Tracy Hertel v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.) ( 2016 )

MEMORANDUM DECISION
FILED
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), Jun 22 2016, 8:51 am
this Memorandum Decision shall not be CLERK
regarded as precedent or cited before any Indiana Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
court except for the purpose of establishing and Tax Court
the defense of res judicata, collateral
estoppel, or the law of the case.
APPELLANT PRO SE ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Tracy Hertel Gregory F. Zoeller
South Bend, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana
Michael Gene Worden
Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Tracy Hertel, June 22, 2016
Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No.
71A03-1505-CR-475
v. Appeal from the St. Joseph
Superior Court
State of Indiana, The Honorable T. Edward Page,
Appellee-Plaintiff. Senior Judge
Trial Court Cause No.
71D08-0409-FA-96
Brown, Judge.
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[1] Tracy Hertel appeals his convictions for two counts of dealing in a schedule II
controlled substance as class B felonies, two counts of possession of two or
more chemical reagents or precursors with the intent to manufacture as class D
felonies, possession of a schedule IV controlled substance as a class D felony,
possession of marijuana as a class A misdemeanor, and possession of hashish as
a class A misdemeanor. He raises three issues which we consolidate and restate
as:
I. Whether Hertel was denied his right to a speedy trial; and
II. Whether the trial court abused its discretion in admitting certain
evidence.
We affirm.
Facts and Procedural History
[2] In September 2004, the Indiana State Police requested search warrants for the
home of Hertel’s girlfriend on Altgeld Street in South Bend and storage units
rented by Hertel. The affidavits requesting the warrants alleged that the police
searched an address in St. Joseph County that was rented by Kevin Smith, and
that the search revealed items consistent with the manufacture of
methamphetamine packaged in United States Post Office priority mailboxes.
The affidavits stated that Smith said that he assisted Hertel move laboratory
equipment and/or chemicals from Hertel’s home to a storage facility and
outbuilding, and that Smith consumed methamphetamine given to him by
Hertel. The affidavits also stated that Smith provided a digital camera, which
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he said belonged to Hertel, and that this camera had images of laboratory
equipment previously in production at Hertel’s residence stored on it. And the
affidavits indicated that Smith called Hertel, that Smith asked Hertel “Did you
get rid of everything,” and Hertel replied “Pretty much” and also referenced the
postal boxes. Direct Appeal Appellant’s Supplemental Appendix Volume II at
3, 6-7, 11, 15.
[3] On September 24, 2004, the trial court granted the search warrants, and police
found items they believed were related to the illegal manufacture of drugs and
illegal substances.
[4] On September 27, 2004, the State charged Hertel with several drug-related
counts. On October 28, 2004, his counsel filed an appearance and Motions to
Reduce Bail, for a Speedy Trial, to Dismiss, to Strike and for Discovery. On
November 5, 2004, the court scheduled the trial for January 4, 2005.
[5] On December 14, 2004, Hertel filed a number of motions including a motion to
suppress the evidence seized at the Altgeld property and the storage facilities.
His motion to suppress alleged that the State misunderstood the nature of a
statement against penal interest, that probable cause was so lacking as to deem
relying on the affidavits entirely unreasonable because Smith’s reliability was
never established, and the affidavits were lacking in indicia of reliability as to
the particularity requirements.
[6] The court held a hearing that same day, and Hertel’s counsel stated that Hertel
wished to pursue his motion to suppress evidence. When the court indicated
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that it would not be able to hear the case on January 4th because Hertel was
pursuing a motion to suppress, his counsel stated: “My recommendation, Your
Honor, would be to combine the motion to suppress with the trial.” Transcript
of December 14, 2004 Hearing at 7. The court stated that there was no sense in
doing that because “as a practical matter, a motion to suppress, which is
anticipatory as to what evidence comes in or does not come in, needs to be
held.” Id. at 7-8. The court stated that if Hertel wished to pursue the motion to
suppress, then it constituted a waiver of his right to a speedy trial.
[7] On December 21, 2004, Hertel filed exhibits to support his motion to suppress.
That same day, the court held a hearing and stated: “I view and continue to
view the filing of the motion to suppress on December 14th as an act
inconsistent with a motion for speedy trial. So, from my standpoint, the motion
for speedy trial does not exist.” Transcript of December 21, 2004 Hearing at
76. Hertel’s counsel indicated that Hertel “does want to keep the speedy trial
for now.” Id. at 82. The court scheduled a hearing for January 7, 2015. On
January 4, 2005, Hertel filed a brief in support of his motion to suppress.
[8] On January 7, 2005, the court heard arguments regarding Hertel’s motion to
suppress and motion for a speedy trial. His counsel discussed several police
reports which he alleged demonstrated that the police knew Smith was
unreliable because he had lied to the police on several occasions, and that this
information was excluded from the affidavits for the search warrants. After
some discussion, the court had the reports marked as Defendant’s Exhibit A
and stated that it was not going to alter its decision with respect to the motion
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for a speedy trial. Hertel’s counsel stated that he wished to preserve the issue
for appeal. The court denied Hertel’s request to reconsider the denial of the
motion for a speedy trial and took his motion to suppress under advisement.
[9] On January 14, 2005, Hertel’s counsel filed a Motion to Discharge and a
Motion to Withdraw. On January 21, 2005, the court entered an order denying
the motion to suppress, specifically, finding that a substantial portion of the
affidavits related to hearsay information provided by Smith, that Smith’s
hearsay statements were not declarations against his penal interests, and that
the affidavits “establish that when the digital camera was provided by Smith,
police were aware that it was not his property, but rather Hertel’s,” and that the
viewing of the images in it amounted to an unlawful search of Hertel’s property.
Appellant’s Appendix at 479. The court found that the “inclusion of the
information regarding the images of laboratory equipment discovered in the
search of [Hertel’s] camera was a substantial basis for the warrant, thereby
tainting the probable cause determination.” Id. at 480. The court mentioned
the good faith exception and found that the warrants issued were free from
obvious defects and that the officers conducting the searches reasonably
believed the search warrants were valid.
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[10] On February 1, 2005, the court held a hearing at which Hertel moved for a
speedy trial, and the court scheduled a hearing for March 22, 2005, and a trial
for April 5, 2005.1
[11] A hearing was held on March 8, 2005. The court and the parties discussed
correspondence from Hertel to the court and to another trial court judge. Upon
questioning by the court, Hertel indicated that he wished to have his public
defender continue to represent him.
[12] On March 17, 2005, the State filed a motion to continue the trial. On March
22, 2005, the court granted the State’s motion to continue and rescheduled the
trial for June 13, 2005. On March 22, 2005, Hertel was released from custody.
[13] On April 28, 2005, Hertel’s counsel moved to withdraw his appearance. On
May 12, 2005, the court held a hearing, and Hertel’s counsel stated that he and
Hertel had resolved half of their issues, but were still “working on some other
things.” Transcript of May 12, 2005 Hearing at 48. A hearing was held on
May 19, 2005, and the court granted the motion to withdraw filed by Hertel’s
counsel, recused himself, nominated three judges for successorship, rescheduled
a hearing for June 24, 2005, and vacated the trial date.
[14] On July 22, 2005, the court held a hearing and stated that there were three
judges “named as a panel and we’ve been together twice now in an effort to
1
The record does not contain a copy of the transcript of the February 1, 2005 hearing.
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allow you time to hire your lawyer, which you felt you needed that for.”
Transcript of July 22, 2005 Hearing at 51. The court scheduled a hearing for
August 30, 2005, and indicated that would allow enough time for Hertel’s strike
of one of the possible judges, and that hopefully the new judge would be able to
hold a hearing on August 30th.
[15] On August 30, 2005, the court held a hearing, and Hertel indicated that he was
“filing a motion to suppress today, because I was held in jail beyond my rights.”
Transcript of August 30, 2005 Hearing at 4. The prosecutor suggested
scheduling a hearing in about a month, and Hertel stated: “That sounds fair.”
Id. at 6. Hertel, pro se, filed a motion to dismiss, and the court scheduled a
hearing on that motion for September 30, 2005.2 When asked by the court if he
was requesting a public defender, Hertel answered:
Well I’m not sure that if I could borrow money from my family.
My concern, frankly, is that sometimes when you get a public
defender – I’ve been in court many, many times – they come in
ten minutes before court, and that’s the amount of time you get
to spend with them.
Id. at 9. The court stated that if Hertel was not requesting a public defender,
then it would not address the issue.
2
On appeal, Hertel cites “Supp. App. I 26-29” after the statement that he filed a “pro se ‘motion to dismiss’
that was substantially a motion to discharge on 08-30-05.” Appellant’s Brief at 24. Appellant’s Supplemental
Appendix Volume I does not contain Hertel’s motion to dismiss.
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[16] On September 30, 2005, the court held a hearing on Hertel’s motion to dismiss
and denied the motion. After some discussion, Hertel indicated that he needed
an attorney appointed for him. The court indicated that it did not think a public
defender could reasonably prepare for trial on October 24, 2005, but appointed
a public defender and scheduled an appearance date of October 5, 2005.
[17] A hearing was held on October 5, 2005, and a new public defender appeared on
Hertel’s behalf. The court asked if a trial should be scheduled within seventy
days, and Hertel’s counsel suggested setting a hearing two or three weeks away
and “then we come back and figure out where we’re at.” Transcript of October
5, 2005 Hearing at 26. Upon questioning by the court, Hertel indicated that he
understood that the time from that date to the next hearing date did not count
against the State for Criminal Rule 4 purposes.
[18] On November 14, 2005, the court held a hearing and Hertel’s counsel discussed
motions that Hertel had filed, including a motion to terminate counsel and to
proceed on the issue of a motion for certification of interlocutory appeal on the
speedy trial issue. The court informed Hertel that he was either going to have
an attorney or would represent himself, that it would give him time to discuss
his motions with his attorney, and scheduled a hearing for November 21, 2005.
[19] On November 21, 2005, Hertel’s counsel indicated that he was willing to join in
Hertel’s pro se motion to certify the denial of his motion for a speedy trial for
interlocutory appeal, and a January 20, 2006 hearing was set.
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[20] On January 20, 2006, Hertel’s counsel indicated that he needed more time to do
further research. After some discussion, the court denied Hertel’s request to
certify the denial of his motion for a speedy trial. The prosecutor requested that
the court schedule a trial, and a trial was set for May 22, 2006.
[21] On March 24, 2006, the court held a hearing at which Hertel’s counsel
requested a “short delay.” Transcript of March 24, 2006 Hearing at 47. The
court observed that Hertel had filed a notice of termination of counsel, and the
court recused for reasons of personal health. A new trial court judge was
assigned the following day.
[22] On May 5, 2006, Hertel, by counsel, filed a motion to continue, and the court
granted the motion. After multiple continuances requested by Hertel and
granted by the court, the court held a jury trial in January 2008. Hertel’s
counsel objected to the admission of the evidence discovered during the
searches and adopted the objection of Hertel’s prior counsel. The court
overruled the objection. The jury found Hertel guilty of two counts of dealing
in a schedule II controlled substance as class B felonies, two counts of
possession of two or more chemical reagents or precursors with the intent to
manufacture as class D felonies, possession of a schedule IV controlled
substance as a class D felony, possession of marijuana as a class A
misdemeanor, and possession of hashish as a class A misdemeanor.
[23] On April 28, 2008, Hertel filed a notice of appeal. On March 31, 2009, this
court entered an order granting Hertel’s motion for remand pursuant to his
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Davis/Hatton petition to allow him to file a petition for post-conviction relief.3
We also ordered that following the post-conviction proceedings, Hertel may,
upon the filing of a new notice of appeal, raise in a subsequent appeal any of the
issues which could have been raised in the direct appeal together with any
appealable issues arising from post-conviction proceedings.
[24] On May 13, 2010, Hertel filed a pro se petition for post-conviction relief. On
August 26, 2010, the State filed a response and denied Hertel’s allegations
related to the grounds for vacating, correcting, or setting aside the judgment and
sentence.
[25] On March 26, 2012, Hertel filed a pro se motion for summary judgment and a
fifty-eight page memorandum. He asserted that he filed the motion pursuant to
Post-Conviction Rule 1(4)(g)4 and Ind. Trial Rule 56. On July 3, 2012, the
State filed a response to the motion asserting that it did not admit any of the
3
The Davis/Hatton procedure involves a termination or suspension of a direct appeal already initiated, upon
appellate counsel’s motion for remand or stay, to allow a post-conviction relief petition to be pursued in the
trial court. Taylor v. State, 929 N.E.2d 912, 917 n.1 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010) (citing State v. Lopez, 676 N.E.2d
1063, 1069 (Ind. Ct. App. 1997) (citing Hatton v. State, 626 N.E.2d 442 (Ind. 1993); Davis v. State, 267 Ind.
152, 368 N.E.2d 1149 (1977)), trans. denied), trans. denied; Ind. Appellate Rule 37(A) (“At any time after the
Court on Appeal obtains jurisdiction, any party may file a motion requesting that the appeal be dismissed
without prejudice or temporarily stayed and the case remanded to the trial court . . . for further proceedings.
The motion must be verified and demonstrate that remand will promote judicial economy or is otherwise
necessary for the administration of justice.”).
4
Ind. Post-Conviction Rule 1(4)(g) provides: “The court may grant a motion by either party for summary
disposition of the petition when it appears from the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories,
admissions, stipulations of fact, and any affidavits submitted, that there is no genuine issue of material fact
and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. The court may ask for oral argument on the
legal issue raised. If an issue of material fact is raised, then the court shall hold an evidentiary hearing as
soon as reasonably possible.”
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allegations contained in Hertel’s memorandum of law in support of summary
judgment and requesting the court deny the motion.
[26] After multiple hearings, the post-conviction court denied Hertel’s petition in a
forty-nine page order on April 22, 2015. With respect to the summary
judgment motion, the court’s order stated that “[a]ll other motions which may
still be considered to be pending, including motions for summary judgment
filed before and after the hearings on the petition for postconviction relief, have
been or are hereby denied.”5 Appellant’s Appendix at 777. The court’s order
also stated that the only evidence before the court consisted of the testimony
and evidence admitted at the July 2013 hearings, together with the records of
which the court properly took judicial notice, and that “[a]ll other motions
requesting the court to take judicial notice of other pleadings or records are
hereby denied.” Id.Discussion
[27] Hertel is proceeding pro se. Such litigants are held to the same standard as
trained counsel. Evans v. State, 809 N.E.2d 338, 344 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004), trans.
denied. To the extent that he fails to develop a cogent argument or cite to the
record, we conclude that such arguments are waived. See Cooper v. State, 854
N.E.2d 831, 834 n.1 (Ind. 2006) (holding that the defendant’s contention was
5
In his brief, Hertel states that the trial court summarily denied his motion for summary judgment on
November 27, 2012, but does not cite to the record.
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waived because it was “supported neither by cogent argument nor citation to
authority”); Shane v. State, 716 N.E.2d 391, 398 n.3 (Ind. 1999) (holding that the
defendant waived argument on appeal by failing to develop a cogent argument);
Smith v. State, 822 N.E.2d 193, 202-203 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005) (“Generally, a
party waives any issue raised on appeal where the party fails to develop a
cogent argument or provide adequate citation to authority and portions of the
record.”), trans. denied.
[28] For all the issues raised by Hertel, he relies upon facts he asserts the State
admitted by failing to file a timely reply to his motion for summary judgment.
We note that the issues he raises in this appeal, i.e., his right to a speedy trial
and the admission of evidence, relate to his direct appeal and are reviewable
now under the Davis/Hatton procedure in the context of a direct appeal. Such
claims are freestanding and unavailable in post-conviction proceedings. See
Reed v. State, 866 N.E.2d 767, 768 (Ind. 2007) (holding that only issues not
known at the time of the original trial or issues not available on direct appeal
may be properly raised through post-conviction proceedings); Sanders v. State,
765 N.E.2d 591, 592 (Ind. 2002) (holding that in “post-conviction proceedings,
complaints that something went awry at trial are generally cognizable only
when they show deprivation of the right to effective counsel or issues
demonstrably unavailable at the time of trial or direct appeal” and that it is
wrong to review the petitioner’s fundamental error claim in a post-conviction
proceeding); Lambert v. State, 743 N.E.2d 719, 726 (Ind. 2001) (holding that
post-conviction procedures do not provide a petitioner with a “super-appeal” or
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opportunity to consider freestanding claims that the original trial court
committed error and that such claims are available only on direct appeal), reh’g
denied, cert. denied, 534 U.S. 1136, 122 S. Ct. 1082 (2002). Accordingly, we will
review the issues in the context of a direct appeal.
[29] However, even assuming that Post-Conviction Rule 1(4)(g) applies, we cannot
say that the allegations in Hertel’s motion for summary judgment should be
deemed admitted by the State. As noted, Ind. Post-Conviction Rule 1(4)(g)
provides that “[t]he court may grant a motion by either party for summary
disposition of the petition when it appears from the pleadings, depositions,
answers to interrogatories, admissions, stipulations of fact, and any affidavits
submitted, that there is no genuine issue of material fact and the moving party
is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Prior to Hertel’s filing of his motion
for summary judgment, the State filed an answer to his petition for post-
conviction relief denying the allegations in his petition. Under these
circumstances, we cannot say that the State admitted the allegations in Hertel’s
motion for summary judgment. See State v. Fair, 450 N.E.2d 66, 68-69 (Ind.
1983) (observing the State’s answers to petitioner’s petitions and holding that
the post-conviction court was not faced with a petition in which the allegations
of fact were required to be deemed admitted).
I.
[30] The first issue is whether the trial court improperly denied Hertel’s motion for
discharge under Ind. Criminal Rule 4(B). Hertel argues that the length of delay
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of more than three years resulted in a denial of his speedy trial rights under the
United States Constitution and the Indiana Constitution.
[31] The State contends that Hertel’s claim fails because the filing of the motion to
suppress evidence so close to the trial date necessitated a continuance of the
jury trial, and that Hertel failed to maintain a position consistent with his
speedy trial request. The State also asserts that the motion to suppress could
not have been heard during the jury trial because if the motion had been
granted it would have obviated the need for the expense and time of a jury trial.
The State argues that Hertel provides almost no analysis of his Sixth
Amendment speedy trial claim and therefore waived the issue, and that, waiver
notwithstanding, his claim fails.
[32] “The broad goal of Indiana’s Criminal Rule 4 is to provide functionality to a
criminal defendant’s fundamental and constitutionally protected right to a
speedy trial.” Austin v. State, 997 N.E.2d 1027, 1037 (Ind. 2013). “It places an
affirmative duty on the State to bring the defendant to trial, but at the same time
is not intended to be a mechanism for providing defendants a technical means
to escape prosecution.” Id. The Indiana Supreme Court has noted that
“though Rule 4(B)’s intent is to effectuate the rights guaranteed by the Sixth
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and Article 1, Section 12 of the Indiana
Constitution, we emphasize that reviewing Rule 4(B) challenges is separate and
distinct from reviewing claimed violations of those constitutional provisions.”
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[33] Ind. Criminal Rule 4(B)(1) provides, in pertinent part:
If any defendant held in jail on an indictment or an affidavit shall
move for an early trial, he shall be discharged if not brought to
trial within seventy (70) calendar days from the date of such
motion, except where a continuance within said period is had on
his motion, or the delay is otherwise caused by his act, or where
there was not sufficient time to try him during such seventy (70)
calendar days because of the congestion of the court calendar.
[34] “The purpose served by Crim. R. 4(B) is to prevent a defendant from being
detained in jail for more than 70 days after requesting an early trial.” Williams
v. State, 631 N.E.2d 485, 486 (Ind. 1994), reh’g denied. Restraint on liberty is
one policy underlying Rule 4(B), but it is not the only policy. Poore v. State, 685
N.E.2d 36, 40 (Ind. 1997). “There is also the anxiety and humiliation that can
accompany public accusation.” Id. “These considerations are unrelated to
whether the accused is incarcerated on other grounds at the time the speedy
trial is demanded.” Id. “Equally importantly, a prompt trial enables a
defendant to make his or her case before exculpatory evidence vanishes or
becomes stale.” Id.[35] “The onus is on the State, not the defendant, to expedite prosecution.” Jackson
v. State, 663 N.E.2d 766, 769 (Ind. 1996). A defendant has no duty to bring
himself to trial; the State has that duty as well as the duty of insuring that the
trial is consistent with due process. Id. A movant for an early trial must
maintain a position which is reasonably consistent with the request that he has
made. Wilburn v. State, 442 N.E.2d 1098, 1103 (Ind. 1982). “[I]t is incumbent
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upon defendant to object at the earliest opportunity when his trial date is
scheduled beyond the time limits prescribed by Ind. R. Crim. P. 4(B)(1).” Smith
v. State, 477 N.E.2d 857, 861-862 (Ind. 1985). “This requirement is enforced to
enable the trial court to reset the trial date within the proper time period.”
Dukes v. State, 661 N.E.2d 1263, 1266 (Ind. Ct. App. 1996). “A defendant who
permits the court, without objection, to set a trial date outside the 70-day limit
is considered to have waived any speedy trial request.” Stephenson v. State, 742
N.E.2d 463, 488 (Ind. 2001), cert. denied, 534 U.S. 1105, 122 S. Ct. 905 (2002).
[36] Hertel filed his motion for a speedy trial on October 28, 2004. Based upon Rule
4(B), he was to be brought to trial within seventy days or by January 6, 2005.
The court scheduled a trial for January 4, 2005. Hertel filed his motion to
suppress on December 14, 2004, twenty-one days before the scheduled trial
date. On December 21, 2004, he filed exhibits to his motion to suppress, and
on January 4, 2005, he filed a supporting brief.
[37] The court held a hearing on the motion to suppress on January 7, 2005, and
denied it on January 21, 2005. Even assuming that the motion to suppress itself
did not constitute an abandonment of Hertel’s motion for a speedy trial, we
conclude that that the delay of thirty-eight days between the date he filed the
motion and the date the court ruled on the motion is attributable to Hertel.
This delay extended the seventy-day limit by thirty-eight days to February 13,
2005. See Curtis v. State, 948 N.E.2d 1143, 1150 (Ind. 2011) (“Under the facts of
this case, we find the time between the filing of the motion to suppress and the
trial court’s ruling on the motion is attributable to Curtis. Although the motion
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was not a dilatory tactic, Curtis filed it approximately three weeks before trial
was set. In the motion, Curtis asked that the trial court set the matter for a
hearing prior to the trial date. But Indiana Trial Rule 53.1 affords trial courts
more time—and reality likely requires more time—to deal with motions. The
setting of a trial date is not determinative of what delays are chargeable to the
defendant, but a pretrial motion’s proximity to a set trial date weighs in favor of
attributing a delay to a defendant.”) (internal citation omitted); see also Ind.
Criminal Rule 4(F) (“When a continuance is had on motion of the defendant,
or delay in trial is caused by his act, any time limitation contained in this rule
shall be extended by the amount of the resulting period of such delay caused
thereby.”).
[38] Hertel filed a motion for discharge on January 14, 2005. However, this motion
was premature when considering the delay caused by his motion to suppress,
and he did not file a subsequent motion for discharge. Instead, he filed a
second motion for a speedy trial on February 1, 2005. Even assuming that this
motion was a motion for discharge, it was also premature. Further, the Indiana
Supreme Court has held that a second request for a speedy trial is an
abandonment of the first request for a speedy trial. See Minneman v. State, 441
N.E.2d 673, 677 (Ind. 1982) (“When a defendant files a motion for early trial
under Ind. R. Crim. P. 4(B), such filing constitutes an abandonment of previous
motions for early trial filed by that defendant.”), cert. denied, 461 U.S. 933, 103
S. Ct. 2099 (1983); Mickens v. State, 439 N.E.2d 591, 595 (Ind. 1982) (observing
that the defendant had filed multiple requests for a speedy trial and holding that
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the defendant abandoned his initial speedy trial motion by pursuing plea
negotiations and by making a second motion rather than by seeking discharge
on the basis of the initial motion); Rutledge v. State, 426 N.E.2d 638, 640 (Ind.
1981) (“Under the circumstances of this case then, when on January 17, 1979,
appellant requested that he be tried within the next succeeding seventy-day
period, rather than discharged upon the basis of his first motion, he is deemed
to have abandoned that first motion.”); see also 16B INDIANA PRACTICE § 19.3
(“A motion for a continuance or a second request for an early trial would also
be inconsistent with a prior request for an early trial and would therefore waive
the right to be tried within seventy days of the earlier request.”) (footnotes
omitted).
[39] Based upon Rule 4(B), Hertel was to be brought to trial within seventy days of
his February 1, 2005 motion for a speedy trial or by April 12, 2005. On March
22, 2005, he was released from custody. Given his release prior to the
expiration of the seventy-day period, we find that the objective of Ind. Criminal
Rule 4(B) was satisfied. See Williams, 631 N.E.2d at 487 (“Once released from
custody, a defendant receives no further benefit from Crim. R. 4(B).”).6
[40] With respect to his discussion of the February 1, 2005 hearing, we observe that,
while he allegedly quotes from the transcript of the February 1, 2005 hearing in
his brief, he does not cite to the record and the record does not contain a copy
6
Hertel does not specifically cite to or develop a cogent argument under Ind. Criminal Rule 4(C).
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of the transcript of this hearing.7 We also observe that the post-conviction court
listed the transcripts of the hearings that it was receiving into evidence and did
not list the transcript of the February 1, 2005 hearing. Accordingly, we
conclude that any argument relying on this hearing is waived. See Meehan v.
State, 7 N.E.3d 255, 257 n.4 (Ind. 2014) (holding that, pursuant to Ind.
Appellate Rule 9(F)(5),8 by failing to present on appeal a complete record of the
issues for which the appellant claimed errors, specifically a transcript from the
hearing on the State’s motion to amend the charging information, the defendant
waived the right to appellate review of that issue); Miller v. State, 753 N.E.2d
1284, 1287 (Ind. 2001) (observing that the defendant did not provide the Court
with a transcript of a hearing, that the defendant gave no explanation as to why
the proceeding was missing from the record, and that the Court has previously
held that, without submitting a complete record of the issues for which an
appellant claims error, the appellant waives the right to appellate review, and
holding that the defendant, as the appellant, has the responsibility to present a
sufficient record that supports his claim in order for an intelligent review of the
issues), reh’g denied; Hatchett v. State, 33 N.E.3d 1125, 1129 (Ind. Ct. App. 2015)
7
Hertel’s notice of appeal did not specifically request a transcript of the February 1, 2005 hearing. Rather, he
requested transcripts of “ALL hearings that have not yet been transcribed, specifically 07/25/2013
Evidentiary Hearing[,] 07/31/2013 Evidentiary Hearing[, and] 07/16/2014 Evidentiary Hearing.” Notice of
Appeal.
8
Ind. Appellate Rule 9(F)(5) provides for: “A designation of all portions of the Transcript necessary to
present fairly and decide the issues on appeal. If the appellant intends to urge on appeal that a finding of fact
or conclusion thereon is unsupported by the evidence or is contrary to the evidence, the Notice of Appeal
shall request a Transcript of all the evidence. In Criminal Appeals, the Notice of Appeal must request the
Transcript of the entire trial or evidentiary hearing, unless the party intends to limit the appeal to an issue
requiring no Transcript.”
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(holding that the defendant waived his argument regarding voir dire by failing
to provide a complete transcript).
[41] We next turn to Hertel’s argument that the length of delay of more than three
years resulted in a denial of his speedy trial rights under the United States
Constitution and the Indiana Constitution. The Sixth Amendment to the
United States Constitution provides, in relevant part, that “[i]n all criminal
prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial . . . .”
Article 1, Section 12 of the Indiana Constitution states, in applicable part, that
“[j]ustice shall be administered freely, and without purchase; completely, and
without denial; speedily, and without delay.”
[42] To resolve claimed speedy trial violations under our state constitution, we apply
the federal speedy trial analysis of Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 92 S. Ct. 2182,
(1972). Logan v. State, 16 N.E.3d 953, 961 (Ind. 2014). In Barker, the United
States Supreme Court identified four factors to balance when considering
whether the defendant has been deprived of his or her right to a speedy trial: (1)
length of the delay; (2) reason(s) for the delay; (3) defendant’s assertion of his or
her right; and (4) prejudice to the defendant. Id. at 961-962 (citing Barker, 407
U.S. at 530, 92 S. Ct. 2182). “The Court characterized this approach as ‘a
balancing test, in which the conduct of both the prosecution and the defendant
are weighed.’” Id. at 962 (quoting Barker, 407 U.S. at 530, 92 S. Ct. 2182).
“‘[T]o some extent a triggering mechanism,’ the appropriateness of the length
of delay between the State’s filing of charges against the defendant and the
beginning of the defendant’s trial is ‘necessarily dependent upon the peculiar
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circumstances of the case.’” Id. (quoting Barker, 407 U.S. at 530-531, 92 S. Ct.
2182).
[43] While the length of the delay of almost three years and four months between
the date the State charged Hertel on September 27, 2004, and the date his trial
began on January 25, 2008, is substantial, Hertel is responsible for many of the
delays. As discussed, Hertel filed a motion to suppress on October 28, 2004,
which resulted in a delay. Following the trial court judge’s recusal on May 19,
2005, the court held a hearing on July 22, 2005, and told Hertel that there were
three judges named as a panel and that “we’ve been together twice now in an
effort to allow you time to hire your lawyer, which you felt you needed that
for.” Transcript of July 22, 2005 Hearing at 51. On August 30, 2005, Hertel
filed a motion to suppress, the prosecutor suggested scheduling a hearing in
about a month, and Hertel stated: “That sounds fair.” Transcript of August 30,
2005 Hearing at 6. On October 5, 2005, the court held a hearing, and Hertel’s
newly appointed counsel suggested scheduling a hearing two or three weeks
away and “then we come back and figure out where we’re at.” Transcript of
October 5, 2005 Hearing at 26. On November 14, 2005, the court held a
hearing at which Hertel’s counsel discussed motions that Hertel filed including
a motion to terminate counsel and to proceed on the issue of a motion for
certification of interlocutory appeal, and the court stated that it would give
Hertel time to discuss his motions with his attorney and scheduled a hearing for
November 21, 2005. On January 20, 2006, Hertel’s counsel indicated that he
needed to do further research. After the court scheduled a trial for May 22,
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2006, Hertel’s counsel requested a “short delay” at the March 24, 2006 hearing.
Transcript of March 24, 2006 Hearing at 47. On May 5, 2006, Hertel’s counsel
filed a motion to continue, and the court granted the motion. Hertel requested
further continuances on December 14, 2006, April 2, 2007, and September 11,
2007, and the court granted these motions.
[44] Hertel asserted his right to a speedy trial, but also requested multiple
continuances that were granted. He does not develop an argument that he was
prejudiced. Under the circumstances, we cannot say that the delay resulted in a
denial of Hertel’s speedy trial rights under the United States Constitution or the
Indiana Constitution.9
II.
[45] The next issue is whether the trial court abused its discretion by admitting the
evidence obtained as a result of the searches. To the extent Hertel asserts that
the trial court improperly granted the motion to suppress, “[w]here a defendant
does not perfect an interlocutory appeal from a trial court’s ruling on a motion
to suppress, but objects to the admission of the evidence at trial, the issue on
appeal is more appropriately framed as whether the trial court abused its
discretion by admitting the evidence at trial.” Danner v. State, 931 N.E.2d 421,
9
Hertel also asserts that he was forced to surrender the right to a speedy trial to assert his right to be free of
unreasonable searches. He relies upon the State’s alleged admissions, which, as discussed above, the State
did not admit. He also cites to the transcript of the February 1, 2005 hearing, which is not included in the
record. We cannot say that Hertel has demonstrated that he was forced to improperly choose between two
rights.
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426 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010), trans. denied; see also Clark v. State, 994 N.E.2d 252,
259 (Ind. 2013).
[46] We review the trial court’s ruling on the admission or exclusion of evidence for
an abuse of discretion. Roche v. State, 690 N.E.2d 1115, 1134 (Ind. 1997), reh’g
denied. We reverse only where the decision is clearly against the logic and effect
of the facts and circumstances. Joyner v. State, 678 N.E.2d 386, 390 (Ind. 1997),
reh’g denied. Even if the trial court’s decision was an abuse of discretion, we will
not reverse if the admission constituted harmless error. Fox v. State, 717 N.E.2d
957, 966 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999), reh’g denied, trans. denied. Also, we may affirm a
trial court’s decision to admit evidence seized as a result of a search based on
any legal theory supported by the record. Edwards v. State, 724 N.E.2d 616,
620-621 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000), trans. denied. We review de novo a ruling on the
constitutionality of a search or seizure, but we give deference to a trial court’s
determination of the facts, which will not be overturned unless clearly
erroneous. Campos v. State, 885 N.E.2d 590, 596 (Ind. 2008); see also Carpenter v.
State, 18 N.E.3d 998, 1001 (Ind. 2014) (holding that the ultimate determination
of the constitutionality of a search or seizure is a question of law that we
consider de novo).
[47] “A warrant and its underlying affidavit must comply with the Fourth
Amendment prohibition on unreasonable searches and seizures, as well as
Indiana constitutional and statutory law.” Jackson v. State, 908 N.E.2d 1140,
1143 (Ind. 2009). “The lack of probable cause does not automatically require
the suppression of evidence obtained during a search conducted pursuant to a
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warrant.” Id. In United States v. Leon, 468 U.S. 897, 104 S. Ct. 3405 (1984), the
United States Supreme Court determined that the exclusionary rule does not
require the suppression of evidence obtained in reliance on a defective search
warrant if the police relied on the warrant in objective good faith. Id. There are
in turn exceptions to the good faith exception, and the good faith exception
does not apply where: (1) the warrant is based on false information knowingly
or recklessly supplied; (2) the warrant is facially deficient; (3) the issuing
magistrate is not detached and neutral; or (4) the affidavit or sworn testimony
upon which the probable cause rests is so lacking in indicia of probable cause as
to render an official belief in the existence of the warrant unreasonable. Smith v.
State, 982 N.E.2d 393, 406-407 (Ind. Ct. App. 2013) (citing Johnson v. State, 952
N.E.2d 305, 310-311 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011), trans. denied), trans. denied. The good
faith exception to the warrant requirement has been codified by Ind. Code § 35-
37-4-5.10 The Indiana Supreme Court held that “the heart of the matter is not
10
Ind. Code § 35-37-4-5 provides:
(a) In a prosecution for a crime or a proceeding to enforce an ordinance or a statute
defining an infraction, the court may not grant a motion to exclude evidence on the
grounds that the search or seizure by which the evidence was obtained was unlawful if the
evidence was obtained by a law enforcement officer in good faith.
(b) For purposes of this section, evidence is obtained by a law enforcement officer in good
faith if:
(1) it is obtained pursuant to:
(A) a search warrant that was properly issued upon a determination of
probable cause by a neutral and detached magistrate, that is free from
obvious defects other than nondeliberate errors made in its preparation,
and that was reasonably believed by the law enforcement officer to be
valid; or
(B) a state statute, judicial precedent, or court rule that is later declared
unconstitutional or otherwise invalidated; and
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whether a court of review agrees or disagrees about the existence of probable
cause sufficient to support the issuance of a search warrant; rather the issue is
whether when viewed from a totality of the circumstances there was enough
evidence before the issuing court that would allow the court to make that call.”
Jackson, 908 N.E.2d at 1144-1145.
[48] Hertel bases his arguments on the State’s alleged admissions, which we
concluded the State did not admit as discussed above. Many of his arguments
cite merely to his petition for post-conviction relief and his memorandum of law
in support of summary judgment, but not to the transcripts or exhibits. He
mentions the police reports that allegedly showed that Smith was not reliable,
but he does not cite to them on appeal or develop an argument regarding them.
We cannot say that an exception to the good faith exception applies. Further,
the affidavits described the house or storage lockers to be searched, detailed
Smith’s statements that he consumed methamphetamine provided by Hertel,
described the result of the search of the property rented by Smith as including
items associated with the production of methamphetamine packaged in United
States Post Office priority mailboxes, and referenced the recorded phone call
between Smith and Hertel in which Hertel answered Smith’s question of
(2) the law enforcement officer, at the time he obtains the evidence, has satisfied
applicable minimum basic training requirements established by rules adopted by
the law enforcement training board under IC 5-2-1-9.
(c) This section does not affect the right of a person to bring a civil action against a law
enforcement officer or a governmental entity to recover damages for the violation of his
rights by an unlawful search and seizure.
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whether he “g[o]t rid of everything,” by answering “[p]retty much,” and
referenced the postal boxes. Appellant’s Supplemental Appendix Volume II at
3, 6-7, 11, 15. Under the circumstances, we cannot say that reversal is
warranted.
Conclusion
[49] For the foregoing reasons, we affirm Hertel’s convictions.
[50] Affirmed.
Kirsch, J., and Mathias, J., concur.
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