State v. Gartrell , 2014 Ohio 5203 ( 2014 )

[Cite as State v. Gartrell, 2014-Ohio-5203.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
MARION COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO,
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE, CASE NO. 9-14-02
v.
CURTIS LEE GARTRELL, OPINION
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
Appeal from Marion County Common Pleas Court
Trial Court No. 13-CR-0162
Judgment Affirmed
Date of Decision: November 24, 2014
APPEARANCES:
Brian G. Jones for Appellant
Brent Yager for Appellee
Case No. 9-14-02
PRESTON, J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant, Curtis Lee Gartrell (“Gartrell”), appeals the
December 18, 2013 judgment entry of sentence of the Marion County Court of
Common Pleas. He argues that the trial court erred by denying his motion to
suppress, that his convictions were based on insufficient evidence and against the
manifest weight of the evidence, and that the trial court erred by overruling his
motion to dismiss the counts against him based on a speedy-trial violation under
R.C. 2945.71. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.
{¶2} On April 10, 2013, the Marion County Grand Jury indicted Gartrell on
Count One of trafficking in heroin in violation of R.C. 2925.03(A)(2), (C)(6), a
second-degree felony, with a forfeiture specification under R.C. 2941.1417. (Doc.
No. 3). The indictment stemmed from a March 26, 2013 traffic stop of a taxi cab
in which Gartrell was a passenger. (See Doc. No. 21). During the stop, Gartrell
admitted to having a bag of marijuana in his pocket and consented to a search of
his luggage in the trunk, in which officers discovered 499 bindles of heroin. (See
id.). Gartrell also had over $1,700 cash on his person. (See id.).
{¶3} The trial court held an arraignment hearing on April 15, 2013. (See
Doc. No. 9). Gartrell entered a plea of not guilty. (Id.).
{¶4} On April 17, 2013, Gartrell filed a “request for discovery” and a
“request by defendant for notice of prosecutor’s intention to use evidence.” (Doc.
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Nos. 11, 12). Also on April 17, 2013, Gartrell filed a request for a bill of
particulars. (Doc. No. 10).
{¶5} On April 25, 2013, the trial court set a trial date of June 25, 2013.
(Doc. No. 18).
{¶6} On May 3, 2013, Gartrell filed a “motion for extension of time to file
motion to suppress.” (Doc. No. 19).
{¶7} On May 6, 2013, plaintiff-appellee, the State of Ohio, filed its
“response to discovery, request for discovery, notice of intention to use evidence,
and notice of intent to impeach with crimes older than ten years.” (Doc. No. 20).
Also on May 6, 2013, the State filed a bill of particulars. (Doc. No. 21).
{¶8} On May 8, 2013, the trial court granted Gartrell’s motion for an
extension of time to file a motion to suppress, ordering that Gartrell file his motion
to suppress by May 28, 2013. (Doc. No. 22).
{¶9} On May 28, 2013, Gartrell filed a “motion to suppress and exclude
evidence.” (Doc. No. 23). In it, Gartrell moved for the suppression of evidence
related to “[t]he stop of the vehicle [Gartrell] was in,” “[a]ny statements and
comments made by [Gartrell],” “[a]ny and all evidence seized from the vehicle,”
and “[a]ny and all evidence seized from [Gartrell’s] person.” (Id.). Gartrell
argued that officers “did not have lawful cause to detain and arrest” him, that he
“never knowingly consented to a search,” that the search of him “was performed
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illegally,” that he made his statements while he “was under custodial arrest” and
before being read his Miranda warnings, and that his statements were obtained in
violation of his constitutional rights. (Id.).
{¶10} On June 4, 2013, Gartrell moved to continue the jury trial scheduled
for June 25, 2013. (Doc. No. 36).
{¶11} On June 10, 2013, the trial court held a hearing on Gartrell’s motion
to suppress. (June 10, 2013 Tr. at 4). The taxi-cab driver was not present to
testify on June 10, 2013, so counsel for Gartrell requested an opportunity to locate
him so that he could testify. (Id. at 4-5, 109). At Gartrell’s counsel’s request, the
trial court continued the hearing until June 27, 2013, at which time Gartrell offered
the testimony of the cab driver. (June 27, 2013 Tr. at 3-5); (Doc. No. 38). At the
conclusion of the hearing, the trial court took Gartrell’s motion to suppress under
advisement. (June 27, 2013 Tr. at 19). Gartrell filed a written closing argument
on July 8, 2013. (Doc. No. 42).
{¶12} On July 18, 2013, the trial court filed an entry overruling Gartrell’s
motion to suppress and exclude evidence. (Doc. No. 43).
{¶13} On July 31, 2013, the trial court set a new trial date of September 24,
2013. (Doc. No. 44).
{¶14} On September 9, 2013, Gartrell’s counsel filed a motion to withdraw
from representing Gartrell. (Doc. No. 45). On September 12, 2013, the trial court
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set Gartrell’s counsel’s motion for hearing on September 16, 2013. (Doc. No. 46).
On September 18, 2013, the trial court granted Gartrell’s counsel’s motion to
withdraw, appointed new counsel to represent Gartrell, and continued the trial.
(Doc. No. 47). In its entry, the trial court explained, “Time tolled for speedy trial
purposes pursuant to the provisions of R.C. 2945.72(H).” (Id.).
{¶15} On October 3, 2013, Gartrell filed a “demand for discovery,” a
“demand for testimony and independent laboratory analysis,” a “response to the
State of Ohio’s demand for discovery,” and a “request for notice of intent to use
evidence.” (Doc. Nos. 50, 51, 52, 53).
{¶16} On October 11, 2013, the trial court set a new trial date of November
14, 2013. (Doc. No. 54).
{¶17} On October 29 and 31 and November 6, 2013, Gartrell requested that
the clerk of courts issue subpoenas duces tecum to two employees of the Ohio
Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (“BCI”), Scott Dobransky
(“Dobransky”) and Larry Rentz (“Rentz”).1 (Doc. Nos. 55, 57, 63).
{¶18} On November 1, 2013, the State filed a supplemental response to
Gartrell’s discovery requests. (Doc. No. 59).
{¶19} On November 7, 2013, the State filed a superseding indictment,
indicting Gartrell on: Count One of trafficking in heroin in violation of R.C.
1
In his October 31 and November 6, 2013 filings, Gartrell requested that the clerk of courts issue
subpoenas duces tecum to Rentz. Unlike the October 31, 2013 request, however, the November 6, 2013
request included a list of requested documents. (Compare Doc. No. 57 with Doc. No. 63).
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2925.03(A)(2), (C)(6), a second-degree felony; and Count Two of possession of
heroin in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A), (C)(6), a second-degree felony. (Doc. No.
65). The superseding indictment also included a forfeiture specification under
R.C. 2941.1417 to Counts One and Two. (Id.).
{¶20} Also on November 7, 2013, Gartrell filed a “motion and proposed
order for discovery sanctions” under Crim.R. 16(K). (Doc. No. 70). Gartrell
requested that the trial court prohibit the State from calling Rentz as a witness and
from introducing his written report, arguing that the State failed to timely produce
Rentz’s name and written report. (Id.). Alternatively, Gartrell requested that the
trial court continue the trial set for November 14, 2013. (Id.).
{¶21} On November 8, 2013, the trial court set a “motion hearing” on
November 12, 2013. (Doc. No. 72).
{¶22} Also on November 8, 2014, the State filed a response to Gartrell’s
motion for discovery sanctions. (Doc. No. 73).
{¶23} On November 12, 2013, the trial court arraigned Gartrell on the
superseding indictment, and Gartrell entered pleas of not guilty. (Doc. No. 74).
{¶24} On November 21, 2013, the trial court set a new trial date of
December 3, 2013. (Doc. No. 80).
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{¶25} The next day, the trial court overruled Gartrell’s motion for
discovery sanctions but granted his motion for a continuance of the trial. (Doc.
No. 81).
{¶26} On December 3, 4, and 5, 2013, the trial court held a jury trial on the
superseding indictment. (Trial Tr., Vol. One, at 9-10); (Doc. No. 112). The jury
found Gartrell guilty of both counts in the superseding indictment. (Trial Tr., Vol.
Five, at 738-741); (Doc. Nos. 109, 110).
{¶27} After the jury returned its verdict, the trial court sentenced Gartrell.
(Trial Tr., Vol. Five, at 743). The trial court merged Counts One and Two for
purposes of sentencing, and the State elected to proceed with sentencing on Count
One. (Id. at 774); (Doc. No. 112). The trial court sentenced Gartrell to, among
other things, six years in prison and a fine. (Id. at 766); (Id.). The trial court filed
its judgment entry of sentence on December 18, 2013. (Doc. No. 112).
{¶28} On January 17, 2014, Gartrell filed a notice of appeal. (Doc. No.
123). He raises four assignments of error for our review. We will address the
second and third assignments of error together.
Assignment of Error No. I
Trial court committed reversible error by denying defendant’s
motion to suppress evidence where officers did not have
reasonable suspicion nor [sic] probable cause to follow the
vehicle transporting appellant Gartrell; nor did officers have
reasonable suspicion nor [sic] probable cause to subsequently
initiate a traffic stop of the vehicle, in violation of the Fourth
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Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Section 14 of
the Ohio Constitution. (Tr., Vol. I-III, passim.)
{¶29} In his first assignment of error, Gartrell argues that the trial court
erred by denying his motion to suppress because: officers did not have reasonable
suspicion or probable cause to follow and stop the taxi cab; one of the officers
exceeded the scope of the traffic stop when he immediately questioned Gartrell
concerning whether he had marijuana on his person and then searched the taxi
cab’s trunk; and officers failed to timely inform Gartrell of his Miranda rights
because he was “effectively in custody from the moment of the stop.”
(Appellant’s Brief at 18).
{¶30} A review of the denial of a motion to suppress involves mixed
questions of law and fact. State v. Burnside, 100 Ohio St.3d 152, 2003-Ohio-
5372, ¶ 8. At a suppression hearing, the trial court assumes the role of trier of fact
and, as such, is in the best position to evaluate the evidence and the credibility of
witnesses. Id. See also State v. Carter, 72 Ohio St.3d 545, 552 (1995). When
reviewing a ruling on a motion to suppress, “an appellate court must accept the
trial court’s findings of fact if they are supported by competent, credible
evidence.” Burnside at ¶ 8, citing State v. Fanning, 1 Ohio St.3d 19 (1982). With
respect to the trial court’s conclusions of law, however, our standard of review is
de novo, and we must independently determine whether the facts satisfy the
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applicable legal standard. Id., citing State v. McNamara, 124 Ohio App.3d 706(4th Dist.1997).
{¶31} In its entry denying Gartrell’s motion to suppress, the trial court
relied on many facts, all of which were supported by competent, credible evidence
presented at the suppression hearing. (See July 18, 2013 Entry, Doc. No. 43). At
the suppression hearing on June 10, 2013, the State presented the testimony of five
law-enforcement officers. At the continuation of the suppression hearing on June
27, 2013, Gartrell offered the testimony of one witness, the taxi-cab driver.
{¶32} The State’s first witness was Major Bill Collins (“Collins”), who
heads the investigative bureau at the City of Marion Police Department. (June 10,
2013 Tr. at 7). He testified that on March 26, 2013, he was returning to Marion
from Columbus, Ohio in his personal vehicle when he noticed a yellow,
Columbus-based taxi cab in front of him. (Id. at 8-12). Collins became suspicious
of the cab and suspected it might contain drugs, so he followed it and called
Detective Andrew Isom (“Isom”) of the City of Marion Police Department’s drug
unit. (Id. at 11-12). Collins testified that he paced the cab for “about six blocks”
and determined that the cab was going 45 miles per hour in a 35-miles-per-hour
zone. (Id. at 13-14). Collins informed Isom and Detective Dan Ice (“Ice”), who
approached in an unmarked vehicle, of the cab’s excessive speed and instructed
them to stop the cab for speeding. (Id. at 14-16). Collins allowed Isom and Ice to
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get between his vehicle and the cab. (Id. at 14). Collins did not participate in the
stop of the cab and instead continued to an appointment he had at the courthouse.
(Id. at 16).
{¶33} On cross-examination, Collins testified that “it was unusual just to
see [the cab] in Marion County period,” but once it exited the highway and turned
toward the city of Marion, “it heightened [his] suspicion even further.” (Id. at 21).
According to Collins, within the last year, the Ohio State Highway Patrol “stopped
a cab coming from Columbus to Marion and got over 1,200 bindles of heroin out
of it.” (Id. at 21-22). That was not one of Collins’s cases, but he “was familiar
with it.” (Id. at 22).
{¶34} Isom testified that on March 26, 2013, he was riding with Ice in Ice’s
unmarked vehicle when Collins called his cell phone and said he was pacing a
suspicious cab at approximately 45 miles per hour. (Id. at 32-33). According to
Isom, he and Ice approached the cab in the opposite direction, turned around, and
began to follow the cab, with Collins’s vehicle behind them. (Id. at 33-34). Isom
visually estimated the cab’s speed to be “right around 45” miles per hour when he
and Ice approached it from the opposite direction. (Id. at 34-35). Then, when he
and Ice were following the cab, Isom noted that Ice’s speedometer read “like 45 or
46” miles per hour and the cab was neither gaining nor losing distance on them—
they were “pretty much keeping the same distance,” according to Isom. (Id.).
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Isom testified that he and Ice followed the cab for nine or ten blocks in a 35-miles-
per-hour zone, and the cab “never slowed down” and was not stopped by a red
light or anything else during that time. (Id. at 34-36). Isom has been a police
officer in Marion for over 17 years, has served on the drug unit for six or seven of
those years, and previously served in the patrol division. (Id. at 31).
{¶35} Isom testified that he contacted Christy Utley (“Utley”), a deputy
sheriff with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office who was in the area in a marked
cruiser, and told her to stop the cab for speeding, which she did. (Id. at 36-37).
Isom and Ice pulled up behind Utley’s cruiser, and he noticed two occupants in the
cab—the driver and a right-rear passenger, who was later identified as Gartrell.
(Id. at 37). Isom approached the passenger side of the cab and motioned for the
driver to put the passenger window down, which he did. (Id. at 38). Isom began a
conversation with Gartrell and noticed “a strong odor of [unburnt, raw]
marijuana.” (Id.). Isom testified that based on “[h]undreds and hundreds of cases
[involving] marijuana” in which he has participated, his training in the academy,
and his years of experience in the drug unit, he is able to distinguish between the
odors of burning and unburnt, raw marijuana. (Id. at 38-39).
{¶36} Isom testified that he asked Gartrell if he had any marijuana on his
person, and Gartrell admitted that he did. (Id. at 39). According to Isom, he asked
Gartrell to step out of the cab, and Gartrell took the marijuana out of his pocket
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and handed it to Isom. (Id. at 40). Isom asked Gartrell “if he had anything else on
him,” and Gartrell said, “[N]o.” (Id.). Isom asked Gartrell if he minded if Isom
checked, and Gartrell said, “[G]o ahead.” (Id. at 40-41). Isom searched Gartrell’s
person and found over $1,700 cash in mixed denominations. (Id. at 41-42).
According to Isom, between the cash and the marijuana, his “suspicions were
gettin’ up there.” (Id. at 42).
{¶37} Isom asked Gartrell if “he had any luggage on him,” and Gartrell
said, “[N]o,” despite Gartrell telling Isom earlier that he was from New Jersey and
was on his way to his sister’s house to visit for more than a week. (Id. at 42-43).
Isom then asked the cab driver if Gartrell had any luggage, and the driver said,
“[Y]eah.” (Id. at 43). At that point, the driver “popped the trunk” for Isom, the
trunk lid came all the way up, and Isom was able to see a suitcase in the trunk.
(Id. at 44-45). According to Isom, Gartrell told Isom that the luggage was his.
(Id. at 45). Isom asked Gartrell if he could look in Gartrell’s luggage, and Gartrell
responded, “Yes.” (Id. at 46). Isom opened the luggage while it was still in the
trunk, began removing clothes, and, when he noticed something that felt odd in the
bottom of the suitcase, unzipped the liner of the suitcase. (Id. at 46-47, 54-55).
Isom testified that at that point, Gartrell “took off running.” (Id. at 47).
{¶38} Isom ultimately caught up to and physically restrained Gartrell with
the help of Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Matt Ruth (“Ruth”), who happened
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to be conducting a traffic stop nearby. (Id. at 47-50). By the time Isom caught up
to Gartrell, Ruth had already Tasered Gartrell and caught up to him. (Id. at 49).
Gartrell was trying to scale a fence once Isom joined Ruth, so Isom “was trying to
knock [Gartrell’s] arms off the fence because he wouldn’t let go of the fence.”
(Id. at 50). According to Isom, Gartrell “eventually came off the fence,” and Isom
handcuffed Gartrell and read him his Miranda rights. (Id.). Isom testified that
from the time Gartrell fled to the time he was handcuffed, “probably about a
minute, minute and a half” elapsed. (Id. at 53). Isom could not recall if he asked
Gartrell if he understood his rights, but Isom testified that Gartrell did not
comment on whether he understood or wanted to invoke his rights. (Id. at 52).
Isom testified that after reading Gartrell his Miranda rights, he asked Gartrell why
he ran, and Gartrell said that he ran “[b]ecause he had drugs in his bag.” (Id. at
51). According to Isom, as he was walking Gartrell back to the patrol cars, Utley
said she found “two taped bricks” in Gartrell’s suitcase. (Id. at 52). Isom asked
Gartrell what was in the bricks, and Gartrell said, “[A]bout 500 bindles of heroin.”
(Id.).
{¶39} On cross-examination, Isom testified that in 2000 or 2001, he
received training concerning visual speed estimation, but “[b]esides experience,”
he has not had any training “regarding visual estimation or pacing” since 2001.
(Id. at 56). Isom testified that Ice was driving the vehicle and that he was a
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passenger. (Id. at 57). Isom observed Ice’s speedometer while Ice followed the
cab “the same distance”—“[a] couple car lengths”—for nine or ten blocks. (Id. at
57-58). Isom testified that when Utley stopped the cab, she approached the driver.
(Id. at 58). According to Isom, after Gartrell handed the bag of marijuana to Isom,
another officer who arrived at the scene, Marion Police Officer Tim Rowe
(“Rowe”), began writing a citation for misdemeanor marijuana possession. (Id. at
60-61). Isom did not read Gartrell his Miranda rights after Gartrell handed the
marijuana to Isom because Gartrell was not under arrest. (Id. at 61-62). Isom was
aware of the Ohio State Highway Patrol stopping a cab containing heroin within
the past couple months, but he was not involved in that case. (Id. at 63-64).
{¶40} On re-direct examination, Isom testified that when Gartrell began
running, Isom commanded him to stop and did not feel Gartrell was free to leave
because even though Gartrell was not under arrest, Isom had not completed his
investigation. (Id. at 65-66). Isom testified that he arrested Gartrell for
obstructing official business. (Id. at 66).
{¶41} Utley testified that on March 26, 2013, she was operating a marked
cruiser and first learned of the suspicious cab from Collins, who was following the
cab, then from Isom. (Id. at 68-69). Utley “stay[ed] back until they [gave her] a
reason to stop the vehicle.” (Id. at 69). According to Utley, “[t]hey said they had
paced the vehicle going 45 in a 35” miles-per-hour zone. (Id.). Utley used her
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cruiser’s overhead lights to stop the cab, exited her cruiser, informed the cab
driver why she stopped him, and asked the driver from where he was coming and
for his identification. (Id. at 70-71). Utley testified that while she was speaking
with the driver, Isom was speaking with the passenger in the rear, passenger-side
seat. (Id. at 71).
{¶42} Utley testified that at some point during the stop, she joined Isom,
who was talking to Gartrell. (Id. at 72). According to Utley, Gartrell gave Isom
the marijuana on his person and consented to Isom searching his person, at which
time Isom found money on Gartrell. (Id.). Utley and Rowe began preparing a
summons to issue to Gartrell for misdemeanor possession of marijuana. (Id. at 72,
74). Utley heard Gartrell deny having any luggage and observed the cab driver
respond affirmatively when Isom asked him if Gartrell had any luggage. (Id. at
72-73). According to Utley, the cab driver opened the trunk, which she saw
contained a couple of bags and a blue suitcase. (Id. at 73). Utley testified that
Gartrell told Isom, “[Y]eah, go ahead,” when Isom asked him if he could search
his suitcase. (Id. at 74).
{¶43} According to Utley, as Isom was looking in the suitcase, Gartrell
“took off running,” and Isom and Ice pursued Gartrell on foot. (Id.). Utley
testified that she stayed at the cab and finished searching the suitcase, in which she
initially found two duct-taped packages and then found a third duct-taped package,
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all of which appeared to be some sort of drugs. (Id. at 75-76). Utley seized the
packages as evidence, then drove to where the officers caught Gartrell. (Id. at 76).
According to Utley, she informed Isom that she found several packages in the
suitcase, and when Isom asked Gartrell what was in the packages, Gartrell said,
“[A]bout 500 bindles” of heroin. (Id.).
{¶44} On cross-examination, Utley testified that she never paced the cab
and relied on Isom’s statement to her that he paced the cab. (Id. at 77). She
believed Isom was riding with Ice, but she did not know whether Isom or Ice was
driving. (Id. at 78). Utley knew Collins paced the cab, but it was Isom who asked
her to pull the cab over. (Id.). Utley did not smell the odor of marijuana coming
from the cab while she was speaking with the cab driver, but she did notice the
odor when she went around the vehicle to join Isom while he was speaking with
Gartrell. (Id. at 80). Utley testified that no one read Gartrell his rights as Utley
and Rowe prepared a summons for marijuana possession. (Id. at 81). Utley
recorded the cab driver’s name and the cab’s license-plate number and released the
driver after giving him a warning. (Id.). Before the incident involving Gartrell,
Utley did not have knowledge of “Columbus cab companies driving people
around” in Marion. (Id. at 83).
{¶45} Rowe testified that on March 26, 2013, he stopped to assist the
officers in the traffic stop involving the cab and, at Isom’s request, began filling
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out an affidavit for misdemeanor possession of marijuana. (Id. at 86). Rowe
testified that he heard Gartrell tell Isom to “go ahead” and search his suitcase. (Id.
at 87). As Isom was searching the suitcase, Gartrell “took off running,” at which
point Rowe went back to his car to assist in the chase. (Id. at 87-88). Rowe
testified that he heard Isom advise Gartrell of his Miranda rights after Gartrell had
been Tasered and handcuffed, so Rowe radioed the dispatch, “Miranda at this
time.” (Id. at 88-89, 93); (State’s Ex. 2). According to Rowe, after Gartrell was
read his Miranda rights and “somewhere in [the] sequence” of taking the Taser
probes off of Gartrell and walking Gartrell back to Rowe’s cruiser, Rowe heard
Gartrell say “something to the effect, I had 500 bindles.” (June 10, 2013 Tr. at 89,
93). Rowe testified that the Taser “probes were stuck in his coat,” and in his
written report, Rowe noted that “neither [probe] had hit him on his body.” (Id. at
93); (Defendant’s Ex. D).
{¶46} Ruth testified that he joined the pursuit of Gartrell and “deployed
[his] taser which knocked him down.” (June 10, 2013 Tr. at 101). Ruth “tried to
grab a hold of [Gartrell], but due to the snow he rolled, and he got back up and
took off running again.” (Id.). Ruth “then activated the taser again,” but Gartrell
“still kept running” and jumped onto a fence, at which point Ruth “was able to get
around him” and “wrestled” Gartrell to the ground. (Id.). In his report, Ruth
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stated that Gartrell “continued to resist and tried to get back up” after Ruth took
him to the ground. (Defendant’s Ex. E).
{¶47} After the State presented its witnesses, the trial court continued the
hearing at Gartrell’s request so that he could locate the cab driver and present his
testimony. (June 10, 2013 Tr. at 110). At the June 27, 2013 continuation of the
suppression hearing, Gartrell called the cab driver as a witness. (June 27, 2013 Tr.
at 5). The cab driver testified that for a fare of $100, he agreed to take Gartrell
from the bus station in Columbus to Marion. (Id. at 8-9, 11). According to the
driver, after he exited the highway and turned toward Marion, he was not stopped
by any red lights before he was stopped by a deputy sheriff. (Id. at 11-12). The
driver testified that the deputy sheriff approached him and told him that she pulled
him over for speeding, and he gave her his driver’s license but said nothing in
response. (Id. at 12-13). When Gartrell’s counsel asked him if he was speeding
that day, the cab driver responded, “No, I didn’t speed.” (Id. at 12).
{¶48} According to the cab driver, another officer asked him, “[I]s there
any suitcase in your trunk?” (Id. at 13). The cab driver testified that he
responded, “[Y]es,” and “popped the trunk.” (Id.). The cab driver saw Gartrell
“[run] from officers,” then identified for the deputy sheriff what in the trunk was
his and what was Gartrell’s. (Id. at 14). According to the cab driver, the deputy
sheriff took Gartrell’s belongings back to her cruiser and told the cab driver he
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could go back to Columbus. (Id.). The cab driver testified that he did not receive
a ticket for speeding or any type of warning. (Id. at 14-15).
{¶49} The trial court took the matter under advisement and ultimately
denied Gartrell’s motion to suppress. (See July 18, 2013 Entry, Doc. No. 43). In
its entry, the trial court reasoned that it was permissible for Utley to rely on Isom’s
pace of the cab in stopping the cab, noting that “the information in a radio dispatch
can provide the sole basis for an investigatory stop only when the officer who
issued the dispatch had a reasonable suspicion justifying the stop.” (Id. at 2, citing
State v. Goodrich, 114 Ohio App.3d 645 (3d Dist.1996)). Finding that Isom
received “proper training at estimating speed of vehicles” and paced the cab at 45
or 46 miles per hour over a nine or ten-block distance, the trial court concluded
that “there was sufficient cause” for Utley to stop the cab based on Isom’s radio
transmission. (Id. at 3). The trial court also found that despite Gartrell’s
arguments to the contrary, testimony at trial demonstrated that Gartrell consented
to the searches of his person and suitcase. (Id. at 4). The trial court concluded that
Gartrell’s statements before and after officers arrested him and read him his
Miranda rights were admissible because Gartrell was not under custodial arrest
“until after being detained at the end of a foot pursuit.” (Id.).
{¶50} Gartrell’s arguments on appeal are similar to those he made to the
trial court. He challenges the constitutionality of: the traffic stop, Isom’s
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“immediately question[ing]” Gartrell after the cab was stopped; the search of the
cab’s trunk; and the search of Gartrell’s suitcase. Gartrell also argues that officers
should have read him his Miranda rights earlier than they did. Therefore, we must
examine the constitutionality of the traffic stop and the searches, as well as the
time when Gartrell was under custodial arrest leading to the reading of his
Miranda rights.
{¶51} The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article
I, Section 14 of the Ohio Constitution generally prohibit warrantless searches and
seizures, and any evidence that is obtained during an unlawful search or seizure
will be excluded from being used against the defendant. State v. Jenkins, 3d Dist.
Union No. 14-10-10, 2010-Ohio-5943, ¶ 9; State v. Steinbrunner, 3d Dist.
Auglaize No. 2-11-27, 2012-Ohio-2358, ¶ 12. “Neither the Fourth Amendment to
the United States Constitution nor Section 14, Article I of the Ohio Constitution
explicitly provides that violations of its provisions against unlawful searches and
seizures will result in the suppression of evidence obtained as a result of such
violation, but the United States Supreme Court has held that the exclusion of
evidence is an essential part of the Fourth Amendment.” Jenkins at ¶ 9, citing
Mapp v. Ohio, 367 U.S. 643, 649, 81 S.Ct. 1684 (1961) and Weeks v. United
States, 232 U.S. 383, 394, 34 S.Ct. 341 (1914).
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{¶52} “A traffic stop constitutes a seizure and implicates the protections of
the Fourth Amendment.” State v. Dillehay, 3d Dist. Shelby No. 17-12-07, 2013-
Ohio-327, ¶ 13, citing State v. Johnson, 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-07-43, 2008-
Ohio-1147, ¶ 16. “One exception to the warrant requirement is that a police
officer may conduct an investigative stop if there is a reasonable articulable
suspicion of criminal activity.” Steinbrunner at ¶ 13, citing State v. Keck, 3d. Dist.
Hancock No. 5-03-27, 2004-Ohio-1396, ¶ 11, State v. Bobo, 37 Ohio St.3d 177,
179 (1988), and Berkemer v. McCarty, 468 U.S. 420, 439-440, 104 S.Ct. 3138(1984). See also State v. Mays, 119 Ohio St.3d 406, 2008-Ohio-4539, ¶ 23.
“Notably the threshold is lower to justify an investigatory stop than it is for
probable cause to arrest.” Steinbrunner at ¶ 13, citing State v. Devanna, 3d. Dist.
Auglaize No. 2-04-12, 2004-Ohio-5096, ¶ 21. See also Mays at ¶ 23.
{¶53} “The Supreme Court of Ohio has defined ‘reasonable articulable
suspicion’ as ‘specific and articulable facts which, taken together with rational
inferences from those facts, reasonably warrant the intrusion [upon an individual’s
freedom of movement].’” State v. Shaffer, 3d Dist. Paulding No. 11-13-02, 2013-
Ohio-3581, ¶ 18, quoting Bobo at 178. “In determining whether reasonable
articulable suspicion exists, a reviewing court must look to the totality of the
circumstances.” Steinbrunner at ¶ 14, citing State v. Andrews, 57 Ohio St.3d 86,
87-88 (1991). “Under this analysis, a court should consider ‘both the content of
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the information possessed by police and its degree of reliability.’” Id., quoting
City of Maumee v. Weisner, 87 Ohio St.3d 295, 299 (1999). “A police officer’s
testimony alone is sufficient to establish reasonable articulable suspicion for a
stop.” State v. McClellan, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-09-21, 2010-Ohio-314, ¶ 38, citing
State v. Claiborne, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 19060, 2002-Ohio-2696.
{¶54} “An officer does not have to have personally observed a traffic
violation or criminal activity to justify detaining someone; rather, an officer can
rely on information transmitted to him through a dispatch or a flyer.”
Steinbrunner, 2012-Ohio-2358, at ¶ 15, citing Weisner at 297. “[W]here a police
officer conducts a traffic stop at the request of another officer, it is the knowledge
of the requesting officer that determines the presence of articulable suspicion or
probable cause[:]
A police officer need not always have knowledge of the specific
facts justifying a stop and may rely, therefore, upon a police dispatch
or flyer. * * * This principle is rooted in the notion that “effective
law enforcement cannot be conducted unless police officers can act
on directions and information transmitted by one officer to another
and that officers, who must often act swiftly, cannot be expected to
cross-examine their fellow officers about the foundation for the
transmitted information.” * * * When a dispatch is involved,
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therefore, the stopping officer will typically have very little
knowledge of the facts that prompted his fellow officer to issue the
dispatch. The United States Supreme Court has reasoned, then, that
the admissibility of the evidence uncovered during such a stop does
not rest upon whether the officers relying upon a dispatch or flyer
‘were themselves aware of the specific facts which led their
colleagues to seek their assistance.’ It turns instead upon ‘whether
the officers who issued the flyer’ or dispatch possessed reasonable
suspicion to make the stop.”
(Emphasis sic.) McClellan at ¶ 39, quoting Weisner at 297.
{¶55} “‘A police officer’s visual perception that a motor vehicle was
speeding, coupled with years of experience, constitutes specific and articulable
facts which provide the police officer with reasonable grounds to make an
investigatory stop.’” State v. Hammen, 5th Dist. Stark No. 2012CA00009, 2012-
Ohio-3628, ¶ 27, quoting State v. Horn, 7th Dist. Belmont No. 04 BE 31, 2005-
Ohio-2930, ¶ 19. See also State v. Hoder, 9th Dist. Wayne No. 03CA0042, 2004-
Ohio-3083, ¶ 15; State v. Porter, 11th Dist. Portage No. 99-P-0061, 2000 WL
1335567, *4 (Sept. 15, 2000). In addition, “‘Ohio courts have found that pacing a
car is an acceptable manner for determining speed.’” Hammen at ¶ 27, quoting
Horn at ¶ 19. Finally, whether an officer “had an ulterior motive for the traffic
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stop * * * is irrelevant to a determination of whether reasonable suspicion existed
to initiate the stop.” State v. McGinnis, 9th Dist. Medina No. 05CA0061-M, 2006-
Ohio-2281, ¶ 10, citing Dayton v. Erickson, 76 Ohio St.3d 3, 11 (1996).
{¶56} “Generally, when investigating a minor traffic violation, a police
officer may only detain an individual ‘for the length of time necessary to check the
driver’s license, vehicle’s registration, and the vehicle’s license plate.’” Dillehay,
2013-Ohio-327, at ¶ 15, quoting State v. Hollins, 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-10-41,
2011-Ohio-5588, ¶ 30. “‘When a lawfully stopped vehicle contains passengers,
the Fourth Amendment permits law enforcement officers to detain those
passengers for the duration of the lawful detention of the driver.’” State v. Fry,
9th Dist. Summit No. 23211, 2007-Ohio-3240, ¶ 16, quoting State v. Brown, 2d
Dist. Montgomery No. 20336, 2004-Ohio-4058, ¶ 14. In addition, an officer may
request identification from a passenger and order passengers to exit a vehicle
pending completion of the stop. Id., citing State v. Chagris, 107 Ohio App.3d 551,
556-557 (9th Dist.1995) and State v. White, 9th Dist. Wayne No. 05CA0060,
2006-Ohio-2966, ¶ 10. “‘[I]f, during the investigation of the events giving rise to
the initial stop, the officer discovers additional facts from which it is reasonable to
infer additional criminal activity[,] the officer is permitted to lengthen the duration
of the stop to investigate such suspicions.’” Dillehay at ¶ 15, quoting Hollins at ¶
31.
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{¶57} “‘Once a law enforcement officer has probable cause to believe that a
vehicle contains contraband, he or she may search a validly stopped motor vehicle
based upon the well-established automobile exception to the warrant
requirement.’” State v. Minyoung, 3d Dist. Van Wert No. 15-11-11, 2012-Ohio-
411, ¶ 25, quoting State v. Moore, 90 Ohio St.3d 47, 51 (2000). “‘[T]he smell of
marijuana, alone, by a person qualified to recognize the odor, is sufficient to
establish probable cause to search a motor vehicle, pursuant to the automobile
exception to the warrant requirement.’” State v. Runyon, 12th Dist. Clermont No.
CA2010-05-032, 2011-Ohio-263, ¶ 14, quoting Moore at 48. “‘There need be no
other tangible evidence to justify a warrantless search of a vehicle.’” Id., quoting
Moore at 48.
{¶58} “A trunk and a passenger compartment of an automobile are subject
to different standards of probable cause to conduct searches.” State v. Farris, 109
Ohio St.3d 519, 2006-Ohio-3255, ¶ 51. “The odor of burnt marijuana in the
passenger compartment of a vehicle does not, standing alone, establish probable
cause for a warrantless search of the trunk of the vehicle.” (Emphasis added.) Id.
at ¶ 52, citing United States v. Nielsen, 9 F.3d 1487 (10th Cir.1993). “However,
where an officer detects a strong odor of raw marijuana, but no large amount is
found within the passenger compartment of the vehicle, the officer has probable
cause to search the trunk,” including the trunk’s contents. (Emphasis added.)
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State v. Price, 6th Dist. Sandusky No. S-11-037, 2013-Ohio-130, ¶ 16, citing State
v. Gonzales, 6th Dist. Wood No. WD-07-060, 2009-Ohio-168 and United States v.
Ross, 456 U.S. 798, 825, 102 S.Ct. 2157 (1982). In addition, even the smell of
burnt marijuana, if coupled with “other evidence” of drug activity, such as large
amounts of cash, can serve as probable cause justifying a search of an
automobile’s trunk. Price at ¶ 19; State v. Franklin, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No.
99806, 2014-Ohio-1422, ¶ 24.
{¶59} Moreover, a vehicle occupant’s production of drugs gives an officer
probable cause to believe the vehicle contains evidence of contraband. See State
v. Young, 12th Dist. Warren No. CA2011-06-066, 2012-Ohio-3131, ¶ 33. See also
City of Westlake v. Gordon, 8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 100295, 2014-Ohio-3031, ¶
17 (“[T]he criminal tool establishing probable cause that a crime occurred or was
occurring was retrieved by a passenger of the car and turned over to the officer,
justifying the warrantless search of the vehicle.”); United States v. Deysie, D.Ariz.
No. CR-14-8112-001-PCT-G, 2014 WL 3887873, *4 (Aug. 7, 2014) (“An officer
with probable cause can search the entire car for contraband. * * * [A] person
stopped by officers cannot preempt a search and remove probable cause by
volunteering some contraband to the officer. * * * [The officer] did not have to
accept [the defendant’s] claim that all of his marijuana was in the bag he handed
over.”).
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{¶60} Aside from probable cause, proper consent can serve as a basis for an
officer to lawfully search a vehicle. “‘[A] search of property without a warrant or
probable cause but with proper consent having been voluntarily obtained does not
violate the Fourth Amendment.’” State v. Hartman, 9th Dist. Summit No. 26250,
2012-Ohio-4694, ¶ 12, quoting State v. Roberts, 110 Ohio St.3d 71, 2006-Ohio-
3665, ¶ 98. “‘The question of whether consent to a search was voluntary or the
product of duress or coercion, express or implied, is a question of fact to be
determined from the totality of the circumstances.’” State v. White, 3d Dist. Allen
No. 1-13-27, 2014-Ohio-555, ¶ 39, quoting Roberts at ¶ 99. “‘The standard for
measuring the scope of consent under the Fourth Amendment is objective
reasonableness, i.e., what a typical reasonable person would have understood by
the exchange between the officer and the suspect.’” State v. Graziani, 3d Dist.
Defiance No. 4-10-01, 2010-Ohio-3550, ¶ 20, quoting Roberts at ¶ 99. To rely on
the consent exception of the warrant requirement, the State must show by clear
and positive evidence that the consent was freely and voluntarily given. State v.
Elam, 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-02-57, 2003-Ohio-1577, ¶ 19, citing State v. Posey,
40 Ohio St.3d 420, 427 (1988).
{¶61} Regarding Miranda, a suspect in police custody “must be warned
prior to any questioning that he has the right to remain silent, that anything he says
can be used against him in a court of law, that he has the right to the presence of
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an attorney, and that if he cannot afford an attorney one will be appointed for him
prior to any questioning if he so desires.” Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 479,
86 S.Ct. 1602 (1966). See also State v. Billenstein, 3d Dist. Mercer No. 10-13-10,
2014-Ohio-255, ¶ 37, quoting Miranda at 479. “Absent such a warning, a
suspect’s statements during a custodial interrogation are subject to suppression.”
Billenstein at ¶ 37, citing State v. Kirk, 3d Dist. Crawford No. 3-12-09, 2013-
Ohio-1941, ¶ 24.
{¶62} “‘In order to determine whether a person is in custody for purposes
of receiving Miranda warnings, courts must first inquire into the circumstances
surrounding the questioning and, second, given those circumstances, determine
whether a reasonable person would have felt that he or she was not at liberty to
terminate the interview and leave.’” Id. at ¶ 38, quoting State v. Hoffner, 102 Ohio
St.3d 358, 2004-Ohio-3430, ¶ 27. “The first inquiry is distinctly factual.” Id.,citing Thompson v. Keohane, 516 U.S. 99, 112, 116 S.Ct. 457 (1995).
{¶63} “‘Once the factual circumstances surrounding the interrogation are
reconstructed, the court must apply an objective test to resolve ‘the ultimate
inquiry’ of whether there was a ‘formal arrest or restraint on freedom of
movement’ of the degree associated with a formal arrest.’” Id., quoting Hoffner at
¶ 27. “The subjective views harbored by either the interrogating officers or the
person being questioned are of no consequence in the Miranda analysis.” Id.,-28-
Case No. 9-14-02
citing Stansbury v. California, 511 U.S. 318, 323, 114 S.Ct. 1526 (1994). “In
resolving the ultimate inquiry, courts must consider the totality of the
circumstances surrounding the questioning.” Id., citing State v. Gumm, 73 Ohio
St.3d 413, 429 (1995) and California v. Beheler, 463 U.S. 1121, 1125, 103 S.Ct.
3517 (1983).
{¶64} “The temporary detention involved in a traffic stop, however, is not
considered ‘custody’ triggering the Miranda protections of Fifth Amendment
rights.” State v. Jolly, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 22811, 2008-Ohio-6547, ¶ 13,
citing Berkemer v. McCarty, 468 U.S. 420, 440, 104 S.Ct. 3138 (1984). “General,
on-the-scene questioning of persons concerning events that have happened does
not ordinarily fall within the ambit of custodial interrogation, because the
compelling atmosphere inherent in the process of in-custody interrogation is not
present.” State v. Engle, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 25226, 2013-Ohio-1818, ¶ 26,
citing State v. Barnett, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 14019, 1994 WL 567551, *4
(Aug. 31, 1994). “Similarly, the roadside questioning of a motorist detained
pursuant to a routine traffic stop does not ordinarily constitute custodial
interrogation for purposes of Miranda.” Id., citing Barnett at *4. See also State v.
Surgener, 3d Dist. Crawford Nos. 3-94-27 and 3-94-29, 1995 WL 141519, *3
(Mar. 23, 1995). “Simply asking the motorist in that circumstance to sit in the rear
of the police cruiser for a short period of time while answering a few questions or
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Case No. 9-14-02
while a citation is issued does not convert the ordinary traffic stop into custodial
interrogation.” Engle at ¶ 26, citing Barnett at *4. See also State v. Keene, 7th
Dist. Mahoning No. 08 MA 95, 2009-Ohio-1201, ¶ 17 (“The fact that the motorist
is not free to go until they have been cited for the traffic stop does not turn the
question into a custodial interrogation.”).
{¶65} “Statements voluntarily made after the Miranda warnings have been
given to a defendant are admissible in evidence.” State v. Price, 8th Dist.
Cuyahoga No. 98410, 2013-Ohio-1542, ¶ 23, citing State v. Osborne, 50 Ohio
St.2d 211 (1977). “A suspect’s decision to waive his Fifth Amendment privilege
is made voluntarily absent evidence that his will was overborne and his capacity
for self-determination was critically impaired because of coercive police conduct.”
State v. Asp, 5th Dist. Guernsey No. 2010-CA-40, 2011-Ohio-4567, ¶ 39, citing
Colorado v. Spring, 479 U.S. 564, 574, 107 S.Ct. 851 (1987). “A trial court, in
determining whether a statement was made voluntarily, and whether defendant
knowingly and voluntarily waived his Miranda rights prior to giving a statement,
should consider the totality of the circumstances * * *.” State v. Jones, 3d Dist.
Van Wert No. 15-11-16, 2012-Ohio-5334, ¶ 23, citing State v. Brinkley, 105 Ohio
St.3d 231, 2005-Ohio-1507, ¶ 57. See also State v. Lather, 110 Ohio St.3d 270,
2006-Ohio-4477, ¶ 14 (“An understanding waiver of Miranda rights may be
inferred from the totality of the circumstances.”). These circumstances include
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Case No. 9-14-02
“the age, mentality, and prior criminal experience of the defendant; the length,
intensity, and frequency of interrogation; the existence of physical deprivation or
mistreatment; and the existence of threat or inducement.” Jones at ¶ 23, citing
Brinkley at ¶ 57. “[T]he state must prove a knowing, intelligent, and voluntary
waiver by a preponderance of evidence.” State v. Wesson, 137 Ohio St.3d 309,
2013-Ohio-4575, ¶ 34, citing Miranda, 384 U.S. at 475 and Colorado v. Connelly,
479 U.S. 157, 168-169, 107 S.Ct. 515 (1986).
{¶66} We begin our analysis by examining whether Isom, on whose
dispatch Utley relied in stopping the taxi cab, had a reasonable, articulable
suspicion that the cab driver committed a traffic violation. The trial court
concluded that Isom “received proper training as to speed detection” and that
“Utley made her stop based upon the speed pace of Detective Isom, which
information had been transmitted to her by radio.” (July 18, 2013 Entry, Doc. No.
43, at 2). Indeed, Isom testified that he twice estimated that the cab was traveling
in excess of the posted speed limit. Specifically, he visually estimated the speed
of the cab at 45 miles per hour, in excess of the 35-miles-per-hour speed limit, as
he and Ice approached the cab from the opposite direction. Once they turned
around and were following the cab, Isom observed the cab travel for an
uninterrupted, nine or ten-block distance, during which time he and Ice maintained
the same distance behind the cab and traveled at a speed of 45 or 46 miles per
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hour, again in excess of the speed limit. Isom was trained in 2000 or 2001 on
visual speed estimation and has served in the drug unit and patrol division in his
17 years as a Marion police officer. Isom radioed Utley to inform her of the cab’s
traffic violation, and Utley heard Isom’s radio transmission and stopped the cab
based on Isom’s estimation of the cab’s excessive speed.
{¶67} We conclude that these facts satisfy the applicable legal standard
governing the stop of the cab. Isom’s visual perception that the cab was speeding
and his pace of the cab, coupled with his training and years of experience,
constituted specific and articulable facts giving rise to a reasonable, articulable
suspicion that the cab driver committed a traffic violation. See Hammen, 2012-
Ohio-3628, at ¶ 27. Isom possessed a reasonable, articulable suspicion justifying a
stop of the cab, and he communicated that reasonable, articulable suspicion to
Utley, who received the communication and made the stop based on Isom’s
reasonable, articulable suspicion. See McClellan, 2010-Ohio-314, at ¶ 39.
Therefore, Utley’s stop of the cab was not unconstitutional.
{¶68} To the extent Gartrell argues that the stop of the cab for speeding was
a pretext to investigate the cab’s passenger, we reject Gartrell’s argument. Any
ulterior motives for the traffic stop are irrelevant to the determination of whether
the officers possessed a reasonable, articulable suspicion justifying the stop. See
McGinnis, 2006-Ohio-2281, at ¶ 10, citing Erickson, 76 Ohio St.3d at 11. To the
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extent Gartrell suggests that evidence should have been suppressed because he
was racially profiled, “this Court has rejected racial profiling as a legal basis for
the suppression of evidence.” State v. Coleman, 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-13-15,
2014-Ohio-1483, ¶ 18, citing State v. Chambers, 3d Dist. Hancock No. 5-10-29,
2011-Ohio-1305, ¶ 22 and United States v. Cousin, 448 Fed.Appx. 593, 594 (6th
Cir.2012).2
{¶69} We next address Gartrell’s argument that Isom exceeded the scope of
the stop when he “immediately questioned” Gartrell after Utley stopped the cab.
(Appellant’s Brief at 14). We concluded above that Utley’s stop of the cab was
not unconstitutional. To the extent Gartrell argues that his constitutional rights
were violated because he was detained in the cab during a traffic stop, we reject
his argument because officers may detain passengers of a lawfully stopped vehicle
for the duration of the lawful detention of the driver. Fry, 2007-Ohio-3240, at ¶
16. Utley was speaking with the cab driver concerning why she stopped him
2
In support of his assignment of error challenging the trial court’s denial of his motion to suppress,
Gartrell, at multiple points, cites testimony from trial. However, at the time the trial court ruled on
Gartrell’s motion to suppress, it had before it only the evidence presented at the suppression hearing. State
v. Croom, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 25094, 2013-Ohio-3377, ¶ 18. “[I]n reviewing a trial court’s ruling on
a motion to suppress, an appellate court may consider only evidence that was presented during the
suppression hearing and may not consider evidence presented at trial.” State v. Monford, 190 Ohio App.3d
35, 2010-Ohio-4732, ¶ 45 (10th Dist.). As the Tenth District Court of Appeals observed in Monford,
“numerous Ohio appellate courts have * * * based their review only upon evidence presented at the
suppression hearing.” Id. at ¶ 46, citing State v. Wright, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 03 MA 112, 2004-Ohio-
6802; State v. Weese, 9th Dist. Summit No. 20769, 2002-Ohio-3750; State v. Tapke, 1st Dist. Hamilton No.
C-060494, 2007-Ohio-5124; State v. VanNoy, 188 Ohio App.3d 89, 2010-Ohio-2845 (2d Dist.). See also
id., citing State v. Kinley, 72 Ohio St.3d 491, 496, fn. 1 (1995). Moreover, while the trial testimony may
have become relevant had Gartrell renewed his motion to suppress following the relevant evidence at trial,
Gartrell has not directed our attention to anywhere in the record where this was done, nor have we found
any. See Croom at ¶ 18; State v. Nixon, 1st Dist. Hamilton No. C-020428, 2003-Ohio-3384, ¶ 15.
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Case No. 9-14-02
while, in Gartrell’s words, Isom began to “immediately question” him. Therefore,
the officers’ detention of Gartrell did not extend beyond the lawful detention of
the driver.
{¶70} The trial court concluded that “once Detective Isom detected the
strong odor of marihuana eminating [sic] from the cab, there was sufficient cause
for the detective to order the Defendant out of the vehicle.” (July 18, 2013 Entry,
Doc. No. 43, at 4). Indeed, as Isom was speaking with Gartrell after the cab driver
opened the rear, passenger-side window, Isom noticed a “strong odor” of unburnt,
raw marijuana—an odor Isom recognized based on his training and experience.
At that point, Isom possessed additional facts from which it was reasonable to
infer additional criminal activity, and Isom was permitted to lengthen the duration
of the stop to investigate his suspicions. Dillehay, 2013-Ohio-327, at ¶ 15;
Minyoung, 2012-Ohio-411, at ¶ 15; Runyon, 2011-Ohio-263, at ¶ 13-16.
Therefore, Isom’s continued detention of Gartrell to investigate the marijuana odor
and Isom’s questions to Gartrell concerning marijuana did not violate Gartrell’s
constitutional rights.
{¶71} We next address Gartrell’s argument that “Isom’s search of the trunk
exceeded the scope of the initial stop and any expanded scope provided by the
odor of the subsequently surrendered marijuana.” (Appellant’s Brief at 15). We
reject Gartrell’s argument. After Isom detected the strong odor of marijuana, he
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asked Gartrell whether he had any marijuana on his person, and when Gartrell said
that he did, Isom had Gartrell step out of the vehicle. After Gartrell handed Isom
the marijuana that was in his pocket, Gartrell consented to Isom searching him,
telling Isom, “[G]o ahead.” Isom found a large sum of cash—over $1,700—on
Gartrell’s person. Gartrell does not contest Isom’s asking him to exit the vehicle
and Isom’s search of his person. Furthermore, despite Gartrell telling Isom that he
was from New Jersey and on his way to a more-than-weeklong visit, Gartrell
initially denied having any luggage, but the cab driver indicated that he did have
luggage.
{¶72} The combination of the “strong odor” of unburnt, raw marijuana,
Gartrell’s production of marijuana from his pocket, Isom’s finding over $1,700 on
Gartrell’s person, and Gartrell’s apparent untruthfulness concerning his luggage
created probable cause for Isom to search the cab’s interior and trunk, as well as
the contents of the interior and trunk, for contraband. Price, 2013-Ohio-130, at ¶
16-18; Franklin, 2014-Ohio-1422, at ¶ 24; Young, 2012-Ohio-3131, at ¶ 32-36.
Gartrell’s voluntary production of the marijuana on his person did not remove this
probable cause. See Deysie, 2014 WL 3887873, at *4. In addition, Gartrell does
not contest the officers’ search of his luggage, and the evidence presented at the
suppression hearing showed that Gartrell consented to a search of his luggage by
responding, “Yes,” when Isom asked if he could look in Gartrell’s luggage.
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Case No. 9-14-02
{¶73} Finally, we address Gartrell’s argument that statements he made
offend Miranda protections. Specifically, Gartrell argues that he was “seized from
the moment Det. Utley conducted effected [sic] the traffic stop of the taxi cab” but
that “it is the statements elicited after Appellant Gartrell fled and was subdued that
most offend the Miranda protections.” (Appellant’s Brief at 16). The trial court
concluded that Gartrell’s pre-arrest and post-arrest statements were admissible.
(July 18, 2013 Entry, Doc. No. 43, at 4). Specifically, the trial court concluded
that “before the Defendant ran from the area of the traffic stop, the Defendant was
not under arrest, but was being detained while a complaint for minor misdemeanor
marihuana possession was being prepared.” (Id.). The trial court also concluded
that Gartrell “was not placed under arrest until he was finally stopped after a foot
pursuit,” at which time “he was arrested” and “Miranda warnings were
administered to the Defendant.” (Id.). We agree.
{¶74} First, Gartrell was not in “custody” for purposes of Miranda simply
because he was in a vehicle stopped by authorities. Jolly, 2008-Ohio-6547, at ¶
13. Second, Isom’s roadside questioning of Gartrell did not amount to a custodial
interrogation for purposes of Miranda. Engle, 2013-Ohio-1818, at ¶ 26; Surgener,
1995 WL 141519, at *3. Third, Gartrell’s standing by while officers prepared his
summons for misdemeanor marijuana possession did not amount to “custody”
under Miranda. See Engle at ¶ 26; Keene, 2009-Ohio-1201, at ¶ 17.
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Case No. 9-14-02
{¶75} Nor did Gartrell’s statements after he “fled and was subdued” violate
Miranda. Gartrell, who is African American, argues that the trial court should
have suppressed his post-flight statements—particularly his statement that his
suitcase contained “about 500 bindles” of heroin—because he was “Tasered into
submission” and “assaulted by officers” and because he was handcuffed and
surrounded by “multiple Caucasian officers” who “haul[ed] him * * * to the patrol
car.” (Appellant’s Brief at 17). The evidence offered by the State at the
suppression hearing demonstrated by a preponderance of the evidence that Gartrell
voluntarily waived his Miranda rights and made his statements—including the
statement concerning the bindles of heroin—voluntarily.
{¶76} Isom testified that with the help of Ruth, he caught up to and
physically restrained Gartrell. However, no evidence introduced at the
suppression hearing suggests Gartrell’s cognitive abilities were adversely
impacted by his flight and capture. Notably, despite Gartrell’s contention, he was
not “Tasered into submission.” Rather, he got back up and continued to flee after
Ruth deployed the Taser the first time. Ruth’s subsequent deployment of the
Taser had no effect on Gartrell. Also, despite Gartrell’s contention that he was
“assaulted by police officers,” the evidence introduced at the suppression hearing
reveals that officers did not engage in any coercive action for purposes of the
Miranda analysis. Gartrell was attempting to scale a fence and would not let go
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before Ruth and Isom finally got him to release his grip and wrestled him to the
ground. Even after the officers wrestled him to the ground, Gartrell continued to
resist and attempted to get up. The entire chase and capture lasted only a minute
or a minute and a half.
{¶77} After Isom read Gartrell his Miranda rights, Isom asked Gartrell why
he ran, and, according to Isom, Gartrell responded by stating simply that “he had
drugs in his bag.” When Isom then asked what was in the two taped bricks that
Utley found in Gartrell’s suitcase, Gartrell responded, “[A]bout 500 bindles of
heroin.” Isom asked Gartrell these questions as he was walking him back to the
patrol car. The length, intensity, and frequency of the interrogation were therefore
minimal. Nor was Gartrell mistreated—the officers did only what they needed to
do to capture Gartrell. The record does not reflect that Isom or any other officer
threatened or coerced Gartrell or induced him to respond. Gartrell’s answers to
both of Isom’s questions were direct and responsive, suggesting Gartrell’s
cognition was not impaired. What is more, Gartrell possessed the mental alertness
to inform the officers that “[h]e wanted to give up his property to his sister.” (June
10, 2013 Tr. at 53). Finally, while the suppression-hearing record does not reveal
Gartrell’s age or prior criminal experience, the record reflects that Gartrell, who is
from New Jersey, had the ability to travel by Greyhound bus to Columbus, then by
taxi cab to Marion. (Id. at 54). For these reasons, we conclude that the State
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proved by a preponderance of the evidence that Gartrell knowingly, voluntarily,
and intelligently waived his Miranda rights and that he made his statements
voluntarily. See State v. Llanderal-Raya, 9th Dist. Medina No. 04CA0079-M,
2005-Ohio-3306, ¶ 28-33; Lather, 110 Ohio St.3d 270, at ¶ 12, 14.
{¶78} The trial court did not err in denying Gartrell’s motion to suppress.
{¶79} Gartrell’s first assignment is overruled.
Assignment of Error No. II
Appellant Gartrell’s convictions for trafficking and possession of
heroin in an amount greater than 100 but less than 500
“bindles” were against the manifest weight of the evidence
resulting in a miscarriage of justice, in violation of Section 3,
Article IV of the Ohio Constitution, because the manifest weight
of the evidence showed Mr. Gartrell possessed at most only 28
“bindles.” (Tr., Vol. III, p. 449-491.)
Assignment of Error No. III
Appellant Gartrell’s convictions of trafficking and possession
were based upon insufficient evidence as the State failed to prove
beyond a reasonable doubt that Appellant Gartrell trafficked or
possessed more than 28 “bindles,” thereby violating the [sic] his
rights under the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth
Amendment and Article I, Section 16 of the Ohio Constitution.
(Tr., Vol. III, p. 449-491.)
{¶80} In his second and third assignments of error, Gartrell argues that his
convictions for trafficking in heroin and possession of heroin were against the
manifest weight of the evidence and supported by insufficient evidence.
Specifically, Gartrell argues that Rentz, the BCI employee who tested the contents
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of the bindles found in Gartrell’s suitcase, tested only 28 of the bindles and
applied the “hypergeometric sampling” method to conclude with 95 percent
likelihood that at least 90 percent of the 499 samples contained heroin.
{¶81} “An appellate court’s function when reviewing the sufficiency of the
evidence to support a criminal conviction is to examine the evidence admitted at
trial to determine whether such evidence, if believed, would convince the average
mind of the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio
St.3d 259 (1981), paragraph two of the syllabus, superseded by state constitutional
amendment on other grounds as stated in State v. Smith, 80 Ohio St.3d 89 (1997).
Accordingly, “[t]he relevant inquiry is whether, after viewing the evidence in a
light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found
the essential elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt.” Id. “In
deciding if the evidence was sufficient, we neither resolve evidentiary conflicts
nor assess the credibility of witnesses, as both are functions reserved for the trier
of fact.” State v. Jones, 1st Dist. Hamilton Nos. C-120570 and C-120571, 2013-
Ohio-4775, ¶ 33, citing State v. Williams, 197 Ohio App.3d 505, 2011-Ohio-6267,
¶ 25 (1st Dist.). See also State v. Berry, 3d Dist. Defiance No. 4-12-03, 2013-
Ohio-2380, ¶ 19 (“Sufficiency of the evidence is a test of adequacy rather than
credibility or weight of the evidence.”), citing State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d
380, 386 (1997).
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{¶82} On the other hand, in determining whether a conviction is against the
manifest weight of the evidence, a reviewing court must examine the entire record,
“‘weigh[ ] the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider[ ] the credibility of
witnesses and determine[ ] whether in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the [trier
of fact] clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that
the conviction must be reversed and a new trial ordered.’” Thompkins at 387,
quoting State v. Martin, 20 Ohio App.3d 172, 175 (1st Dist.1983). A reviewing
court must, however, allow the trier of fact appropriate discretion on matters
relating to the weight of the evidence and the credibility of the witnesses. State v.
DeHass, 10 Ohio St.2d 230 (1967), paragraph one of the syllabus. When applying
the manifest-weight standard, “[o]nly in exceptional cases, where the evidence
‘weighs heavily against the conviction,’ should an appellate court overturn the trial
court’s judgment.” State v. Haller, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-11-34, 2012-Ohio-5233, ¶
9, quoting State v. Hunter, 131 Ohio St.3d 67, 2011-Ohio-6524, ¶ 119.
{¶83} Gartrell was convicted of trafficking in heroin in violation of R.C.
2925.03(A)(2), (C)(6) and possession of heroin in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A),
(C)(6). R.C. 2925.03, Ohio’s drug-trafficking statute, provides, in part:
No person shall knowingly * * * [p]repare for shipment, ship,
transport, deliver, prepare for distribution, or distribute a controlled
substance or a controlled substance analog, when the offender knows
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or has reasonable cause to believe that the controlled substance or a
controlled substance analog is intended for sale or resale by the
offender or another person.
R.C. 2925.03(A)(2). R.C. 2925.03(C)(6) provides that “[i]f the drug involved in
the violation is heroin or a compound, mixture, preparation, or substance
containing heroin, whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of
trafficking in heroin.” R.C. 2925.03(C)(6). The degree of the offense depends on
the quantity of drugs trafficked, and relevant to Gartrell’s case, the statute
provides:
Except as otherwise provided in this division, if the amount of the
drug involved equals or exceeds one hundred unit doses but is less
than five hundred unit doses or equals or exceeds ten grams but is
less than fifty grams, trafficking in heroin is a felony of the second
degree, and the court shall impose as a mandatory prison term one of
the prison terms prescribed for a felony of the second degree.
R.C. 2925.03(C)(6)(e).
{¶84} R.C. 2925.11, one of Ohio’s drug-possession statutes, provides, “No
person shall knowingly obtain, possess, or use a controlled substance or a
controlled substance analog.” R.C. 2925.11(A). Similar to the drug-trafficking
statute, R.C. 2925.11(C)(6) provides that “[i]f the drug involved in the violation is
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heroin or a compound, mixture, preparation, or substance containing heroin,
whoever violates division (A) of this section is guilty of possession of heroin.”
The degree of the offense depends on the quantity of drugs possessed, and relevant
to Gartrell’s case, the statute provides:
If the amount of the drug involved equals or exceeds one hundred
unit doses but is less than five hundred unit doses or equals or
exceeds ten grams but is less than fifty grams, possession of heroin
is a felony of the second degree, and the court shall impose as a
mandatory prison term one of the prison terms prescribed for a
felony of the second degree.
R.C. 2925.11(C)(6)(d). A “unit dose” under R.C. 2925.03 and 2925.11 “means an
amount or unit of a compound, mixture, or preparation containing a controlled
substance that is separately identifiable and in a form that indicates that it is the
amount or unit by which the controlled substance is separately administered to or
taken by an individual.” R.C. 2925.01(E).
{¶85} Under his second and third assignments of error, Gartrell disputes
only the issues of the quality and quantity of drugs trafficked and possessed. In
other words, he does not argue that the State failed to prove the other elements of
the drug-trafficking and drug-possession offenses. Therefore, we will limit our
review under Gartrell’s second and third assignments of error only to the issues of
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the quality and quantity of drugs trafficked and possessed. See State v. Alexander,
8th Dist. Cuyahoga No. 85688, 2005-Ohio-5200, ¶ 34.
{¶86} At trial, the State offered the testimony of Rentz, a forensic chemist
in the drug analysis section of BCI. (Trial Tr., Vol. Three, at 434). Among other
qualifications, Rentz testified that he has conducted scientific analysis of
suspected controlled substances to determine their weight and identity “[m]any
thousands” of times. (Id. at 437). He has conducted that analysis on heroin
“[p]robably several 100” times. (Id.). The BCI lab is accredited. (Id. at 439).
Without objection from Gartrell, the trial court qualified Rentz as an expert
witness concerning scientific analysis of controlled substances, including heroin.
(Id. at 438).
{¶87} Rentz identified State’s Exhibit 13 as including the substance he
analyzed for this case—“499 little glassine packets containing a powder
substance.” (Id. at 443). Rentz explained how he handled each packet: “I would
weigh the entire bundle or the small packs themselves with the material in them. I
then emptied each of the packets out onto a separate piece of paper and then
weighed the packets themselves and then subtracted that weight from the total.”
(Id. at 445-446). According to Rentz, he viewed the substance in each packet, and
each packet contained substantially the same substance. (Id. at 446).
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{¶88} After analyzing the substance, Rentz concluded to a reasonable
degree of scientific certainty that the 499 bindles, or packets, contained “9.3 grams
that have heroin in them.” (Id. at 447). Rentz recorded the results of his analysis
in a laboratory report, which he identified as State’s Exhibit 21. (Id. at 444, 446-
447). Rentz’s “Findings” stated in his report are: “Four hundred ninety nine (499)
packets containing off white material – 9.3 grams – found to contain Heroin
determined using hypergeometric sampling.” (State’s Ex. 21). Rentz testified that
he was not the first person at BCI to analyze the substance—Dobransky analyzed
the substance but later retired from BCI. (Trial Tr., Vol. Three, at 448).
According to Rentz, the results of his analysis and the results of Dobransky’s
analysis were the same. (Id. at 448-449).
{¶89} On cross-examination, Rentz testified that he used a “Gas
Chromatography Mass Spectrometry” (“GCMS”) Test to determine whether the
substance contained heroin. (Id. at 456). He preceded the GCMS Test with a
Cobalt Thiocyanate Test, which Rentz admitted “tests for many things” as stated
in the applicable “chem manual,” none of which are heroin. (Id. at 457-458). The
Cobalt Thiocyanate Test yielded a positive result. (Id. at 458). Rentz admitted
that he did not test the substance in all 499 bindles. (Id.). Rather, he counted all
499 of the bindles, but he tested the substances in only 28 bindles that he randomly
selected out of the 499. (Id. at 459, 466). Rentz was not sure if Dobransky tested
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the same 28 bindles. (Id. at 459). Rentz testified that the random-sampling
method he used, hypergeometric sampling, is a statistical method that provides “a
reliability factor for the ones we have tested so we can make a statement about the
entire sample.” (Id. at 460). Specifically, the hypergeometric-sampling method
uses 6 percent of the total to make a prediction about 100 percent of the total.
(Id.). Rentz agreed that the hypergeometric sampling method should only be
applied if the units “appear to be homogeneous or identical” and that “each unit
must be completely tested.” (Id. at 461). Rentz admitted that Dobransky reached
a different result concerning the “ultimate weight” of the substance, which
reflected Dobransky’s taking some of the substance for testing, according to
Rentz. (Id. at 464-465).
{¶90} On re-direct examination, Rentz testified that he conducts “different
types of preliminary testing” on substances, including the Cobalt Thiocyanate
Test, to get “an idea of what might possibly be present.” (Id. at 477). In this case,
Rentz testified that he used preliminary testing to determine that the substance
could have been heroin, and then conducted additional testing and determined that
the substance was heroin. (Id. at 478). Rentz testified that hypergeometric
sampling is accepted as a forensic-drug-chemistry method for testing controlled
substances. (Id.). Rentz reiterated that he opened all 499 packets and observed
that each one contained what appeared to be the same substance. (Id. at 479). The
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contents of all 28 packets that Rentz randomly selected tested positive for heroin.
(Id.). Rentz reiterated that it was his opinion within a reasonable degree of
scientific certainty that the 499 bindles contained heroin. (Id.).
{¶91} After counsel concluded their examinations of Rentz, the trial court
allowed the jury to submit questions of the witness to the court. (Id. at 481-482).
One juror asked why Dobransky’s test was not “used for evidence,” and Rentz
explained that when an analyst retires like Dobransky did, it is BCI’s policy to
retest the substance so that the retired analyst does not have to come back to testify
in court. (Id. at 483). Another juror asked, “[H]ow can you be sure all the bindles
contained heroin if all were not tested?” (Id.). Rentz responded, “Very simply, I
can’t. It’s a statistical method. Where we’ll use a certain number and say because
these all turned out exactly the same, they look the same, they appear to be the
same, same consistency we can now make something in a statement about the
whole.” (Id.).
{¶92} Another juror asked why Rentz did not test all 499 packets. (Id. at
486). Rentz testified that testing every sample of every case BCI receives would
be “quite time consuming,” so they use a statistical technique to “say something
about the whole based on the random sample.” (Id. at 486-487). In explaining
how he decided to randomly sample 28 of the 499 packets, Rentz testified that in
the hypergeometric sampling formula, BCI uses a “threshold of * * * 95 percent
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confident that at least 90 percent of the sample is.” (Id. at 487). Using that
threshold, when 499 is “plugged into the formula,” it yields a required sample size
of 28, according to Rentz. (Id.). In response to another juror question, Rentz
clarified that he performed the GCMS Test to confirm that the substance in the 28
samples was heroin. (Id. at 486). Gartrell did not offer the testimony of an expert
witness to counter Rentz’s testimony.
{¶93} The State also called Isom, Utley, and Rowe as witnesses. (Trial Tr.,
Vol. Two, at 219); (Trial Tr., Vol. Three, at 336, 405). Isom testified that when he
asked Gartrell why he fled on foot, Gartrell said because “he had drugs in his
bag.” (Trial Tr., Vol. Two, at 236). According to Isom, he also asked Gartrell
what was in the two duct-taped bricks that Utley discovered in Gartrell’s suitcase,
and Gartrell responded, “[H]eroin.” (Id. at 237). Isom testified that he “asked him
how much,” and Gartrell responded, “500 bindles.” (Id.). Utley testified that she
heard Gartrell tell Isom that the duct-taped packages contained “500” of “heroin.”
(Trial Tr., Vol. Three, at 349). Rowe testified that he heard Gartrell tell Isom that
he ran because he had “heroin.” (Id. at 409). According to Rowe, he also heard
Gartrell tell Isom that he had “500” of “heroin.” (Id.).
{¶94} We first review the sufficiency of the evidence supporting Gartrell’s
drug-trafficking and drug-possession convictions. State v. Velez, 3d Dist. Putnam
No. 12-13-10, 2014-Ohio-1788, ¶ 68, citing State v. Wimmer, 3d Dist. Marion No.
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Case No. 9-14-02
9-98-46, 1999 WL 355190, *1 (Mar. 26, 1999). We conclude, after viewing the
evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, that a rational trier of fact
could have found proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the amount of drugs
involved equaled or exceeded one hundred unit doses but was less than five
hundred unit doses and that the drug was heroin. Rentz—who the trial court
qualified as an expert concerning scientific analysis of controlled substances,
including heroin—testified that, to a reasonable degree of scientific certainty, the
499 bindles found in Gartrell’s suitcase contained heroin. In addition, Isom,
Utley, and Rowe testified that Gartrell admitted that he had 500 units of heroin in
his suitcase.
{¶95} Gartrell argues that the evidence presented by the State was
sufficient to prove trafficking and possession of, at most, 28 bindles of heroin.
Gartrell argues that while hypergeometric sampling might be scientifically
accepted, that statistical method “must be found insufficient when the testing
scientist cannot adequately explain the method nor [sic] its reliability factor.”
(Appellant’s Brief at 24). Gartrell points to Rentz’s statement that hypergeometric
sampling is “a math formula and I’m not as up on it as I should be.” (Trial Tr.,
Vol. Three, at 487). Gartrell also argues that Rentz admitted that he tested the
contents of only 28 of the bindles “and could not account for whether he had fully
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inspected the 28 for the requisite homogenous quality required for accurate
hypergeometric sampling.” (Appellant’s Brief at 24).
{¶96} To the extent Gartrell disputes the hypergeometric sampling method
and suggests that BCI must test every drug unit to support a conviction, we
disagree with Gartrell. Concerning hypergeometric sampling, we agree with the
Tenth District Court of Appeals, which has “accepted the hypergeometric or
random sampling method of testing and determined ‘evidence of the random-
sampling method is sufficient as a matter of law to support a determination that the
entire substance recovered together and similarly packaged is the same controlled
substance as that tested.’” State v. Edwards, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 12AP-992,
2013-Ohio-4342, ¶ 40, quoting State v. Parsley, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 09AP-
612, 2010-Ohio-1689, ¶ 39, State v. Samatar, 152 Ohio App.3d 311, 2003-Ohio-
1639, ¶ 81 (10th Dist.), and State v. Smith, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 97APA05-660,
1997 WL 798301, *3 (Dec. 23, 1997). Other Courts of Appeals in Ohio have
accepted methods of random sampling, including hypergeometric sampling. See,
e.g., State v. Coppernoll, 6th Dist. Williams No. WM-07-010, 2008-Ohio-1293, ¶
5-6, 13-14; State v. Garnett, 9th Dist. Medina No. 12CA0088-M, 2013-Ohio-
4971, ¶ 7, 10.
{¶97} We also disagree with Gartrell that the State could not rely on
hypergeometric sampling in this case because Rentz failed to adequately explain
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Case No. 9-14-02
the method or its reliability factor. Rentz testified that the hypergeometric-
sampling formula used by BCI provides 95 percent confidence that at least 90
percent of all the units contain the same substance as the tested units, as long as
the units appear to be homogeneous or identical. Therefore, Rentz explained
hypergeometric sampling’s reliability. And contrary to Gartrell’s argument, Rentz
testified that the contents of all 499 bindles, including the 28 he tested, appeared to
be the same substance. Finally, Rentz’s admitted unfamiliarity with the
mathematics behind hypergeometric sampling does not render his use of the
formula unreliable. After all, Rentz is a forensic chemist, not a mathematician.
{¶98} Viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, we
conclude that Gartrell’s drug-trafficking and drug-possession convictions are
supported by sufficient evidence.
{¶99} We next address Gartrell’s argument that his convictions were
against the manifest weight of the evidence. We conclude that they were not. In
support of his argument, Gartrell makes many of the same arguments that he
makes in support of his sufficiency-of-the-evidence assignment of error. In
addition, he argues that Rentz “admitted that his testing results were different from
the prior scientist’s results.” (Appellant’s Brief at 20). However, Rentz explained
that the only difference was in the “ultimate weight” of the substance due to the
prior scientist taking some of the substance for testing. Gartrell argues that Rentz
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did not know whether he tested the same 28 bindles as the prior scientist.
However, Rentz explained that he randomly selected his 28 bindles regardless of
the prior scientist’s selections. Gartrell offered no testimony—expert or
otherwise—in response to Rentz and instead relied solely on his counsel’s cross-
examination of Rentz.
{¶100} While Rentz’s testimony may have been confusing at first, he
offered explanations, sometimes multiple times, for the methods he used to
observe and test the contents of the 499 bindles. Gartrell did not object to the trial
court qualifying Rentz as an expert concerning scientific analysis of controlled
substances, including heroin. Rentz explained that he has conducted scientific
analysis of suspected controlled substances thousands of times and of heroin
several hundreds of times. As we noted above, in addition to Rentz’s testimony,
Isom, Utley, and Rowe testified that they heard Gartrell admit that he had 500
units of heroin in his suitcase.3 Gartrell does not address this testimony under his
second and third assignments of error, although he does contend under his first
assignment of error that it is inadmissible.
{¶101} Based on the testimony of Rentz, Isom, Utley, and Rowe, we cannot
conclude that the jury clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage
3
At trial, Isom, Utley, and Rowe testified that Gartrell admitted that he had “500” units of heroin. At the
suppression hearing, however, Isom and Utley testified that Gartrell admitted that he had “about 500” units
of heroin, and Rowe testified that Gartrell said “something to the effect, I had 500 bindles.” These apparent
differences in the testimony do not render Isom, Utley, and Rowe without credibility or their trial testimony
without weight, particularly in light of Gartrell’s convictions for trafficking and possession of heroin in an
amount equal to or greater than 100 unit doses but less than 500 unit doses.
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of justice that Gartrell’s drug-trafficking and drug-possession convictions must be
reversed and a new trial ordered.
{¶102} Gartrell’s second and third assignments of error are overruled.
Assignment of Error No. IV
The trial court erred in overruling appellant Gartrell’s motion
to dismiss the charges on the basis of speedy trial time pursuant
to R.C. 2945.71. (Tr., Vol. I, 133-156.)
{¶103} In his fourth assignment of error, Gartrell argues that the trial court
erred in overruling his oral motion to dismiss the case against him—which he
made on the first day of trial, before the jury was sworn—because: “(1) the time
between the ruling on the motion to suppress and the journal entry appointing
counsel should not have been excluded from the speedy trial time calculation; and
(2) the discovery sanction time was impermissibly taxed against the defendant
when the delay was directly caused by the actions of the State.” (Appellant’s
Brief at 27).4
{¶104} “A speedy trial claim involves a mixed question of law and fact for
purposes of appellate review.” State v. Hansen, 3d Dist. Seneca No. 13-12-42,
2013-Ohio-1735, ¶ 20, citing State v. Masters, 172 Ohio App.3d 666, 2007-Ohio-
4229, ¶ 11 (3d Dist.). “Accordingly, a reviewing court must give due deference to
4
Gartrell’s brief exceeds the 25-page limit established by this court’s local rule. See Loc.R. 7(B).
Nevertheless, because the State did not object to the overage, and in the interests of justice, we will
consider the entirety of Gartrell’s brief. See Wheeler v. Ohio State Univ., 10th Dist. Franklin No. 11AP-
289, 2011-Ohio-6295, ¶ 11.
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Case No. 9-14-02
the trial court’s findings of fact if they are supported by competent, credible
evidence but will independently review whether the trial court correctly applied
the law to the facts of the case.” Id., citing Masters at ¶ 11. “When reviewing a
speedy-trial issue, an appellate court must calculate the number of days chargeable
to either party and determine whether the appellant was properly brought to trial
within the time limits set forth in R.C. 2945.71.” State v. Kesler, 3d Dist. Seneca
No. 13-13-35, 2014-Ohio-3376, ¶ 5, citing State v. Riley, 162 Ohio App.3d 730,
2005-Ohio-4337, ¶ 19 (12th Dist.).
{¶105} R.C. 2945.71(C)(2) provides: “A person against whom a charge of
felony is pending * * * [s]hall be brought to trial within two hundred seventy days
after the person’s arrest.” “[E]ach day during which the accused is held in jail in
lieu of bail on the pending charge shall be counted as three days.” R.C.
2945.71(E). “The date of the arrest is not included for the purpose of calculating
time under the statutes for a speedy trial.” State v. Taylor, 3d Dist. Allen No. 1-
13-46, 2014-Ohio-1793, ¶ 27, citing State v. Huston, 3d Dist. Wyandot Nos. 16-
05-23 and 16-05-24, 2006-Ohio-6857, ¶ 7. “The speedy trial provisions in R.C.
2945.71 are coextensive with constitutional speedy trial provisions.” Hansen at ¶
19, citing State v. King, 70 Ohio St.3d 158, 161 (1994).
{¶106} R.C. 2945.73(B) provides: “Upon motion made at or prior to the
commencement of trial, a person charged with an offense shall be discharged if he
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is not brought to trial within the time required by sections 2945.71 and 2945.72 of
the Revised Code.” “‘The prosecution and the trial courts have a mandatory duty
to try an accused within the time frame provided by the statute.’” Taylor at ¶ 27,
quoting State v. Ramey, 132 Ohio St.3d 309, 2012-Ohio-2904, ¶ 14. “Strict
compliance with the statute is required.” Ramey at ¶ 14, citing State v. Davis, 46
Ohio St.2d 444, 448 (1976).
{¶107} “However, R.C. 2945.72 allows for an extension of the time that the
accused must be brought to trial under certain circumstances.” Taylor at ¶ 28.
Excluded from the speedy trial calculation is “[a]ny period of delay necessitated
by reason of a plea in bar or abatement, motion, proceeding, or action made or
instituted by the accused.” R.C. 2945.72(E). This includes a motion by the
defendant for discovery, which tolls the speedy-trial clock as long as the State
responds to the motion in a reasonable amount of time. Taylor at ¶ 28, citing State
v. Brown, 98 Ohio St.3d 121, 2002-Ohio-7040, ¶ 23, 26, State v. Johnson, 3d Dist.
Marion No. 9-10-47, 2011-Ohio-994, ¶ 24, and State v. Risner, 3d Dist. Seneca
No. 13-03-40, 2004-Ohio-186, ¶ 18. In addition, “[a]s long as the trial court’s
disposition occurs within a reasonable time, a defendant’s motion to suppress tolls
the speedy trial clock from the time the defendant files the motion until the trial
court disposes of the motion.” State v. Curtis, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-02-11, 2002-
Ohio-5409, ¶ 12, citing State v. Arrizola, 79 Ohio App.3d 72, 76 (3d Dist.1992).
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“A motion for a bill of particulars also tolls the time for speedy trial calculations.”
State v. Salyers, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-05-04, 2005-Ohio-5037, ¶ 10, citing State
v. Grinnell, 112 Ohio App.3d 124, 134 (10th Dist.1996).
{¶108} Excluded from the speedy-trial calculation under R.C. 2945.72(H)
is “[t]he period of any continuance granted on the accused’s own motion, and the
period of any reasonable continuance granted other than upon the accused’s own
motion.” “[I]t is well-established that a defense motion to continue trial tolls the
speedy trial clock until the rescheduled trial date.” State v. Caulton, 7th Dist.
Mahoning No. 09 MA 140, 2011-Ohio-6636, ¶ 33, citing R.C. 2945.72(H) and
State v. Brown, 7th Dist. Mahoning No. 03-MA-32, 2005-Ohio-2939, ¶ 41. See
also State v. Quinnie, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 12AP-484, 2013-Ohio-1208, ¶ 8.
However, an accused’s motion to continue a trial does not “‘unconditionally
extend the time limit in which an accused must be brought to trial * * *.’” State v.
Johnson, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-10-47, 2011-Ohio-994, ¶ 22, quoting Arrizola at
75. See also State v. Littlefield, 3d Dist. Marion No. 9-02-03, 2002-Ohio-3399, ¶
7, quoting Arrizola at 75. Rather, the speedy-trial time limit “is ‘merely extended
by the time necessary in light of the reason for delay.’” Arrizola at 75, quoting
Committee Comment to H.B. 511. See also Johnson at ¶ 22.
{¶109} “Sua sponte continuances are continuances ‘granted other than on
the accused’s own motion’” and toll the speedy-trial time as long as the record
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reflects “that the period of the continuance was ‘reasonable.’” Kesler, 2014-Ohio-
3376, at ¶ 5, citing State v. Ramey, 2d Dist. Clark No. 2010 CA 19, 2012-Ohio-
6187, ¶ 12. “The reasonableness of the delay is determined based upon the
specific facts and circumstances of each case.” Id., citing State v. Daugherty, 110
Ohio App.3d 103, 104 (3d Dist.1996). Ohio courts have concluded “that it is
reasonable for a court to continue the matter to give recently appointed defense
counsel time to prepare for trial.” State v. Redelman, 12th Dist. Clinton No.
CA2012-04-010, 2013-Ohio-657, ¶ 24, citing State v. McRae, 55 Ohio St.2d 149(1978). See also State v. Broomfield, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 00AP-1420, 2001
WL 1002225, *2 (Sept. 4, 2001) (“Defendant is entitled to no speedy trial credit
for the time period of the reasonable continuance granted to allow newly
appointed counsel to prepare for trial.”).
{¶110} In this case, Gartrell was arrested on March 26, 2013, and his trial
commenced on December 3, 2013. (See Doc. No. 3); (Trial Tr., Vol. One, at 9-
10). Because Gartrell was held in jail from the time of his arrest to the time of
trial, the State had 90 days, or until June 25, 2013, to bring Gartrell to trial, barring
any tolling of the speedy-trial time. (See Trial Tr., Vol. One, at 135, 137); Kesler,
2014-Ohio-3376, at ¶ 6. Gartrell’s trial commenced 161 days after the expiration
of the 90-day speedy-trial period. Therefore, we look to whether the speedy-trial
period was tolled by at least 161 days.
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{¶111} The parties do not dispute that the speedy-trial time ran for the 22-
day period from March 26, 2013—the day after Gartrell’s arrest—to April 17,
2013, when Gartrell moved for discovery and a bill of particulars. Nor do they
dispute that Gartrell’s various motions tolled the speedy-trial time for the 21-day
period from April 17, 2013 to May 8, 2013. The parties do not dispute that the
speedy-trial time ran for the 20-day period from May 8, 2013 to May 28, 2013, on
which day Gartrell filed his motion to suppress. Finally, Gartrell does not appear
to dispute that his motion to suppress tolled the speedy-trial time for the 51-day
period from May 28, 2013 to July 18, 2013, on which day the trial court overruled
Gartrell’s motion to suppress.
{¶112} The parties disagree, however, concerning whether the speedy-trial
clock restarted on July 18, 2013. Gartrell argues, without citing authority, that the
trial court’s July 18, 2013 decision concerning his motion to suppress “restarted”
the speedy-trial clock, notwithstanding Gartrell’s May 28, 2013 motion to
continue the trial. (Appellant’s Brief at 26). The State argues that on June 4,
2013—while the speedy-trial time was tolled based on Gartrell’s May 28, 2013
motion to suppress—Gartrell filed a motion to continue the trial, which
independently tolled the speedy-trial time until September 24, 2013—the new trial
date set by the trial court. We disagree with Gartrell and agree with the State.
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{¶113} The trial court concluded that Gartrell’s motion to continue the trial
tolled the speedy-trial time for the 68-day period from July 18, 2013 to September
24, 2013 over which the parties disagree. (Trial Tr., Vol. One, at 142-155). On
June 4, 2013, while his May 28, 2013 motion to suppress was pending, Gartrell
moved to continue the trial because his counsel was scheduled to appear at oral
argument in another case. (Doc. No. 36). As the trial court observed, Gartrell’s
request for a continuance was “open-ended” and did not request that the trial be
rescheduled by any certain date.5 (Trial Tr., Vol. One, at 152-153). Moreover, on
July 18, 2013, the trial court disposed of Gartrell’s motion to suppress, which
involved multiple factual and legal issues. Thirteen days later, the trial court set
the new trial date of September 24, 2013—55 days away. The 68-day period
between July 18, 2013 and September 24, 2013 was not longer than necessary in
light of the circumstances of this case, particularly because it was Gartrell who
requested the continuance. See State v. Carr, 4th Dist. Ross No. 12CA3358,
2013-Ohio-5312, ¶ 35. Therefore, Gartrell’s June 4, 2013 motion to continue the
trial tolled the speedy-trial time between July 18, 2013 and September 24, 2013.
See Caulton, 2011-Ohio-6636, at ¶ 33; Johnson, 2011-Ohio-994, at ¶ 22.
5
The trial court also described Gartrell’s June 4, 2013 motion for a continuance as an “unlimited
continuance.” (Trial Tr., Vol. One, at 153). However, there are no “unlimited” continuances under R.C.
2945.72(H), even if it was the accused who moved for the continuance. See Johnson, 2011-Ohio-994, at ¶
22, quoting Arrizola, 79 Ohio App.3d at 75.
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{¶114} On September 9, 2013, before the newly scheduled trial date of
September 24, 2013, Gartrell’s initial counsel moved to withdraw. On September
18, 2013, the trial court continued the trial once again when it granted Gartrell’s
initial counsel’s motion to withdraw and appointed Gartrell new counsel. On
October 11, 2013, the trial court set the new trial date of November 14, 2013.
Gartrell agreed when he made his motion to the trial court that the speedy-trial
time was tolled for the 51-day period from September 24, 2013 to November 14,
2013. (Trial Tr., Vol. One, at 145). Indeed, that 51-day period was a reasonable
continuance under R.C. 2945.72(H), granted by the trial court to allow Gartrell’s
new counsel time to prepare for trial. Redelman, 2013-Ohio-657, at ¶ 24.
{¶115} The total number of days during which the speedy-trial time was
tolled between Gartrell’s March 26, 2013 arrest and November 14, 2013 is 191
days, well over the 161 needed to avoid a speedy-trial violation. Therefore,
Gartrell’s speedy-trial rights were not violated, and we need not address his other
arguments concerning speedy-trial time—namely, whether his November 7, 2013
motion for discovery sanctions tolled the speedy-trial time. Even assuming the
speedy-trial time ran between November 7, 2013 and December 3, 2013, it still
would not result in a speedy-trial violation.
{¶116} Gartrell’s fourth assignment of error is overruled.
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{¶117} Having found no error prejudicial to the appellant herein in the
particulars assigned and argued, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Judgment Affirmed
ROGERS and SHAW, J.J., concur.
/jlr
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