounded. The statute is valid on its face.
The Appellant next contends that the trial court erred in finding him competent to stand trial. At the Appellant's request, a sanity hearing was held after the trial began. One of two court-appointed doctors reported and testified that in his opinion the Appellant was competent to stand trial and was faking his irrational acts. A second doctor agreed that this was entirely possible, but nonetheless concluded that he was not competent to stand trial. Defense counsel submitted an affidavit stating that the Appellant was not cooperating and that, in counsel's opinion, he was not competent to stand trial. The Appellant's brother testified that the Appellant had undergone behavior changes and the prosecutrix testified that he was "out of it," although she had only limited opportunity to observe him after the occurrence of the crime. A third doctor concluded that it was conceivable that the Appellant would enter a "full blown psychosis" and that the line of sanity was blurred for him.
The Appellant also took the stand at this competency hearing and the trial court was thus able to observe his mannerisms and demeanor. In response to a question of whether or not he could rationally and intelligently talk to his trial counsel in the preparation of his case, the Appellant said "Yes." Following the conclusion of the trial, the Appellant admitted that he had attempted to fake insanity.
The evidence is sufficient to support the finding of the trial court on this issue.
The Appellant next contends that error was committed when the trial court failed to grant the Appellant a new trial based upon newly-discovered evidence. The State contends that the Appellant's motion for a new trial was not timely filed.
The Appellant filed his "Supplement to Motion to Correct Errors and For a New Trial Pursuant to Indiana Criminal Rule 16 and Trial Rule 59" on January 21, 1974. The verdict on the cause had been rendered on November 14, 1973, with judgment pronounced the next day. Sentencing was pronounced on November 20, 1973.
Criminal Rule 16 was binding on the Appellant and required him to file a motion to correct errors within sixty days after sentencing. January 21, 1974, was sixty-two days after November 20, 1973). But in accordance with Trial Rule 6, made applicable to this proceeding by Criminal Rule 21, Saturday, January 19, 1974, and Sunday, January 20, 1974, the sixtieth and sixty-first days, are not counted. The motion was filed on the last day of the time permitted.
The newly-discovered evidence in this case consists of two things. First, as Appellant states,
Second, Appellant alleges that a polygraph examination taken by the chief defense *357 witness subsequent to the trial supported that witness's version of the facts. This witness repeated his testimony at the polygraph examination and the examiner concluded he was telling the truth.
The standard for granting a new trial upon newly-discovered evidence is a rigorous one.
Emerson v. State, (1972) 259 Ind. 399 at 406-407, 287 N.E.2d 867 at 871-872.
The Appellant's assertion that he was purposely faking insanity and in reality could have cooperated with his counsel and taken the stand does not meet this standard. The fact that the Appellant was faking insanity does not constitute evidence relevant or material to the crime charged. The testimony of the Appellant which would be available on retrial is cumlative and was known and available at the time of trial.
The motion to correct errors indicates that the Appellant's testimony would be consistent with that of John King, and the Appellant's brief indicates that it would be similar to it. By the Appellant's own admission, the evidence to be gained by his testimony upon retrial would be merely cumulative. Such evidence cannot support a motion for a new trial. Moreover, any testimony which the Appellant could give upon retrial could have been given at the initial trial. It would be a serious miscarriage of justice to permit a defendant to take advantage of his refusal to cooperate in order to gain a new trial. We have previously held that a defendant in possession of evidence, but who fails to bring forth such evidence at trial, cannot subsequent to an unfavorable verdict bring forth that evidence and assert it as the basis for a new trial. DeShone v. State, (1934) 207 Ind. 380, 193 N.E. 223. See 66 C.J.S. New Trial § 103 (1950). This principle is applicable in the instant case.
The Appellant's second allegation regarding the result of the polygraph examination is also without merit. We have held that the degree of accuracy of these tests, currently rated at eighty per cent,[1] is not sufficient to mandate their admission on the question of guilt or innocence. Zupp v. State, (1972) 258 Ind. 625, 283 N.E.2d 540, and Reid v. State, (1972) 259 Ind. 166, 285 N.E.2d 279, "clearly establish the principle that absent some form of waiver or stipulation by the parties the results of polygraph examinations administered to witnesses or parties are not competent evidence in criminal prosecutions." McDonald v. State, (1975) Ind. App., 328 N.E.2d 436 at 440. Similarly, and absent some form of waiver, mention that a defendant took a polygraph examination, or facts leading to this conclusion, will not be permitted. Austin v. State, (1974) Ind., 319 N.E.2d 130; McDonald, supra.
It would appear therefore that this second item of newly-discovered evidence is not sufficient to warrant a new trial since it would be inadmissible absent a stipulation by the parties. However, we *358 need not review our position on polygraph examinations at this time. Emerson, supra, requires that the evidence be discovered after trial and also requires that due diligence be used in bringing evidence before the trial court. Here, six days elapsed between the time King was located and the time he testified. His testimony must have been known at that time and has not changed since. There appears no reason why he could not have taken the polygraph examination before the time he was to testify.
The Appellant next contends that the State failed to comply with a discovery order granted by the trial court. The facts giving rise to this allegation are clouded. Although other failures are alluded to, it is obvious that the Appellant bases a motion for a new trial on the failure of the State to supply him with information which might have enabled him to contact John King earlier than he did.
Two discovery motions were made. Appellant first requested the names, addresses and phone numbers of every State witness to the matter. This request was granted. Subsequently, the Appellant asked for the name and address of the person identified as "Chuck." The trial court denied this motion after it was advised that the State had no knowledge of the existence of any such information.
It appears that the State never did locate "Chuck," though a search was made in the Bloomington area. It further appears that the State did contact King's mother, but was unable to find King prior to his being located by Appellant's attorney. Neither King nor his mother were called by the State at trial.
There is no allegation that the State suppressed evidence or that the advice given the trial court was false. Nor does the Appellant dispute the State's contention that the identity of every witness it called at trial was given to him. Here there is no actual suppression, nor conduct of that nature. Moreover, since Appellant was able to locate King four days prior to trial, it is difficult to see any harm resulting from the foregoing facts. The Appellant has pointed out no instance in which the State failed to comply with the discovery order which was granted.
The Appellant next contends that the trial court arbitrarily revoked his bond and that this denial of release was so improper that he was denied a fair trial. Bond was initially set for the Appellant at $50,000. This was reduced to $5,000 upon his motion and was posted by real estate. Thereafter the Appellant allegedly harassed the prosecutrix and engaged in an assault upon a police officer for which he was charged with disorderly conduct. The State presented affidavits to the trial court attesting to these matters, whereupon the judge summarily increased the bond to $50,000. This order was appealed to this court. Vacendak v. State (1973), Ind., 302 N.E.2d 779. We held that a hearing must be afforded the Appellant before his bond could be raised. We then added:
302 N.E.2d  at 781.
The day after this opinion was filed, a hearing on the bond increase was held. At *359 this hearing the State presented five witnesses; three police officers, the prosecutrix, and the father of the prosecutrix. The Appellant put on no witnesses. The testimony established that on one or more occasions Vacendak visited the prosecutrix where she worked, while he was armed with a bayonet. Viewed in the light most favorable to the State, the testimony showed harassment of the prosecutrix.
Moreover, the Appellant was charged with disorderly conduct after he kicked a police officer in the chest. The officer had been summoned to a service station where Vacendak had left his car unattended, blocking the aisle. The officer called a tow truck, which attempted to remove the vehicle. At this point the Appellant returned. After he made a phone call, he got in the car and refused to get out. When the officer tried to remove him, the Appellant began kicking. There was also evidence that the Appellant was arrested for driving without a license or registration.
The defense offered no contrary evidence. The judge reinstated the original bail, being particularly impressed with the fact that the Appellant had talked to the prosecutrix while armed.
The State carried its burden of proof in accordance with Vacendak v. State, supra. Reinstatement of the original bond was proper.
The trial of this case began on November 5, 1973. At about 1:30 P.M., November 6, the Appellant was informed that a charge of rape had been filed against him in Monroe County. On November 7, alleging that the charge had been filed on September 28 and that the Lake County Jail had received a detainer for the Appellant that same day, the Appellant filed a motion seeking dismissal for failure to join the two charges. The Appellant finds error in the denial of this motion.
The Appellant's motion was based upon Ind. Code § 35-3.1-1-10 (Burns (1975), which provides for joinder of related offenses where both crimes are within the jurisdiction of the trial court:
Pursuant to this statute, joinder prior to the commencement of the Appellant's trial was possible. The trial court had jurisdiction over the subject matter and had personal jurisdiction over the Appellant. The remedy sought by the Appellant, however, was not the one provided by statute. The statute provides that future *360 prosecution may be barred if joinder of charges pursuant to the statute is not made. The remedy of the Appellant would be to raise his conviction at any subsequent prosecution in Monroe County. This procedure was made unnecessary by the dropping of the Appellant's rape charge. We can find no error here.
The Appellant next contends that his conviction is not supported by sufficient evidence. Our standard for review of this issue is well established:
Matthew v. State, (1975) Ind., 337 N.E.2d 821 at 822.
The statute under which the Appellant was convicted, Ind. Code § 35-1-55-1 (Burns 1975), provides:
Under this statute it is necessary to prove a forceful or fraudulent abduction, or an aggravated false imprisonment in order for the State to make its case. Here the asportation is obvious. Only the element of force or fraud is questioned.
Force is shown by the statements made by the Appellant previously set out. The appellant contends these cannot be characterized as "threats." Regardless of the label, the Appellant's statements, coupled with the restraint imposed by the blocking of the only two doors of the car, give rise to a reasonable fear of the use of force.
In addition, the statements of the Appellant when taken in conjunction with King's inquiry of whether the Appellant wanted to "go through with it" permit an inference of fraud. That exchange and the subsequent asportation indicate that the removal of the prosecutrix was planned before the offer of a ride to work was made.
Finally, the evidence shows an aggravated false imprisonment sufficient to satisfy the statute. According to the testimony of the prosecutrix, she was confined in the back seat of the car after demanding to be released. The only means of exit was blocked by Appellant and King. This along with the statements of Appellant, shows an imprisonment of the prosecutrix with intent to carry her away. Such a showing is sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the kidnapping statute.
The testimony most favorable to the State establishes three independent grounds, each supported by sufficient evidence, to sustain the conviction.
The Appellant finally contends that the trial court erred in rejecting Defendant's Instruction No. 3, which discussed the State's burden of "beyond a reasonable doubt." It is asserted that this instruction was made necessary by the inadequacy of Court's Instruction No. 9. That instruction reads as follows:
This instruction largely follows accepted definitions of reasonable doubt. See Greer v. State, (1969) 252 Ind. 20, 245 N.E.2d 158; Easton v. State, (1967) 248 Ind. 338, 228 N.E.2d 6; Smith v. State, (1962) 243 Ind. 74, 181 N.E.2d 520; Baker v. State, (1956) 236 Ind. 55, 138 N.E.2d 641.
"It is not error to refuse to give an instruction the substance of which is covered by another instruction which is given. Hash v. State (1972), Ind., 284 N.E.2d 770; Maxey v. State (1969), 251 Ind. 645, 244 N.E.2d 650; Kennedy v. State (1935), 209 Ind. 287, 196 N.E. 316." Fuller v. State, (1973) Ind., 304 N.E.2d 305 at 310. Defendant's Instruction No. 3 was adequately covered by Court's Instructions No. 1, 5 and 6 in addition to Court's Instruction No. 9. We can find no merit in the Appellant's contention.
Finding no error, we affirm the judgment of the trial court below.
GIVAN, C.J., and PRENTICE, J., concur.
DeBRULER and HUNTER, JJ., concur in result.
[1]  C. McCormick, Law of Evidence, § 207 at 506 n. 9 (2d Ed. 1972). See also Robinson v. State (1974) Ind. App., 309 N.E.2d 833, 855 and 855 n. 19.