State v. David ( 2017 )


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  • [Cite as State v. David, 2017-Ohio-1102.]
    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
    ELEVENTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
    ASHTABULA COUNTY, OHIO
    STATE OF OHIO,                                  :       OPINION
    Plaintiff-Appellee,            :
    CASE NO. 2016-A-0029
    - vs -                                  :
    NOLAN DAVID,                                    :
    Defendant-Appellant.           :
    Criminal Appeal from the Ashtabula County Court of Common Pleas, Case No. 2014
    CR 00310.
    Judgment: Affirmed.
    Nicholas A. Iarocci, Ashtabula County Prosecutor, and Shelley M. Pratt, Assistant
    Prosecutor, Ashtabula County Courthouse, 25 West Jefferson Street, Jefferson, OH
    44047 (For Plaintiff-Appellee).
    Gerald R. Walton and John J. Schneider, Gerald R. Walton & Associates, 6060
    Rockside Woods Boulevard, Spectrum Building, Suite 200, Independence, OH 44131
    (For Defendant-Appellant).
    CYNTHIA WESTCOTT RICE, P.J.
    {¶1}     Appellant, Nolan David, appeals from the judgment entry of the Ashtabula
    County Court of Common Pleas, sentencing him to two years imprisonment upon his
    plea of guilty to illegal manufacture of drugs, a second degree felony, in violation of R.C.
    2925.04(A)(C)(2). Appellant contends the trial court erred in denying his pre-sentence
    motion to withdraw his plea. We affirm the trial court’s judgment.
    {¶2}   Appellant engaged in drug manufacturing with his uncle, Marc David, at
    the residence of appellant’s grandfather, Norman David (“Norman”). The following facts
    are taken from the trial court’s judgment entry denying Marc David’s motion to suppress
    in a companion case to this matter, to wit: Case No. 2014-CR-307. The state submitted
    this judgment entry as an exhibit at the hearing on appellant’s motion to withdraw his
    guilty plea, and the trial court made it part of the record.
    {¶3}   On May 18, 2014, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Patrolman Gary Nelson of
    the Jefferson Police Department was dispatched to the Speedway gas station in
    Jefferson to meet with Harry Powell, who was concerned about possible drug-related
    activity at a residence near his own. Mr. Powell advised the officer he had smelled an
    ammonia-like odor emanating from the residence located at 128 Uselma Avenue,
    Norman’s residence. Mr. Powell also indicated that he had observed appellant and a
    thin, white female frequently entering and exiting the garage at the residence. Mr.
    Powell had also heard an individual inside the garage admonish the female for smoking
    near the garage, warning her that she would “blow up the garage.”          Mr. Powell
    expressed concern for Norman’s well being. Mr. Powell provided the officer with the
    license-plate number of a vehicle that was often parked at the residence and driven by
    the thin female.    Officer Nelson learned that the car was registered to Samantha
    Buehner.
    {¶4}   Officer Nelson knew Norman and also was aware that Norman was
    elderly. Given Mr. Powell’s statements, the officer went to the residence, but did not
    observe anyone near the garage, and did not smell any unusual chemical odor. At shift
    change, near 11:00 p.m. that night, Officer Nelson advised Officer Anthony Wood of Mr.
    Powell’s statement regarding possible drug activity at 128 Uselma Avenue. The officers
    2
    returned to the residence and knocked on the door for approximately 10-15 minutes.
    No one answered the door. The car registered to Ms. Buehner was still in the driveway.
    The officers obtained a phone number for the residence and were able to contact
    Norman by phone. Norman advised the officers he was upstairs and bedridden.
    Norman invited the officers into the home so they could speak with him. After entering
    the residence, Officer Wood noted he smelled marijuana when he entered the home.
    {¶5}   Officer Nelson advised Norman that a concerned neighbor believed there
    might be drug activity going on in his garage. Officer Nelson explained that the neighbor
    had smelled a chemical-like odor coming from the garage. Norman accordingly gave the
    officers consent to look in the garage and requested they let him know if they found
    anything.
    {¶6}   Upon approaching the garage, the officers determined the door was
    locked. The officers advised Norman, who provided them with a key to enter the garage.
    When they entered the garage, Officer Nelson smelled a strong odor of suspected
    marijuana. Officer Nelson observed a large amount of marijuana on a chair in the
    garage. The officer also noticed two additional large bags containing a large amount of
    suspected marijuana. He further observed a glass bowl that had dried residue on it and
    bottles of butane.    Officer Wood observed several items he associated with the
    manufacture of methamphetamine and hashish. Officer Nelson took photographs of the
    items then the officers left the garage.
    {¶7}   While the officers were discussing the need to obtain a search warrant
    and for more personnel, Officer Nelson observed a light go on and off in the basement
    of the residence. The officers also heard voices coming from the basement. Officer
    Nelson testified that he did not see anyone arrive at or leave the residence, and no one
    3
    responded when the officers initially announced their presence inside the house. He
    therefore concluded that whoever was in the basement had been there the entire time.
    {¶8}   Officer Wood and two other officers entered the home and announced
    their presence, advising anyone there to “come out now.” The officers yelled into the
    basement numerous times, but no one responded. The officers conducted a protective
    sweep of the residence, in the interest of officer safety and the safety of Norman David.
    In the course of the sweep, they entered the basement and saw a light coming from
    under a door underneath the stairs. The officers opened the door and discovered a
    large, sophisticated marijuana-growing operation, including 50 to 100 marijuana plants.
    {¶9}   Officer Wood and another officer then went upstairs to the second floor of
    the residence and discovered appellant with Samantha Bruehner in a bedroom across
    from Norman’s room. Officer Wood testified that these individuals were lying on a bed
    but sweating profusely. Michelle David was found in a separate, upstairs bedroom.
    {¶10} Officer Wood then left the scene and returned with a search warrant. Upon
    executing the search warrant, they found dozens of marijuana bags, numerous
    magazines on growing marijuana, and over $8,000.00 in cash in a room they
    determined to be appellant’s bedroom. Ephedrine, a product used in the manufacture of
    methamphetamine, and large amounts of powder methamphetamine were also
    discovered in that bedroom. A large number of other items were taken into evidence,
    including a one-pot meth lab that was discovered in the garage.
    {¶11} Appellant was arrested and the Ashtabula County Grand Jury returned a
    six-count indictment against him: Count One, aggravated possession of drugs, in
    violation of R.C. 2925.11(A)(C)(1)(d), a first-degree felony; Count Two, illegal
    manufacture of drugs, in violation of R.C. 2925.04(A)(C)(3)(a), a second-degree felony;
    4
    Count Three, illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs,
    in violation of R.C. 2925.04, a third-degree felony; Count Four, illegal manufacture of
    drugs, in violation of R.C. 2925.04(A)(C)(2), a second-degree felony; Count Five, illegal
    manufacture or cultivation of marijuana, in violation of R.C. 2925.04(A)(C)(5)(d), a third-
    degree felony; and Count Six, possession of marijuana, in violation of R.C.
    2925.11(A)(C)(3)(d), a third-degree felony. Attached to each count was a forfeiture
    specification regarding the money seized at Norman’s residence.            Appellant was
    arraigned and entered pleas of not guilty to all charges.
    {¶12} On May 21, 2015, a change of plea hearing was held. Appellant pleaded
    guilty to Count Four of the indictment, and the trial court nolled the remaining counts on
    the state’s motion. The state suggested a minimum sentence of two years. Sentencing
    was set for a future date.
    {¶13} On September 22, 2015, appellant discharged appointed counsel, and
    newly-retained counsel entered his appearance.        Appellant subsequently moved to
    withdraw his guilty plea. He later supplemented the motion. During a hearing on the
    motion, the state submitted certain exhibits, including the judgment entry in the
    companion case.       Appellant argued his previously-appointed counsel had been
    ineffective for failing to move to suppress, but presented no evidence. The trial court
    denied the motion to withdraw from the bench, and proceeded to sentencing. The trial
    court memorialized its rulings in separate judgment entries filed March 4, 2016.
    {¶14} Mr. David timely noticed this appeal, assigning a single error:
    {¶15} “The trial court erred when it denied defendant appellant’s motion to
    withdraw plea due to ineffective assistance of counsel.”
    5
    {¶16} Crim.R. 32.1 governs a pre-sentence motion to withdraw a guilty plea and
    provides: “(a) motion to withdraw a plea of guilty or no contest may be made only before
    sentence is imposed; but to correct manifest injustice the court after sentence may set
    aside the judgment of conviction and permit the defendant to withdraw his or her plea.”
    The rule, however, provides no guidelines for a trial court to use when ruling on a
    presentence motion to withdraw a guilty plea. State v. Xie, 
    62 Ohio St. 3d 521
    , 526
    (1992).
    {¶17} A pre-sentence motion to withdraw a guilty plea filed before sentencing
    should be freely granted and treated with liberality. 
    Id. Still, there
    is no inherent right to
    withdraw a guilty plea. 
    Id. Appellate review
    of a trial court’s denial of a motion to
    withdraw is limited to a determination of abuse of discretion. 
    Id. The phrase
    “abuse of
    discretion” is one of art, indicating judgment exercised by a court which neither
    comports with reason, nor the record. State v. Ferranto, 
    112 Ohio St. 667
    , 676-678,
    (1925).
    {¶18} When evaluating motions to withdraw guilty pleas, this court has
    traditionally applied the four-part test formulated by the Eighth District Court of Appeals
    in State v. Peterseim, 
    68 Ohio App. 2d 211
    (8th Dist. 1980), at paragraph three of the
    syllabus, as follows:
    {¶19} A trial court does not abuse its discretion in overruling a motion to
    withdraw a guilty plea: (1) where the accused is represented by
    competent counsel, (2) where the accused was given a full hearing,
    pursuant to Crim.R. 11, before he or she entered the plea, (3)
    when, after the motion to withdraw is filed, the accused is afforded
    a full and impartial hearing on the motion, and (4) where the record
    demonstrates that the court gave complete and fair consideration to
    the plea withdrawal request.
    6
    {¶20} Appellant’s sole objection is the quality of representation he received from
    appointed counsel, the first Peterseim factor. Again, he argues she was ineffective for
    failing to move to suppress.
    {¶21} “‘“In order to prevail on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, a
    petitioner must satisfy the two-prong test set forth in Strickland v. Washington, (1984),
    
    466 U.S. 668
    , * * * (* * *). State v. Ziefle, 11th Dist. No. 2007-A-0019, 2007-Ohio-5621,
    at ¶20. Thus, appellant must show that counsel’s performance was deficient and “must
    also show prejudice resulting from the deficient performance.” State v. Jackson, 11th
    Dist. No. 2002-A-0027, 2004-Ohio-2442, at ¶9." (Parallel citations omitted.) State v.
    Balch, 11th Dist. Portage No. 2008-P-0014, 2008-Ohio-6780, ¶18.
    {¶22} “‘“Failure to file a suppression motion does not constitute per se
    ineffective assistance of counsel.”’ State v. Madrigal, 
    87 Ohio St. 3d 378
    , 389 * * *
    (2000), quoting Kimmelman v. Morrison, 
    477 U.S. 365
    , 384 * * * (1986).             ‘“When
    claiming ineffective assistance due to failure to file or pursue a motion to suppress, an
    appellant must point to evidence in the record showing there was a reasonable
    probability the result of (the proceeding) would have differed if the motion had been filed
    or pursued.”’ State v. Weimer, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2013-L-008, 2013-Ohio-5651, ¶38,
    quoting State v. Walker, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2009-L-155, 2010-Ohio-4695, ¶15.”
    (Parallel citations omitted.) State v. Kirschenmann, 11th Dist. Portage Nos. 2014-P-
    0031 and 2014-P-0032, 2015-Ohio-3544, ¶17.
    {¶23} The problem with appellant’s contention is that he failed to produce
    sufficient evidence of prejudice to sustain his burden on the claim of ineffectiveness. At
    the hearing on appellant’s motion to withdraw, the trial court’s judgment entry denying a
    motion to suppress evidence filed by appellant’s co-defendant was admitted into
    7
    evidence. In that judgment, the trial court found that Officer Nelson was advised by
    Norman’s neighbor that an unusual, ammonia-like odor was emanating from the David
    residence; that appellant and a thin, white female were seen regularly entering and
    exiting the garage of the residence; and that the female was rebuked for smoking
    outside the garage because she would blow up the structure.
    {¶24} Based upon the statement, Officer Nelson arrived at the David residence,
    but did not observe anyone in or near the garage, and did not detect any strange odors.
    He later returned with Officer Wood and contacted Norman by phone.               Norman,
    confined to a bed in the upstairs of the residence, invited them into the home. The
    officers smelled marijuana upon entering the residence. After advising Norman of his
    neighbor’s concerns, he gave the officers consent to enter and search the garage,
    where they discovered marijuana and various other drug paraphernalia. The officers
    subsequently noticed a light go on and off in the basement and heard voices.
    {¶25} The officers re-entered the home and conducted a protective sweep, in
    the interest of the safety of both the officers and Norman, as well as the preservation of
    potential evidence. After loudly announcing their presence and receiving no response,
    they entered the basement and discovered a large marijuana-growing operation. They
    then ascended to the second floor where they discovered appellant and Samantha
    Bruehner. Upon execution of a search warrant, additional contraband was found.
    {¶26} Although there were no exigent circumstances justifying the warrantless
    search and seizure, Officer Nelson procured Norman’s consent to initially enter the
    home and search the garage. Consent to search is a well-established exception to the
    Fourth Amendment’s warrant requirement. No Fourth Amendment violation occurs
    when an individual voluntarily consents to a search. United States v. Drayton, 
    536 U.S. 8
    194, 207 (2002). Voluntariness is evaluated under the totality of the circumstances.
    State v. Robinette, 
    80 Ohio St. 3d 234
    (1997).      In Robinette, at 242-243, the Ohio
    Supreme Court held:
    {¶27} We find [Schneckloth v.] Bustamonte [
    412 U.S. 218
    (1973)]
    instructive in defining when permission to search is truly
    consensual under the totality of the circumstances:
    {¶28} “[W]hen the subject of a search is not in custody and the State
    attempts to justify a search on the basis of his consent, the Fourth
    and Fourteenth Amendments require that it demonstrate that the
    consent was in fact voluntarily given, and not the result of duress or
    coercion, express or implied. Voluntariness is a question of fact to
    be determined from all the circumstances, and while the subject's
    knowledge of a right to refuse is a factor to be taken into account,
    the prosecution is not required to demonstrate such knowledge as
    a prerequisite to establishing a voluntary consent.” 
    Id. at 412.
    {¶29} The factual findings from the trial court’s denial of the motion to suppress
    filed by appellant’s co-defendant illustrate that Nelson was neither in custody, nor
    subject to duress or coercion.       The officers notified Nelson of his neighbor’s
    observations and concerns and Nelson gave them permission to enter and search the
    garage. There is nothing to suggest Nelson’s consent was anything but voluntary.
    {¶30} After discovering marijuana and hashish/meth-related paraphernalia in the
    garage, the officers subsequently noticed lights flickering in the basement and heard
    unidentifiable voices coming from the home. After loudly announcing their presence
    and demanding anyone present to “come out now,” they conducted a protective sweep
    of the basement and second floor.
    {¶31} “In order for officers to undertake a protective sweep of an area, ‘they
    must articulate facts that would warrant a reasonably prudent officer to believe that the
    area to be swept harbored an individual posing a danger to those on the scene.’” State
    v. Adams, 
    144 Ohio St. 3d 429
    , 2015-Ohio-3954, ¶188, quoting United States v. Biggs,
    9
    
    70 F.3d 913
    , 915 (6th Cir.1995). In light of the officers’ discovery of the contraband in
    the garage, as well as the notable odor of marijuana in the residence, the officers could
    reasonably conclude that any potential suspects, if discovered, might become violent in
    order to avoid capture or protect the contraband. The officers were therefore justified in
    conducting a protective sweep for both their safety as well as Norman’s.
    {¶32} With the above in mind, we hold that, even if appellant’s trial counsel
    should have filed a motion to suppress evidence, appellant has failed to demonstrate a
    reasonable probability that the motion would have been granted.              Appellant has
    therefore failed to establish the prejudice prong of Strickland. Accordingly, the trial court
    did not abuse its discretion in denying appellant’s presentence motion to withdraw his
    guilty plea.
    {¶33} Appellant’s assignment of error lacks merit.
    {¶34} For the reasons discussed in this opinion, the judgment of the Ashtabula
    County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed.
    DIANE V. GRENDELL, J., concurs with a Concurring Opinion,
    COLLEEN MARY O’TOOLE, J., dissents with a Dissenting Opinion.
    ____________________
    DIANE V. GRENDELL, J., concurs with a Concurring Opinion.
    {¶35} I concur fully in this court’s judgment and opinion. I write separately to
    note that, because David entered a plea of guilty, any issues concerning the
    suppression of evidence are moot. “The plea of guilty is a complete admission of the
    10
    defendant’s guilt.” Crim.R. 11(B)(1). Thus, the issue of whether counsel was ineffective
    for failing to file a motion to suppress is largely irrelevant.
    {¶36} “This court has repeatedly held that ‘[a] plea of guilty or no contest waives
    any prejudice a defendant suffers arising out of his counsel’s alleged ineffective
    assistance, except with respect to a claim that the particular failure alleged impaired the
    defendant’s knowing and intelligent waiver of his right to a trial.’” (Citation omitted.)
    State v. Bregitzer, 11th Dist. Portage No. 2012-P-0033, 2012-Ohio-5586, ¶ 17.
    {¶37} With respect to suppression issues, a guilty plea precludes claims of
    ineffective assistance because the offender is unable to demonstrate the prejudice
    necessary to support such a claim.
    [T]he failure to suppress evidence has no prejudicial impact upon a
    conviction based on a guilty plea “because the conviction does not
    result from the unsuppressed evidence, but from the defendant’s
    admission, by his plea, of the facts alleged in the [indictment].
    Thus, a failure to suppress evidence resulting from a deficiency in
    trial counsel’s legal representation will not satisfy the prejudice
    prong of * * * Strickland v. Washington, [
    466 U.S. 668
    , 
    104 S. Ct. 2052
    , 
    80 L. Ed. 2d 674
    (1984)].” See State v. Fitzgerald, 2nd Dist.
    Greene No. 2001-CA-124, 2002-Ohio-3914, ¶44.             This court
    followed the Second District’s holding in Fitzgerald in State v.
    Bregitzer, 11th Dist. Portage No. 2012-P-0033, 2012-Ohio-5586,
    ¶17.
    11
    State v. Strong, 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2013-A-0003, 2013-Ohio-5189, ¶ 31; State v.
    Bump, 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2010-A-0028, 2011-Ohio-6687, ¶ 42 (“[a] plea of guilty
    operates as a waiver of any alleged error regarding appellant’s motion to suppress”).
    {¶38} Accordingly, I respectfully concur.
    ______________________
    COLLEEN MARY O’TOOLE, J., dissents with a Dissenting Opinion.
    {¶39} I respectfully dissent.
    {¶40} Appellant contends the search and seizure at his grandfather’s residence
    violated the Fourth Amendment.         We recently summarized the law of search and
    seizure in State v. Link, 11th Dist. Lake No. 2015-L-078, 2016-Ohio-4597, ¶20-22:
    {¶41} “‘“The Fourth Amendment safeguards: ‘(t)he right of the people to be
    secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches
    and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable
    cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be
    searched, and the persons or things to be seized.’” State v. Andrews, 
    177 Ohio App. 3d 593
    , 2008-Ohio-3993, * * * at ¶19, (* * *) quoting the Fourth Amendment to the United
    States Constitution. (Emphasis added by Andrews Court.)’ State v. Sutcliffe, 11th Dist.
    Portage No. 2008-P-0047, 2008-Ohio-6782, * * * ¶16. See Andrews at 598 * * * (‘The
    slow erosion of its protection for expediency’'s sake or the attitude that a warrant is just
    a “technicality” should be troubling to all citizens but especially to the judicial branch,
    which is tasked with standing as the bulwark for our constitutional rights. The founders
    of our democracy courageously fought a tyrant who ordered warrantless searches of
    their homes and shops, and they created our cherished Bill of Rights in order to
    12
    “transform the aspiration for freedom and arbitrary government intrusion into the
    guarantees of fundamental law.” Samuel Dash, The Intruders (2004), 3.’)
    {¶42} “‘“‘It is a “basic principle of Fourth Amendment law” that searches and
    seizures inside a home without a warrant are presumptively unreasonable.’ Payton v.
    New York (1980), 
    445 U.S. 573
    , 586, (* * *) (* * *) (citation omitted). The United States
    Supreme Court has made clear that ‘in terms that apply equally to seizures of property
    and seizures of persons, the Fourth Amendment has drawn a firm line at the entrance to
    the house.’ 
    Id. at 590,
    * * *. ‘Absent exigent circumstances, that threshold may not
    reasonably be crossed without a warrant.’ Id.; see, also, State v. Howard (1991), 
    75 Ohio App. 3d 760
    , 768, (* * *) (* * *); State v. Martin, 11th Dist. No. 2002-P-0072, 2004-
    Ohio-3027, * * * at ¶17.” State v. Pape, 11th Dist. No. 2004-A-0044, 2005-Ohio-4657, *
    * * at ¶16. (Parallel citations omitted.)’ State v. Frye, 11th Dist. Ashtabula No. 2007-A-
    0023, 2007-Ohio-6941, * * * ¶24.
    {¶43} “‘The exigent circumstances doctrine requires that, in the absence of a
    search warrant, probable cause plus exigent circumstances are required to effectuate a
    warrantless entry of a home. Kirk v. Louisiana (2002), 
    536 U.S. 635
    , 637, * * *. Thus,
    even if the State establishes that probable cause to search the premises existed, this
    alone is insufficient, absent exigent circumstances, to overcome the strong presumption
    that a warrantless search or seizure is unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment.
    Coolidge v. New Hampshire (1971), 
    403 U.S. 443
    , 468, * * * (“No amount of probable
    cause can justify a warrantless search or seizure absent ‘exigent circumstances.’”)’
    
    Pape, supra
    , at ¶19.” (Parallel citations omitted.) (Footnote omitted.)
    {¶44} The situation presented in Link parallels that presented here. In that case,
    police received a tip that a methamphetamine laboratory was being operated from
    13
    appellant’s home, and waited more than four hours to conduct a search, during which
    they never sought a search warrant. In this case, Patrolman Nelson received a tip of a
    possible methamphetamine operation from Mr. Powell at about 8:30 p.m., but did not
    seek a search warrant during the intervening two and one-half hours before he and
    Officer Wood went to Norman David’s home. In Link, the trial court found exigent
    circumstances, because of the possibility that a methamphetamine laboratory was being
    operated, pursuant to R.C. 2933.33(A). 
    Link, supra
    , at ¶23. As we observed:
    {¶45} “[R.C. 2933.33(A) provides:] ‘If a law enforcement officer has probable
    cause to believe that particular premises are used for the illegal manufacture of
    methamphetamine, for the purpose of conducting a search of the premises without a
    warrant, the risk of explosion or fire from the illegal manufacture of methamphetamine
    causing injury to the public constitutes exigent circumstances and reasonable grounds
    to believe that there is an immediate need to protect the lives, or property, of the officer
    and other individuals in the vicinity of the illegal manufacture.’
    {¶46} “* * *
    {¶47} “* * *
    {¶48} “Based on the facts presented in the record before this court, we find that
    no ‘exigent circumstances’ and ‘immediate need’ existed under R.C. 2933.33(A), and
    more importantly no exigent circumstances existed under the basic principles of Fourth
    Amendment law under the United States Constitution, to justify the warrantless search
    of appellant’s home.
    {¶49} “‘“There is ‘no absolute test for the presence of exigent circumstances,’”
    therefore, courts are required to examine the unique facts of each controversy, United
    States v. Wicks (C.A.10, 1993), 
    995 F.2d 964
    , 970 (citations omitted). With respect to
    14
    clandestine methamphetamine laboratories, other courts have determined that the
    “basic aspects of the ‘exigent circumstances’ exception are that (1) law enforcement
    officers must have reasonable grounds to believe that there is immediate need to
    protect their lives or others or their property or that of others, (2) the search must not be
    motivated by an intent to arrest and seize evidence, and (3) there must be some
    reasonable basis, approaching probable cause, to associate an emergency with the
    area or place to be searched.” United States v. Rhiger (C.A.10, 2003), 
    315 F.3d 1283
    ,
    1288; 
    Wicks, 995 F.2d at 970
    (citation omitted); Foutz v. West Valley City (C.D.Utah
    2004), 
    345 F. Supp. 2d 1272
    , 1275; Lopkoff v. Slater (D.Colo.1994), 
    898 F. Supp. 767
    ,
    775.
    {¶50} “‘Applying the foregoing test, the courts have upheld limited warrantless
    searches when the odor of chemicals associated with methamphetamine production
    was detected coming from a residence, the observing officer had extensive knowledge
    of the particular dangers associated with an active methamphetamine lab, and there
    was no evidence offered that agents entered the home with an intent to arrest and seize
    evidence. 
    Rhiger, 315 F.3d at 1290-1291
    (.)’ 
    Pape, supra
    , at ¶23-24.” 
    Link, supra
    , at
    ¶24-29.
    {¶51} In this case, Patrolman Nelson had checked Norman David’s residence
    immediately after speaking with Mr. Powell, and found nobody at the garage, and no
    smell or other evidence of methamphetamine production. No exigent circumstances
    appear to have existed for the warrantless search and seizure which occurred later that
    evening.
    {¶52} We are constrained by the lack of a factual record in this case.
    Appellant’s attorney subpoenaed Patrolman Nelson to testify at the hearing on the
    15
    motion to withdraw, but the trial court quashed the subpoena. Based on the foregoing
    application of the law to the limited facts presented in the record, there seems to have
    been a reasonable probability the results in this case would have been different if
    appointed counsel had moved to suppress, since the warrantless search which
    occurred appears to have been unlawful, at least in part.
    {¶53} For the above reasons I respectfully dissent.
    16