Court Opinion

ID: 4584288
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2020-11-06 10:06:54.563735+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:47:12.346529
License: Public Domain

If this opinion indicates that it is “FOR PUBLICATION,” it is subject to
                  revision until final publication in the Michigan Appeals Reports.

                           STATE OF MICHIGAN

                                     OF APPEALS

PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,                                      UNPUBLISHED
                                                                      November 5, 2020
               Plaintiff-Appellee,

v                                                                     No. 348980
                                                                      Ionia Circuit Court
TABITHA ANNE DERYKE,                                                  LC No. 2018-017577-FC

               Defendant-Appellant.

Before: SAWYER, P.J., and M. J. KELLY and SWARTZLE, JJ.

PER CURIAM.

        Defendant, Tabitha Deryke, appeals as of right her jury trial convictions of unlawfully
driving away of a motor vehicle, MCL 750.413, and larceny in a building, MCL 750.360. Because
there are no errors warranting reversal, we affirm.

                                         I. BASIC FACTS

        On September 2, 2018, Nancy Bowne allowed Deryke and Deryke’s minor son into her
home. Deryke explained to Bowne that her boyfriend had beaten her up and pushed her out of the
car, and she asked to use Bowne’s telephone to call for aid because her cellular phone battery was
dead. Although Bowne did not observe any marks or bruises on Deryke, she decided to help.
Inside, Deryke made two phone calls, but no one answered. Bowne offered Deryke coffee and dry
clothes, but was unable to find any suitable garments. Deryke then asked to charge her cellular
phone. Deryke’s son, however, retrieved his own phone and indicated that it was working.
Alarmed, Bowne asked Deryke and her son to wait on the patio. Bowne testified that she was
going to drive them to the nearest gas station, but had to get ready first. After Bowne went upstairs,
Deryke took a set of car keys from Bowne’s house and used them to take a vehicle from the
driveway.

       Once Bowne discovered the vehicle was missing, she called the police. Using an in-vehicle
tracking system, a police deputy located the vehicle, which was being driven by Deryke. The
deputy turned on her emergency lights and Deryke pulled over. Deryke exited the vehicle and told
the deputy that she had dropped off a friend named “Janelle Rapid.” Deryke was adamant that she
had borrowed the vehicle from Janelle. She also told the deputy that the sweatshirt she was

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wearing, the identification cards she had, and the credit cards in her possession belonged to Janelle.
After being told that the vehicle had been reported as stolen, Deryke admitted to the deputy that
she had been at Bowne’s house. She explained that her boyfriend had forced her, her son, and
Janelle from his vehicle, and that, later, Janelle had taken the keys from Bowne’s house.

        The next day, Deryke gave another statement to the police. She stated that she had been
with her boyfriend, her son, and Janelle. They were going to purchase methamphetamine from
someone, but on the way her boyfriend became upset because the methamphetamine seller’s
girlfriend was romantically interested in Deryke. Deryke explained that her boyfriend “whaled”
on her and kicked her out of the car. She said that afterward, Janelle took the keys from Bowne’s
residence and that Janelle was the one who was initially driving the vehicle. Janelle was dropped
off later, so Deryke was driving when the police stopped the vehicle.

       The police were unable to locate an individual named Janelle Rapid. They did discover,
however, that on September 1, 2018 and September 2, 2018, Deryke had used her phone to search
for methods of disabling vehicle alarm systems and disabling an in-vehicle tracking system.
Moreover, they determined that, contrary to Deryke’s claim, the sweatshirt, identification cards,
and credit cards in Deryke’s possession when she was pulled over belonged to a friend of Bowne’s
daughter.

        At trial, Deryke admitted that she had been the one to take the keys and the vehicle from
Bowne’s house, but she testified that she had done so under duress. Deryke testified that she had
been driving in a vehicle with her son and her ex-boyfriend. She stated that her ex-boyfriend
removed knives and other items from his backpack. She was concerned about the danger presented
by the knives, so she argued with him. Eventually, she pulled over and he placed the items in the
trunk. Her ex-boyfriend took over driving, and they continued arguing. At one point, he threw a
pop bottle at the window, which ricocheted and hit her. Eventually, he pulled over and retrieved
the items from the trunk and placed them on the road. Deryke testified that she and her son exited
the vehicle and started running away, but her ex-boyfriend chased them, caught up, punched her
in the back of the head, and continued to hit her. She explained that she had previously seen her
boyfriend “do dangerous things with his ex-wives.” After she got away, she and her son spent the
night fleeing from her ex-boyfriend, who she feared was still looking form them. In the morning,
she ended up inside Bowne’s house. Deryke testified that she only took the car keys because she
saw her ex-boyfriend’s vehicle in the area and became scared. Deryke also presented expert
testimony from the director of Michigan State University’s Safe Place Program. The expert opined
that Deryke took the vehicle from Bowne’s home because she was under duress.

                                   II. SELF-INCRIMINATION

                                  A. STANDARD OF REVIEW

       Deryke argues that the prosecution violated her Fifth Amendment right against self-
incrimination by improperly referring to her decision not to complete a written statement after her

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arrest and after she was advised of her Miranda1 rights. This Court reviews de novo constitutional
questions. People v Shafier, 483 Mich. 205, 211; 768 NW2d 305 (2009).

                                           B. ANALYSIS

        Deryke argues and the prosecution concedes that evidence of her post-arrest, post-Miranda
silence was improperly admitted at trial. Generally, “prosecutorial references to a defendant’s
post-arrest, post-Miranda silence violate[s] a defendant’s due process rights under the Fourteenth
Amendment of the United States Constitution.” Id. at 213. However, if a defendant waives her
right to remain silent and there is no basis to conclude that her unresponsiveness to questions is
attributable to the invocation of that right or reliance on the Miranda warnings, then such evidence
of the defendant’s silence is not improper and the prosecutor may bring it to the jury’s attention.
See People v McReavy, 436 Mich. 197, 203; 462 NW2d 1 (1990).

        In this case, Deryke gave a voluntary statement to the police deputy that pulled her over.
The next day, after being advised of and waiving her Miranda rights, Deryke again made
statements to the police regarding the events leading to her driving a vehicle that had been reported
as stolen. Deryke does not challenge that those statements were properly admitted at trial. Instead,
she contends that the following colloquy between the prosecutor and a police deputy violated her
right against self-incrimination:

                Q. And did you provide [Deryke] with an opportunity to provide a written
         statement?

                A. I did. I asked her if she would be willing to. At the time, she said she
         would. I brought our blank statement forms into the jail, and I never got the return.

Yet, Deryke did not assert her right to remain silent after the deputy advised her of her Miranda
rights, nor is there any evidence that, after answering some questions, she later invoked those
rights. Thus, on this record, there is nothing indicating that her decision not to return a written
statement to the deputy was attributable to the invocation of her right to remain silent or her
reliance on the Miranda warnings. The deputy’s reference, therefore, to Deryke failing to return
a written statement after agreeing to provide one is not improper.

        Moreover, even if the testimony constituted an improper comment on Deryke’s right to
remain silent, reversal is not warranted. Besides the above testimony, there was no reference to
Deryke’s decision to not make a written statement during the prosecutor’s opening statement, case-
in-chief, cross-examination of any witness, closing argument, or rebuttal argument. The single,
isolated reference to the fact that the deputy did not receive a written statement from Deryke after
she agreed to provide one was “so minimal that the silence was not submitted to the jury as
evidence from which it was allowed to draw any permissible inference.” Shafier, 483 Mich. at
214-215 (quotation marks and citation omitted). See also People v Dennis, 464 Mich. 567, 575,

1
    Miranda v Arizona, 384 U.S. 436; 86 S. Ct. 1602; 16 L. Ed. 2d 694 (1966).

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579-580; 628 NW2d 502 (2001). Thus, even if there were an impermissible reference to Deryke’s
post-arrest, post-Miranda silence, reversal is not warranted on the facts before this Court.

                               III. EXCULPATORY EVIDENCE

                                  A. STANDARD OF REVIEW

        Deryke next argues that she was denied her due-process right to present a defense of duress
because a police video recording that would have shown her demeanor and her potential injuries
was destroyed. Generally, a defendant’s claim that he or she was denied due process is reviewed
de novo. People v Schumacher, 276 Mich. App. 165, 176; 740 NW2d 534 (2007). Because Deryke
did not raise the possibility of a due-process violation before the trial court, we review this issue
for plain error affecting her substantial rights. See People v Carines, 460 Mich. 750, 763; 597
NW2d 130 (1999).2

                                          B. ANALYSIS

        In this case, a police deputy testified that the statements Deryke made in the police vehicle
were recorded on an in-car DVD system. The deputy did not have a copy of the recording,
however, because it was “not available anymore.” He explained that he had discussed preserving
the recording with another deputy and that the prosecutor had requested a copy of the video. But
when he checked into it, he learned that the video was only retained for 30 days. The deputy
believed that the video may have been requested before the 30 days expired, but offered no further
explanation. Regardless of any uncertainty as to when the prosecutor requested the video
recording, the record reflects that the defense requested a copy of any statements made by
Deryke—including statements recorded on video—before the video would have been destroyed.

         On appeal, Deryke appears to be arguing that her due-process rights were violated because
the prosecution failed to disclose potentially exculpatory evidence in violation of Brady v
Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 87; 83 S. Ct. 1194; 10 L. Ed. 2d 215 (1963) and that her due-process rights
were violated because the prosecution failed to preserve evidentiary material that may have
exonerated her. Under Brady, the prosecution has an affirmative duty to disclose exculpatory
material and impeachment evidence, regardless of whether the defendant requests the evidence.
Brady, 373 U.S. at 87. To establish a Brady violation, the defendant must show that “(1) the
prosecution has suppressed evidence; (2) that is favorable to the accused; and (3) viewed in its
totality, is material.” People v Chenault, 495 Mich. 142, 150, 155; 845 NW2d 731 (2014). On the
other hand, to warrant reversal on a due-process violation involving the failure to preserve or the
destruction of evidence, “a defendant must prove that the missing evidence was exculpatory or
that law enforcement personnel acted in bad faith.” People v Hanks, 276 Mich. App. 91, 95; 740
NW2d 530 (2007). When the evidence is shown only to be “potentially useful,” failure to preserve

2
  On appeal Deryke suggests that the issue is preserved because her trial lawyer made a request for
discovery and because a police deputy testified that the video was unavailable because it was only
retained for 30 days. The record does not reflect, however, that after learning about the video
recordings’ destruction that her trial lawyer raised a due-process violation before the trial court.
Consequently, this issue is not, in fact, preserved for appellate review.

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the evidence does not amount to a due process violation unless bad faith can be shown. Arizona v
Youngblood, 488 U.S. 51, 58; 109 S. Ct. 333, 337; 102 L. Ed. 2d 281 (1988). A “[d]efendant bears
the burden of showing that the evidence was exculpatory or that the police acted in bad faith.”
People v Johnson, 197 Mich. App. 362, 365; 494 NW2d 873 (1992).

        “Evidence is favorable to the defense when it is either exculpatory or impeaching.”
Chenault, 495 Mich. at 155. Deryke argues that the video recording would have shown her
demeanor and “potential” injuries after the domestic-violence incident between her and her ex-
boyfriend. However, the interviewing deputies testified that Deryke conversed casually and was
talking quickly, but that her demeanor otherwise appeared normal during the interview. The
deputies did not observe any injuries on defendant. Further, during the interview, Deryke indicated
that she had not been assaulted and that she did not have any injuries. A police photograph
depicting Deryke on the day of the incident was also admitted into evidence. A deputy testified
that Deryke’s face appeared sunken in the photograph, but he did not testify regarding any visible
injuries on her face. And, in any event, the jury was free to view the photograph and make a
determination as to whether she had visible injuries. Given that there is nothing on the record
suggesting that the video would have shown that she had a demeanor different than that testified
to by the deputies or injuries that would have been visible on the video but not on the photograph,
Deryke has failed to show that the evidence would have been favorable to her.

         Likewise, she cannot show that the evidence was material. “To establish materiality, a
defendant must show that there is a reasonable probability that, had the evidence been disclosed
to the defense, the result of the proceeding would have been different.” Id. at 150 (quotation marks
and citation omitted). Ultimately, “[t]he question is whether, in the absence of the suppressed
evidence, the defendant received a fair trial, understood as a trial resulting in a verdict worthy of
confidence.” Id. at 150-151 (quotation marks and citation omitted). At trial, the prosecution
elicited testimony showing that when Deryke made a statement in the police vehicle her demeanor
was casual and normal, and the deputies did not observe any injuries on her. A photograph taken
the same day also failed to depict any injuries, and Bowne testified that she did not observe any
marks or injuries on Deryke when she arrived at Bowne’s house. Further, although Deryke
testified that her ex-boyfriend punched her in the back of her neck and repeatedly hit her, she did
not testify that she was injured by the blows. Nor did she testify that her demeanor was different
than what the deputies recounted. Instead, she testified to her fear and her actions in response to
that fear. In addition, the defense expert explained to the jury that a victim of domestic abuse,
when talking with law-enforcement will sometimes lie and attempt to minimize the abuse. She
also explained that not all domestic-violence results in physical injuries. Notably, the expert did
not testify to any particular demeanor a victim of domestic abuse would exhibit in the aftermath
of being physically assaulted and chased by his or her abuser. Thus, even if a video were
introduced into evidence that showed Deryke’s demeanor and potential injuries, there is not a
reasonable probability that the jury would have reached a different result.

       Because Deryke cannot show that the evidence was favorable or material, we discern no
Brady violation. See Chenault, 495 Mich. at 155. Further, because Deryke did not meet her burden
of showing that the failure to preserve the evidence resulted in the destruction of exculpatory
evidence, she is not entitled to relief on that basis either. See Johnson, 197 Mich. App. at 365.

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                                     IV. IMPARTIAL JURY

                                  A. STANDARD OF REVIEW

        Finally, Deryke argues that she was denied her right to a fair trial by impartial jurors and
her right to effective assistance of counsel when her trial lawyer failed to challenge two jurors for
cause. Because Deryke failed to raise this issue before the trial court, we review this issue for
plain error affecting defendant’s substantial rights. Carines, 460 Mich. at 763. Further, “[t]he
question whether defense counsel performed ineffectively is a mixed question of law and fact; this
Court reviews for clear error the trial court’s findings of fact and reviews de novo questions of
constitutional law.” People v Trakhtenberg, 493 Mich. 38, 47; 826 NW2d 136 (2012).

                                          B. ANALYSIS

        “The United States and Michigan Constitutions guarantee a criminal defendant a fair trial
by an impartial jury.” People v Jackson, 292 Mich. App. 583, 592; 808 NW2d 541 (2011); US
Const, Am VI; Const. 1963, art 1, § 20. “The trial court must take appropriate steps to ensure that
jurors will not be exposed to information or influences that could affect their ability to render an
impartial verdict based on the evidence admitted in court.” Jackson, 292 Mich. App. at 592. Voir
dire functions to provide the trial court and the lawyers with enough information to determine
whether a prospective juror should be disqualified from service on the basis of an inability to
render decisions impartially. People v Sawyer, 215 Mich. App. 183, 186; 545 NW2d 6 (1996).
Voir dire allows the court and the lawyers to “discover hidden bias that would render a potential
juror incompetent.” People v Tyburski, 445 Mich. 606, 619; 518 NW2d 441 (1994). “Jurors are
presumptively competent and impartial, and the party alleging the disqualification bears the burden
of proving its existence.” People v Johnson, 245 Mich. App. 243, 256; 631 NW2d 1 (2001).

         In this case, a juror indicated that he was working with law enforcement, including one of
the police witnesses, on a work-related investigation. The juror also indicated that he worked with
law enforcement officers “quite regularly” during police investigations. The second juror was
employed as an emergency medical services provider and had contact with many police officers
during the course of his work. Both jurors stated that the fact that they knew of and worked with
two of the police witnesses did not impact their ability to act fairly and impartially during jury
deliberations. It appears that both jurors’ connections to the police officers were limited to the
course of their employment. On appeal, Deryke proclaims that the jurors were biased, but offers
nothing to dispute their statements that the contact was work-related and would not impact their
ability to act fairly and impartially if selected for the jury. Therefore, defendant did not overcome
the presumption that jurors are competent and impartial or show that there was a plain error that
affected her substantial rights. See Carines, 460 Mich. at 763-764; Johnson, 245 Mich. App. at 256.

        Deryke has also not overcome the presumption that her defense lawyer provided her with
effective assistance during voir dire. See People v Solmonson, 261 Mich. App. 657, 663; 683 NW2d
761 (2004) (“Effective assistance of counsel is presumed, and the defendant bears the heavy
burden of proving otherwise.”). Here, the trial court inquired of the prospective jurors during voir
dire whether they had contact with law enforcement and whether that contact may have influenced
their opinion of law enforcement officers. The trial court also questioned the challenged jurors
about whether their contact with the police witnesses would affect their ability to be fair and

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impartial jurors in this case. Again, both jurors indicated that their contact with the police officers
would not impact their ability to be fair and impartial and that they could keep an open mind and
apply the law to the facts of the case as the trial court instructed. Although Deryke’s lawyer did
not ask any independent questions regarding the jurors’ contact with the law enforcement officers,
the trial court’s questions had already addressed the relevant inquiries. Deryke’s lawyer was not
ineffective for failing to re-ask the jurors questions that they had just finished answering. Based
on the prospective jurors’ answers to the trial court’s questions, Deryke’s lawyer decided not to
challenge them for cause. Considering that a defense lawyer’s decisions regarding the selection
of jurors is generally a matter of trial strategy, see Johnson, 245 Mich. App. at 259, we discern no
reversible error.

       Affirmed.

                                                               /s/ David H. Sawyer
                                                               /s/ Michael J. Kelly
                                                               /s/ Brock A. Swartzle

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