Monterius D. Sharp v. State of Indiana ( 2014 )

Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), this
Memorandum Decision shall not be
regarded as precedent or cited before any
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:
CHRIS M. TEAGLE GREGORY F. ZOELLER
Muncie, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana
J.T. WHITEHEAD
Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
Apr 10 2014, 9:20 am
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
MONTERIUS D. SHARP, )
)
Appellant-Defendant, )
)
vs. ) No. 05A02-1306-CR-522
)
STATE OF INDIANA, )
)
Appellee-Plaintiff. )
APPEAL FROM THE BLACKFORD CIRCUIT COURT
The Honorable Dean A. Young, Judge
Cause No. 05C01-1208-FC-285
April 10, 2014
MEMORANDUM DECISION - NOT FOR PUBLICATION
CRONE, Judge
Case Summary
Monterius Sharp appeals his convictions for class C felony escape, class A
misdemeanor carrying a handgun without a license, and three counts of class D felony
intimidation, following a jury trial. Sharp also appeals the aggregate four-year sentence
imposed by the trial court. Sharp claims that: (1) the trial court abused its discretion when it
admitted certain evidence at trial; (2) the trial court committed fundamental error when it
failed to declare a mistrial sua sponte based upon the improper behavior of a witness; (3) the
State presented insufficient evidence to support his convictions; and (4) his four-year
sentence is inappropriate in light of the nature of the offenses and his character. Finding
neither an abuse of discretion nor reversible error, and further concluding that Sharp has not
met his burden to demonstrate that his sentence is inappropriate, we affirm.
Facts and Procedural History
The facts most favorable to the convictions indicate that on August 12, 2012, Sharp,
his girlfriend Brittani Kirk, his brother Mauricio, and his other brother Courtney’s fiancée,
Jennifer Townsend, were all at the apartment complex in Hartford City where Townsend and
Courtney lived. Neighbors heard the four individuals outside arguing and yelling. Heidi
Mort was taking out garbage when she observed the group and saw Sharp standing next to a
vehicle and waving a handgun around. All of a sudden, Sharp started firing the weapon.
Mort went inside to call 911. Another neighbor, Richard Brown, was outside with his
grandchildren when he heard gunshots. Brown also saw the four individuals arguing.
Brown, who knew Mauricio, noticed that Mauricio was on a cell phone while a different
2
male in the group was holding a gun. Brown went inside to retrieve a cell phone to call
police. While still arguing with the group, Mauricio also called 911.
When Mort returned outside with her husband, she and her husband saw Sharp go
around the corner of one of the apartment buildings. Brown also saw the man holding the
gun go behind the buildings. When Sharp returned from behind the buildings, he was no
longer holding the gun.
Hartford City Police Department Officer Mark McKissack was the first officer to
arrive at the scene in response to a dispatch identifying two of the Sharp brothers as being
involved in a domestic disturbance or altercation and a report that shots had been fired.
Upon his arrival, Officer McKissack recognized all four individuals involved in the reported
disturbance. Officer McKissack retrieved a rifle from his trunk and ordered the four
individuals to get to the ground on their stomachs. Mauricio, Townsend, and Kirk all
complied, but Sharp refused. Sharp remained standing and yelled at Officer McKissack.
Sharp eventually sat on the ground. Both Mauricio and Townsend declared that it was Sharp
who had the gun. After repeated orders from Officer McKissack, Sharp finally rolled over
to his stomach. Officer McKissack then handcuffed Sharp and conducted a patdown search
for weapons. No weapon was discovered.
As Officer McKissack was handcuffing Sharp, Hartford City Police Sergeant Erick
Hawk arrived at the scene. Sergeant Hawk also recognized all four individuals involved in
the disturbance. Mauricio stated to Sergeant Hawk that he had called 911 and that Sharp was
the individual with a gun. All four individuals continued to scream and yell at each other
3
and at the officers. As Sergeant Hawk tried to speak with the others, Officer McKissack
escorted Sharp to his police vehicle and placed him in the back seat. The window was
cracked open, and Sharp screamed and yelled at Mort that “she would be sorry” for calling
the police. Tr. at 83-84. Officer McKissack urged Sharp to calm down and told him that “he
wasn’t under arrest yet.” Id. Officer McKissack told Sharp to just “sit tight” and that
“[r]ight now you’re being detained for our investigation.” Id. at 271. After speaking briefly
with witnesses who corroborated that Sharp had been firing a gun, Officer McKissack
returned to the police vehicle, read Sharp his Miranda rights, and asked him where he had
put the gun. Sharp responded that there was no gun and then stated that he wanted to talk to
an attorney. Officer McKissack ceased his conversation with Sharp and walked away to
resume the investigation.
Shortly thereafter, the officers looked up when they heard the horn of a passing
vehicle and noticed that Sharp had exited the police vehicle and was running down the street
in handcuffs. Sergeant Hawk chased Sharp and was able to catch him when Sharp’s pants
fell down around his ankles. Sharp was belligerent as he was being returned to the police
vehicle, telling the officers that they didn’t know “who they were f***ing with.” Id. at 280.
As Officer McKissack transported Sharp to jail, Sharp continued to yell, scream, kick, and
make threats. Townsend gave officers five shell casings that she found at the scene that she
believed came from Sharp’s gun. Officers located a sixth shell casing behind the apartment
buildings. Despite continued searching, officers were unable to locate the gun fired by
Sharp.
4
The State charged Sharp with: Count I, class C felony criminal recklessness; Count II,
class C felony escape; Count III, class A misdemeanor carrying a handgun without a license;
Count IV, class D felony pointing a firearm; Count V, class D felony intimidation; Count VI,
class D felony intimidation; Count VII, class D felony intimidation; and Count VIII, class D
felony intimidation. Sharp filed a motion to suppress evidence and, following a hearing, the
trial court denied the motion. Sharp filed a second motion to suppress evidence which the
trial court also denied following a hearing. The State subsequently filed a motion to dismiss
one of the intimidation counts, which motion the trial court granted.
A jury trial was held on February 5 and 6, 2013. Following the State’s presentation of
evidence, the trial court entered a directed verdict on Count I. At the conclusion of the trial,
the jury found Sharp guilty of Counts II, III, V, VI, and VII and not guilty of Count IV. The
trial court entered judgments of conviction accordingly. Following a sentencing hearing, the
trial court sentenced Sharp to the advisory sentence on all counts, to be served concurrently,
for a total sentence of four years. This appeal ensued.
Discussion and Decision
Section 1 – Admission of Evidence
Sharp contends that the trial court erred when it denied his pretrial motions to
suppress evidence. However, we note that he now appeals following a jury trial. Therefore,
the issue before us is whether the trial court abused its discretion in admitting the evidence at
trial. Lindsey v. State, 916 N.E.2d 230, 238 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009), trans. denied (2010). A
trial court has broad discretion in ruling on the admission or exclusion of evidence. Palilonis
5
v. State, 970 N.E.2d 713, 726 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012), trans. denied. An abuse of discretion
occurs when the trial court’s ruling is clearly against the logic, facts, and circumstances
presented. Id. When reviewing the admissibility of evidence, we do not reweigh evidence,
and we consider conflicting evidence most favorable to the trial court’s ruling. Meredith v.
State, 906 N.E.2d 867, 869 (Ind. 2009). We also defer to the trial court’s factual
determinations unless clearly erroneous. Id. However, we consider “afresh any legal
question of the constitutionality of a search or seizure.” Id.
Section 1.1 – Stop vs. Arrest
Sharp first asserts that he was “illegally detained” by officers in violation of the
Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and that all evidence obtained
subsequent to his illegal detention was inadmissible. Appellant’s Br. at 16. Sharp likens his
detention by officers to an arrest requiring probable cause, while the State argues that his
detention was more akin to a brief investigative stop requiring only reasonable suspicion.
Regardless of how the detention is characterized, we find no Fourth Amendment violation.1
The Fourth Amendment reads in part: “The right of people to be secure in their
persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be
violated[.]” This protection against unreasonable seizures includes seizure of the person.
1
Although Sharp briefly mentions Article 1, Section 11 of the Indiana Constitution, his argument fails
to adequately address the three factors that we balance to determine the reasonableness of a search or seizure
under our state constitution. See Litchfield v. State, 824 N.E.2d 356, 361 (Ind. 2005) (in determining
reasonableness of search or seizure we balance: (1) the degree of concern, suspicion, or knowledge that a
violation has occurred; (2) the degree of intrusion the method of the seizure imposed on the citizen’s ordinary
activities; and (3) the extent of law enforcement needs). Failure to make a cogent argument pursuant to Article
1, Section 11, constitutes waiver of the issue on appeal. Polk v. State, 822 N.E.2d 239, 245 n.5 (Ind. Ct. App.
2005), trans. denied; Ind. Appellate Rule 46(A)(8).
6
California v. Hodari D., 499 U.S. 621, 624-26 (1991). Specifically, there are two levels of
police investigation that implicate the Fourth Amendment. Edmond v. State, 951 N.E.2d 585,
588 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011). First, an officer may stop and briefly detain “a person for
investigative purposes if the officer has reasonable suspicion supported by articulable facts
that criminal activity ‘may be afoot.’” Armfield v. State, 918 N.E.2d 316, 319 (Ind. 2009)
(quoting Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 21 (1968)). An investigatory stop pursuant to Terry
permits a police officer to “temporarily freeze the situation in order to make an investigative
inquiry.” Johnson v. State, 766 N.E.2d 426, 429 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002), trans. denied.
Second, an officer may arrest a person if he has probable cause, which is “knowledge of facts
and circumstances which would warrant a man of reasonable caution to believe that the
defendant committed the criminal act in question.” Collins v. State, 509 N.E.2d 827, 830
(Ind. 1987). As our supreme court recently noted, “[t]he line between a Terry stop and a full-
blown custodial arrest is blurred by the tensions and uncertainty inherent in such encounters.”
Kelly v. State, 997 N.E.2d 1045, 1051 (Ind. 2013).
Here, Officer McKissack was the first officer to arrive on the scene in response to a
dispatch specifically identifying the Sharp brothers as involved in a domestic disturbance and
a report that several gunshots had been fired. Officer McKissack arrived at the scene,
displayed a rifle, and ordered all four individuals present to get to the ground on their
stomachs. Officer McKissack was familiar with the four individuals, including Sharp and
Mauricio, as he had been dispatched to the apartment complex on prior occasions regarding
domestic disturbances and/or altercations involving the same individuals. All of the
7
individuals complied with Officer McKissack’s order to get on the ground except Sharp.
Officer McKissack again ordered Sharp to comply. Although Sharp then sat on the ground,
he refused to comply with commands to get on his stomach. After repeated commands,
Sharp eventually rolled over to his stomach. When Sergeant Hawk arrived to aid Officer
McKissack, the scene was extremely volatile, as all four individuals were screaming and
yelling at each other and at the officers. After Mauricio and another witness identified Sharp
as the individual who had the gun and had fired the shots, Officer McKissack handcuffed
Sharp and patted him down for weapons. Although his patdown search did not reveal a
weapon, Officer McKissack placed Sharp in the back seat of his police vehicle while he
further investigated the incident.
It is beyond dispute that “an officer who stops a suspect on reasonable suspicion of
[an inherently dangerous] offense may conduct a protective search.” Holbert v. State, 996
N.E.2d 396, 400 (Ind. Ct. App. 2013), trans. denied (2014). Indeed, “[t]his right of the
officer is ‘automatic whenever the suspect has been stopped upon the suspicion that he has
committed, was committing, or was about to commit a type of crime for which the offender
would likely be armed.” Id. (citation omitted). Sharp concedes that Officer McKissack had
reasonable suspicion to justify the initial stop and protective search for weapons based upon
the fact that he was responding to reports of gunfire. Sharp insists, however, that Officer
McKissack’s subsequent behavior converted what began as a Terry stop into an arrest
because he handcuffed Sharp and placed him in the police vehicle.
8
Although both an arrest and a Terry investigatory stop interrupt a suspect’s freedom
and liberty of movement, a Terry interruption is presumably much less intrusive and for a
shorter duration than an arrest. Reinhart v. State, 930 N.E.2d 42, 46 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010).
Specifically, “an investigative detention must be temporary and last no longer than is
necessary to effectuate the purpose of the stop.” Finger v. State, 799 N.E.2d 528, 534 (Ind.
2003) (quoting Florida v. Royer, 460 U.S. 491, 500 (1983)). “In assessing whether a
detention is too long in duration to be justified as an investigative stop, we consider it
appropriate to examine whether the police diligently pursued a means of investigation that
was likely to confirm or dispel their suspicions quickly, during which time it was necessary to
detain the defendant.” United States v. Sharpe, 470 U.S. 675, 686 (1985).
Contrary to Sharp’s implication, the mere use of handcuffs does not convert a Terry
stop into a full arrest. See Wright v. State, 766 N.E.2d 1223, 1232 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002).
Moreover, placing a defendant in a police vehicle does not necessarily equate to an arrest
when the police action can be justified as the “least restrictive means available” for effecting
the investigation. See Berry v. State, 574 N.E.2d 960, 965 (Ind. Ct. App. 1991) (citation
omitted), trans. denied. Instead, we must examine the totality of the circumstances to
determine how to classify the officer’s actions. Reinhart, 930 N.E.2d at 46.
The facts here establish that Officer McKissack’s detention of Sharp did not last too
long and was justified in order for officers to complete their investigation and confirm or
dispel their suspicions quickly, while also ensuring officer and civilian safety. The record
indicates that the two officers on the scene were faced with an incredibly dangerous and
9
volatile situation. Sharp was belligerent and uncooperative with Officer McKissack’s
commands, and he was identified by his brother and another witness as just having fired a
gun. The four individuals involved in the disturbance, including Sharp, were screaming and
yelling at each other and at the officers. The officers knew that there was a weapon, but had
not yet located it. Under these circumstances, Officer McKissack’s action of handcuffing
Sharp and temporarily removing him from the group by placing him in the squad car was
necessary in order to calm the environment and permit the officers to further investigate.
Sharp’s detention constituted an investigatory stop supported by reasonable suspicion and
was not an arrest.
Even were we to conclude, as Sharp insists, that his detention was converted into an
arrest when Officer McKissack handcuffed him and placed him into the squad car, we would
still find no Fourth Amendment violation. “[A] warrantless arrest by a law officer is
reasonable under the Fourth Amendment where there is probable cause to believe that a
criminal offense has been or is being committed.” Devenpeck v. Alford, 543 U.S. 146, 152
(2004). Probable cause exists where the facts and circumstances within the officers’
knowledge and of which they had reasonably trustworthy information are sufficient in
themselves to warrant a person of reasonable caution to believe that an offense has been or is
being committed. State v. Gilbert, 997 N.E.2d 414, 417 (Ind. Ct. App. 2013) (citation
omitted). The facts stated above, which were known to the officers at the time, were
sufficient in themselves to warrant a person of reasonable caution to believe that Sharp had
committed a crime. Sharp was involved in a domestic dispute during which shots were fired,
10
Sharp was uncooperative with police on the scene, and two of the individuals involved in the
dispute identified Sharp as the shooter. Based upon these facts, Officer McKissack had
probable cause to arrest Sharp. We find no Fourth Amendment violation. Accordingly, Sharp
has not demonstrated that the trial court abused its discretion when it admitted evidence
obtained after his detention.2
Section 1.2 – Miranda Warning and Right to Counsel
Sharp also contends that the trial court abused its discretion when it admitted into
evidence State’s Exhibit 9, which consisted of a statement made by him to police the day
after the incident occurred for which he was arrested.3 He argues that his statement was
admitted in violation of his Miranda rights under the Fifth Amendment to the United States
Constitution.
“The Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination prohibits admitting
statements given by a suspect during ‘custodial interrogation’ without a prior [Miranda]
warning.” Ritchie v. State, 875 N.E.2d 706, 716 (Ind. 2007). “When a subject is in custody,
Miranda requires that he be informed of the right to the presence and advice of counsel
during custodial interrogation by the police, of the right to remain silent, and that any
2
We note that Sharp does not challenge the admission of any evidence obtained on his person or
incident to his eventual arrest, as no such evidence was recovered. Instead, he appears to challenge the
admission of any evidence recovered at the scene, which included only witness statements and six shell
casings, as fruit of the poisonous tree. See Clark v. State, 994 N.E.2d 252, 266 (Ind. 2013) (as general rule,
evidence obtained pursuant to unlawful seizure must be excluded under the fruit of the poisonous tree
doctrine). Because Sharp’s detention was lawful, the fruit of the poisonous tree doctrine is inapplicable.
3
Although Sharp also references the officers’ testimony regarding statements he made on the day of
the incident, he did not object to that testimony during trial. Accordingly, the issue is waived. See Kubsch v.
State, 784 N.E.2d 905, 923 (Ind. 2003) (failure to object at trial to admission of evidence results in waiver of
that issue on appeal).
11
statement he makes may be used as evidence against him.” Collins v. State, 873 N.E.2d 149,
155 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007). Moreover, if the accused requests counsel, the police must cease
questioning until an attorney has been made available or until the accused initiates further
conversation with the police. Sauerheber v. State, 698 N.E.2d 796, 801 (Ind. 1998) (citing
Edwards v. Arizona, 451 U.S. 477, 482 (1981)). If the accused “initiates ‘further
communication, exchanges, or conversations’ with law enforcement, then the individual may
be further interrogated without counsel present.” Hartman v. State, 988 N.E.2d 785, 788 (Ind.
2013) (quoting Edwards, 451 U.S. at 484-85).
First, contrary to Sharp’s assertion that he was not given Miranda warnings at any
time, Officer McKissack testified that he gave Sharp a Miranda warning on the day of the
incident when Sharp was in the back seat of the police vehicle. Indeed, during the hearing on
Sharp’s second motion to suppress, the parties stipulated that Sharp had been advised of his
Miranda rights and that, in response to Officer McKissack’s questioning regarding the
location of the gun, Sharp invoked his right to remain silent and requested an attorney.
Officer McKissack honored Sharp’s request and immediately ceased any questioning.
The evening after the incident, Officer McKissack and Sergeant Hawk responded to a
call to transport Sharp, who had gone to the hospital at some point after his arrest, from the
hospital back to the Blackford County Security Center. When the officers arrived at the
hospital and encountered Sharp, Sharp initiated an exchange with the officers by immediately
asking them, “How did you get probable cause?” State’s Ex. 9. Officer McKissack restated
the question to Sharp, apparently to determine if Sharp truly wanted a response. When Sharp
12
asked the question again, Officer McKissack responded that he went before a judge with the
evidence and that a judge signed the probable cause affidavit and set bond. Sharp then
exchanged questions and answers with the officers. During the conversation, the officers
asked Sharp where they might be able to find the handgun he had used during the incident.
Sharp referenced a few locations where a handgun might be found but essentially denied
committing any crimes.
It is clear from our review of State’s Exhibit 9 that Sharp, and not the officers,
initiated conversation when he began asking the officers specific questions about his case.
However, the initiation of further communication by a defendant, standing alone, is
insufficient to establish waiver of the previously asserted right to counsel. Osborne v. State,
754 N.E.2d 916, 922 (Ind. 2001). The inquiry turns on whether, under the totality of the
circumstances, there is a knowing and intelligent waiver of the right to counsel. Storey v.
State, 830 N.E.2d 1011, 1018 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005). This inquiry requires a review of the
record for evidence of inducement by the way of violence, threats, promises, or other
improper influences. Id.
Under the facts as presented here, we need not even reach such an inquiry.
Significantly, Sharp fails to direct us to any information regarding his offenses, inculpatory
or exculpatory, that he revealed during his initiated exchange with the officers. Moreover, it
is well settled that not every error in the admission of evidence requires reversal. Carr v.
State, 934 N.E.2d 1096, 1107 (Ind. 2010). Statements obtained in violation of the federal
constitution and improperly admitted are subject to harmless error analysis. Anderson v.
13
State, 961 N.E.2d 19, 28 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012), trans. denied. The reviewing court must be
satisfied that the error did not contribute to the verdict, that is, that the error was unimportant
in relation to everything else the jury considered on the issue in question. Morales v. State,
749 N.E.2d 1260, 1267 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001).
Sharp’s convictions are supported by substantial independent evidence of guilt such
that there was no substantial likelihood that his statements to police the day after his arrest
contributed to his convictions. First, Sharp’s statement bore no relation to his convictions for
escape or intimidation. Regarding his conviction for carrying a handgun without a license,
the lion’s share of the State’s evidence came from numerous witnesses who identified Sharp
as the individual who both possessed and fired a gun during the domestic disturbance.
Accordingly, any error in the admission of Sharp’s statement would have been harmless, as it
was unimportant in relation to the other evidence considered by the jury.
Section 2 – Witness’s Improper Behavior
Sharp next claims that one of the State’s key witnesses, his brother Mauricio,
“interrupted the proceedings” to such an extent that Sharp was entitled to a mistrial.
Appellant’s Br. at 28. The record indicates that Mauricio walked into the courtroom during
opening statements, and the trial court ordered him to leave. Thereafter, during defense
counsel’s cross-examination of Townsend, the court paused briefly for a bench discussion,
noting that Mauricio had “been at every single window and walking around and I hear
talking.” Tr. at 43. The court instructed an officer, “Can you get him back in that conference
room, shut the door and assign some officer to stay with him? He’s not to leave that room or
14
do anything until he’s brought in here.” Id. Finally, at the outset of his own testimony,
Mauricio attempted to answer a cell phone call and was behaving strangely. The trial court
dismissed the jury and, after a bizarre and comical exchange between Mauricio, the trial
court, and counsel for both parties, the court instructed Mauricio to behave appropriately and
complete his testimony. After the jury returned, Mauricio testified very briefly and was
released. 4
Sharp admits that he did not request a jury admonishment or move for a mistrial based
upon Mauricio’s behavior, and therefore has waived the issue on appeal. See Berkman v.
State, 976 N.E.2d 68, 74 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012) (when faced with a circumstance that
defendant believes might warrant mistrial, correct procedure is to request admonishment, and
if admonishment will not be sufficient to cure error, then move for mistrial; failure to request
admonishment or move for mistrial results in waiver on appeal), trans. denied (2013), cert.
denied. Thus, Sharp relies on the fundamental error doctrine. The fundamental error doctrine
is extremely narrow and applies only when the error constitutes a blatant violation of basic
principles, the harm or potential for harm is substantial, and the resulting error denies the
defendant fundamental due process. Delarosa v. State, 938 N.E.2d 690, 694 (Ind. 2010).
The fundamental error exception is available only in egregious circumstances. Id. Indeed,
“[f]undamental error must be of such magnitude to persuade the reviewing court that the
defendant could not possibly have received a fair trial or that the verdict is clearly wrong or
of such dubious validity that justice cannot permit it to stand.” Brown v. State, 799 N.E.2d
4
It appears that the State used Mauricio’s testimony solely to introduce his 911 call into evidence.
15
1064, 1067 n.3 (Ind. 2003) (quoting Guy v. State, 755 N.E.2d 248, 258 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001),
trans. denied, (2002)).
We disagree with Sharp’s assertion that, under the circumstances presented, the trial
court should have declared a mistrial sua sponte and that its failure to do so constituted
fundamental error. While Mauricio’s conduct during the proceedings was at times
unbefitting and disruptive, Sharp has failed to demonstrate that Mauricio’s conduct resulted
in an unfair trial. As noted by the State, Mauricio’s antics were treated reasonably and
appropriately by the trial court, which minimized any potential for harm. Mauricio’s
behavior and the trial court’s response to that behavior certainly did not rise to the level of
egregious circumstances contemplated by the fundamental error doctrine.5 We find no
reversible error.
Section 3 – Sufficiency of the Evidence
Sharp asserts that the State presented insufficient evidence to sustain his convictions
for escape, carrying a handgun without a license, and intimidation. When reviewing the
sufficiency of the evidence, we consider only the probative evidence and reasonable
inferences supporting the verdict. Boggs v. State, 928 N.E.2d 855, 864 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010),
trans. denied. We neither reweigh the evidence nor assess witness credibility. Id. It is not
5
Sharp maintains that Mauricio violated the trial court’s separation of witnesses order because one of
his interruptions occurred during Townsend’s testimony. Our review of the record does not reveal that
Mauricio heard any of Townsend’s testimony or that he was influenced by that testimony. See Harrington v.
State, 584 N.E.2d 558, 562 (Ind. 1992) (“The primary purpose for separation of witnesses is to prevent them
from gaining knowledge from the testimony of other witnesses and adjusting their testimony accordingly.”).
Even assuming arguendo that Mauricio improperly heard or gained knowledge from Townsend’s testimony, as
stated above, Sharp has failed to demonstrate that he was deprived of a fair trial as a result.
16
necessary that the evidence overcome every reasonable hypothesis of innocence, and we will
affirm the defendant’s conviction unless no reasonable factfinder could find the elements of
the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. If there is substantial evidence of probative
value to support the conviction, it will not be set aside. Jones v. State, 783 N.E.2d 1132,
1139 (Ind. 2003).
Section 3.1 – Escape
Indiana Code Section 35-44.1-3-4(a) provides in relevant part that a person “who
intentionally flees from lawful detention commits escape, a Class C felony.” Sharp concedes
that the evidence demonstrated that he intentionally fled from law enforcement. His sole
argument is that his detention was in violation of the Fourth Amendment, and therefore the
State failed to establish that his detention was lawful. “Lawful detention” includes an
“arrest” as well as “any other detention for law enforcement purposes.” Ind. Code § 35-41-1-
18. Here, Sharp was clearly detained by officers for law enforcement purposes as they
briefly investigated the scene of a domestic disturbance involving gunfire and in which Sharp
had been identified as the shooter. As we concluded in Section 1, Sharp’s detention was not
in violation of the Fourth Amendment because his detention was supported by both
reasonable suspicion and probable cause. Accordingly, his detention was lawful. The State
presented sufficient evidence to support Sharp’s conviction for escape.
Section 3.2 – Carrying a Handgun Without a License
Indiana Code Section 35-47-2-1 provides that “a person shall not carry a handgun in
any vehicle or on or about the person’s body without being licensed … to carry a handgun.”
17
A person who violates this section commits a class A misdemeanor. Ind. Code § 35-47-2-
23(c). Sharp acknowledges that he did not have a license to carry a handgun. He maintains,
however, that the officers never recovered the weapon, and thus the State failed to prove that
he carried a handgun on his person.
A conviction for carrying a handgun without a license may rest on proof of actual or
constructive possession. Person v. State, 764 N.E.2d 743, 750 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002), trans.
denied. Witness Heidi Mort testified that, on the day of the domestic disturbance, she saw
several individuals arguing and Sharp “waving a gun around.” Tr. at 78. She stated that
Sharp then put his hand up and “started shooting” the “medium-sized pistol.” Id. at 78, 81.
Additionally, two of the individuals involved in the disturbance, Mauricio and Townsend,
informed officers that Sharp had a gun and had been firing it. Despite direct testimony
establishing his actual possession of a handgun, Sharp challenges witness credibility and asks
that we reassess it in his favor. Such a task is not within our prerogative on appeal. See
Boggs, 928 N.E.2d at 864. The State presented sufficient evidence to sustain Sharp’s
conviction for carrying a handgun without a license.
Section 3.3 – Intimidation of Officer McKissack and Sergeant Hawk6
To convict Sharp of two counts of class D felony intimidation regarding Officer
McKissack and Sergeant Hawk, the State was required to prove that Sharp communicated
threats to Officer McKissack and Sergeant Hawk that placed them in fear of retaliation for a
6
Sharp was also convicted of the intimidation of witness Heidi Mort. Although he claims that the
State also presented insufficient evidence to sustain that conviction, he fails to mention any evidence or
develop any argument regarding that conviction. Consequently, he has waived our review of the issue.
Whaley v. State, 843 N.E.2d 1, 18 n.15 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006), trans. denied.
18
prior lawful act. See Ind. Code § 35-45-2-1(a)(2). “Whether a communication is a threat is
an objective question for the trier of fact.” Ajabu v. State, 677 N.E.2d 1035, 1041 (Ind. Ct.
App. 1997), trans. denied.
Officer McKissack testified that as he and Sergeant Hawk were trying to get Sharp
back into the police vehicle after his escape, Sharp told the officers that “we didn’t know
who we were f***ing with.” Tr. at 280. While being transported to jail, Sharp told Officer
McKissack that he knew where both Officer McKissack and Sergeant Hawk lived. He stated
that he knew Sergeant Hawk’s wife by name and that “he knew people in Chicago and that
[the officers] didn’t know who we were screwing with.” Id. at 281. Sharp does not dispute
this testimony and merely asserts that the scene of the domestic disturbance was “chaotic”
and that it is unlikely that he could have clearly communicated any threats to the officers.
Again, Sharp merely invites us to reweigh the evidence, which we will not do. See Boggs,
928 N.E.2d at 864. The State presented sufficient evidence for the jury to find Sharp guilty
of the intimidation of Officer McKissack and Sergeant Hawk.
Section 4 – Inappropriate Sentence
Sharp requests that we reduce his sentence. Pursuant to Indiana Appellate Rule 7(B),
we may revise a sentence authorized by statute if, after due consideration of the trial court’s
decision, we find that the sentence “is inappropriate in light of the nature of the offense and
the character of the offender.” The defendant bears the burden to persuade this Court that his
or her sentence is inappropriate. Childress v. State, 848 N.E.2d 1073, 1080 (Ind. 2006).
“[W]hether we regard a sentence as appropriate at the end of the day turns on our sense of
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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 case.” Cardwell v. State, 895 N.E.2d 1219, 1224
(Ind. 2008).
When considering the nature of the offense, the advisory sentence is the starting point
to determine the appropriateness of a sentence. Anglemyer v. State, 868 N.E.2d 482, 494
(Ind. 2007), clarified on reh’g, 875 N.E.2d 218. Sharp was convicted of one class C felony,
three class D felonies, and one class A misdemeanor. The highest felony for which Sharp
was convicted, class C felony escape, has a sentencing range between two and eight years,
with the advisory sentence being four years. Ind. Code § 35-50-2-6. The trial court imposed
the advisory sentence for each of his convictions and ordered that his sentences be served
concurrently, for a total sentence of four years. Although Sharp points out that no person
was injured as a result of his crimes, he fails to explain how imposition of the advisory
sentence on each of his crimes was inappropriate based upon the nature of those offenses.
He brandished and fired a weapon in a crowded apartment complex, escaped from the police
who were summoned to help, and then threatened the officers and one of the witnesses.
Sharp has not demonstrated that the nature of these crimes warrants a reduction below the
advisory sentence.
Regarding his character, the record reveals that Sharp has two prior misdemeanor
convictions, one involving a handgun. While his criminal history is by no means extensive,
such history, which includes a prior conviction involving a handgun, does not reflect
favorably on his character. See Richardson v. State, 906 N.E.2d 241, 248 (Ind. Ct. App.
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2009) (when reviewing criminal history, among other things, we look to any similarity or
dissimilarity to the present offense that might reflect on a defendant’s culpability). Sharp’s
sole argument regarding his character is essentially a request that we reconsider the
mitigating weight of his young age, lack of prior felony convictions, and his remorse, and
that we determine that the trial court should have imposed the minimum sentence on each
count rather than the advisory sentence.
To the extent that Sharp argues that the trial court assigned improper weight to
mitigating factors, such a claim is not available for appellate review. Lamar v. State, 915
N.E.2d 193, 196 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009). Moreover, we observe that an argument pursuant to
Appellate Rule 7(B), as Sharp’s argument is framed, involves an analysis distinct from that
of a claim that aggravators and mitigators were improperly recognized during sentencing.
King v. State, 894 N.E.2d 265, 267 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008). Because Sharp frames his argument
solely pursuant to Appellate Rule 7(B), we so confine our consideration. We remind him that
“the question under Appellate Rule 7(B) is not whether another sentence is more appropriate;
rather, the question is whether the sentence imposed is inappropriate.” Id. at 268. Sharp has
not met his burden to demonstrate that his four-year sentence is inappropriate. His
convictions and sentence are affirmed.
Affirmed.
BAKER, J., and NAJAM, J., concur.
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