Michael L. Bower v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.) ( 2019 )

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be FILED
regarded as precedent or cited before any Dec 11 2019, 9:18 am
court except for the purpose of establishing CLERK
the defense of res judicata, collateral Indiana Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
estoppel, or the law of the case. and Tax Court
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
R. Patrick Magrath Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
Alcorn Sage Schwartz & Magrath, LLP Attorney General of Indiana
Madison, Indiana Lauren A. Jacobsen
Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Michael L. Bower, December 11, 2019
Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No.
19A-CR-1379
v. Appeal from the Decatur Superior
Court
State of Indiana, The Honorable Matthew D.
Appellee-Plaintiff. Bailey, Judge
Trial Court Cause No.
16D01-1804-F5-530, 16D01-1710-
F5-1032, & 16D01-1710-F6-1033
Riley, Judge.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-1379 | December 11, 2019 Page 1 of 11
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
[1] Appellant-Defendant, Michael Bower (Bower), appeals his conviction for
felony escape, a Level 5 felony, Ind. Code § 35-44.1-3-4(a).
[2] We affirm.
ISSUES
[3] Bower presents this court with two issues on appeal, which we restate as:
(1) Whether the State presented sufficient evidence beyond a reasonable doubt
to support his conviction; and
(2) Whether Bower’s sentence is inappropriate in light of the nature of the
offense and his character.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
[4] In 2017, Bower’s ex-wife, was granted a protective order against Bower. On
October 1, 2017, Bower’s ex-wife called the Decatur County Police Department
and reported that Bower was following her in his orange Jeep. Detective Mike
McNealy (Detective McNealy) “overheard the patrol units engage in a vehicle
pursuit” of Bower and he joined the chase. (Appellant’s App. Vol. IV, p. 36).
The pursuit of Bower ended in Shelby County on I-74. When the police
apprehended Bower, they questioned him as to whether he had a gun or if he
had thrown it out. Bower claimed that he had left his gun at home. During the
search of Bower’s vehicle, “3 Springfield Amory pistol magazines containing
live ammunition for a .40 caliber pistol” were located “in the middle console.”
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(Appellant’s App. Vol. IV, p. 36). On the floorboard, there was “a paddle style
holster for a Springfield XD pistol.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. IV, p. 36). No
handgun was found inside Bower’s vehicle or on Bower; however, the next
morning, a homeowner called the police to report that she had found a
Springfield XD handgun in her yard. The handgun was along the path that
Bower had used while fleeing from the police.
[5] On October 3, 2017, under Cause Number 16D01-1710-F5-1032 (F5-1032), the
State filed an Information, charging Bower with Level 5 felony stalking. Also,
under Cause Number 16D01-1710-F6-1033 (F6-1033), the State filed an
Information, charging Bower with Level 6 felony resisting law enforcement,
Level 6 felony criminal recklessness, and Level 6 felony obstruction of justice.
On December 11, 2016, in both Causes, Bower pleaded guilty on all Counts.
For his Level 5 felony in F5-1032, the trial court sentenced Bower to five years,
with two and one-half years to be served in home detention, and two and one-
half years suspended to probation. For his three Level 6 felonies in F6-1033,
the trial court sentenced Bower to concurrent sentences of two years on each
Count, with 180 days to be served in home detention, and 540 days suspended
to probation. Bower’s sentences in F5-1032 and F6-1033 were to run
consecutively.
[6] On December 11, 2017, the trial court issued an Order, setting out the terms of
Bower’s home detention. Among other things, Bower was ordered to remain in
“the interior portion” of his home and “within the range of the monitoring
equipment at all times” unless he was working, seeking employment,
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undergoing medical treatment, attending a religious service, or performing
approved community service work. (Appellant’s App. Vol. IV, p. 58). On
March 28, 2018, Bower began serving his home detention through Decatur
Community Corrections. Bower met with the home detention supervisor and
signed the home detention agreement (Agreement) which mirrored the
probation Order. Bower’s supervisor then worked out a work schedule with
Bower, and Bower was fitted with a GPS monitoring device. Bower was
advised on how to charge his GPS monitor when it issued a low battery alert.
[7] Three weeks later, on Saturday April 21, 2018, Bower’s tracker notified
Community Corrections that Bower was outside his home and the battery on
his GPS monitor was low. Community Corrections officer Eric Adkins
(Adkins) called Bower to advise Bower to charge his GPS tracker. Bower did
not pick up Adkins’ call. Adkins texted Bower to relay the same message, and
he directed Bower to “contact [him] immediately.” (Transcript Vol. II, p. 43).
Bower did not return Adkins text. Later that evening, Adkins received a
notification that Bower’s GPS monitor had a “dead battery.” (Tr. Vol. II, p.
43). Adkins contacted the Greensburg Police Department to report the
incident.
[8] On Monday April 23, 2018, Adkins and other officers visited Bower’s home
and Bower’s mother opened the door. Bower’s mother informed the officers
and Adkins that they were “too late” since Bower had “packed up and left.”
(Tr. Vol. II, p. 44). After obtaining consent from Bower’s mother, the officers
searched for Bower’s GPS monitor, but they could not locate it. On April 24,
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2018, under Cause Number 16D01-1804-F5-530, the State filed an Information,
charging Bower with Level 5 felony escape. Also, a statewide arrest warrant
was issued, and probation revocation petitions were simultaneously filed.
[9] On June 8, 2018, the Arizona Police Department received information that
Bower was residing in Navajo County, Arizona. Sergeant Kyle Esparza
(Sergeant Esparza) and another officer traced the location of Bower’s cellphone
to a car dealership in Snowflake, Arizona. On the same day, Sergeant Esparza
went to the car dealership, and a man and a woman met him at the door. After
Sergeant Esparza showed his badge and a photo of Bower, the woman walked
across the showroom to where Bower was seated. Sergeant Esparza initiated
contact with Bower, and he informed Bower that he was under arrest. Sergeant
Esparza attempted to take Bower into custody, but Bower broke free, jumped
over a chair, exited the showroom, and ran out on foot. Sergeant Esparza
pursued Bower on foot down Arizona State Route 77. In the middle of a
southbound traffic lane, Sergeant Esparza tackled and detained Bower.
Sergeant Esparza searched Bower, but did not find Bower’s GPS tracker.
[10] On, April 8, 2019, the trial court conducted a jury trial on Bower’s Level 5
felony escape charge. At the close of the evidence, Bower was found guilty as
charged. On May 6, 2019, the trial court conducted a sentencing hearing and
sentenced Bower to an advisory executed sentence of three years in the Indiana
Department of Correction.
[11] Bower now appeals. Additional information will be provided as necessary.
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DISCUSSION AND DECISION
I. Sufficiency of the Evidence
[12] Bower contends that there was insufficient evidence to convict him of the Level
5 felony escape. When reviewing a claim of insufficient evidence, it is well-
established that our court does not reweigh evidence or assess the credibility of
witnesses. Walker v. State, 998 N.E.2d 724, 726 (Ind. 2013). Instead, we
consider all of the evidence, and any reasonable inferences that may be drawn
therefrom, in a light most favorable to the verdict. Id. We will uphold the
conviction “‘if there is substantial evidence of probative value supporting each
element of the crime from which a reasonable trier of fact could have found the
defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.’” Id. (quoting Davis v. State, 813
N.E.2d 1176, 1178 (Ind. 2004)).
[13] To convict Bower of Level 5 felony escape, the State was required to prove
beyond a reasonable doubt that Bower “intentionally fle[d] from lawful
detention.” I.C. § 35-44.1-3-4(a). Lawful detention is defined by statute as:
(1) arrest;
(2) custody following surrender in lieu of arrest;
(3) detention in a penal facility;
(4) detention in a facility for custody of persons alleged or found
to be delinquent children;
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(5) detention under a law authorizing civil commitment in lieu of
criminal proceedings or authorizing such detention while
criminal proceedings are held in abeyance;
(6) detention for extradition or deportation;
(7) placement in a community corrections program’s residential
facility;
(8) electronic monitoring;
(9) custody for purposes incident to any of the above including
transportation, medical diagnosis or treatment, court
appearances, work, or recreation; or
(10) any other detention for law enforcement purposes.
(b) Except as provided in subsection (a)(7) and (a)(8), the term
does not include supervision of a person on probation or parole
or constraint incidental to release with or without bail.
(c) The term does not include electronic monitoring through the
use of an unmanned aerial vehicle under [I.C. §] 35-33-5-9.
I.C. § 35-31.5-2-186(a).
[14] While Bower admits that he left Indiana and his home, he claims that was
incapable of forming the necessary intent, thus, he did not intentionally flee
from lawful detention. In his brief, Bower explains that
In late May or early June of 2018, [he] awoke from a fugue state
in Oklahoma. . . . He had no car, no clothes, no money and no
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identification. He was stuck in waste deep mud and water in a
ditch by the roadside and had to flag down traffic for assistance.
He had no idea when or how he ended up in Oklahoma. He
never had any intention of leaving Indiana.
Scared and alone, [he] spent two to three weeks in an Oklahoma
shelter trying to figure how to get back to Indiana without getting
in trouble. . . . He did not contact police or his home detention
supervisor. Instead, [he] made contact with a business associate
who took him to Arizona where he could make money and
return to Indiana. While in Arizona, he was taken into custody
by a plain clothes officer and transported to Indiana before he
could return on his own accord.
(Appellant’s Br. pp. 13-14). Bower’s arguments amount to a request to reweigh
the evidence, which we will not do. See Walker, 998 N.E.2d at 726.
[15] The State presented evidence that under the home detention Agreement Bower
signed, he was required to be confined in his home unless he had authorization
to leave. Further, Bower was required to wear his GPS monitor and charge it
when it issued a low battery warning. On April 21, 2018, Bower’s GPS tracker
reported that its battery was low, and the gadget eventually shut off. When
Adkins and other officers visited Bower’s home on April 23, 2018, Bower’s
mother stated that they were “too late” since Bower had “packed up and left.”
(Tr. Vol. II, p. 44). A statewide warrant for his arrest was then issued. In June
2018, Bower was found working at a car dealership in Arizona. Bower’s escape
was effectuated by being absent from his home. See Grabarczyk v. State, 772
N.E.2d 428, 432 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002) (holding that a home detention order
requires the person to stay at home). As such, we conclude that the State
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presented sufficient evidence beyond a reasonable doubt to convict Bower of
Level 5 felony escape.
II. Inappropriate Sentence
[16] Bower contends that his three-year advisory sentence is inappropriate in light of
the nature of the offense and his character. We may revise a sentence if it is
inappropriate in light of the nature of the offense and the character of the
offender. Ind. Appellate Rule 7(B). The defendant has the burden of
persuading us that his sentence is inappropriate. Childress v. State, 848 N.E.2d
1073, 1080 (Ind. 2006). The principal role of a Rule 7(B) review “should be to
attempt to leaven the outliers and identify some guiding principles for trial
courts and those charged with improvement of the sentencing statutes, but not
to achieve a perceived ‘correct’ result in each case.” Cardwell v. State, 895
N.E.2d 1219, 1225 (Ind. 2008). “Appellate Rule 7(B) analysis is not to
determine whether another sentence is more appropriate but rather whether the
sentence imposed is inappropriate.” Conley v. State, 972 N.E.2d 864, 876 (Ind.
2012) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted), reh’g denied. Whether a
sentence is inappropriate turns on “the culpability of the defendant, the severity
of the crime, the damage done to others, and a myriad of other factors that
come to light in a given case.” Cardwell, 895 N.E.2d at 1224.
[17] When determining whether a sentence is inappropriate, we acknowledge that
the advisory sentence “is the starting point the Legislature has selected as an
appropriate sentence for the crime committed.” Childress, 848 N.E.2d at 1081.
For his Level 5 felony escape, Bower faced a sentencing range of one to six
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years, with the advisory sentence being three years. I.C. § 35-50-2-6(b). Bower
received a three-year advisory sentence.
[18] Turning to the specifics of his offense, following his guilty plea to various
offenses under F5-1032 and F6-1033, Bower was placed on home detention in
March 2018. During his first month, Bower attended all of his appointments
and was in full compliance. On April 21, 2018, Bower failed to charge his GPS
monitor, and it eventually turned off. When his probation officer and other law
enforcement officers visited Bower’s home, Bower’s mother stated that Bower
was long gone. Two months later, Sergeant Esparza located Bower in Arizona.
When Sergeant Esparza informed Bower that he was under arrest, Bower went
to great lengths to flee on foot and he had to be tackled in the middle of a
highway. Based on the evidence, we cannot conclude Bower’s three-year
advisory sentence is inappropriate in light of the nature of the offense.
[19] This court has determined that the significance of a criminal history in assessing
a defendant’s character and an appropriate sentence varies based on the gravity,
nature, and proximity of prior offenses in relation to the current offense, as well
as the number of prior offenses. Sandleben v. State, 29 N.E.3d 126, 137 (Ind. Ct.
App. 2015), trans. denied. In addition to his convictions in F5-1032 and F6-
1033, which included convictions for stalking, resisting law enforcement, and
obstruction of justice, Bower has a criminal history dating to 2001 and that
includes convictions for battery, criminal trespass (multiple), intimidation
(multiple), conversion, and disorderly conduct. Notably, Bower has been
subject to petitions to revoke his probation in previous cases.
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[20] Further, Bower has not shown remorse or accepted responsibility for his felony
escape offense. Bower now claims that most of his crimes were attributed by
his depression. However, the presentencing report indicated that Bower’s
mental health was “good.” (Appellant’s App. Vol. III, p. 115).
[21] In light of the foregoing, Bower has failed to persuade us that his advisory
three-year sentence is inappropriate in light of the nature of the offense and his
character.
CONCLUSION
[22] For the reasons stated, we conclude that the State presented sufficient evidence
beyond a reasonable doubt to convict Bower of Level 5 felony escape, and
Bower’s three-year sentence is not inappropriate in light of the nature of the
offense and his character.
[23] Affirmed.
[24] Vaidik, C. J. and Bradford, J. concur
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