Opinion ID: 1719045
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Admissibility of Seized Items.

Text: When the police initially went to Oliver's apartment to execute the arrest warrant on the unrelated theft charge, they seized a television set which matched the description of the set missing from the victim's apartment (a 17-19 Motorola Quasar). Following her confession, police returned to the apartment and seized a sweatshirt, a pair of shoes, and other items. Insofar as the second search is the product of the confession, admissibility turns on that issue, and we have resolved that against the defendant. With regard to the television set, Oliver argues the trial court erred in admitting the evidence because the police had no search warrant and the plain view exception did not apply for two reasons: the police used the outstanding arrest warrant as a pretext; and the police did not have permission to enter. Oliver also argues there was no probable cause to believe the television set was the victim's, as it was an ordinary model, and they had no specific identifying information at that time. The State argues that the police went to the apartment with the dual purpose of arresting Oliver on the theft charge and of questioning her about the murder. Because the outstanding warrant was valid, the State continues, there was nothing improper about the police serving it at this time. The State also argues that the police were invited into the apartment by Oliver's roommate, Lori Avon. In considering the admissibility of such evidence, we start with the premise that all searches and seizures must be conducted pursuant to a search warrant issued on probable cause unless circumstances are shown to excuse compliance with that constitutional restriction. Coolidge v. New Hampshire, 403 U.S. 443, 453, 91 S.Ct. 2022, 2031, 29 L.Ed.2d 564, 575 (1971). Among the recognized exceptions to the rule is the plain view doctrine. State v. Schrier, 283 N.W.2d 338 (Iowa 1979); State v. Jackson, 210 N.W.2d 537, 539 (Iowa 1973). This is the exception the State urges here. In the absence of a warrant, the burden is on the State to demonstrate that the actions were lawful. State v. Ege, 274 N.W.2d 350 (Iowa 1979). In order to support a seizure under the plain view doctrine, the State must show inadvertent discovery, plain view, and that the incriminating nature of the seized materials is immediately apparent. Coolidge, 403 U.S. at 464-73, 91 S.Ct. at 2037-42, 29 L.Ed.2d at 581-87. In addition, the State must show that the intrusion was legitimate. State v. Findlay, 259 Iowa 733, 145 N.W.2d 650 (1966). This court's review of the plain view question begins with the recognition that review of such a constitutional claim is de novo. State v. Roth, 305 N.W.2d 501, 504 (Iowa 1981). Lori Avon testified at trial that she was sleeping on the living room floor in her apartment when the police arrived. According to her, the first thing she knew the police were already standing in her apartment. The police, on the other hand, testified they arrived, knocked, and responded the police to a call of who is it? from inside. When nothing happened, one of the detectives opened the unlocked door 8-10 inches, revealing Lori on the floor. He called Lori, and she responded by telling them to come in. The trial court accepted the police version of the facts and found that the police had a legal right to be in the apartment; therefore, the plain view exception applied. We reach the same conclusion. Whether the police were there for the purpose of serving the arrest warrant or to question Oliver about the murder investigation in which her name had been mentioned, their entry into the apartment was by consent and therefore legal. We proceed to consider the remaining elements of the plain view exception. The State's showing that the television set was in plain view of the officers is not challenged by Oliver. In addition, the required showing that the incriminating nature of the evidence was apparent to the officers cannot be seriously disputed by Oliver. The victim's automobile was found about seven blocks from Oliver's apartment. The size, make, and model description of the television set matched that known by the police to be missing from the victim's apartment. There was another television set on the floor nearby, and Oliver had brought the newer set home at about the time of the murder. The State has sustained its burden of proving the legality of the seizure.