Opinion ID: 1874043
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Motion To Suppress Mr. Johnson

Text: Finally, Mr. Johnson contends that the trial court erred in refusing to suppress evidence. As noted earlier, Ms. Godwin called the Forth Smith Police Department on March 15, 2002, and advised them that a homicide may have occurred, the victim's name was Cal or Calvin, and someone named Carl might be involved. She also told the detective who took the call, Lannie Reese, that Carl could be found at the Inn Towne Lodge in Fort Smith. Detective Reese, accompanied by two other detectives, went to the Inn Towne Lodge to investigate. When they arrived, they asked the motel manager if anyone by the name of Cal or Carl was staying at the lodge. The manager told the officers that Mr. Johnson resided in room 249. The three officers went to room 249, knocked on the door, and stated Fort Smith Police, we need to talk to you. According to Detective Reese, the three officers identified themselves as detectives with the Fort Smith Police Department. Although they were dressed in plainclothes, their weapons and badges were clearly visible. When Mr. Johnson answered the door, the detectives asked to step into his room and told him they had heard something had happened to Calvin and needed to visit with him about it. They also asked to search his room. Mr. Johnson invited the detectives inside and consented to a search of his room. Detective Reese searched the room and seized a pair of jeans. In the meantime, Detective John Joplin used Mr. Johnson's phone to run a warrant check on him. Detective Chad Sutton stood and watched over Mr. Johnson, and, after being prompted by one of the other detectives, noticed a bulge in Mr. Johnson's back pocket. With Mr. Johnson's consent, Detective Sutton seized a pocket knife. At that time, Mr. Johnson agreed to accompany the detectives to the police station. Because he did not have a vehicle, he rode in the police vehicle with the three detectives. During this entire encounter, the officers never advised Mr. Johnson that he had a right to refuse consent. At the police station, Mr. Johnson was taken to a work cubicle for questioning. Detective Reese noticed that his wrist-watch appeared to have a red stain on it and seized it. Another officer later seized Mr. Johnson's boots. Thereafter, Ms. Woolbright came to the police station and gave a statement implicating Mr. Johnson in the murder. At this point, Mr. Johnson was taken into custody and placed under arrest. Officer Daniel Grubbs secured Mr. Johnson while the other officers went to the wooded area near Southside High School to search for the victim's body. During a routine pat-down search, the officer seized a set of keys. At a pretrial hearing, Mr. Johnson argued that the officers' search and seizure of his person and property contravened the protections guaranteed by Article 2, section 15, of the Arkansas Constitution. This case involves a procedure known as a knock-and-talk, whereby police officers go to a person's residence without sufficient probable cause to obtain a search warrant, knock on the door, and ask to be admitted inside. After gaining entry, the officers inform the person that they are investigating potential criminal activity. The officers then ask for permission to search. See Scott v. State, 347 Ark. 767, 67 S.W.3d 567 (2002). In reviewing a ruling denying a defendant's motion to suppress evidence obtained by a warrantless search, this court makes an independent determination based upon the totality of the circumstances, giving respectful consideration to the findings of the trial judge. Davis v. State, 351 Ark. 406, 94 S.W.3d 892 (2003). The trial court's ruling will not be reversed unless it is clearly against the preponderance of the evidence. See Scott v. State, 347 Ark. 767, 67 S.W.3d 567 (2002). We will defer to the trial court in assessing the credibility of witnesses. Id. We have recently addressed the propriety of the knock-and-talk procedure under the protections of the Arkansas Constitution. See State v. Brown, 356 Ark. 460, 156 S.W.3d 722 (2004). In that case, we held that a home dweller must be advised of his or her right to refuse consent in order to validate a consensual search under the Arkansas Constitution. Id. It is undisputed that none of the officers informed Mr. Johnson that he had the right to refuse consent to the entry and subsequent search of his home. Accordingly, we must reverse and remand for the suppression of all evidence that flowed from this unconstitutional search. In sum, we affirm the conviction and sentence of Ms. Woolbright and reverse and remand Mr. Johnson's conviction and sentence. We also reiterate our condemnation of the dual-jury procedure until such time as a rule has been implemented to specifically address the practical considerations necessary for safeguarding the defendants' rights.