Court Opinion

ID: 4400916
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2019-05-28 16:04:04.729988+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:51:59.605079
License: Public Domain

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
STATE OF DELAWARE,
Case No. 1808018837
V. Kent County
GREGORY L. HIXON,

Defendant.

Submitted: May 13, 2019
Decided: May 23, 2019

ORDER
Defendant’s Motion to Suppress (Vehicle Stop)
Denied.
Lindsay A. Taylor, Esquire of the Department of Justice, Dover, Delaware; attorney

for the State.

Edward C. Gill, Esquire of the Law Office of Edward G. Gill & Associates,
Georgetown, Delaware; attorney for the Defendant.

WITHAM, R.J.
State v. Gregory L. Hixon
Case No. 1808018837
May 23, 2019

INTRODUCTION

Before the Court is Defendant Gregory L. Hixon’s (hereinafter “Defendant”)
Motion to Suppress evidence seized as the result of a traffic stop conducted by
Delaware State Police.' After carefully considering the motion, the State’s response
in opposition, the record, and the arguments of counsel, it appears to the Court that:

1. On August 24, 2018 at 12:30 a.m., Trooper First Class Solda (hereinafter
“T fc. Solda”) observed and recorded via mobile video recorder (hereinafter “MVR”),
a 2018 grey Nissan Maxima (hereinafter “Maxima”) driving southbound on Route 1
in the vicinity of Dover, Delaware.

2. Tfc. Solda observed the Maxima move to the passing lane without signaling
for the minium required distance before he made the lane change.’

3. He next observed the Maxima alternate speeds, first increasing speed to
over 70 mph in a 60 mph zone and then slowing to 55 mph.’ Based on his training
and experience, in conjunction with the time, Tfc. Solda believed the Maxima was

moving erratically and that the driver was possibly driving under the influence.*

 

' The Court's order only considers Defendant's suppression motion regarding the traffic stop.

’ St. Reply - Vehicle Stop Ex. A at 12:28:42-45 (Defendant’s turn signal is illuminated as he
makes the lane change for approximately three seconds and clicks three-to-four times.).

* Id. at 12:30:19-24 (Tfc. Solda testified that he noted his speed via his speedometer and
estimated the Maxima's speed based on that and his gain on the Maxima.).

“Tfc. Solda testified that he attended and graduated from the Delaware State Police training
academy and was hired by the Delaware State Police in 2015. He testified to having completed other
training conducted by the Delaware State Police and other federal, state, and local organizations

2
State v. Gregory L. Hixon
Case No. 1808018837
May 23, 2019

4. As the Maxima approached Exit 91, it initiated its right turn signal and
began to exit. Instead of fully exiting however, the Maxima suddenly braked and then
reentered the lane.” However, the Maxima again failed to properly signal.°

5. Tfc. Solda illuminated his emergency lights and initiated a traffic stop. At
this point, he knew the Maxima was registered in New York but could not report
further information to dispatch. As he approached, he shined his flashlight into the
Maxima and found Defendant, a black male, was the driver and sole occupant.’

6. Tfc. Solda first asked Defendant to put the car in park and then explained
why he had conducted the stop. He also requested Defendant’s license, registration,
and insurance card. Defendant indicated that had none of those documents or any
other identification in his possession. Tfc. Solda asked for his name and date of birth
and Defendant responded “Stephen Hixon” and stated his birthday as“1 2/07/89.” Tfe.
Solda testified Defendant appeared to be stuttering, visibly shaking, and providing

 

pertaining to drug investigations, traffic violations, court proceedings, and DUI investigations. The
Court also notes that Tfc. Solda has received numerous commendations during his career and was
chosen as the 2018 Delaware State Trooper of the Year for his division.

> St. Reply - Vehicle Stop Ex. A at 12:33:21-26.
° Td.

’ Tfc. Solda also testified that he observed a tattoo on Defendant's right arm, that there was
an odor of marijuana emanating from the Maxima, and that he observed a large amount of currency
in the center console.
State v. Gregory L. Hixon
Case No. 1808018837
May 23, 2019

unclear explanations of his previous travels.®

7. As Tfc. Solda walked back to his patrol car to confirm Defendant’s identity,
he heard a noise from behind and saw a white trash bag thrown from the Maxima.’
Despite Tfc. Solda’s verbal commands, Defendant fled the traffic stop.'® Tfc. Solda
immediately collected the various controlled substances from the bag.

8. Defendant was later arrested and charged with twenty-seven drug and traffic

related offenses."!

 

* Defendant disclosed that he was trying to find Wawa on Route 10 and that the Maxima had
been rented by his friend, "Candace Miller." However, Defendant was not in vicinity of Route 10.

* St. Reply - Vehicle Stop Ex. A at 12:38:06-09.
'° Id. at 12:38:14-19 (Tfc. Solda ordered Defendant to show his hands and shut the car off.).

'' Defendant was charged with two counts of Drug Dealing, a felony, in violation of 16 Del.
C. § 4752(1); ten counts of Drug Dealing, a felony, in violation of 16 Del. C. § 4753(2); one count
of Disregarding a Police Officer's Signal, a felony, in violation of 21 Del. C. § 4103; one count of
Tampering with Physical Evidence, a felony, in violation of 11 Del. C. § 1269; one count of
Possession of Marijuana, a misdemeanor, in violation of 16 Del. C. § 4764(a); one count of Criminal
Impersonation, a misdemeanor, in violation of 11 Del. C. § 907; one count of Resisting Arrest, a
misdemeanor, in violation of 11 Del. C. § 1257(b); one count of Possession of Drug Paraphernalia,
a misdemeanor, in violation of 16 Del. C. § 4771(a); one count of Reckless Driving, a misdemeanor,
in violation of 21 Del. C. § 4175; one count of Failure to have Insurance Identification in Possession;
a misdemeanor, in violation of 21 Del. C. § 2118; one count of Failure to have Registration Card in
Possession, a violation of 21 Del. C. § 2108; one count of No Turn Signal utilization, a violation of
21 Del. C. $ 4155; one count of Improper Lane Change, a violation of 21 Del. C. § 4122; one count
of Passing on the Right, a violation of 21 Del. C. § 4117; one count of Unreasonable Speed, a
violation of 21 Del. C. § 4168; one count of Failure to have License in Possession, a violation of 21
Del. C. § 2721; and one count of Failure to Stop at a Red Light, a violation of 21 Del. C. § 4108.
However, the Court notes that these charges are a culmination of the chain of events concerning
Defendant that involved multiple officers over various areas in Dover. They do not all stem from
Tfc. Solda’s observations of his driving and the traffic stop.

4
State v. Gregory L. Hixon
Case No. 1808018837
May 23, 2019

9. Subsequent to his arrest, Defendant filed a Motion to Suppress evidence on
March 29, 2019." The State provided its response, in opposition, on April 8, 2019.
A hearing was held on May 13, 2019 and the Court reserved its decision.

DISCUSSION

10. In his motion, Defendant raises four issues concerning the traffic stop and
moves that “all fruits of the illegal and unconstitutional stop and detention of the
[D]efendant of August 24, 2018" be suppressed.'’ First, Defendant asserts (without
providing evidence) that Tfc. Solda falsified reasonable, articulable suspicion for
stopping the Maxima by stating that he suspected Defendant was driving under the
influence.'* Second, Defendant maintains he violated no driving laws.’ Third,
Defendant asserts Tfc. Solda utilized a drug courier profile as the basis for the stop. °

Finally, Defendant claims he was a victim of racial profiling.'’

 

Defendant also filed a Motion to Enlarge Time on the same date that was unopposed.
° D. Mot. to Suppress - Vehicle Stop (hereinafter “D. Mot. - Vehicle Stop”) at ] 2.

4 Id at 93.

'S Id. at 4 4.

'° Id. at { 10; see also Harris v. State, 806 A.2d 119, 121 (Del. 2002) (the Delaware Supreme
Court held that the detaining officer did not articulate how the defendant's lawful behavior matched
the police's drug courier profile characteristics. As a result, the Court found that the detaining
officer's belief that the defendant was a drug courier “was more an ‘inchoate and unparticularized
suspicion or hunch’ than a fair inference [and was] simply too slender a reed to support the
seizure.).”

"’ Id. at [9 (Defendant appears to state that one of Tfc. Solda’s true reasons for pulling him
over was that he was a black man driving a car with out of state license plates. He also states that

5
State v. Gregory L. Hixon
Case No. 1808018837
May 23, 2019

11. The State, in opposition, counters Defendant’s assertions by arguing that
he did, in fact, commit numerous traffic violations including: (1) speeding; (2)
weaving within his lane of traffic, at times crossing the traffic control device lines;
and (3) improperly signaling, braking, and reentering the initial travel lane as
recorded by the MVR."* The State contends those violations created a reasonable,
articulable suspicion that Defendant committed traffic offenses, including driving
under the influence. '°

12. Ona motion to suppress evidence seized during a warrantless search, the
State bears the burden of establishing that the challenged search or seizure did not
violate the rights guaranteed a defendant by the United States Constitution, the
Delaware Constitution, and Delaware statutory law.”” The burden of proof is proof
by a preponderance of the evidence.”' However, when a defendant moves to suppress
evidence collected pursuant to a warrant, defendant bears the burden of proving by

a preponderance of the evidence that the search or seizure violated his guaranteed

 

Tfc. Solda’s comments to Defendant that he was conducting a “proactive patrol” indicate that he was
profiling Defendant. See /d. at J] 5-9. At the hearing, Defendant formally raised racial profiling.).

'§ St. Reply - Vehicle Stop at § 8.
St. Reply - Vehicle Stop at §[ 8.

*° State v. Coursey, 136 A.3d 316, 321 (Del. Super. 2016) (citing Hunter y. State, 783 A.2d
558, 560-61 (Del. 2001).

*!Coursey, 136 A.3d at 321 (citing State v. Anderson, 2010 WL 4056130, at *3 (Del. Super.
Oct. 14, 2010) (citations omitted)).
State v. Gregory L. Hixon
Case No. 1808018837
May 23, 2019

rights.”

13. The dispositive issue in this case is whether Defendant utilized a turn
signal for at least 300 feet. After thoroughly reviewing the record, the Court finds
Defendant did not and Tfc. Solda had probable cause to conduct the traffic stop
pursuant to a violation of 21 Del. C. § 4155.”

14. A police officer may justifiably stop a vehicle that has been observed to
have violated a traffic law.“ The traffic stop is “a seizure of a vehicle and its
occupants by the State,” and is reasonable if supported by reasonable, articulable
suspicion of criminal activity or probable cause to believe that a traffic violation has
occurred.” An officer's subjective intentions, if any, play no role in the Court's
determination regarding reasonable, articulable suspicion, or probable cause.”°

15. Defendant argues he committed no traffic violation. However, after

 

” State v. Preston, 2016 WL 5903002, at *2 (Del. Super. Sept. 27, 2016) (citing State v.
Palmer, 2016 WL 2604692, at *3 (Del. Super. May 3, 2016)).

* See 21 Del. C. § 4155(b) (a signal of intention to tun or move right or left when required
shall be given continuously during not less than the last 300 feet or more than half a mile traveled
by the vehicle before turing. (Emphasis added.)).

*" Holden v. State, 23 A.3d 843, 847 (Del. 2011) (citing Whren, 517 U.S. at 810).

* Coursey, 136 A.3d at 323 (Del. Super. 2016) (citing Caldwell v. State, 780 A.2d 1037,
1045 (Del. 2001); see also Whren v. U.S., 517 U.S. 806, 810 (1996); U.S. v. Brignoni—Ponce, 422
US. 873, 880-81, (1975) (citing Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 16-19 (1968)); State v. Rickards, 2 A.3d
147, 151 (Del. Super. 2010), affd, 30 A.3d 782 (Del. 2011)).

6 State v. Seth, 2017 WL 2616941 at *3 (Del. Super. Jun. 16, 2017) (citing Whren, 517 U.S.
at $13).
State v. Gregory L. Hixon
Case No. 1808018837
May 23, 2019

reviewing the MVR recording, the Court disagrees. In this case, the MVR footage
confirms Tfc. Solda’s testimony that Defendant improperly changed lanes.”’
Defendant’s vehicle is recorded initiating his lane change as he began to signal,
rather than for the required minimum distance before initiating the lane change.

16. Tfc. Solda’s personal observation of Defendant’s improper lane change on
August 24, 2018 justified the traffic stop, and any alleged pretexual reason or
motivation on Tfc. Solda’s part, if any,”’ is irrelevant.”

CONCLUSION

17. As aresult, the Court finds that Tfc. Solda had probable cause to conduct

a traffic stop on Defendant due to his personal observation of Defendant’s improper

lane change, a violation of 21 Del. C. § 4155.*° Accordingly, and for the reasons

 

*7 See Supra. n.2.

** The Court notes that at this point in the litigation, there has been no evidence presented to
the Court that establishes, or even suggests Tfc. Solda profiled Defendant in any way, shape, or
form. This includes racial profiling.

” Rickards, 2 A.3d at 151. But see also State v. Turner, 2016 WL 105668, at *2 (Del. Super.
Jan. 5, 2016) (citing State v. Darling, 2007 WL 1784185, at *3 (Del.Super. June 8, 2007), as
corrected (July 3, 2007) (as long as an officer makes a traffic stop based on a violation of the traffic
code in his presence, any pretextual reasons or actual motivations that may also be involved in the
officer's actions are irrelevant.)).

* Because the Court finds probable cause existed to conduct a traffic stop on Defendant, the
Court need not review all alleged traffic violations subsequent; reasonable, articulable suspicion to
believe that Defendant was driving under the influence; or the arguments regarding racial profiling
and/or other pretexual stops.
State v. Gregory L. Hixon
Case No. 1808018837
May 23, 2019

mentioned above, Defendant’s Motion to Suppress evidence based on the traffic stop
is DENIED.
IT IS SO ORDERED.

 

Hon. William L. Witham, Jr.
Resident Judge

WLW/dmh

oc: Prothonotary

cc: Lindsay A. Taylor, Esquire
Edward C. Gill, Esquire