Opinion ID: 2082577
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Harmless Constitutional Error

Text: A Fourth Amendment error like the one that occurred in this case is subject to constitutional harmless error analysis. Hawkins, 626 N.E.2d 436. Where this Court can state beyond a reasonable doubt that the improperly admitted evidence did not contribute to the verdict, then the error is harmless. Rabadi, 541 N.E.2d 271. Here, the approximately twenty-eight grams of cocaine from the controlled buy was admitted, along with the cocaine, marijuana, and paraphernalia improperly seized. However, the confidential informant did not testify at trial, and there was no direct testimony of a drug sale. The money used in the controlled drug buy was not introduced into evidence. Appellant was not charged with dealing cocaine. Instead, the only crimes the State charged were crimes of possession. The only evidence of possession was evidence gathered during the illegal entry and following the search pursuant to the improperly-issued warrant. The twenty-eight grams of cocaine were not in appellant's possession when he was arrested, nor was there any direct testimony that the cocaine was obtained from him. The evidence obtained after the initial warrantless entry and pursuant to the tainted warrant was the only evidence of appellant's possession, and induced the convictions. Therefore, we cannot say that the admission was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.