Court Opinion

ID: 9897422
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-11-14 19:11:21.736537+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:15:46.132887
License: Public Domain

FILED
                                                                      Apr 19 2023, 8:46 am

                                                                          CLERK
                                                                      Indiana Supreme Court
                                                                         Court of Appeals
                                                                           and Tax Court

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT                                     ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Stacy R. Uliana                                             Theodore E. Rokita
Bargersville, Indiana                                       Attorney General of Indiana
Richard J. Thonert                                          Justin F. Roebel
Fort Wayne, Indiana                                         Supervising Deputy Attorney
                                                            General

                                                            Catherine E. Brizzi
                                                            Deputy Attorney General
                                                            Indianapolis, Indiana

                                             IN THE
     COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

Kriss Eugene Bauman II,                                     April 19, 2023
Appellant-Defendant,                                        Court of Appeals Case No.
                                                            22A-CR-20
        v.                                                  Appeal from the
                                                            Noble Circuit Court
State of Indiana,                                           The Honorable
Appellee-Plaintiff.                                         Michael J. Kramer, Judge
                                                            Trial Court Cause No.
                                                            57C01-2104-F3-9

                                   Opinion by Judge Foley
                                Judges May and Brown concur.

Foley, Judge.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-20 | April 19, 2023                              Page 1 of 13
[1]   Kriss Bauman (“Bauman”) struck a motorcycle with his truck, injuring its rider.

      Bauman initially informed officers that the motorcycle had overtaken him and

      cut in front of his truck, but then revealed that he had actually been pursuing

      the motorcycle, which he claimed had been stolen from his friend. After being

      placed in a squad car, police informed Bauman that he could consent to a blood

      draw or else police would seek a warrant. Bauman consented to the blood

      draw, which revealed the presence of amphetamine and methamphetamine.

      Bauman challenged the admission of the blood test results at his trial for

      aggravated battery and operating a vehicle with a controlled substance in his

      system, contending that his consent was not freely and voluntarily given. More

      specifically, Bauman argues that his consent was not voluntary because it was a

      result of: (1) an unconstitutional ultimatum; (2) a violation of his right to

      counsel; and (3) an illegal detention. Bauman further argues that the blood

      draw was unreasonable under Article I, Section 11 of the Indiana Constitution. 1

      As a secondary matter, Bauman argues that the trial court erroneously admitted

      lay witness testimony about whether Bauman was pursuing the man on the

      1
        Bauman also cites to Article 1 Section 13, but does so in the context of an argument pertaining to whether
      Bauman was entitled to the benefit of counsel under our state Constitution, and, if so, whether the denial of
      counsel would invalidate the consent given for the blood draw. Pursuant to Pirtle v. State, 323 N.E.2d 634,
      640 (Ind. 1975), police officers are generally required to inform a subject of his or her right to consult with
      counsel prior to obtaining consent for a search, though there are numerous exceptions. As Baumann notes,
      the Pirtle decision was rooted in Article 1 Section 13, but over the years the Pirtle analysis has shifted, finding
      a new home in Article 1 Section 11. Regardless, the State correctly recognizes that this court has found that
      the Pirtle holding does not extend to the kind of blood draw chemical test at issue in this case. See Datzek v.
      State, 838 N.E.2d 1149, 1160 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005). We decline Bauman’s invitation to depart from the
      holding of that case.

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-20 | April 19, 2023                                       Page 2 of 13
      motorcycle. Finding that Bauman’s consent was valid and that any lay witness

      testimony erroneously admitted was harmless, we affirm the trial court. 2

      Facts and Procedural History
[2]   On March 29, 2021, a witness stepped out of his home and saw a truck

      following a motorcycle. No witnesses observed the impact when Bauman’s

      truck collided with the motorcyclist, but a motorist travelling in the opposite

      direction saw Bauman’s truck come out of the curve where the collision

      occurred with significant damage, scattering debris. A witness also observed

      the motorcycle fly out from under the truck and settle in a ditch. The passing

      motorist phoned 911 and stopped to pick up the motorcyclist’s helmet.

      Bauman remained at the scene, and two other witnesses rendered aid until the

      police arrived. The motorcyclist was then transported to the hospital via

      helicopter. 3

[3]   Meanwhile, Officers Jones and Gillison from the Kendallville Police

      Department arrived, as did Deputies Gibson and Baker from the Noble County

      Sheriff’s Department. Speaking initially to Officer Jones, Bauman indicated

      that the motorcyclist had overtaken him and then braked, resulting in the

      2
       The court thanks the University of Southern Indiana for hosting oral argument in this case, as well as
      Professor Nicholas LaRowe and his students for their hospitality, and counsel for their able presentations.
      3
        Police found significant amounts of methamphetamine and marijuana on the motorcyclist’s person at the
      scene. After two weeks in the hospital and another nineteen days in a rehabilitation facility, however, the
      motorcyclist absconded. As of the date of the filings in this appeal, he had not been located and remains
      wanted on criminal charges.

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-20 | April 19, 2023                                  Page 3 of 13
      collision. He subsequently told Officer Jones, however, that the motorcycle had

      been stolen from his friend and that he was attempting to retrieve it. At this

      point Bauman was standing outside his truck, and Officer Jones was examining

      the motorcycle. Deputy Chase Gibson—previously elsewhere on the scene—

      approached. Bauman answered Deputy Gibson’s questions 4 and provided his

      license and registration. Deputy Gibson then requested that Bauman come to

      his squad car where he ordered Bauman into the back seat and closed the door.

      As they walked to the squad car, Deputy Gibson asked two questions about

      whether Bauman knew the motorcyclist. Bauman replied in the affirmative.

      As a result of Bauman’s statement that he followed the motorcyclist in order to

      retrieve the stolen motorcycle, officers determined that they were engaged in a

      criminal investigation, and Deputy Gibson opened the back door of the squad

      car and read Bauman his Miranda rights. Deputy Gibson informed Bauman

      that he was not under arrest, but that he did not want Bauman “going

      anywhere.” Ex. 7, file 2. Bauman replied that he did not intend to.

[4]   Shortly thereafter, Deputy Gibson opened the door of the squad car in order to

      give Bauman a bottle of water. Bauman placed his foot in the doorway and

      Deputy Gibson repeatedly instructed him to “tuck it back in” the car. Id.

      Bauman assured the deputy that he was not going anywhere but that the back

      of the car was hot and stuffy. Deputy Gibson then informed another officer

      that Bauman was “making him nervous,” id., and placed Bauman in handcuffs,

      4
          Deputy Gibson was tasked with performing the accident reconstruction.

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-20 | April 19, 2023            Page 4 of 13
      informing Bauman once again that he was not under arrest. Now handcuffed,

      Bauman was returned to the car and requested that an officer inform his wife,

      who was at the scene, to call “Thonert.” 5 The record suggests that police did

      not relay the message.

[5]   Deputy Gibson subsequently opened the door of the squad car to read Bauman

      a card that informed him of Indiana’s implied-consent law. 6 Deputy Gibson

      then asked: “Will you take a chemical test?” 7 Ex. 7, file 4. Bauman responded:

      “I have to call my lawyer.” Id. Deputy Gibson then stated: “Okay, well I’m

      asking are you going to take the chemical test? . . . I just read you what the

      penalties are if you don’t.” Id. Deputy Gibson further informed Bauman that

      he did not have a right to an attorney at that point because “that’s not how this

      works” and informed Bauman that, if he did not consent to a blood draw,

      police would seek a warrant. Id. At that point, Bauman consented to the blood

      draw. During the thirty-seven minutes that officers interacted with Bauman

      prior to reading him the implied consent card, the officers did not administer or

      seek to administer field sobriety tests or a portable breath test. Bauman was

      5
          Thonert is a reference to Richard Thonert, Bauman’s attorney.
      6
       There are several implied consent statutes, but the relevant one here is Indiana Code Chapter 9-30-7.
      Section 3 of the chapter requires officers to offer persons the opportunity to consent to a “chemical test”
      when an accident involves death or serious bodily injury. If the person does not consent, the person’s driving
      privileges are suspended for a year under section 5 of the chapter. Thus, the two sections work together to
      provide both the requirement and the penalty for refusing to comply with the offer for a chemical test.
      7
        Blood draws and the resulting tests are one example of a “chemical test” and the only type of test at issue in
      this case.

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-20 | April 19, 2023                                    Page 5 of 13
      taken to a hospital. His blood draw indicated the presence of amphetamine and

      methamphetamine.

[6]   On April 6, 2021, the State charged Bauman with aggravated battery. The State

      subsequently amended the charging information to include a second count:

      operating a vehicle while intoxicated resulting in serious bodily injury, a Level 5

      felony. Bauman filed a motion to suppress evidence on November 11, 2021.

      The trial court denied the motion after a hearing five days later.

[7]   The jury trial began on November 18, 2021. The jury acquitted Bauman of the

      aggravated battery charge but convicted him of operating a vehicle while

      intoxicated resulting in serious bodily injury. The trial Court sentenced

      Bauman to five years executed in the DOC. This appeal ensued.

      Discussion and Decision
[8]   Bauman contends that the trial court abused its discretion when it admitted the

      results of the warrantless blood draw. “Generally, we review the trial court’s

      ruling on the admission or exclusion of evidence for an abuse of discretion.”

      Neeley v. State, 70 N.E.3d 866, 870 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017) (citing Roche v. State,

      690 N.E.2d 1115, 1134 (Ind. 1997)). “We reverse only when the decision is

      clearly against the logic and effect of the facts and circumstances.” Id. (citing

      Joyner v. State, 678 N.E.2d 386, 390 (Ind. 1997)). “We may affirm a trial court’s

      Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-20 | April 19, 2023          Page 6 of 13
       decision regarding the admission of evidence if it is sustainable on any basis in

       the record.” Id. (citing Barker v. State, 695 N.E.2d 925, 930 (Ind. 1998)). 8

[9]    “In general, the Fourth Amendment prohibits warrantless searches.” Hannoy v.

       State, 789 N.E.2d 977, 982 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003) (citing Edwards v. State, 762

       N.E.2d 128, 132 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002), trans. denied). “If the search is conducted

       without a warrant, the burden is upon the State to prove that, at the time of

       the search, an exception to the warrant requirement existed.” Id. “Searches

       conducted without a warrant are per se unreasonable subject to a few well-

       delineated exceptions.” Id. (citing Johnson v. State, 766 N.E.2d 426, 432 (Ind.

       Ct. App. 2002), trans. denied). “A warrantless search of one’s person ordinarily

       must also be supported by probable cause.” Id. (citing Conwell v. State, 714

       N.E.2d 764, 766 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999)). It has long been settled that the

       “compulsory administration of . . . blood test[s] . . . plainly

       constitute searches of ‘persons’” within the meaning of the Fourth

       Amendment. Schmerber v. California, 384 U.S. 757, 767 (1966).

[10]   There are, as we have indicated, numerous judicially created exceptions to the

       warrant requirement. See, e.g., Wilkinson v. State, 70 N.E.3d 392, 402 (Ind. Ct.

       App. 2017) (need to provide medical assistance; plain view doctrine;

       automobile exception; search incident to arrest). Here, the State points to the

       8
        Bauman did not appeal the denial of his motion to suppress, and so his arguments here are properly framed
       as targeted to the trial court’s decision to admit the blood draw results at trial. See, e.g., Clark v. State, 994
       N.E.2d 252, 259 (Ind. 2013).

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-20 | April 19, 2023                                     Page 7 of 13
       consent exception, wherein the warrant requirement may be waived with the

       search-subject’s consent. Temperly v. State, 933 N.E.2d 558, 563 (Ind. Ct. App.

       2010) (citing Krise v. State, 746 N.E.2d 957, 961 (Ind. 2001)). “The

       voluntariness of a consent to search is a question of fact to be determined from

       the totality of the circumstances.” Id. (citing Navarro v. State, 855 N.E.2d 671,

       675 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006)). “A consent to search is valid except where it is

       procured by fraud, duress, fear, intimidation, or where it is merely a submission

       to the supremacy of the law.” Id. “To constitute a valid waiver of Fourth

       Amendment rights, a consent must be the intelligent relinquishment of a known

       right or privilege.” Id. “Such waiver may not be conclusively presumed from a

       verbal expression of assent unless the court determines, from the totality of the

       circumstances, that the verbal assent reflected an understanding, uncoerced,

       and unequivocal election to grant the officers a license which the person knows

       may be freely and effectively withheld.” Id.

[11]   Thus, as a threshold matter, if Bauman validly consented to the blood draw, his

       arguments about the constitutionality of the blood draw are moot. Bauman

       argues that his consent was not valid because it was a result of: (1) an

       unconstitutional ultimatum; (2) a violation of his right to counsel; and (3) an

       illegal detention. We disagree.

[12]           The “totality of the circumstances” from which the voluntariness
               of a detainee’s consent is to be determined includes, but is not
               limited to: (1) whether the defendant was advised of his Miranda
               rights prior to the request to search; (2) the defendant’s degree of
               education and intelligence; (3) whether the defendant was
               advised of his right not to consent; (4) whether the detainee has
       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-20 | April 19, 2023           Page 8 of 13
               previous encounters with law enforcement; (5) whether the
               officer made any express or implied claims of authority to search
               without consent; (6) whether the officer was engaged in any
               illegal action prior to the request; (7) whether the defendant was
               cooperative previously; and (8) whether the officer was deceptive
               as to his true identity or the purpose of the search.

       Lamonte v. State, 839 N.E.2d 172, 175 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005) (citing Camp v. State,

       751 N.E.2d 299, 304 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001), trans. denied). The record indicates

       that Bauman was advised of his Miranda rights. The form advisement based on

       the implied consent statute indicated that Bauman could refuse the search by

       explaining to him the administrative penalty that would result if he did so.

       There is no evidence to suggest that law enforcement officers made any claims

       to search without consent, or that they acted deceptively or in bad faith.

       Bauman was cooperative the entire time (save for initially misleading officers

       about the accident). The record reflects that Bauman has a high school

       diploma. And the pre-sentence investigation report suggests that Bauman has

       had plenty of previous encounters with law enforcement, including one for

       which he was charged with operating while intoxicated. We conclude that, on

       balance, the totality of the circumstances demonstrates consent that was

       voluntarily and freely given.

[13]   Bauman does not directly address these commonly enumerated factors, opting

       instead to focus on factors that he believed contributed to a coercive

       atmosphere. With respect to Bauman’s suggestion that his consent resulted

       from an unconstitutional ultimatum, we observe that we have repeatedly

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-20 | April 19, 2023         Page 9 of 13
       “rejected a contention that the defendant’s consent was a product of coercion

       because he had been informed of the possible penalty for refusing a chemical

       test under the implied consent law.” Temperly, 933 N.E.2d at 563 (citing

       Johnson v. State, 450 N.E.2d 123 (Ind. Ct. App. 1983)); see also Cochran v. State,

       771 N.E.2d 104, 108 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002). Here, as in Johnson, “there was no

       evidence that the officer had made any promises or threats, used or threatened

       any physical force, or engaged in any deliberate trickery . . . .” Id. So far as we

       can tell, this was a garden variety application of the implied consent statute. To

       the extent that Bauman challenges that statute more directly, his arguments go

       to the matter of probable cause. Probable cause, in turn, is a significant

       consideration only if we are to reach the question of whether the search was

       reasonable, which we do not. Consent to a search obviates the constitutional

       guardrails which ordinarily circumscribe that search. Pirtle v. State, 323 N.E.2d

       634, 639 (Ind. 1975) (“A person who consents to a search gives up all these

       [constitutional] protections and subjects himself to a general search without

       probable cause.”).

[14]   Bauman’s other arguments related to the blood draw must suffer the same fate.

       Potential deficiencies with Bauman’s detention, and the fact he was not allowed

       to speak with his attorney may be probative of the reasonableness of the search,

       but they have little impact, in our view, on the question of whether Bauman’s

       consent was voluntarily given. That impact is insufficient to alter our

       conclusion that the totality of the circumstances reveals valid consent. And that

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-20 | April 19, 2023          Page 10 of 13
       conclusion is no less potent under the Indiana Constitution: Bauman’s state

       constitutional arguments, too, must fail. 9

[15]   Finally, we briefly address Bauman’s secondary argument. Bauman argues that

       the trial court abused its discretion by permitting a lay witness to testify—over

       objection—to his opinions regarding the intent of the drivers: Bauman and the

       motorcyclist. Bauman points to Indiana Rule of Evidence 704(b), which

       provides that “[w]itnesses may not testify to opinions concerning intent, guilt,

       or innocence in a criminal case; the truth or falsity of allegations; whether a

       witness has testified truthfully; or legal conclusions.” This court “review[s] the

       admission of evidence only for an abuse of discretion[,]” which is to say “when

       the trial court’s decision is clearly against the logic and effect of the facts and

       circumstances before it. However, a ruling is reviewed de novo when it turns

       on the interpretation of a rule of evidence.” Weed v. State, 192 N.E.3d 247, 249

       (Ind. Ct. App. 2022) (citing Warren v. State, 182 N.E.3d 925, 932 (Ind. Ct. App.

       2022); Fansler v. State, 100 N.E.3d 250, 253 (Ind. 2018)). Bauman claims that

       the witness’s opinion that “the person riding the motorcycle was scared and

       wanted out and the person driving the truck was trying to take him out[,]” was

       9
         We pause to note that, while our Supreme Court has made clear that the test announced in Litchfield v. State,
       824 N.E.2d 356, 361 (Ind. 2005), must be applied to all searches and seizures, and not just those of trash
       containers, see, e.g., Watkins v. State, 85 N.E.3d 597, 600 (Ind. 2017), this court has expressed divergent views
       with respect to whether the Litchfield analysis is necessary where we find a valid exception to the warrant
       requirement. See, e.g., Isley v. State, 202 N.E.3d 1124, 1134 (Ind. Ct. App. 2023) (May, J. concurring in part).
       As we have noted, the existence of valid consent does away with the need to determine whether a search is
       reasonable under either the federal or state constitutions. Accordingly, we do not undertake a Litchfield
       analysis here.

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-20 | April 19, 2023                                   Page 11 of 13
       an improper opinion of intent. 10 Tr. Vol. II p. 87. Bauman cites numerous

       examples in which Indiana courts have held that the mere fact that a witness

       has observed an actor does not permit the witness’s lay opinion as to the actor’s

       intent. 11

[16]   We find that the argument is of no moment, for any error arising from the

       admission of the opinion testimony is necessarily harmless. Such testimony

       would be probative of the mens rea associated with the aggravated battery

       charge, but Bauman was acquitted on that count. He, thus, suffered no

       prejudice as a result of the lay witness testimony. “An error is harmless when it

       results in no prejudice to the ‘substantial rights’ of a party.” Durden v. State, 99

       N.E.3d 645, 652 (Ind. 2018) (citing Camm v. State, 908 N.E.2d 215, 225 (Ind.

       2009); Ind. Trial Rule 61.5). “While there are important contextual variations

       to this rule, the basic premise holds that a conviction may stand when the error

       had no bearing on the outcome of the case.” Id. We conclude that the

       admission of the testimony was harmless, and Bauman’s argument on this point

       is, accordingly, unavailing.

[17]   Affirmed.

       10
         The witness also testified that Bauman “[w]as pushing the motorcycle down the road, that the truck
       “chased” the motorcycle." Tr. Vol. II pp. 84, 87.
       11
         Weaver v. State, 643 N.E.2d 342 (Ind. 1994); Jackson v. State, 728 N.E.2d 147 (Ind. 2000); Gall v. State, 811
       N.E.2d 969 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004).

       Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-20 | April 19, 2023                                   Page 12 of 13
May, J., and Brown, J., concur.

Court of Appeals of Indiana | Opinion 22A-CR-20 | April 19, 2023   Page 13 of 13