Opinion ID: 4542737
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: 1. Traffic Stop On August 16, 2017, Officer Bret Renz of the Grand Island Police Department was on patrol. At approximately 10:45 p.m., his radar detected a vehicle traveling more than 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit and he activated his patrol car’s overhead emergency lights and initiated a traffic stop. The driver of the vehicle was Omega Fristoe, and the sole passenger was Lang. Renz gathered Fristoe’s information and returned to his patrol car to run a record check and complete a traffic citation. As he did this, Officer Chris Marcello of the Grand Island Police Department arrived on the scene to assist. After Renz completed the citation form, both officers approached Fristoe’s vehicle. Renz approached on the driver’s side, and Marcello approached on the passenger’s side. The front passenger window was rolled down 4 to 6 inches, and as Marcello approached, he detected an odor of marijuana coming from the passenger window. He saw Lang look up at him and then reach into her purse. He watched Lang get a cigarette from her purse and light it, after which Lang blew smoke around the cabin of the vehicle and then continued to “go through her purse.” Marcello got Renz’ attention, and the officers met at the back of the vehicle to speak privately. At that point, Renz had not issued the citation to Fristoe. Marcello told Renz he smelled marijuana coming from the passenger window, and - 730 - Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets 305 Nebraska Reports STATE v. LANG Cite as 305 Neb. 726 the officers decided to expand their investigation. Renz placed his ticket book, with the citation still attached, on the trunk of Fristoe’s vehicle, and then the officers reapproached the vehicle and asked the occupants to step out. Both Fristoe and Lang complied. When Lang stepped out of the vehicle, she brought her purse with her. She was directed to place the purse on the hood of Fristoe’s vehicle, which she did. The officers told Fristoe and Lang that the odor of marijuana had been detected coming from inside their vehicle. During the course of the investigation, Marcello searched Lang’s purse and discovered a green leafy substance in a baggie that field-tested positive for marijuana, a white crystalline substance in a baggie that field-tested positive for methamphetamine, some nonnarcotic pills, and drug-related paraphernalia. 2. Motion to Suppress Lang was charged with (1) possession of a controlled substance, methamphetamine (a Class IV felony); (2) possession of marijuana, less than an ounce (an infraction); and (3) possession of drug paraphernalia (an infraction). She pled not guilty. Lang filed a motion to suppress the evidence found in her purse, arguing it was obtained as the result of an unconstitutional search. At the suppression hearing, both Renz and Marcello testified to the events as summarized above. In addition, Renz testified that before Marcello alerted him to the odor of marijuana coming from the passenger window, he had not smelled marijuana either time he approached the driver’s side of the vehicle. At the conclusion of the evidence, the district court overruled Lang’s motion to suppress. It found there was probable cause for the traffic stop because the vehicle was observed speeding. It reasoned the smell of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle gave the officers probable cause for a warrantless search of the vehicle and containers in the vehicle, including Lang’s purse. The court found Marcello’s testimony - 731 - Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets 305 Nebraska Reports STATE v. LANG Cite as 305 Neb. 726 about smelling marijuana coming from the passenger window was credible, and it rejected Lang’s argument to the contrary. Lang’s case was set for trial. 3. Trial (a) First Request for Competency Evaluation On the morning of September 24, 2018, Lang appeared in court with her attorney for jury selection. Outside the presence of the prospective jurors, Lang’s counsel told the court he was concerned that Lang’s emotional state may interfere with jury selection and trial. The court construed this as an oral motion for a competency evaluation, and it took the matter up on the record. No evidence was offered, but Lang’s attorney informed the court that Lang suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of a prior work-related assault and that she had been unable to afford her anxiety medication for more than a year. Counsel explained that Lang had been frightened during all of her court appearances, but that her emotional state that day was “extreme.” Counsel told the court that Lang “does understand what is going on and understands what we are saying,” but that he was concerned about her sobbing in court, explaining: I am having trouble getting communication back from her that I understand or that the jury will understand in part due to her inability to control her depression. She also has informed me that for the past couple three weeks, she has seriously considered issues of suicide and self-harm because of this situation and her lack of medication. She has not known how to resolve it. She states to me that she has in fact sought help from governmental entities in regards to her mental health, but because she is pending a worker’s compensation claim against the State of Nebraska, those entities have said that the State should be responsible for paying that and they - 732 - Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets 305 Nebraska Reports STATE v. LANG Cite as 305 Neb. 726 have not provided treatment. Her worker’s comp trial is not scheduled for another couple of months. .... . . . Your Honor, I think if we were to go to jury selection and trial today, I don’t believe the jury would be able to get past the emotional condition that my client is in for purposes of actually addressing and listening to the facts that may be presented at the time of trial or that they would be able to even understand Ms. Lang should she elect to testify, if she was able to testify at all. The State took no position on the issue other than advising it was ready for trial. The district court, with counsel’s permission, spoke with Lang directly: THE COURT: Ms. Lang, we’re here today to select a jury that will ultimately decide whether or not you are guilty or not guilty of the charges that have been filed against you. Do you understand that Ms. Lang? THE DEFENDANT: Yes. THE COURT: Ms. Lang, it’s important that the jury reach a decision based upon the facts of the case and not their impressions, positive or negative, about you or anyone else. Do you understand that? THE DEFENDANT: Yeah. THE COURT: Ms. Lang, will you control yourself during the courtroom proceedings? THE DEFENDANT: I can try my best. I apologize. THE COURT: Ms. Lang, are there any accommoda- tions that the Court can provide that would allow you to calm yourself? THE DEFENDANT: No. .... THE COURT: At this point, it appears that Ms. Lang understands the nature of these proceedings and that Ms. Lang suffers, by her statements and by counsel’s statements, from some traumatic issues that don’t involve this case. - 733 - Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets 305 Nebraska Reports STATE v. LANG Cite as 305 Neb. 726 I find Ms. Lang is competent to proceed to trial. We will attempt at least to begin voir dire today as the second case to be chosen. We’ll see how things go. I’ll be willing to listen to any comments by either counsel. Our record does not include jury selection, but it does show that the next day, the district court commented favorably on Lang’s composure during jury selection. (b) Second Request for Competency Evaluation On the first day of trial, outside the presence of the jury, the State requested a reciprocal order of witness sequestration, which the court granted. Fristoe, who was present in the courtroom and a possible witness for the defense, was told he would have to step out once the trial began. At that point, Lang covered her face and began sobbing. Lang’s counsel told the court that Fristoe was a strong emotional support for Lang, who was still having anxiety issues. The court spoke again with Lang about the importance of a fair trial and controlling her emotions and behavior during trial. Lang replied to the court, “I cannot control my mental illness. I am sorry.” The court replied: I don’t mean to belittle your emotional situation, but I have not received any evidence that would support a claim that you cannot carry on appropriately or behave yourself. I would note you did a great job at jury selection yesterday. I would note that no tears appear to be falling off when you are making the sobbing noises. Lang’s counsel then offered exhibit 8, a psychological evaluation from December 2014 conducted as part of Lang’s workers’ compensation case. The exhibit was received without objection. The State again advised the court it was ready to try the case and opposed additional delays. - 734 - Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets 305 Nebraska Reports STATE v. LANG Cite as 305 Neb. 726 The court asked Lang’s counsel to clarify whether he was seeking a continuance or seeking a competency evaluation. Counsel replied: [R]ight now, I do not know — well, how can I put this — if Ms. Lang can understand what’s going on. I believe that her emotional condition, her anxiety reaction, and her depression have made it such that she cannot control her physical condition. As she has presented in the courtroom, it’s making it difficult to verbally communicate and appropriately provide an appearance to the jury which may jeopardize their ability to render an impartial decision. That’s my concern. The court asked again, “[A]re you asking for a competency evaluation, [counsel]?” to which counsel replied, “I will ask for a competency evaluation to see if she’s capable of participating in her current psychological condition.” The court took a recess to review exhibit 8 and then went back on the record and made the following ruling outside the presence of the jury: Based upon review of Exhibit 8 and the Court’s observations from yesterday and today, I am overruling the motion for a competency evaluation. There’s nothing in the record indicating Ms. Lang is incapable of understanding the proceedings or communicating with counsel. I will, however, in an attempt to accommodate Ms. Lang, continue this matter until one p.m. so that Ms. Lang may have a chance to get some fresh air and to come back and hopefully be ready to participate or be ready to be attentive during the trial of this case. .... Ms. Lang, this is an unusual step, but I am giving you a chance to take a little more time to compose yourself. In reviewing Exhibit 8, the mental health reports from three and four years ago, it appears that you have had some coping skills you need to be utilizing. - 735 - Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets 305 Nebraska Reports STATE v. LANG Cite as 305 Neb. 726 (c) Change of Plea When the parties returned at 1 p.m. to begin trial, Lang’s counsel advised that his client wanted to enter a no contest plea to the charges in the information. Lang confirmed that was her desire. The court went through the standard plea colloquy with Lang, and Lang consistently indicated that she understood her rights and the consequences of her pleas. After the State recited the factual basis, the court asked Lang whether she understood that if the court accepted her pleas, she would be giving up her right to appeal the overruling of her motion to suppress. Lang indicated she was not aware of that fact and told the court it may affect her decision. A recess was taken so Lang could talk with her attorney. After the recess, Lang’s counsel advised the court that in order to preserve her right to appeal the suppression ruling, Lang now wanted to withdraw her no contest pleas, enter not guilty pleas, waive a jury, and have the matter tried to the bench on “the facts as submitted to the Court in the hearing on the motion to suppress.” Lang confirmed that was how she wanted to proceed. The court allowed Lang to withdraw her no contest pleas and enter not guilty plea and then discussed the waiver of a jury trial with Lang. Lang stated she had discussed the matter with her attorney and wanted to waive a jury trial. She told the court that no one had made any threats, used any force, or made any promises to get her to waive a jury. The court accepted Lang’s jury waiver, expressly finding it was made freely, voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently. The jury was dismissed, and the matter proceeded immediately to a bench trial. (d) Stipulated Bench Trial The parties stipulated that the court should take judicial notice of the evidence presented at the motion to suppress hearing and that the court should consider it as evidence in the bench trial. Lang’s counsel renewed his objection to the evidence seized from Lang’s purse on the ground it was obtained - 736 - Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets 305 Nebraska Reports STATE v. LANG Cite as 305 Neb. 726 through an unconstitutional search, and the objection was overruled. The State then offered, without objection, a copy of the laboratory report containing test results for the substances found in Lang’s purse, and the parties stipulated that one of the items described in the laboratory report was the white crystalline substance found in Lang’s purse, which tested positive for methamphetamine, weighing 3.5 grams. After the presentation of evidence, the district court found the State had met its burden of proof as to counts I and II of the information and found Lang guilty. The court found the State had failed to prove count III, possession of drug paraphernalia, and dismissed that count. The court ordered a presentence investigation and asked the parties whether they wanted to request “any other . . . evaluations.” The State and Lang both declined. Lang was ordered to appear at sentencing on February 5, 2019. (e) Sentencing and Third Request for Competency Evaluation Lang did not appear for sentencing on February 5, 2019, but new defense counsel appeared on her behalf and requested a continuance. Sentencing was continued to February 14. At the sentencing hearing, Lang’s new counsel moved for a competency evaluation, arguing he did not think Lang had been able to effectively assist her prior counsel. The State argued that a competency evaluation was unnecessary and opposed a continuance for that purpose. In support of the request for a competency evaluation, defense counsel asked the court to take judicial notice of the presentence investigation report and offered exhibits 10 and 11, both of which had been prepared in connection with Lang’s workers’ compensation case. Exhibit 10 was a medical report dated October 20, 2018, which summarized Lang’s diagnoses of generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and major depressive disorder. Exhibit 11 was a report of psychological testing performed on September 18, 2018, which generally agreed with the diagnoses set forth in exhibit 10 and - 737 - Nebraska Supreme Court Advance Sheets 305 Nebraska Reports STATE v. LANG Cite as 305 Neb. 726 added diagnoses of panic disorder without agoraphobia and of avoidant personality disorder. Exhibits 10 and 11 were received without objection. After reviewing the exhibits, the district court denied Lang’s third motion for a competency evaluation. The court acknowledged evidence of Lang’s traumatic work-related injury and her mental health diagnoses. But it also observed that throughout the criminal proceedings, Lang had been able to confer with counsel and make decisions regarding her defense, including the decision to withdraw her pleas of no contest and proceed with a stipulated bench trial to preserve her right to appeal the suppression ruling and her decision to hire new counsel for the sentencing phase. The court concluded that Lang understood the nature of the proceedings and her rights within those proceedings and that a formal competency evaluation was not necessary. After an opportunity for allocution, Lang was sentenced to 12 months’ probation on count I and was fined $300 on count II. She timely appealed, and we moved the appeal to our docket on our own motion.