Nyesha Lashay Crockett v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.) ( 2017 )


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  • MEMORANDUM DECISION
    FILED
    Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),                                       Mar 07 2017, 9:30 am
    this Memorandum Decision shall not be                                             CLERK
    Indiana Supreme Court
    regarded as precedent or cited before any                                        Court of Appeals
    and Tax Court
    court except for the purpose of establishing
    the defense of res judicata, collateral
    estoppel, or the law of the case.
    ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT                                  ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
    Charles W. Lahey                                        Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
    South Bend, Indiana                                     Attorney General of Indiana
    Tyler G. Banks
    Deputy Attorney General
    Indianapolis, Indiana
    IN THE
    COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
    Nyesha Crockett,                                        March 7, 2017
    Appellant-Defendant,                                    Court of Appeals Case No.
    71A03-1605-CR-1177
    v.                                              Appeal from the St. Joseph
    Superior Court
    State of Indiana,                                       The Honorable Jane Woodward
    Appellee-Plaintiff.                                     Miller, Judge
    Trial Court Cause No.
    71D01-1409-MR-10
    Robb, Judge.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 71A03-1605-CR-1177 | March 7, 2017            Page 1 of 17
    Case Summary and Issues
    [1]   Following a jury trial, Nyesha Crockett was convicted of murder and battery
    resulting in serious bodily injury and the trial court sentenced her to an
    aggregate sentence of eighty years executed in the Indiana Department of
    Correction. Crockett appeals, raising three issues for our review: 1) whether the
    State failed to turn over exculpatory evidence in contravention of Brady v.
    Maryland, 2) whether the trial court abused its discretion in admitting evidence,
    and 3) whether Crockett’s sentence is inappropriate in light of the nature of the
    offenses and her character. Concluding there is no Brady violation, the trial
    court did not abuse its discretion in admitting evidence, and Crockett’s sentence
    is not inappropriate, we affirm.
    Facts and Procedural History
    [2]   Crockett and her boyfriend, Micahyah Grier, had two children together: A.C.,
    nicknamed LayLay, who was born on October 13, 2012, and M.C., who was
    born on September 30, 2013. On February 1, 2014, Crockett and the children
    were at a friend’s house where they were temporarily staying when Crockett left
    the home to visit with Grier. During this time, Crockett and Grier argued.
    When Crockett returned home, she entered her bedroom with the children.
    Shortly thereafter, Crockett exited the bedroom and explained to other
    individuals in the residence that A.C. was not breathing. Crockett called 911
    and explained to the operator A.C. was lying down with a scarf around her
    neck. A.C. was then taken to a local hospital where she was treated by Dr.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 71A03-1605-CR-1177 | March 7, 2017   Page 2 of 17
    Darley Emenim. When A.C. arrived at the hospital, Dr. Emenim observed she
    had no heartbeat. Doctors were able to restart A.C.’s heart, but she remains in
    a vegetative state to this day.
    [3]   Nearly six months later, on August 30, 2014, Crockett, Grier, and eleven-
    month-old M.C. were staying at Grier’s mother’s house. At some point, Grier
    and his friend, Tyeshun Johnson, left the home and Crockett followed the pair.
    Nearly three hours later, Crockett returned to the home and asked to borrow
    Grier’s mother’s cell phone. Because Grier did not have a phone, Crockett
    contacted Grier by calling Johnson’s phone. Crockett then sent several text
    messages to Johnson’s phone:
    9:30 p.m.: Is [Grier] with you have him call me asap
    9:23 p.m.: Imma leave him outside then
    9:25 p.m.: Come get him before i hurt him
    9:27 p.m.: Okay think i wont
    9:51 p.m.: Good luck with everything and i hope you find your
    son
    State’s Ex. 17. Around the same time, Crockett sent Grier a message on
    Facebook: “Im Gonna Make Sure You Remember This Nite Just Like The Day
    With Laylay You Gone Go Party And Your Son Gone Be In Somebody
    Dumpster.” State’s Ex. 59. Crockett thereafter returned the phone to Grier’s
    mother and entered a bedroom alone with M.C. At approximately 11:00 p.m.,
    Crockett exited the room and stated to Grier’s mother, “I can’t do this
    anymore. . . . The same thing has happened to [M.C.] that’s happened to
    [A.C.]” Transcript at 341-42. Grier’s mother immediately went to M.C. and
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 71A03-1605-CR-1177 | March 7, 2017   Page 3 of 17
    discovered him lying on the floor, his lips blue. Law enforcement arrived on
    the scene shortly thereafter and performed CPR until paramedics arrived. At
    this point, several people were at the house and due to the commotion, Crockett
    was placed in the back of a law enforcement vehicle. Law enforcement then
    took Crockett to the hospital where M.C. was receiving care. When M.C.
    arrived at the emergency room, he was treated by Dr. Emenim, who later stated
    M.C. arrived at the hospital with no heart beat and no brain function. In caring
    for M.C., Dr. Emenim observed hemorrhaging in M.C.’s eyes consistent with
    strangulation. M.C. was later pronounced dead and the autopsy report
    indicates the cause of death was homicidal asphyxia.
    [4]   Crockett remained at the hospital until approximately 3:00 a.m. when law
    enforcement transported her to the St. Joseph County Sheriff’s Office Metro
    Homicide Unit Headquarters. At the time, Crockett was not handcuffed and
    she did not object to being transported. Law enforcement allowed Crockett to
    bring with her a hospital blanket and further provided Crockett with an
    opportunity to sleep when she arrived at the station. At approximately 5:30
    a.m., Detective Cook interviewed Crockett.1 Detective Cook initiated the
    discussion by informing Crockett of her Miranda rights, asked if she understood,
    and provided her with a waiver form. Crockett acknowledged she understood
    her rights and signed the waiver.
    1
    Throughout the interview, it does not appear law enforcement or Crockett knew M.C. had died in the
    hospital.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 71A03-1605-CR-1177 | March 7, 2017         Page 4 of 17
    [5]   During the interview, Crockett initially explained hospital staff told her A.C.’s
    injuries occurred due to a stroke. When Detective Cook asked what happened
    to M.C., Crockett explained she and M.C. were sleeping in the bedroom and
    when she woke up she observed M.C. was not breathing. About twenty-five
    minutes into the interview, Detective Cook confronted Crockett with the
    messages she sent to Johnson’s phone. Crockett became tearful and admitted
    to shaking M.C. once but explained M.C. fell asleep thereafter. A few minutes
    later, Crockett admitted to shaking M.C. a couple of times. The discussion
    continued and Crockett later admitted to shaking M.C. until he stopped crying.
    Crockett claimed M.C. was still breathing at the time but he was making
    gurgling noises. Detective Cook thereafter provided Crockett with a doll and
    encouraged her to show how she shook M.C., which she did. About one hour
    and twenty minutes into the interview, Detective Cook left the room for a
    break, the first of six total breaks Crockett received.
    [6]   When Detective Cook returned from the break nearly five minutes later, he
    questioned Crockett about the circumstances surrounding A.C.’s injuries.
    Crockett denied injuring A.C. and explained A.C. enjoyed playing with scarves,
    implying A.C. must have been playing with the scarf and accidentally wrapped
    it around her neck. This portion of the interview lasted approximately twenty-
    five minutes. Detective Cook then exited the room for another five-minute
    break.
    [7]   Following another twenty-five-minute session, Crockett received another break.
    Twelve minutes into this break, Crockett requested Detective Cook return to
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 71A03-1605-CR-1177 | March 7, 2017   Page 5 of 17
    the room and admitted to choking A.C. with a scarf because she was angry with
    Grier. Detective Cook then focused the interview on M.C. Crockett admitted
    she shook M.C. multiple times and threw him on the floor. Later, Crockett
    admitted to choking M.C. with one of his shirts. When asked to clarify the
    sequence of events, Crockett admitted to choking M.C. with a t-shirt, then
    kicking him, and shaking him until he stopped crying. Including the six breaks,
    the interview lasted just under four and one-half hours. Crockett was arrested
    at the conclusion of the interview.
    [8]   The following day, Crockett requested another interview and spoke to Detective
    Cook. Detective Cook again read Crockett her Miranda rights. During this
    interview, Crockett denied being responsible for A.C.’s injuries. Confusingly,
    Crockett explained she previously admitted to harming A.C. because she feared
    Grier would accuse her of harming A.C. As to M.C., she acknowledged she
    put a shirt over his neck and kicked him, but denied she caused him to stop
    breathing.
    [9]   On September 2, 2014, the State charged Crockett with murder, battery
    resulting in serious bodily injury as a Class B felony, aggravated battery as a
    Level 1 felony, and neglect of a dependent causing death as a Level 1 felony.
    On August 18, 2015, Crockett moved to suppress evidence of her confession,
    arguing her statements made during the interview were not voluntary. At a
    hearing on the matter, the State presented a video recording of Crockett’s
    interview and the testimony of Detective Cook. Detective Cook testified he has
    conducted hundreds of interviews over the course of his seventeen-year career
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    and does not employ any particular interrogation technique. On cross-
    examination, Crockett questioned Detective Cook as to specific interrogation
    training he received. Detective Cook explained he received training from
    numerous interrogation schools, including a Wicklander-Zulawski class in
    2011. Detective Cook could not recall whether the Reid Technique was taught
    in the class.2 When pressed whether he used “psychological techniques” to get
    Crockett to confess, Detective Cook stated, “It’s a possibility I may have. I
    used techniques from a bunch of different things that I’ve learned, including
    what I’ve taught myself. I do not follow a set guideline for a certain
    interrogation, or interview technique.” Tr. at 38.
    [10]   Crockett also testified and presented the testimony of her expert witness, Dr.
    Lawrence White. In sum, Dr. White, who has published a number of articles
    pertaining to false confessions, opined Crockett was coerced into talking with
    law enforcement. In addition, he noted his belief Detective Cook’s
    interrogation style significantly matched the type of interviewing called for
    under the Reid Technique.
    [11]   In denying Crockett’s motion to suppress, the trial court reviewed the
    discussions between Crockett and Detective Cook and concluded the State
    2
    Crockett makes many assertions regarding the Reid Technique throughout her brief. However, she fails to
    explain what the Reid Technique is or what effect, if any, it has on this case. We have previously discussed
    the Reid Technique and described it as a technique used by police officers when interviewing or interrogating
    suspects. See Malloch v. State, 
    980 N.E.2d 887
    , 893 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012), trans. denied.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 71A03-1605-CR-1177 | March 7, 2017             Page 7 of 17
    proved beyond a reasonable doubt Crockett’s statements were made
    voluntarily, noting in relevant part,
    Although she did not complain about the behavior of the police
    when she met with them on September 1st, Crockett now
    contends her August 31 statements were involuntary and should
    be suppressed. She maintains she did not understand her rights.
    She says she agreed to an interview only because she thought she
    had to agree in order to reunite with her son. She alleges the
    police yelled at her and intimidated her during the interview.
    The recording of the August 31 interview belies Crockett’s
    claims. Crockett was clearly advised of her Miranda rights. She
    was told she did not have to talk to the police. She was told that,
    if she choose [sic] to talk, she could end the interrogation at any
    time. She was not told she had to speak with police if she wished
    to see her son. She was not oppressed or deceived. Det. Cook
    was often skeptical of Crockett’s story and occasionally raised his
    voice, but the detective did not yell at Crockett or threaten her in
    any way. Rather, whether by instinct or design, the detective was
    generally soft-spoken and solicitious [sic] of the young mother.
    Based on its review of the recorded interview, the Court does not
    find Crockett credible when she asserts she was intimidated by
    Det. Cook, was coerced by Det. Cook or that [she] made her
    statement against her will.
    Appellant’s Appendix, Volume 3 at 62-63 (emphasis in original) (footnote
    omitted). As to Dr. White’s testimony, the trial court noted,
    Dr. Lawrence White also offered his opinion of the interview. . . .
    At defendant’s request, Dr. White reviewed Crockett’s August 31
    statement. He did not meet with Crockett, he did not subject her
    to testing, nor, apparently did he request any records that would
    have supported her claims of post-partum depression and
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 71A03-1605-CR-1177 | March 7, 2017   Page 8 of 17
    anxiety. He also did not attempt to determine the investigating
    officers’ training and experience in interrogation.
    As he evaluated the August 31 interview, Dr. White noted
    several personal characteristics that might have made Crockett
    more vulnerable to confessing. However, Dr. White focused
    much of his criticism on Det. Cook’s behavior during the
    interrogation. According to [Dr. White], Det. Cook isolated
    Crockett and used the disparity of power between Crockett and
    Cook to place himself in a position of dominance. He then
    reinforced this dominance by his behavior toward her. Dr.
    White contends that Crockett was helpless and felt she could
    extricate herself from this position only by confessing. [Dr.
    White] opined that Crockett was, therefore, bullied and coerced
    into talking to police.
    The Court has considered Dr. White’s testimony in arriving at a
    decision here. The value of his opinion has been diminished,
    however, by his apparent failure to consider Crocket’s September
    1 explanation for her confession. According to Crockett, factors
    external to the interrogation, specifically Crockett’s concerns
    about [Grier] and his family, motivated her decision to confess.
    While perhaps there is a way to reconcile Crocket’s explanation
    for her confession and [Dr. White’s] opinion that the confession
    was coerced, Dr. White did not adequately harmonize the
    conflict.
    Id. at 63-64 (footnotes omitted).
    [12]   At trial, the State admitted evidence of Crockett’s statements to Detective
    Cook. In addition, both Detective Cook and Dr. White provided essentially the
    same testimony they each provided at the hearing on Crockett’s motion to
    suppress. On rebuttal, the State called Joseph Buckley, the president of Reid
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    and Associates where the Reid Technique first originated. Buckley testified
    Wicklander-Zulawski was founded by two former employees of Reid and
    Associates. However, Buckley opined that Detective Cook did not utilize the
    Reid Technique during his interview with Crockett.
    [13]   The jury found Crockett guilty as charged. The trial court entered judgment of
    conviction for murder and battery resulting in serious bodily injury and
    sentenced Crockett to eighty years executed in the Department of Correction.
    This appeal ensued. Additional facts will be added as necessary.
    Discussion and Decision
    I. Brady Violation
    [14]   In Brady v. Maryland, the Supreme Court of the United States held “the
    suppression by the prosecution of evidence favorable to the accused upon
    request violates due process where the evidence is material either to guilt or to
    punishment, irrespective of the good faith or bad faith of the prosecution.” 
    373 U.S. 83
    , 87 (1963). In order to prevail on a Brady claim, a defendant must
    establish the prosecution suppressed evidence, the evidence was favorable to the
    defense, and the evidence was material to an issue at trial. Bunch v. State, 
    964 N.E.2d 274
    , 297 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012), trans. denied. Evidence is deemed
    material if there is a reasonable probability the result of the proceeding would
    have been different had the evidence been disclosed to the defense. 
    Id.
     A
    reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the
    outcome. 
    Id.
     The State will not, however, be found to have suppressed
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 71A03-1605-CR-1177 | March 7, 2017   Page 10 of 17
    material evidence if the evidence was available to the defendant through the
    exercise of reasonable diligence. 
    Id.
     Evidence favorable to the defense includes
    both exculpatory and impeachment evidence. 
    Id. at 297-98
    .
    [15]   Crockett contends the State did not fully disclose Detective Cook’s training.
    Specifically, she claims Detective Cook was dishonest when he stated he was
    unfamiliar with the Reid Technique in light of Dr. White’s and Buckley’s
    testimony. She further argues the State “assisted in the cover-up” of Detective
    Cook’s alleged misrepresentations when attempting to impeach Dr. White’s
    testimony. Brief of Appellant at 13. However, as the State properly asserts,
    Crockett’s argument relies on testimony the trial court was not required to
    credit and numerous assumptions we need not address. Put simply, Crockett
    completely fails to point to any piece of evidence relevant to these proceedings
    that was suppressed by the State. At both the suppression hearing and trial,
    Detective Cook was questioned at length by both the State and Crockett
    regarding the training he received at Wicklander-Zulawski and the methods he
    utilizes in interviewing criminal suspects. Detective Cook remained consistent
    with his testimony that he is neither familiar with nor utilizes the Reid
    Technique. Even assuming Detective Cook misled the trial court as to his
    knowledge and use of the Reid Technique, Crockett does not present any
    evidence showing the State had knowledge of this misrepresentation and used it
    against the defense when attempting to impeach Dr. White. We are hard-
    pressed to see how the State suppressed evidence in this case and conclude the
    State did not violate Brady.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 71A03-1605-CR-1177 | March 7, 2017   Page 11 of 17
    II. Admission of Evidence
    A. Standard of Review
    [16]   Crockett challenges the voluntariness of her confession under the United States
    Constitution. “If a defendant challenges the voluntariness of a confession
    under the United States Constitution, the [S]tate must prove the statement was
    voluntarily given by a preponderance of the evidence.” Pruitt v. State, 
    834 N.E.2d 90
    , 114 (Ind. 2005). The decision to admit a defendant’s statement is
    within the discretion of the trial court and will not be disturbed absent an abuse
    of that discretion. Ringo v. State, 
    736 N.E.2d 1209
    , 1211 (Ind. 2000). In
    reviewing the trial court’s decision to admit a defendant’s statement, “we do not
    reweigh the evidence but instead examine the record for substantial probative
    evidence of voluntariness.” 
    Id.
    B. Confession
    [17]   Crockett claims the trial court abused its discretion in admitting the statements
    she made to Detective Cook because such statements were made involuntarily.
    We disagree.
    [18]   “A statement is voluntary if, in the light of the totality of the circumstances,
    the confession is the product of a rational intellect and not the result of physical
    abuse, psychological intimidation, or deceptive interrogation tactics that have
    overcome the defendant’s free will.” State v. Keller, 
    845 N.E.2d 154
    , 165 (Ind.
    Ct. App. 2006) (citation and internal quotation marks omitted). In determining
    whether a statement is given voluntarily, the trial court must consider the
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 71A03-1605-CR-1177 | March 7, 2017   Page 12 of 17
    totality of the circumstances, including police coercion; the length, location,
    and continuity of the interrogation; and the defendant’s maturity, education,
    physical condition, and mental health. Pruitt, 834 N.E.2d at 115.
    [19]   We have carefully reviewed the record and video recording of Crockett’s
    interview with Detective Cook, and consistent with the trial court’s conclusion
    and reasoning noted above, we fail to find any intimidation, threats, deception,
    coercion or any other notable factors raised by Crockett invalidating the
    voluntariness of her statements. In considering the totality of the
    circumstances, we note Crockett was twenty-one-years old at the time. She had
    completed her junior year of high school, but never graduated. Crockett was
    suffering from a cough at the beginning of the interview and also self-reported
    she suffered from post-partum depression and also anxiety, but as the trial court
    noted, these issues do not appear to affect the voluntariness of her statements:
    Crockett conversed easily with Det. Cook; she was not confused
    by his questions or the topics he discussed. She responded
    appropriately to the detective’s inquiries. While probably weary
    and undoubtedly distressed, Crockett did not appear impaired by
    either fatigue or the strain of her child’s situation. She was
    sometimes weepy and sometimes subdued, yet she remained
    attentive and engaged. On several occasions she corrected Det.
    Cook when she felt he had misstated her responses . . . . There
    was nothing either in Crockett’s demeanor or in her discussions
    that suggested a particular vulnerability to interrogation.
    Appellant’s App., Vol. 3 at 66.
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 71A03-1605-CR-1177 | March 7, 2017   Page 13 of 17
    [20]   Prior to the interview, Crockett was escorted from the hospital to the homicide
    unit by law enforcement. During this time, she was not placed in handcuffs nor
    was she arrested. Law enforcement then placed Crockett in an interview room3
    and at no point during the interview did law enforcement restrain Crockett with
    handcuffs or shackles. Rather, Detective Cook allowed Crockett to wrap
    herself in a blanket and roam freely throughout the room. At the beginning of
    the interview, Detective Cook read Crockett her Miranda rights, Crockett
    indicated she understood, and Crockett thereafter waived those rights.
    [21]   Throughout the interview, Detective Cook was polite and respectful. We
    certainly acknowledge Detective Cook raised his voice at times and pressed
    Crockett for answers, but there is nothing exceptional about this circumstance
    given the investigation into a grave injury to a child and this only occurred after
    Detective Cook felt Crockett was being dishonest. Even as Dr. White observed,
    Detective Cook did not make any promises, present false evidence, threaten
    Crockett, or physically harm her.4 See Malloch v. State, 
    980 N.E.2d 887
    , 901-04
    (Ind. Ct. App. 2012) (affirming a trial court’s finding the defendant’s confession
    to child molesting was voluntary on state and federal grounds despite the
    detective asserting forty-nine times the defendant was awake and consciously
    3
    According to Detective Cook, the room was one of the largest interview rooms in the station.
    4
    Crockett also argues Detective Cook’s use of a doll was a manipulative tactic. The doll was originally
    introduced so Crockett could demonstrate how she shook M.C. As the interview continued, however,
    Detective Cook encouraged Crockett to treat the doll as a surrogate to her children. As the trial court noted,
    this was a disturbing portion of the interview to view, but “Crockett never appeared to have confused the doll
    with a human child.” Appellant’s App., Vol. 3 at 67 n.8.
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    touched the child, challenging the defendant’s manhood, accusing the
    defendant of committing disturbing acts, berating him, and making false
    assertions regarding evidence), trans. denied.
    [22]   We further note the entire interview lasted only four and one-half hours,
    including six breaks. Despite being free to leave or terminate the interview,
    Crockett—on at least two occasions—ended a break early by requesting to
    speak further with Detective Cook. We conclude the State proved by a
    preponderance of the evidence Crockett’s statements were voluntary under the
    United State Constitution.5
    III. Inappropriate Sentence
    [23]   Indiana Appellate Rule 7(B) provides, “The Court may revise a sentence
    authorized by statute if, after due consideration of the trial court’s decision, the
    Court finds that the sentence is inappropriate in light of the nature of the offense
    and the character of the offender.” The defendant bears the burden of
    persuading this court his or her sentence is inappropriate. Childress v. State, 
    848 N.E.2d 1073
    , 1080 (Ind. 2006). Whether we regard a sentence as inappropriate
    turns on “the culpability of the defendant, the severity of the crime, the damage
    done to others, and myriad other factors that come to light in a given
    5
    To the extent Crockett also challenges her confession under the Indiana Constitution, we agree with the
    trial court the State presented evidence beyond a reasonable doubt showing Crockett’s statements were
    voluntary. See Pruitt, 834 N.E.2d at 114-15 (Ind. 2005) (noting the Indiana Constitution requires the State to
    prove beyond a reasonable doubt the defendant’s statement was voluntarily given).
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    case.” Cardwell v. State, 
    895 N.E.2d 1219
    , 1224 (Ind. 2008). The principal role
    of appellate review is to “leaven the outliers,” not achieve the perceived
    “correct” result in each case. Id. at 1225.
    [24]   The advisory sentence is the starting point the legislature selected as
    an appropriate sentence for the crime committed. Anglemyer v. State, 
    868 N.E.2d 482
    , 494 (Ind. 2007), clarified on reh’g, 
    875 N.E.2d 218
     (Ind. 2007).
    Here, Crockett was convicted of murder and battery resulting in serious bodily
    injury, a Class B felony. A person convicted of murder shall be imprisoned for
    a fixed term of between forty-five and sixty-five years, with the advisory
    sentence being fifty-five years. 
    Ind. Code § 35-50-2-3
    . In addition, a person
    convicted of a Class B felony shall be imprisoned for a fixed term of between six
    and twenty years, with the advisory sentence being ten years. 
    Ind. Code § 35
    -
    50-2-5(a). The trial court sentenced Crockett to sixty years executed for murder
    and twenty years executed for battery resulting in serious bodily injury, to be
    served consecutively for an aggregate sentence of eighty years executed in the
    Department of Correction.
    [25]   As to the nature of the offenses, we note Crockett was the mother of two infant
    children. Such a responsibility put her in a position of trust and care over the
    children. After choking A.C. with a scarf and leaving her in a vegetative state
    for the remainder of her life, Crockett also choked and killed her son, M.C. As
    to the character of the offender, we note nothing exceptional apart from the
    offenses she committed. Although Crockett claims she suffers from mental
    illnesses and is a victim of domestic abuse, there is no evidence in the record to
    Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 71A03-1605-CR-1177 | March 7, 2017   Page 16 of 17
    support these claims. We conclude Crockett’s sentence is not inappropriate in
    light of the nature of the offenses and her character.
    Conclusion
    [26]   We conclude the State did not commit a Brady violation, the trial court did not
    abuse its discretion in admitting Crockett’s statements, and Crockett’s sentence
    is not inappropriate in light of the nature of the offenses and her character.
    Accordingly, we affirm.
    [27]   Affirmed.
    Kirsch, J., and Barnes, J., concur.
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Document Info

Docket Number: 71A03-1605-CR-1177

Filed Date: 3/7/2017

Precedential Status: Precedential

Modified Date: 3/7/2017