Court Opinion

ID: 2700308
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2014-08-04 18:16:58.170689+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:52:36.196104
License: Public Domain

[Cite as State v. Shullo, 2011-Ohio-1619.]

                                        COURT OF APPEALS
                                       STARK COUNTY, OHIO
                                    FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

STATE OF OHIO                                      JUDGES:
                                                   Hon. W. Scott Gwin, P. J.
        Plaintiff-Appellant                        Hon. Sheila G. Farmer, J.
                                                   Hon. John W. Wise, J.
-vs-
                                                   Case No. 2010 CA 00261
LINDSAY E. SHULLO

        Defendant-Appellee                         OPINION

CHARACTER OF PROCEEDING:                       Criminal Appeal from the Alliance Municipal
                                               Court, Case No. 2010 TRC 01386

JUDGMENT:                                      Affirmed

DATE OF JUDGMENT ENTRY:                         March 31, 2011

APPEARANCES:

For Plaintiff-Appellant                        For Defendant-Appellee

ANDREW ZUMBAR                                  JEFFRY V. SERRA
JENNIFER ARNOLD                                SAMUEL J. FERRUCCIO, JR.
ALLIANCE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE                   THE FERRUCCIO LAW FIRM
470 East Market Street                         220 Market Avenue South
2nd Floor                                      400 Huntington Plaza
Alliance, Ohio 44601                           Canton, Ohio 44702
Stark County, Case No. 2010 CA 00261                                                    2

Wise, J.

       {¶1}   Appellant State of Ohio appeals the decision of the Alliance Municipal

Court, Stark County, which granted a motion to suppress evidence filed by Defendant-

Appellee Lindsay E. Shullo. The relevant facts leading to this appeal are as follows.

       {¶2}   On the evening of June 8, 2010, Marlboro Township Police Officer Greg

Kelly was patrolling in his cruiser in an area including Ravenna Avenue. At about 10:30

PM, Kelly observed a 1998 Chevrolet Blazer on said avenue travelling 63 MPH in a 45

MPH zone. Kelly also observed the Blazer cross over the white fog line two to three

times. Kelly then activated his overhead flashers and effectuated a traffic stop.

       {¶3}   Kelly approached the Blazer and spoke with the driver, Appellee Shullo,

who was travelling alone. Kelly noticed an odor of alcoholic beverage about the interior

of appellee’s Chevrolet. As they conversed, Kelly also observed that appellee had

bloodshot eyes. When Kelly first asked her about alcohol consumption, appellee denied

she had been drinking. She then relented and stated she had earlier consumed one

beer in Stow, Ohio.

       {¶4}   Officer Kelly decided to proceed with field sobriety testing. Appellee

initially agreed to submit to said testing, but she then changed her mind and indicated

she would refuse. At that time, Kelly placed appellee under arrest for OVI, pursuant to

R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a).

       {¶5}   Appellee initially entered a plea of not guilty, following which she filed a

motion to suppress evidence. The trial court conducted a suppression hearing on

August 9, 2010. At the hearing, Kelly testified he had arrested appellee based on the

odor of alcohol and her refusal to engage in field sobriety testing. Tr. at 10. He
Stark County, Case No. 2010 CA 00261                                                   3

conceded there was no evidence of slurred speech or loss of balance on appellee’s

part. Id.

       {¶6}   On September 8, 2010, the trial court issued a judgment entry granting

appellee’s motion to suppress and dismissing the OVI charge. The trial court found, in

pertinent part, that Officer Kelly lacked probable cause to effectuate an arrest of

appellee.

       {¶7}   On September 13, 2010, the State of Ohio filed a notice of appeal. It

herein raises the following sole Assignment of Error:

       {¶8}   “I.   THE TRIAL COURT ERRED WHEN IT DETERMINED THAT THE

OFFICER DID NOT HAVE PROBABLE CAUSE TO ARREST THE DEFENDANT FOR

OVI, IN VIOLATION OF O.R.C. 4511.19.”

                                            I.

       {¶9}   In its sole Assignment of Error, Appellant State of Ohio contends the trial

court erroneously granted Appellee Shullo’s motion to suppress. We disagree.

       {¶10} There are three methods of challenging on appeal a trial court's ruling on a

motion to suppress. First, an appellant may challenge the trial court's finding of fact.

Second, an appellant may argue the trial court failed to apply the appropriate test or

correct law to the findings of fact. Finally, an appellant may argue the trial court has

incorrectly decided the ultimate or final issue raised in the motion to suppress. When

reviewing this third type of claim, an appellate court must independently determine,

without deference to the trial court's conclusion, whether the facts meet the appropriate

legal standard in the given case. State v. Curry (1994), 95 Ohio App.3d 93, 96, 641
Stark County, Case No. 2010 CA 00261                                                         4

N.E.2d 1172; State v. Claytor (1993), 85 Ohio App.3d 623, 627, 620 N.E.2d 906; State

v. Guysinger (1993), 86 Ohio App.3d 592, 621 N.E.2d 726.

       {¶11} In the case sub judice, we read the State’s brief as contending both that

the trial court failed to apply the correct test/law to the findings of fact and that the trial

court incorrectly decided the ultimate issue raised in appellee’s motion to suppress.

       {¶12} Under Ohio law, a police officer has probable cause for an arrest if the

facts and circumstances within his knowledge are sufficient to cause a reasonably

prudent person to believe that the defendant has committed the offense. State v.

Cummings, Stark App.No. 2005-CA-00295, 2006-Ohio-2431, ¶ 15, citing State v.

Heston (1972), 29 Ohio St.2d 152, 280 N.E.2d 376. “The arrest merely has to be

supported by the arresting officer's observations of indicia of alcohol consumption and

operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.” State v. Eustis, Knox

App.No. 08CA000006, 2008-Ohio-5955, citing State v. Van Fossen (1984), 19 Ohio

App.3d 281, 484 N.E.2d 191. In making this determination, the trial court must examine

the totality of facts and circumstances surrounding the arrest. See State v. Miller (1997),

117 Ohio App.3d 750, 761, 691 N.E.2d 703; State v. Brandenburg (1987), 41 Ohio

App.3d 109, 111, 534 N.E.2d 906. When evaluating probable cause to arrest for OVI,

the totality of the facts and circumstances can support a finding of probable cause to

arrest even where no field sobriety tests were administered.           See State v. Homan

(2000), 89 Ohio St.3d 421, 427, 732 N.E.2d 952. Furthermore, a police officer does not

have to observe poor driving performance in order to effect an arrest for driving under

the influence of alcohol if all the facts and circumstances lead to the conclusion that the
Stark County, Case No. 2010 CA 00261                                                        5

driver was impaired. See State v. Harrop (July 2, 2001), Muskingum App.No. CT2000-

0026, citing Atwell v. State (1973), 35 Ohio App.2d 221, 301 N.E.2d 709.

       {¶13} In regard to the State’s first argument, we note the trial court, in analyzing

the issue of probable cause, relied on an eleven-part test found in State v. Evans

(1998), 127 Ohio App.3d 56, 711 N.E.2d 761. In that case, the Eleventh District Court of

Appeals stated as follows:

       {¶14} “Without citing the numerous cases which have been canvassed, it may

be said these factors include, but are not limited to (1) the time and day of the stop

(Friday or Saturday night as opposed to, e.g., Tuesday morning); (2) the location of the

stop (whether near establishments selling alcohol); (3) any indicia of erratic driving

before the stop that may indicate a lack of coordination (speeding, weaving, unusual

braking, etc.); (4) whether there is a cognizable report that the driver may be

intoxicated; (5) the condition of the suspect's eyes (bloodshot, glassy, glazed, etc.); (6)

impairments of the suspect's ability to speak (slurred speech, overly deliberate speech,

etc.); (7) the odor of alcohol coming from the interior of the car, or, more significantly, on

the suspect's person or breath; (8) the intensity of that odor, as described by the officer

(“very strong,” “strong,” “moderate,” “slight,” etc.); (9) the suspect's demeanor

(belligerent, uncooperative, etc.); (10) any actions by the suspect after the stop that

might indicate a lack of coordination (dropping keys, falling over, fumbling for a wallet,

etc.); and (11) the suspect's admission of alcohol consumption, the number of drinks

had, and the amount of time in which they were consumed, if given. All of these factors,

together with the officer's previous experience in dealing with drunken drivers, may be
Stark County, Case No. 2010 CA 00261                                                    6

taken into account by a reviewing court in determining whether the officer acted

reasonably. No single factor is determinative.” Id. at f.n. 2.

       {¶15} Our research indicates that this Court has previously referenced the

Evans test, although it was therein more accurately cited in the context of an officer's

decision to conduct field sobriety tests, rather than for the issue of probable cause to

arrest. See State v. Foster, Tuscarawas App.No. 2009AP020007, 2009-Ohio-4764,

¶13-¶19. Upon review in the present case, we are unpersuaded that the trial court’s

reliance on Evans per se constitutes a reversible failure to apply the correct test or law

to the findings of fact.

       {¶16} In regard to the State’s remaining argument, we find our decision in State

v. Crowe, Delaware App.No. 07CAC030015, 2008-Ohio-330, to be instructive. In that

case, an Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper stopped Mr. Crowe at about 2:00 AM for

travelling at 72 MPH in a 55 MPH zone and for drifting within his lane (touching the right

lane line on two occasions and the left lane line on one occasion). Id. at ¶2. The trooper

detected an odor of alcohol coming from inside the vehicle, and she noticed Crowe’s

eyes were glassy and bloodshot. Id. at ¶3. She eventually smelled alcohol on Crowe’s

breath as well. Id. at ¶5. The trooper attempted to conduct field sobriety tests, but

Crowe failed to complete them, although he did exhibit two clues on the HGN test. Id. at

¶4. Crowe also admitted to consuming “two or three beers” earlier that evening. Id. at

¶5. Based upon Crowe’s speeding, within-lane drifting, the odor of alcohol on his
Stark County, Case No. 2010 CA 00261                                                   7

person, and his glassy, bloodshot eyes, we held, as had the trial court, that the trooper

had probable cause to arrest for OVI. Id. at ¶40.1

       {¶17} The pertinent facts of the case sub judice are indeed similar to the

aforesaid facts of Crowe. However, Officer Kelly herein did not articulate that he had

observed the odor of alcoholic beverage on appellee’s person, over and above the odor

from the interior of her vehicle. Furthermore, Officer Kelly obtained no results from

appellee on field sobriety testing, whereas the trooper in Crowe was at least able to

obtain partial HGN clues.

       {¶18} Upon review, we find the facts presented support the conclusion that the

officer did not have probable cause to arrest appellee for OVI under the facts and

circumstances of this case. Accordingly, we hold the trial court correctly decided the

ultimate issue raised in appellee’s motion to suppress. The State's sole Assignment of

Error is therefore overruled.

       {¶19} For the reasons stated in the foregoing opinion, the judgment of the

Alliance Municipal Court, Stark County, Ohio, is hereby affirmed.

By: Wise, J.
Gwin, P. J., concurs.
Farmer, J., dissents.
                                             ___________________________________

                                             ___________________________________

                                             ___________________________________

                                                                JUDGES
JWW/d 0311

1
   Crowe had also submitted to a preliminary breath test at the scene, but we found
probable cause even in the absence of the PBT result. Id. at ¶45.
Stark County, Case No. 2010 CA 00261   8
Stark County, Case No. 2010 CA 00261                                                    9

Farmer, J., dissents

      {¶20} I respectfully dissent from the majority's embrace of the Evans test in

discussing probable cause to arrest.        Probable cause to arrest exists when a

reasonable prudent person would believe that the person arrested had committed a

crime. State v. Timson (1974), 38 Ohio St.2d 122. A determination of probable cause

is made from the totality of the circumstances. Factors to be considered include an

officer's observation of some criminal behavior by the defendant, furtive or suspicious

behavior, flight, events escalating reasonable suspicion into probable cause,

association with criminal and locations. Katz, Ohio Arrest, Search and Seizure (2001

Ed.), 83-88, Sections. 3.12-3.19.

      {¶21} In this case, appellant was stopped for speeding and was observed

crossing the white fog line two to three times. Her eyes were "very red and blood shot,"

and there was an odor of alcohol emitting from her vehicle. T. at 6. She was less than

forthcoming when questioned about her alcohol consumption that evening, and she

reversed her initial agreement to take a field sobriety test. T. at 6-7. I would find when

taken in totality, these facts were a strong indication of being under the influence and

established probable cause to arrest.

      {¶22} I would reverse and remand to the trial court for further proceeding

according to law.

                                         ________________________________
                                         HON. SHEILA G. FARMER
Stark County, Case No. 2010 CA 00261                                           10

              IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR STARK COUNTY, OHIO
                         FIFTH APPELLATE DISTRICT

STATE OF OHIO                               :
                                            :
       Plaintiff-Appellant                  :
                                            :
-vs-                                        :         JUDGMENT ENTRY
                                            :
LINDSAY E. SHULLO                           :
                                            :
       Defendant-Appellee                   :         Case No. 2010 CA 00261

       For the reasons stated in our accompanying Memorandum-Opinion, the

judgment of the Alliance Municipal Court, Stark County, Ohio, is affirmed.

       Costs assessed to appellant.

                                            ___________________________________

                                            ___________________________________

                                            ___________________________________

                                                                JUDGES