Opinion ID: 1989296
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Officer's Observations in Executing Search Warrant

Text: Collins claims the trial court committed reversible error in allowing Officer Naylor to testify regarding his observations when he executed a search warrant of appellant's home. [8] Collins had contended the warrant was invalid and that Naylor's observations would need to have been suppressed as the fruit of an illegal search. Arizona v. Hicks, 480 U.S. 321, 107 S.Ct. 1149, 94 L.Ed.2d 347 (1987). Naylor had identified a basement room as Collins' bedroom. The trial court recognized the problem with Naylor's testimony, but permitted him to respond under the stipulation that he not identify the room in which appellant lived. Defense counsel immediately sought a mistrial which was summarily denied. The court cautioned the jury, however, through the following instruction: [T]he comment made a moment ago by the witness, by the detective, as to where Mr. Collins may or may not have lived in that particular house, you are to ignore that. Wipe it from your minds if it is possible to do so. Don't consider it anymore during the trial of this case. [9] The prosecutor's position at trial was that her only agreement prior to trial involved her not introducing any of the objects that may have been seized pursuant to the search warrant. Contrary to Collins' arguments, the trial court did not find that the prosecutor had violated any stipulation or agreement with the defense. In good faith, the trial court resolved the problem by striking the single reference to Collins' bedroom. Under these circumstances, we find the trial judge's curative instruction was sufficient and no prejudice resulted to the defendant. As evidenced by the circumstances of the trial, defense counsel did not argue that Collins did not know Michie. Thorpe also later testified concerning the interior of Collins' house including describing the location of appellant's bedroom. Thorpe was present in Collins' house the day he admitted killing Breeden, and testified he had been there previously. Since other evidence on the same issue was admitted without objection, no prejudice resulted to the accused. Jones v. State, supra [310 Md.] at 589, 530 A.2d at 753.