Court Opinion

ID: 2728806
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-09-08 21:36:28.249024+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:19:27.716108
License: Public Domain

Pursuant to Ind.Appellate Rule 65(D),
 this Memorandum Decision shall not be
                                                                FILED
                                                             Nov 26 2012, 9:42 am
 regarded as precedent or cited before any
 court except for the purpose of
 establishing the defense of res judicata,                           CLERK
                                                                   of the supreme court,
                                                                   court of appeals and
 collateral estoppel, or the law of the case.                             tax court

ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT:                             ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE:

BROOKE N. RUSSELL                                   GREGORY F. ZOELLER
Indianapolis, Indiana                               Attorney General of Indiana

                                                    AARON J. SPOLARICH
                                                    Deputy Attorney General
                                                    Indianapolis, Indiana

                                IN THE
                      COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA

TERRY WADE,                                         )
                                                    )
       Appellant-Defendant,                         )
                                                    )
                vs.                                 )        No. 36A01-1203-CR-85
                                                    )
STATE OF INDIANA,                                   )
                                                    )
       Appellee-Plaintiff.                          )

                       APPEAL FROM THE JACKSON CIRCUIT COURT
                           The Honorable William E. Vance, Judge
                               Cause No. 36C01-1104-MR-2

                                         November 26, 2012

                 MEMORANDUM DECISION - NOT FOR PUBLICATION

FRIEDLANDER, Judge
       In this interlocutory appeal, Terry Wade challenges the denial of his motion to

suppress evidence obtained as the result of a warrantless entry into his home. Wade presents

the following consolidated and restated issue for review: Did the trial court err in denying

the motion to suppress?

       We affirm.

       Sisters, Vickie Wade, Michelle Hallet, and Crystal Hubbard, were actively

communicating via phone and text on April 20, 2011, regarding their mother’s recent

hospitalization for a serious medical condition. Crystal and Vickie spent time together with

their mother in the hospital that evening, and Vickie made plans to return on her day off the

next day to help her mother. Later that evening, Vickie had a phone conversation with

Michelle and agreed to take Michelle with her to the hospital the next day. The last

communication either of the sisters received from Vickie was a missed phone call to

Crystal’s cell phone at 10:12 p.m. on April 20. Crystal did not see the missed call until the

following morning, and she went to work without calling back because she felt it was too

early to call.

       Crystal sent Vickie a text regarding their mother around 10:00 a.m. and received no

response. Crystal visited her mother at the hospital on her lunch hour and then again around

5:00 p.m. Crystal became concerned when she learned that Vickie had not been to the

hospital at all that day. As a result, Crystal texted Michelle and asked her to check on Vickie

because she was worried. After texting and calling both Vickie’s cell and home phone

several times with no response, Michelle went to the house where Vickie lived with her

husband, Wade. There was no answer at the door. At Crystal’s behest, Michelle drove to

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another residence to call police.

        Just before 7:00 p.m., Jack Hauer of the Seymour Police Department responded to the

request for a welfare check at the Wade home.1 Hauer knocked at the front and back door of

the residence, but no one answered and all seemed quiet inside. He noticed that there was

mail in the mailbox, the newspaper was still there, two cars were parked in front of the house,

and the window air conditioner was on, which was unusual given the outside temperature.

        After walking around the house again, Hauer called Michelle to obtain more

information. Michelle informed him that their mother was in the hospital dying and that the

three sisters had been maintaining close contact regarding their mother up until about 10:30

the night before. Michelle further informed Hauer that she and Crystal had since tried

several times to contact Vickie without success, including going over to her house. Hauer

asked Michelle to come back over to the house.

        While waiting for Michelle, Hauer and another officer spoke with three neighbors.

The neighbors had not seen the Wades that day, though an unknown man had mowed their

grass that afternoon. Michelle and Crystal arrived shortly thereafter and spoke further with

the officers. The sisters reiterated their concerns and indicated that it was “totally out of

character not being able to contact their sister.” Transcript at 112. Hauer asked if their sister

and her husband could just be out of the house, but the sisters did not believe so and directed

1
  Hauer knew the three sisters through their dad as they were growing up, but he had not had contact with
them in years.

                                                   3
Hauer to both of the Wades’ cars out front.

        Hauer informed the sisters that he would not force entry into the house and suggested

that they just wait and see if the Wades came home. By this point, however, Michelle had

gotten very emotional and even “tremble[d] once in a while.” Id. at 113. Crystal was also

concerned, as she “just knew in [her] heart that something was wrong.” Id. at 30. Hauer

realized that Michelle and Crystal were not going to leave until they checked inside the house

for their sister.

        Hauer discussed several options with the sisters and indicated that he would stand by

if they wanted to try to get in.2 After failed attempts at entering the house without breaking

the door down, Crystal decided to call a locksmith. Hauer assisted in locating phone

numbers for her, but he advised that contacting a locksmith would be the sisters’ decision and

that they would be responsible for the expense. The third locksmith that Crystal called (a

referral from her father-in-law) was available.

        James Hinderlider, the locksmith, arrived at the Wades’ home about twenty minutes

after Crystal’s call. Hauer explained to Hinderlider that he was called at the sisters’ request

and that they were responsible for payment. After Crystal paid Hinderlider, he unlocked the

door and opened it about an inch. He then returned to his vehicle.

        Crystal and Michelle prepared to enter the house, but Hauer asked the women to step

back first so that he could be certain that they would be safe entering the home. He then

2
 Officer Chadd Rogers, who was also on the scene, testified that he and Hauer were in no way encouraging
the sisters to enter the home and would have left if the sisters had not been so adamant about getting inside to
check on their sister.

                                                       4
reached across the threshold and pushed the door open with his hand. The light from outside

lit up the dark room, and Hauer saw a woman inside slumped over in a chair. He could see

blood matted in her hair and knew something was wrong, so he stepped into the home to

check on her. The woman, Vickie, had extensive head trauma and was deceased. Hauer then

turned his attention to a man lying on a couch in the same room. The man, later identified as

Wade, had “thick regurgitation coming down both sides of his mouth and down his neck.”

Id. at 122. Hauer believed Wade was also deceased until he heard a gurgling sound. Hauer

then immediately radioed for emergency assistance.

       On May 2, 2011, the State charged Wade with Vickie’s murder. Wade subsequently

filed a motion to suppress all evidence gathered as a result of the warrantless entry of his

home. Following a hearing, the trial court summarily denied the motion to suppress on

January 18, 2012. Thereafter, Wade obtained certification from the trial court for appeal of

this interlocutory order, and we accepted jurisdiction on March 23, 2012.

       Upon review of a denial of a motion to suppress, we determine whether the record

discloses substantial evidence of probative value to support the ruling. State v. Renzulli, 958

N.E.2d 1143 (Ind. 2011). Like other sufficiency matters, we do not reweigh the evidence and

we consider conflicting evidence most favorably to the trial court’s ruling. Id. In this

context, however, we also consider any uncontested evidence favorable to the defendant.

Westmoreland v. State, 965 N.E.2d 163 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012). “We review de novo a ruling

on the constitutionality of a search or seizure, but we give deference to a trial court’s

determination of the facts”. Id. at 165.

       The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and article 1, section 11 of

                                              5
the Indiana Constitution protect citizens from unreasonable searches and seizures. “In spite

of the similarity in structure of the federal and state constitutional provisions, interpretations

and applications vary between them.” Holder v. State, 847 N.E.2d 930, 935 (Ind. 2006).

Wade has alleged a violation under both the federal and state constitution; thus, we will

separately review them.

       “The fundamental purpose of the Fourth Amendment is to protect the legitimate

expectations of privacy that citizens possess in their persons, their homes, and their

belongings.” Montgomery v. State, 904 N.E.2d 374, 377-78 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009), trans.

denied. For a search to be reasonable under the Fourth Amendment, which is applicable to

the states through the Fourteenth Amendment, a warrant is required unless an exception

applies. Montgomery v. State, 904 N.E.2d 374. One well-recognized exception is when

exigent circumstances exist. Id.

       Among the exigent circumstances that have justified a warrantless search or seizure

are entries to aid a person in need of emergency assistance. Id. (citing Mincey v. Arizona,

437 U.S. 385, 392 (1978) (police may enter a residence without a warrant “when they

reasonably believe that a person within is in need of immediate aid”)). See also Collins v.

State, 822 N.E.2d 214, 218 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005) (“police may enter a residence if the

situation suggests a reasonable belief that someone inside the residence is in need of aid”),

trans. denied. Although exigent circumstances justify dispensing with a warrant, probable

cause is still required. Montgomery v. State, 904 N.E.2d 374. In an emergency situation,

probable cause is satisfied where the officers reasonably believe that a person is in danger.

Id. The test, however, is objective, and the State must establish that “the circumstances as

                                                6
they appear at the moment of entry would lead a reasonable, experienced law enforcement

officer to believe that someone inside the house required immediate assistance.” Trotter v.

State, 933 N.E.2d 572, 579 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010). A person’s absence, combined with other

circumstances, may create such a reasonable belief. Vitek v. State, 750 N.E.2d 346 (Ind.

2001).

         The State bears the burden of establishing exigent circumstances that overcome the

presumption of unreasonableness that attaches to all warrantless home entries. Trotter v.

State, 933 N.E.2d 572. “Whether a particular warrantless search violates the guarantees of

the Fourth Amendment depends on the facts and circumstances of each case.” Id. at 579.

         Wade contends that the officers could not have reasonably believed Vickie was in

danger inside the house because she had been out of contact with her sisters for only a short

time, it was unknown whether anyone was even inside the home, and there were no

indications of foul play visible from outside the home. In sum, Wade argues: “Aside from

not knowing an adult woman’s whereabouts for less than twenty-four (24) hours, there was

no reason to believe that Vickie, or anyone who might be in the house, was in physical

danger much less in the immediate need of aid.” Appellant’s Brief at 21. We cannot agree.

         Although Vickie had been out of contact for only a little less than twenty-four hours,

the specific facts of this case indicate that this was entirely out of character for her. In

particular, Vickie’s sisters informed Hauer that they had been in close contact with her the

previous day due to the fact their mother was in the hospital dying. Despite these

circumstances and Vickie’s close relationship with her mother, Vickie had not responded to

any texts or phone calls and did not visit her mother in the hospital on the day in question.

                                               7
The sisters were adamant that something was wrong with their sister and that they needed to

check inside Vickie’s home for her.

        Further, although all seemed quiet inside the home that evening, there were

indications that someone could very well be inside and in need of aid. Vickie and Wade’s

vehicles were parked outside the home, neighbors had not seen them that day despite the fact

Vickie was off work, and the mail and newspaper had not been collected. The sisters also

informed Hauer that they doubted Vickie and Wade had just left and were not home.

        The record before us indicates that Hauer responded thoughtfully and deliberately3 to

a reliable missing person report made by two genuinely concerned family members. Crystal

and Michelle’s fear for their sister’s safety was immediately apparent from their words,

actions, and emotional responses. Moreover, the officers’ own observations at the scene did

not cast doubt on the sisters’ concerns. “And unlike the majority of cases discussing exigent

circumstances, the officers here were not motivated by intent to apprehend a suspect and/or

seize incriminating evidence.” Montgomery v. State, 904 N.E.2d at 380. Rather, they were

legitimately assisting in the search for a missing person who might be in need of immediate

aid.

        Under the facts of this case, we conclude the State proved both exigency and an

objectively reasonable belief that Vickie was in need of aid.                       Accordingly, Hauer’s

3
    Wade posits a number of additional questions Hauer could have asked neighbors and the sisters and
investigations he could have made before entering the home without a warrant. “We should not expect – nor
should we want – officers to have to collect the kind of facts and circumstances that would rise to the level of
probable cause to arrest or to procure a warrant to search for incriminating evidence before entering a place
with the purpose of protecting or preserving life.” Montgomery v. State, 904 N.E.2d at 381. In emergency
situations, the business of police officers is “to act, not to speculate or meditate on whether the report is
correct.” Id. (quoting Wayne v. United States, 318 F.2d 205, 212 (D.C. Cir. 1963), cert. denied).

                                                       8
warrantless entry into the home did not violate the Fourth Amendment.4

        We turn now to the state constitution. The purpose of article 1, section 11 of the

Indiana Constitution is “to protect from unreasonable police activity, those areas of life that

Hoosiers regard as private.” Brown v. State, 653 N.E.2d 77, 79 (Ind. 1995). Although our

state provision tracks the language of the Fourth Amendment verbatim, the legality of a

governmental intrusion under the Indiana Constitution turns on an evaluation of the

reasonableness of the police conduct under the totality of the circumstances. Litchfield v.

State, 824 N.E.2d 356 (Ind. 2005); Trotter v. State, 933 N.E.2d 572. There may be other

relevant considerations under the circumstances, but the reasonableness of a search generally

turns on a balancing of the following: (1) the degree of concern, suspicion, or knowledge that

a violation has occurred, (2) the degree of intrusion the method of the search or seizure

imposes on the citizen’s ordinary activities, and (3) the extent of law enforcement needs.

Trotter v. State, 933 N.E.2d 572. “Again, the burden is on the State to show that under the

totality of the circumstances, the police intrusion was reasonable.” Trotter v. State, 933

N.E.2d at 580.

        Here, Vickie’s sisters expressed a great degree of concern for her wellbeing inside the

house and gave Hauer specific reasons for their concern. Though Hauer and the other officer

were guarded in their response, their deliberate actions during the hour-long investigation did

not make the degree of concern minimal, as suggested by Wade.

4
  The parties focus a great deal on whether the locksmith was a state actor. We need not decide the issue
because even assuming he was a state actor, the entry was not unconstitutional under the circumstances.
Further, regardless of how the door became unlocked, Hauer still made a warrantless entry by pushing the
door open.

                                                   9
       With respect to the third factor listed above, we observe that police officers have a

caretaking function as well as an investigatory function and that protecting the welfare of

citizens during an emergency is a significant law enforcement need. See Montgomery v.

State, 904 N.E.2d 374. “It is because of concerns among citizens about safety, security, and

protection that some intrusions upon privacy are tolerated, so long as they are reasonably

aimed toward those concerns.” Holder v. State, 847 N.E.2d at 940. There is no dispute in this

case that the actions of the officers were aimed solely at protecting and aiding Vickie and her

sisters, as opposed to investigating a crime.

       Finally, we acknowledge that the warrantless entry of a home is generally considered

an immense intrusion. See Trotter v. State, 933 N.E.2d 572. “It is well established that

‘[h]ouses and premises of citizens receive the highest protection’ under our constitution.” Id.

at 581 (quoting Moran v. State, 644 N.E.2d 536, 540 (Ind. 1994)). In this case, however, the

officers (as well as Crystal and Michelle) made attempts to contact Vickie before entering the

home. Further, they did not break down the door and barge into the home. On the contrary,

Hauer took minimally invasive steps to check on Vickie’s safety inside the home and protect

her sisters. Once the door was unlocked by the locksmith, Hauer stood at the door and

simply pushed it open. At that point he observed Vickie slumped over in a chair with

significant head trauma and, upon entering the home to come to her aid, encountered Wade in

dire need of medical attention.

       Under the totality of the circumstances, we conclude that Hauer acted reasonably in

entering the Wade home. The warrantless entry, therefore, did not violate article 1, section

11 of the Indiana Constitution. The trial court properly denied Wade’s motion to suppress.

                                                10
      Affirmed.

BROWN, J., and PYLE, J., concur.

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