Opinion ID: 77399
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Failure to Move to Suppress Evidence

Text: 17 Zakrzewski argues his trial counsel were ineffective because they did not move to suppress evidence from the murder scene that was discovered inside Zakrzewski's house during a warrantless search and later seized pursuant to a warrant. Zakrzewski argues the initial search did not fit any exception to the warrant requirement and that the fruits of that search were therefore suppressible. To obtain relief where an ineffective assistance claim is based on trial counsel's failure to file a timely motion to suppress, a petitioner must prove (1) that counsel's representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness, (2) that the Fourth Amendment claim is meritorious, and (3) that there is a reasonable probability that the verdict would have been different absent the excludable evidence. Kimmelman v. Morrison, 477 U.S. 365, 375, 106 S.Ct. 2574, 2582-83, 91 L.Ed.2d 305 (1986). 18 Zakrzewski's trial counsel testified that they chose not to file a motion to suppress because they believed the warrantless search was supported by exigent circumstances and that filing the motion would be futile: the position taken by the state court later. 5 An objectively reasonable lawyer could have chosen to file no motion to suppress. The warrantless search was conducted by Deputy Robert Baczek four days after the murders. The Deputy responded to a call from Zakrzewski's Air Force Sergeant — Zakrzewski was serving in the Air Force at the pertinent time — who became concerned when Zakrzewski did not show up for class and could not be located by calling his home, the hospital, or the police. 19 During an inspection of Zakrzewski's house exterior, the Deputy found several days' accumulation of mail and a broken window covered by a screen. The Deputy testified he found this suspicious and feared for the welfare of whomever may have been in the house at that time, thinking that there may have been a burglary, the family may have been on vacation, or something like that. The Deputy announced his presence before and immediately after entering the residence through the broken window and moved quickly from room to room looking for injured residents and perpetrators. After discovering the dead bodies, the Deputy completed a preliminary sweep of the house to ensure the perpetrator was not present. Once backup arrived, the officers briefly conducted a full sweep of the house and then sealed the house until a warrant was obtained. Based on the record facts, the state 3.850 court concluded — we accept reasonably — that the warrantless search of Zakrzewski's house was justified by exigent circumstances. 6 20 Zakrzewski has failed to show that trial counsel's decision not to file a motion to suppress the evidence discovered during the warrantless search was a course no competent counsel would have taken under the circumstances. We conclude the Florida Supreme Court's determination that Zakrzewski failed to show deficient performance was a reasonable application of Strickland. 7