Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A05

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### MEMORANDUM DECISION Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this Memorandum Decision shall not be regarded as precedent or cited before any court except for the purpose of establishing the defense of res judicata, collateral estoppel, or the law of the case.

A TTORNEY FOR A PPELLANT Victoria L. Bailey Marion County Public Defender Agency Indianapolis, Indiana A TTORNEYS FOR A PPELLEE Curtis T. Hill, Jr. Attorney General of Indiana Tyler G. Banks Deputy Attorney General Indianapolis, Indiana



### I N T H E 

# COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

Michael Riggle, Appellant

- Defendant ,

v. 

### State of Indiana, Appellee

- Plaintiff

. June 19, 2018 Court of Appeals Case No. 49A05

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- 2425 Appeal from the Marion Superior Court The Honorable Sheila A. Carlisle, Judge Trial Court Cause No. 49G03

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- F1

- 20345

Brown, Judge.Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A05

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[1] Michael Riggle appeals his convictions for multiple offenses including child molesting, sexual misconduct with a minor, child seduction, and activity related to an obscene performance . Riggle raises one issue which we revise and restate as whether he made a knowing, voluntary, and intelligent waiver of his right to counsel. We affirm.



### Facts and Procedural History

[2] On May 27, 2016, the State charged Riggle with: Count I , child m olesting as a class A felony; Count II , c hild m olesting as a c lass A felony; Count III , sexual miscon duct with a minor as a c lass B f elony; Count IV , child m olesting as a

c lass C felony; Count V , child seduction as a l evel 5 felony; Count VI , child seduction as a l evel 5 felony; Count VII , c hild s eduction a s a level 5 felony; Count VIII, child molesting a s a l evel 1 felony; and Count IX , activity related to obscene p erformance.

[3] A t the beginning of the trial, on August 28, 2017, Riggle fired his attorney and requested to move forward pro se
. Specifically, the following exchange
occurred:
[Riggle]: You’re fired. I

– I’ll be going pro se
. THE COURT : Well, sir, you’re represented by counsel this morning. We’ve

- - [Riggle ]: Yeah, I just fired him.
THE COURT : Okay. Don’t

– don’t interrupt me. Okay? [Riggle]: F

--- it. Do what you’re going to do. Let’ s go, man. We’re trying to get

– this s

--- on the road.Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A05

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Transcript Volume 2 at 15.

[4] The trial court informed Riggle that he had not been given permission by the

court to proceed pro se
. Riggle expressed concern about how his attorney had
not come to visit him , stated he was not aware of what his attorney had done to
prepare , and indicated that he was “more comfortable doing it on [his] own.”
Id. at 17. The court then questioned him and his attorney, Kevin McShane, about Riggle’s decision to proceed pro se
. When question ed, A ttorney McShane stated Riggle had an absolute right to represent himself and that he had no reason to believe Riggle was not co mpetent. The court took a recess to allow Riggle and his attorney to discuss the situation. After the recess, Attorney
McS hane stated he thought Riggle’ s desire to proceed pro se was sincere and
asked the court for permission to withdraw as counsel

.

[5] T he court placed Riggle under oath and began questioning him about his decision to proceed pro se
. The court questioned Riggle regardin g his education,
and he testifi ed that he received a GED with honors, completed one year of college , and completed trade school for plumbing.

[6] The court asked Riggle if he was currently under the influence of any alcohol or prescription medication , and he answered “ no. ” The following exchange took place:

THE COURT : . . . H ave you ever been treated for any mental illness of any kind? [Riggle] : Manic depression and bipolar disorder.Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A05

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THE COURT : And how long ago was that? [Riggle]: That I was tr eated?
THE COURT : Yes. [Riggle] : It’ s been years. I don’t

-- o ver a decade.
THE COURT : [ A ] ny treatment for any mental health issues since you’ ve been charged with this case? [Riggle]: Yeah . . . I was prescribed Depakote, but I

- - I quit taking De pakote months ago.
THE COURT : And was that for depressi on or - - [Riggle] : Yes

. THE COURT : Okay

. [Riggle ]: It was for bipolar depression.
THE COURT : Okay. And you’ re not taking that anymore? [Riggle] : No

. THE COURT : Does that affect your ability to understand anything going on around you? [Riggle] : No, ma’ am.

Id. at 25

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.

[7] The court informed Riggle that it recommends everyone be represented by counsel and again stated the serious nature of the case. Riggle indicated that the charges were very serious and that he understood them. He agreed to foll ow the rules of court if he were to proceed pro se
. With respect to Count IX, the court explained that the State did not specifically name an alleged victimCourt of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A05

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and that the State’s proof at trial had to be that the victim was an individual who was or who appeared to be under sixteen years of age. Riggle stated: “That part I didn’t understand very well.” Id . at 31 . The following exchange
occurred:

THE COURT: That’s okay. And by your questions, that causes the Court some concern that you don’t understand the allegations or the discovery that’s been filed in this case. [Riggle]: I haven’t seen the discovery.
THE CO URT : Okay. How are you going to proceed to trial if you haven’t reviewed all your discovery? [Riggle]: I’m going to wing it.
THE COURT: You’re going to wing it. [Riggle]: Yes, ma’am.

Id.

[8] U pon the court’s questioning, Riggle confirmed that he had earned a GED with honors and completed his freshman year of college. Riggle indicated that he had no legal training and that he understood that his attorney was licensed to
p ractice law in Indiana , had been doin g so for many years, and had skill and expertise. He also indicated that he understood representing himself could be hurtful to his defense and that he might lose. Under further questioning by the

court , Riggle indicated that he fully understood he would be on his own, he was expected to abide by the same standards as a licensed attorney, the State would be represented by licensed attorneys, his attorney knew how to review andCourt of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A05

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examine documents or testim ony, prepare any pre - trial motions, make objections, review the court’s instructions, and make favorable opening and closing statements on his behalf, and that he would be unable to later claim ineffective assistance of trial counsel.

[9] The following exchange then occurred:

THE COURT: Now, with respect to the way a trial works, I know, because we were here together, you have been to trial on one other case where you were represented by counsel. So I know from the defendant’s chair y ou observed all that happened in that trial; correct? [Riggle]: Yes, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Okay. But

— [Riggle]: I think I could do a better job on my own.

Id. at 36.

[10] Upon further questioning by the court, Riggle indicated that he understood he

was ex pected to follow all the rules of court and the Rules of Evidence, a closing argument could not be based on items not in the record, it was his responsibility to preserve issues for appeal, the State would have the right to

cross - examine him if he chose to testify, and he understood the charges against
him and the possibility that there could be lesser included offenses. The court advi sed him that when defendants proceed pro se , it tries to provide standby
counsel to sit in the back o f the courtroom to disc uss rul es of evidence. The following exchange occurred:Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A05

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[Riggle]: Yeah, I

– I understand I am

– I am completely out of my league here, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Okay. And is there

– this acknowledgement by you of that kind of screams to the Court that you should be represented by counsel. Is there

– is it

– is it that you want more time to talk to your counsel? [Riggle]: I don’t

– I don’t understand the question, ma’a m. THE COURT : Well, your answers to the Court, I mean, is

- - are making a clear record that you’re not qualified legally. We know that. As yo ur lawyer said, the law does state that individuals, even though they’re not qualified in the law, they
can r epres ent themselves if they want to. But you’re acknowledging in all of my questions really that you’re not that well versed on any of these legal issues. Your a ttorney is very well versed [Riggle]: I know.
THE COURT : - - on these issues. [Riggle]: I don’t even watch Law & Order , Your Honor, so I

– I

– THE COURT : You what? [Riggle]: I said I don’t even watch Law & Order , so I am

- - * * * * * [Riggle]

- - I am completely out of my depth. But at the same time, I feel like nobody cares about my life as much as I do. So I’m going to give it my best shot, and

- - and that’s going to be that.
* * * * *
THE COURT : Is it

- - and you’re ready to go to trial today?Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A05

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[Riggle]: I really would like a continuance, but I’m going to

- - I mean, just time t o get all of the discovery and everything. But you know, I’m

- - I’m not

- - I’m not going to press that issue if the State’s ready to go and the witnesses are here and

- - and

- - you know, I

- - I realize this case has been dragging on for over a year n ow. And just

- - I’m just ready to get it over with. I’m already

- - like I said, Your Honor, I’m

- - I’m already doing the rest of my life in prison. [ 1 ]
* * * * *
THE COURT : Okay. All right. So what are you saying, Mr. Riggle? That

- - [Riggle]: I’m ready to go to trial.
THE COURT : Okay. You understand that you’re going to do so at your own detriment. [Riggle]: I understand I’m probably going to lose, Your Honor.
* * * * * [Riggle]: I’m

- - I’m

- - I’m oh and one at trial with an attorney. I don’t know what I would be by myself. That’s

- - that’s where I sit. And I don’t feel as though if I get a continuance, it

- - I don’t feel it would help me to be one and oh any more than going today would. There’s just nothing to learn from

- - fr om time at this point

. . . .

1 Riggle had previously received a total sentence of sixty years for three counts of child molesting as level 1 felonies under a separate cause number. See Riggle v. State , No. 49A02

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- 787, slip op. at 3 (Ind. Ct. App. December 29, 2017).Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A05

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THE COURT : No. But, I mean, with respect to your preparing of your defense, whatever that might be

- - [Riggle]: I’m

- - I’m
THE COURT : - - or reviewing the discovery and so forth

- - [Riggle]: Right.
* * * * * [Riggle]: I’m just going to wing it today, Your Honor, if

- - if you allow that.
THE COURT : I really

- - I mean, I was

- - I was right there, as far as your right to represent yourself and you giving you pro se status. But winging it today is a little concerni ng to the Court. [Riggle]: Your Honor, if I may, if you put it out for two weeks, a month, two months, however long, on that day I’ll just be winging it, more or less, you know. There’s

- - there’s no way for me to adequately become an attorney overnigh t.
THE COURT : I understand and

- - but the Court has, over

- - over the years

- - and we currently still have some defendants on our dockets that are representing themselves. And quite frankly, it’s the Court’s experience that they usually try and get a s many continuances as they can because they’re, you know, really trying to get up to speed on those issues that they think are important to their case. I mean, your

- - you’re saying you’re ready to wing it, and you’re always going to wing it. I mean, w hy wing it when you have an attorney? [Riggle]: I’m going to give it my very best effort. And I’m not sure that anybody else would try as hard as I would.
THE COURT : Well, I understand the sentiment that no one cares about your case as much as you do. I think probably everyCourt of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A05

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defendant should feel like that in some sense, that you know, it’s most important to them. But my guess is that in most of our cases, the

- - the person right next to the defendant who cares the most about the case is the defendant ’s attorney. So

- - and again, we’re going back to that person is an individual who’s trained in the law and ready to represent you. But at this point, I don’t

- - I don’t think I can make more of a record than I’ve already done that the Court has cautioned you about doing this, that the Court recommends that you be represented by counsel. But you know, my job is also to

- - to follow the law and the Constitution. And I take an oath to do that. And if you, knowing all of these dangers, still wish

- - wish to represent yourself, I have to give you the right to do that. So I will show that at this time, the Court is granting the defendant’s right to proceed pro se in this matter. Now, I have a document that I used when I went through all the questions with you. I’d like to send it out to you so that you can review it an d

- - and then fill out your certification part as the defendant. [Riggle]: (Complying.)
THE COURT : Do you want a copy of that? [Riggle]: No.
THE COURT : All right. And are you

- - so you want me to

- - then at this point I will grant Mr. McShane’s m otion to withdraw as well? That’s what you want is that right? [Riggle]: Yes.Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A05

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THE COURT : Okay. We’ll show that’s granted. And so now let’s turn to our trial. Are you ready to proceed to trial at this time? [Riggle]: I am, Your Honor.

Id. at 44

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[11] The document referenced by the court and signed by Riggle states:

COURT ORDER REGARDING DEFENDANT’S REQUEST

TO PROCEED PRO SE The Court hereby grants the defendant’s request to proceed pro se and certifies that it has advised the defendant:
* * * * *
14. The defendant understands the charges against him, the possibility that there may be lesser included offenses, and the possibility that there may be defenses or mitigating circumstances that the defendant may not be aware of.
The court further notes the defendant has assured this court:
1. The defendant has sufficient educational background and mental capacity to conduct his defense.
2. That no one has made any promises or threats to get the defendant to waive his right to counsel and the waiver is made free ly, knowingly, voluntarily, and understandingly.
3. The defendant understands he will receive no special treatment from the court due to his lack of legal expertise.Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A05

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- 2425 | June 19, 2018 Page 12 of 17 4. The defendant believes it is in his best interest to defend himself despite the advisement of rights listed above.
5. The defendant still elects to waive his right to counsel and proceed pro se
. DEFENDANT’S CERTIFICATION As the defendant in this cause, I certify that the court has advised me of the rights listed above, has answered any questions I have about those rights, and has given me the opportunity to consult with counsel about these rights. With full knowledge of these rights and advisements, I still wish to proceed by representing myself without benefit of counsel.
Appellant’s Appendix Vol ume 2 at 150

- 151. Riggle refused standby counsel. During the trial, he cross - e xami ned the State’s witnesses , recalled one of th e State’s witnesses in his case

- in

- chief, gave a closing a rgument, and objected during the State’s closing argument. The jury fo und him guilty, and t he court

sente nced him to an aggregate term of seventy

- five y ears.



### D iscussion

[12] The issue is whether Riggle made a knowing, voluntary, and intelligent waiver of his right to counsel. The Sixth Amendment, applicable to the states through the Fourteenth Amendment, guarantees a criminal defendant the right to counsel before h e may be tried, convicted, and punished. Hopper v. State , 957 N.E.2d 613, 617 (Ind. 2011) (citing Faretta v. California , 422 U.S. 806, 807, 95 S. Ct. 2525 (1975)). “This protection also encompasses an affirmative right for a defendant to represent himsel f in a criminal case.” Id. (citing Faretta , 422 U.S. at 807). “[W]hen a criminal defendant waives his right to counsel and elects toCourt of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A05

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proceed pro se , we must decide whether the trial court properly determined that the defendant’s waiver was knowing, intel ligent, and voluntary.” Jones v. State , 783 N.E

. 2d 1132, 1138 (Ind. 2003) . Waiver of assistance of counsel may be established based upon the particular facts and circumstances surrounding the case, including the background, experience, and conduct of the accused. Id

. “There ar e no prescribed ‘talking points’ the court is required to include in its advisement to the defendant; it need only come to a considered determination that the defendant is making a voluntary, knowing, and intelligent waiver.” Poyn ter v. State , 749 N.E.2d 1122, 1126 (Ind. 2001) (quoting Leonard v. State , 579 N.E.2d 1294, 1296 (Ind. 1991)) . The Indiana Su preme Court has held that it is sufficient that the trial court make the defendant “aware of the dangers and disadvantages of self

- representation, so that the record will establish that he knows what he is doing and his choice is made with eyes open.” Leonard , 579 N.E.2d at 1295 (inter nal citation omitted).

[13] In reviewing the adequacy of a waiver, we consider four factors: “(1) the extent of the court’s inquiry into the defendant’s decision, (2) other evidence in the record that establishes whether the defendant understood the dangers an d disadvantages of self

- representation, (3) the background and experience of the defendant, and (4) the context of the defendant’s decision to proceed pro se .”
Kubsch v. State , 866 N.E.2d 726, 736 (Ind. 2007) (quoting Poynter , 749 N.E.2d at 1127

- 1128 (quot ing United States v. Hoskins , 243 F.3d 407, 410 (7th Cir. 2001))) , reh’g denied

, cert. denied , 553 U.S. 1067, 128 S. Ct. 2501 (2008) . It is the trial court that is in the best position to assess whether a defendant has knowinglyCourt of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A05

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an d intelligently waived c ounsel. Poynter , 749 N.E.2d at 1128. Under the fourth factor, “the court considers whether the defendant’s decision appears tactical or strategic in nature or seems manipulative and intending delay, inferring knowledge of the system and understanding of the risk and complexities of trial from more deliberative conduct.” Id. at 1128 n.6. We will “most likely uphold the trial judge’s decision to honor or deny the defendant’s request to represent himself where the judge has made the proper inquiries and

co nveyed the proper information, and reaches a reasoned conclusion about the defendant’s understanding of his rights and voluntariness of his decision.” Id

. (quoting Hoskins , 243 F.3d at 410).

[14] Riggle concedes that “the trial court engaged in what was, over all, an extensive inquiry into his decision to proceed pro se ” and that the first and second Poynter factors “weigh in favor of finding that [he] made a knowing, voluntary, and intelligent waiver of his right to counsel.” A ppellant’s Brief at 14

- 15. However, he argues that “when the trial court, for all practical purposes, ignored [his] assertion that he suffers from a serious, untreated mental illness, the trial court’s colloquy was for naught.” Id. at 18. He contends the court did not adequately

a ddress the context and circumstances in which he made his request

. He asserts that the record is unclear on whether his decision to proceed pro se was tactical
because the court did not sufficiently inquire into his mental illne ss and cites Drake v. State , 895 N.E.2d 389 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008).

[15] The State asserts that the trial court was correct in allowing Riggle to proceed

pro se
. It maintains that the court questioned Riggle extensively regarding hisCourt of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A05

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decision to proceed without counsel and gave him every opportunity to cha nge his mind and that he repeatedly asserted his desire to represent himself pro se
. It maintains that Riggle understood he was waiving his right to counsel and that he understood the consequences of that waiver. It also asserts that the record sufficiently establishes that Riggle was not suffering from a mental health condit ion that affected his ability to understand his charges, his duties as a pro se defendant, or the adverse consequences of self

- representation that the court warned him against.

[16] To the extent Riggle cites Drake , we find that case d istinguishable. In Drake , we held that the first and second Poynter factors weighed in favor of finding that Drake did not make a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary waiver of his right to counsel because Drake was not adequately advised about or aware of the dangers and disadvantages of proceeding without counsel. 895 N.E.2d at 394. Further, there was no specific inquiry into Drake’s background, education, or
abilities

. Id . at 395. Drake’s standby counsel filed a motion for a competency evaluation, wh ich placed Drake’s competency into question. Id

. Drake’s father stated that he believed that Drake had manic depression and was a

“ conspiracist in his thought process,” and several witnesses testified that Drake had told them that his life was in danger and that there was a potential conspiracy to murder him. Id

. We held that “ the sparse record regarding Drake’s background, education, and abilities , coupled with Drake’ s uncertain mental state, leads us to weigh this factor in favor of not finding a voluntary, knowing, and intelligent waiver of the right to counsel.” Id

. We concluded thatCourt of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A05

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Drake did not make a voluntary, knowing, and intelligent waiver of his right to counsel. Id. at 396

.

[17] Unlike in Drake , Riggle concedes that “the trial court engaged in what was, overall, an extensive inquiry into his decision to proceed pro se ” and that the
first and second Poynter factors “ weigh in favor of finding that [he] made a knowing, voluntary, and intellig ent waiver of his right to counsel.” Appellant’s
Brief at 14

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. Indeed, the record reveals that the court engaged in an extensive colloquy with Riggle regarding the dangers and disadvantages of self

representation and that he insisted on proceeding pro se and r ejected standby
counsel . T he record establishes that the court asked if Riggle had ever be e n treated for any mental illness, how long ago he received treatment, if he received any treatment for any mental health issues since he was charged in this

case , whether he was continuing to take his medication, and whether his not taking medication affected his ability to understand anything going on around him. Riggle testified that he had been treated for manic depression and bip olar disorder over a decade earlier , that he stoppe d taking a medication months earlier , and asserted that not taking medication did not affect his ability to understand anything going on around him. He engaged in responsive and coherent exchanges with the trial court. Further, the record reveals that his decision to proceed pro se was tactical in nature as he testified that he believed he could do a better job on his own , he had concerns about how ofte n his attorney had seen him , and that no one cared about his life as much as he did. We conclude that the trial court’s inquiry and Riggle’s responses were sufficientCourt of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 49A05

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to establish that Riggle made his decision to represent himself kn owingly, voluntarily, and intelligently.



### Conclusion

[18] For the foregoing reasons, we affirm Riggle’s convictions.

[19] Affirmed.

B ailey, J., and Crone, J., concur

.