State Of Washington v. Kelly Stultz ( 2015 )

FILED
COURT OF
APPEALS
DIVISION II
2015 APR 2 f
Alts 9: 02
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF WASH.
ING3 ON WON
DIVISION II BY
STATE OF WASHINGTON, No. 45225 -1 - II
Respondent,
v.
KELLY KATHLEEN STULTZ, UNPUBLISHED OPINION
Appellant.
SUTTON, J. — Kelly Kathleen Stultz appeals her conviction for possession of a controlled
substance ( methamphetamine) after a stipulated facts trial. She argues that her conviction must be
reversed because the trial court erred in admitting physical evidence obtained pursuant to an
unlawful Terry' stop. Holding that the Terry stop was lawful, that Stultz validly consented to the
search of her car, and that her consent was not testimonial, we affirm.
FACTS
I. Stultz' s Arrest and Search Of Her Car
Bainbridge Island Officers Victor Cienega and Aimee LaClaire responded to a report of a
person " passed out" in a car in the parking lot of an apartment complex. Clerk' s Papers ( CP)
at 58 ( Amended Finding of Fact ( FF) 1). The person in the car was Stultz and she later told
LaClaire that she had been at the complex to visit her friend, a person Cienega was familiar with
due to " a lot of narcotics activity" in relation to the apartment number that Stultz named. Verbatim
Report of Proceedings (VRP) ( May 7, 2013) at 47. The officers were dispatched to conduct a
1
Terry v. Ohio, 392 U.S. 1, 88 S. Ct. 1868, 20 L. Ed. 2d 889 ( 1968).
No. 45225 -1 - II
welfare check at 10: 00 PM; the car had been in its location since 3: 00 PM with several people
coming and going from the car to the apartment.
When the two officers approached the car, Stultz was reclined in the driver' s seat with a
coat covering her from her knees to her face. LaClaire knocked on the passenger window for 20
to 30 seconds before Stultz awoke and opened the passenger door. LaClaire then asked for
identification, which Stultz provided.
As Stultz reached for the passenger door to open it for LaClaire, Stultz' s coat slid up on
her legs and Cienega, standing at the driver' s side window with his flashlight shining on Stultz,
saw what he believed to be a glass methamphetamine pipe between Stultz' s legs. About an inch
of the pipe was sticking out with the bowl wrapped in a paper towel and Cienega could see white
residue in the pipe. Cienega, who recently had taken a training course with a regional narcotics
task force, believed that the pipe was used to smoke methamphetamines.
Through the closed window, Cienega told Stultz that he saw the pipe and that she needed
to get out of the car. Stultz tried to cover the pipe with her hands, but Cienega told her that he
already [ saw] the pipe" and told her again to exit the car. VRP at 40. Because he saw the pipe,
felt " uncomfortable," and wanted to confirm his belief as to what the object was, Cienega placed
Stultz in handcuffs immediately after she stood up out of the car. VRP at 41, 42. Cienega did not
tell Stultz that she was under arrest. As he placed her in handcuffs, Cienega saw an open soft cloth
pouch laying on the floorboard of the car. Inside the pouch, Cienega observed five baggies of the
type typically used to store narcotics. One of the baggies contained a substance that Cienega
believed to be methamphetamine based on his training and experience.
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No. 45225 -1 - II
Cienega then asked Stultz about the pipe, told her that he saw the baggies, and asked
whether the substance was methamphetamine; Stultz said that it was. Cienega asked if she had
any more drugs or drug paraphernalia in the car. Stultz replied " no" and said the officers " could
2
search the vehicle. " VRP at 45. Cienega removed the pipe and pouch from the front seat and
floorboard, and searched the rest of the car. After placing the pouch with the baggies and the pipe
Miranda3
on the car roof, Cienega told Stultz that she was under arrest and read the warning to
her. LaClaire ran Stultz' s name and found outstanding warrants for Stultz' s arrest. Stultz admitted
to LaClaire that she had ingested methamphetamine.
II. CrR 3. 5 & CrR 3. 6 Hearing; Stipulated Facts Trial
The State charged Stultz with one count of possession of a controlled substance
methamphetamine). Stultz moved to suppress the pipe, pouch, and baggies and her statements to
Cienega after he handcuffed her. At the first CrR 3. 5 and CrR 3. 6 hearing, the trial court
suppressed Stultz' s statements to Cienega that she did not have any other drugs in the car and that
the officers could search the car because these statements were obtained in violation of Miranda.
The trial court also suppressed the physical evidence because Stultz' s consent was tainted by the
lack of a Miranda warning.
The State moved for reconsideration. The trial court reversed its earlier ruling and
concluded that because Stultz was lawfully seized during a Terry stop and she consented to the
2 The trial court found that Stultz answered Cienega' s question about additional paraphernalia by
answering, "`` no, go ahead and search. "' CP at 59 -60 ( FF 10).
3 Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 16 L. Ed. 2d 694 ( 1966).
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No. 45225 -1 - II
warrantless search of her car, the pipe, pouch, and baggies were admissible. The court entered
amended findings of fact and conclusions of law.
The trial court found Stultz guilty in a stipulated facts trial. Stultz appeals.
ANALYSIS
We review a trial court' s ruling on a motion to suppress evidence to determine whether
substantial evidence, supports the trial court' s findings of fact and whether those findings, in turn,
support the trial court' s conclusions of law. State v. Russell, 180 Wash. 2d 860, 866, 330 P.3d 151
2014). Unchallenged findings of fact are verities on appeal. State v. Bonds, 174 Wash. App. 553,
563, 299 P.3d 663 ( 2013), review denied 178 Wash. 2d 1011. We review conclusions of law de novo
to determine if the conclusions of law are supported by the findings of fact. Russell, 180 Wash. 2d
at 866 -67. Substantial evidence is evidence that is sufficient "`` to persuade a fair -minded person
of the truth of the stated premise. "' Russell, 180 Wash. 2d at 866 -67 ( quoting State v. Reid, 98 Wn.
App. 152, 156, 988 P.2d 1038 ( 1999)).
Substantial evidence supports the trial court' s challenged findings of fact and those
findings of fact support the court' s amended conclusions of law. In granting the State' s motion to
reconsider, the trial court correctly ruled that the pipe, pouch, and baggies were admissible against
Stultz.
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No. 45225 -1 - II
I. Findings Of Fact
4(
Stultz assigns error to four of the trial court' s amended findings of fact: 1) that Cienega
immediately recognized" the object between Stultz' s legs as a methamphetamine smoking pipe
CP at 59 ( FF 6)), ( 2) that as Stultz got out of the car, Cienega saw the pipe and the pouch with the
baggies that he believed contained methamphetamine ( FF 9), ( 3) that after Cienega told Stultz he
saw the pipe and pouch and asked her if she had more paraphernalia in the car, she answered, "' no,
go ahead and search ' ( CP at 59 -60 ( FF 10)), and ( 4) that Stultz waived her Miranda rights by
making statements to LaClaire ( FF 13). Substantial evidence supports each of these amended
findings of fact.
A. Cienega Saw a Glass Pipe and White Residue —Amended Finding Of Fact 6
Substantial evidence supports the trial court' s amended finding of fact 6 that Cienega
immediately recognized" the object between Stultz' s legs as a methamphetamine smoking pipe
that had white residue in the stem. CP at 59 ( FF 6). Officer Cienega testified that when Stultz
leaned over to open the door for LaClaire, Stultz' s coat slipped up on her legs. With his light
shining into the car, Cienega saw what he believed was a methamphetamine smoking pipe between
Stultz' s legs. The trial court' s amended finding of fact 5 stated that Cienega described the object
between Stultz' s legs as " the stem of a glass pipe" and " white residue inside the stem." CP at 59.
Stultz does not challenge amended finding of fact 5. Based on Cienega' s testimony about his
training and experience, a fair -minded person could conclude that Cienega " immediately
recognized" that the object between Stultz' s legs was a methamphetamine smoking pipe by his
description of the object. ( CP at 59 ( FF 6).
4
Stultz challenges amended findings of fact 6, 9, 10 and 13 ( CP 59 -60). Br. of Appellant at 1.
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No. 45225 -1 - II
B. Cienega Saw the Pipe, Pouch, and Baggies as Stultz Exited Her Car— Amended Finding Of
Fact 9
A fair -minded person could also conclude that when Stultz got out of the car, Cieriega saw
the pouch with the baggies containing what he " believed" was methamphetamine and recognized
what he saw. CP at 59 ( FF 9). Cienega testified that something " caught [ his] attention" as he
placed Stultz in handcuffs and he described what he saw as a " soft gray pouch ... and the flap was
actually open and there was five baggies, typically used for narcotics." VRP at 43. Cienega
believed the substance in one of the baggies to be methamphetamine. Substantial evidence
supports amended finding of fact 9.
C. Stultz Consented to a Search Of Her Car —Amended Finding Of Fact 10
Stultz next challenges the trial court' s amended finding of fact 10, that Stultz answered
Cienega' s question about more paraphernalia inside the car by responding, " no, go ahead and
search." CP at 59 -60. Cienega testified that after he asked Stultz if she had more narcotics or
paraphernalia in the car, Stultz said, " no, she [ Stultz] said that was it, and we could search the
vehicle." VRP at 45. Although the trial court' s amended finding of fact did not quote precisely
what Cienega testified that he heard Stultz say, substantial evidence supports amended finding of
fact 10.
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No. 45225 -1 - II
D. After Being Advised Of Her Miranda Rights, Stultz Made Statements to LaClaire--
Amended Finding Of Fact 13
Lastly, Stultz challenges amended finding of fact 13, which found that after Cienega read
Stultz her Miranda warnings she waived those rights and made statements to LaClaire. The
findings of fact do not specify these statements, but substantial evidence supports the finding that
Stultz continued to talk with LaClaire after she received Miranda warnings. Although LaClaire
could not remember exactly when Stultz admitted to ingesting methamphetamine, Cienega
testified that Stultz had not made that statement to him. Cienega testified that he did not talk to
Stultz after he read Stultz the Miranda warning, but that LaClaire and Stultz continued to have a
conversation. A fair -minded person, considering the totality of both officer' s testimonies, could
conclude that Stultz made statements to LaClaire after Cienega read the Miranda warning to her.
Substantial evidence supports amended finding of fact 13.
II. Conclusions Of Law
Stultz also challenges five of the trial court' s amended conclusions of law:5 ( 1) that Cienega
Stultz he her to the car ( CL 4), ( 2) that
lawfully seized during a valid Terry stop when ordered exit
Cienega had probable cause to arrest Stultz when he handcuffed her ( CL 5), ( 3) that Cienega' s
warrantless search of Stultz' s car was based upon the consent exception to the warrant
5
Stultz challenges amended conclusions of law 4, 5, 9, 10 and 11 ( CP 60 -61). Br. of Appellant
at 1.
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No. 45225 -1 - II
requirement ( CL 9), ( 4) that Stultz' s consent was not testimonial ( CL 10), and ( 5) that the evidence
6
obtained from Stultz' s consent to search was admissible ( CL 11). Because the trial court' s
amended findings of fact support these conclusions of law, the trial court on reconsideration
properly ruled that the pipe, pouch, and baggies were admissible.
Generally, warrantless searches and seizures are per se unreasonable and violate the Fourth
Amendment of the United States Constitution and article I, section 7 of the Washington
Constitution. State v. Garvin, 166 Wash. 2d 242, 249, 207 P.3d 1266 ( 2009). "``[ A] few jealously
and carefully drawn exceptions ' apply to the general rule against warrantless searches and
seizures. Garvin, 166 Wash. 2d at 249 ( quoting State v. Duncan, 146 Wash. 2d 166, 171 -72, 43 P.3d
513 ( 2002). The relevant exceptions in this case are: ( 1) Terry stops; ( 2) searches incident to a
valid arrest; ( 3) plain view; and ( 4) consent. Garvin, 166 Wash. 2d at 249 -50; State v. O' Neill, 148
Wash. 2d 564, 588, 62 P.3d 489 ( 2003). " The State bears a heavy burden to show the search falls
within one of these `` narrowly drawn' exceptions." Garvin, 166 Wash. 2d at 250 ( quoting State v.
Jones, 146 Wash. 2d 328, 335, 45 P.3d 1062 ( 2002)).
A. Cienega Lawfully Detained Stultz During a Terry Stop —Amended Conclusion Of Law 4
Stultz argues that Cienega seized her unlawfully by exceeding the scope of a valid Terry
stop. We disagree.
6 Stultz also assigns error to the trial court' s amended conclusion of law 3 that LaClaire' s request
for Stultz' s identification was an unlawful seizure, but she does not provide any further argument
on that issue. Br. of Appellant at 1. We do not further address Stultz' s assignment of error to
conclusion of law 3.
We note, however, that under these facts the trial court correctly cited State
v. O' Neill, 148 Wash. 2d 564, 574, 62 P.3d 489 ( 2003) for authority that Stultz was not seized when
LaClaire asked her for identification.
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No. 45225 -1 - II
An officer may conduct a Terry stop when the officer has reasonable, articulable suspicion
based on "' specific and articulable facts which, taken together with rational inferences from those
facts, reasonably warrants an intrusion. "' State v. Snapp, 174 Wash. 2d 177, 197, 275 P.3d 289
2012) ( quoting Terry, 392 U.S. at 21). The officer must have articulable suspicion of a substantial
possibility that criminal conduct has occurred or is about to occur. Snapp, 174 Wash. 2d at 197 -98.
Reasonable articulable suspicion is determined by a
totality of the circumstances. Snapp, 174
Wash. 2d at 198. An officer' s actions must be " justified at their inception" for a Terry stop to be
valid. State v. Gatewood, 163 Wash. 2d 534, 539, 182 P.3d 426 ( 2008). The scope of a Terry stop
may be enlarged if the officer obtains or confirms more suspicions during the investigation. State
v. Acrey, 148 Wash. 2d 738, 747, 64 P.3d 594 ( 2003).
Cienega and LaClaire conducted a welfare check after receiving a report of a person
passed out" in a car and that people had been coming and going from that car into an apartment
in a complex that the officers were familiar with due to past drug activity. Stultz does not challenge
amended conclusion of law 2, that Cienega' s and LaClaire' s initial interactions with Stultz (shining
their lights into the car and rapping on the car windows) were appropriate.
As we conclude above, substantial evidence supports the trial court' s finding that when
Cienega saw the glass object with white residue inside the stem between Stultz' s legs as she
reached to open the passenger door for LaClaire, he immediately recognized what he believed to
be a methamphetamine smoking pipe. Cienega had recently finished a training course with a
regional narcotics task force. At that point, based on the totality of the circumstances, Cienega
had reasonable, articulable suspicions that Stultz was engaged in unlawful activity —that she was
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No. 45225 -1 - II
in possession of drug paraphernalia and intended to use it to consume a controlled substance.
Cienega' s subsequent detention of Stultz was thus reasonable. The trial court' s amended findings
of fact support its conclusion that Cienega seized Stultz within the scope of an appropriate Terry
stop based on specific and articulable suspicions of criminal activity.
B. Cienega Had Probable Cause to Arrest Stultz— Amended Conclusion Of Law 5
Stultz argues that Cienega did not have probable cause to arrest her. We disagree.
An officer may arrest a person without a warrant if the officer has probable cause to believe
the person has committed a crime. State v. Rose, 175 Wash. 2d 10, 22, 282 P.3d 1087 ( 2012).
Probable cause requires a showing that ' the facts and circumstances within the arresting officer' s
knowledge and of which the officer has reasonably trustworthy information are sufficient to
warrant a person of reasonable caution in a belief that an offense has been committed. "' State v.
Barron, 170 Wn. App. 742, 750, 285 P.3d 231 ( 2012) ( quoting State v. Terrovona, 105 Wash. 2d
632, 643, 716 P.2d 295 ( 1986)). Probable cause is determined by a totality of the circumstances.
Barron, 170 Wash. App. at 750.
The trial court' s amended findings of fact 6 and 9 about Cienega' s observations of the pipe,
pouch, and baggies would lead a reasonable person, with Cienega' s training and experience, to
believe that Stultz had committed a crime. Cienega thus had probable cause to arrest Stultz before
he placed her in handcuffs when he observed the pipe in her lap and as she got out of the car. The
7 The City of Bainbridge Island' s Municipal Code prohibits possession of "any drug paraphernalia
with the intent to use [ it] ... for ... consuming controlled substances." Ord. 85 -08 § 2, 1985;
BIMC 9. 07. 020. See http:// www. codepublishing .com/ wa/ bainbridgeisland/ ( viewed Feb. 19,
20.15).
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No. 45225 -1 - II
trial court' s amended findings of fact support amended conclusion of law 5 that Cienega had
probable cause to arrest Stultz when he placed her in handcuffs. 8
C. Stultz Validly Consented to Cienega' s Warrantless Search— Amended Conclusions Of
Law 9 and 11
Stultz challenges the trial court' s amended conclusion of law 9, that Cienega' s warrantless
search of Stultz' s car was based upon the consent exception to the warrant requirement, and
amended conclusion of law 11 that the pipe, pouch, and baggies were obtained as a result of her
voluntary consent was admissible.9 We disagree.'°
The State must show by clear and convincing evidence that a person' s consent to a
warrantless search was given " freely and voluntarily" and was not the product of coercion or
duress, express or implied. O' Neill, 148 Wash. 2d at 588; Russell, 180 Wash. 2d at 867. This is a
heavy burden." Russell, 180 Wash. 2d at 867. Consent is a question of fact determined by a totality
of the circumstances rather than merely applying a multifactor analysis. O' Neill, 148 Wash. 2d at
589. Factors which may be considered include: ( 1) whether the officer gave the person Miranda
warnings before the consent to search, ( 2) the degree of the person' s education and intelligence,
8 Stultz argues that Cienega did not have probable cause to arrest her because Cienega testified
that he did not believe that he had probable cause when he handcuffed her, but that he had probable
cause once he removed the evidence from Stultz' s car. We review conclusions of law de novo
based on findings supported by substantial evidence. Russell, 180 Wash. 2d at 866 -87. Because the
trial court correctly concluded that Cienega had probable cause and the findings support that
conclusion, Cienega' s opinion is irrelevant.
9
Stultz incorrectly argues that her consent was tainted by an illegal arrest. As explained above,
Cienega had probable cause to arrest Stultz.
1° For the first time on appeal, the State argues that Cienega lawfully seized the pipe, pouch, and
baggies pursuant to a search incident to arrest. Because we hold instead that Stultz validly
consented to Cienega' s search, we do not address this argument.
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No. 45225 -1 - II
3) whether the officer advised the person of his or her right to consent, ( 4) whether the person
was cooperative, ( 5) whether the person refused consent before granting it, (6) how many times
the officer asked for consent to search, and ( 7) whether the person was restrained. O' Neill, 148
Wash. 2d at 588; State v. Dancer, 174 Wn. App. 666, 676, 300 P.3d 475 ( 2013), review denied 179
Wash. 2d 1014. No one factor is dispositive. Russell, 180 Wash. 2d at 872.
Stultz argues that: ( 1) Cienega did not give her Miranda warnings until after she said " no,
go ahead and search," ( 2) the trial court did not make findings on her education or intelligence,
3) LaClaire testified that Stultz appeared " confused" when she spoke to her, 11 ( 4) the officers did
not tell Stultz that she could refuse to consent, and ( 5) she was in handcuffs with at least three
officers present when she consented. Br. of Appellant at 7 -8. Stultz, however, ignores other
factors demonstrating that her consent was voluntary, including ( 1) Miranda warnings were not
given nor required before Stultz said, "[ G] o ahead and search," and this finding of fact is supported
CP 59 ( FF 10)), ( 2) Stultz was cooperative throughout her interactions
evidence12 (
by substantial at
with Cienega and LaClaire, 13 ( 3) Stultz granted consent after Cienega told her that he saw the pipe
in her lap and she had tried to cover it with her hands, and (4) despite the presence of three officers,
11 LaClaire testified that Stultz appeared " to be a little bit confused based on her not knowing how
long she had been in the car or, you know, why she was in the vehicle." VRP at 17. This testimony
does not suggest that Stultz was unable to consent or that she did not understand the statements
she made, including her grant of consent.
12 Law enforcement officers are not necessarily required to give Miranda warnings or advise a
person of his or her right to refuse consent before that person may voluntarily consent to a search.
Dancer, 174 Wash. App. at 676; State v. Rodriguez, 20 Wash. App. 876, 880, 582 P.2d 904 ( 1978).
13
LaClaire testified that Stultz was " compliant, courteous, [ and] easygoing." VRP at 17. A
separate finding of fact is not required regarding Stultz' s intelligence or education; the trial court' s
finding that Stultz voluntarily consented to the search under the totality of the circumstances is
otherwise supported by the record.
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No. 45225 -1 - I1
even if Stultz had been under arrest at the time she gave consent, that circumstance alone would
14
not have been sufficient to conclude that her consent was coerced. The totality of the
circumstances support the trial court' s findings that Stultz consented voluntarily.
The trial court' s conclusions of law 9 and 11, that Stultz consented to Cienega' s warrantless
search, that the search was lawful, and that the evidence seized during that search was admissible,
were proper and supported by the amended findings of fact.
D. Stultz' s Consent Was Not Testimonial— Amended Conclusion Of Law 10
Stultz also argues that 1) she was compelled to tell Cienega, " go ahead and search," 2) this
statement was testimonial evidence that violated her Fifth Amendment rights, and 3) the
incriminating physical evidence ( pipe, bag, and baggies) should be suppressed. We disagree.
Article I, section 9 of the Washington Constitution provides that "[ n] o person shall be
compelled in any criminal case to give evidence against himself." Const. art. I, § 9. The Fifth
Amendment to the United States Constitution provides that "[ n] o person ... shall be compelled
in any criminal case to be a witness against himself." U. S. Const. amend. V. Our Supreme Court
interprets these two constitutional provisions consistently. State v. Unga, 165 Wash. 2d 95, 100,
196 P.3d 645 ( 2008). The right against self -incrimination is intended to prohibit the inquisitorial
method of investigation in which the accused is forced to disclose the contents of the person' s
mind or speak his or her guilt. State v. Mendes, 180 Wash. 2d 188, 195, 322 P.3d 791 ( 2014).
Stultz' s statement to Cienega, " go ahead and search" was not testimonial because it did not
speak [ her] guilt." Mendes, 180 Wash. 2d at 195. We have already concluded that the trial court
14 A person may voluntarily consent to a warrantless search while he or she is under arrest.
State v. Johnson, 104 Wash. App. 409, 421 -22, 16 P.3d 680 ( 2001).
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No. 45225 -1 - II
correctly concluded that Stultz validly consented to the search of her car. And, contrary to Stultz' s
claim, a consent to search is not testimonial evidence, which implicates the Fifth Amendment,
simply because that consent leads to incriminating evidence. State v. Rodriguez, 20 Wash. App. 876,
880, 582 P.2d 904 ( 1978). Miranda warnings are not a prerequisite to a grant of voluntary consent.
Rodriguez, 20 Wash. App. at 880. The trial court did not error in amended conclusion of law 10 that
Stultz' s consent was not testimonial.
The trial court' s amended findings of fact 6, 9, 10 and 13 are supported by substantial
evidence and those amended findings support the trial court' s amended conclusions of law 4, 5, 9,
10 and 11. Holding that the Terry stop was lawful, that Stultz validly consented to the search of
her car, and that her consent was not testimonial, we affirm.
A majority of the panel having determined that this opinion will not be printed in the
Washington Appellate Reports, but will be filed for public record in accordance with RCW 2. 06. 040,
it is so ordered.
We concur:
Wor wick, J.
Melnich, J.
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