Zachary Gearring v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.)

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be FILED
regarded as precedent or cited before any Oct 03 2019, 8:08 am
court except for the purpose of establishing CLERK
the defense of res judicata, collateral Indiana Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
estoppel, or the law of the case. and Tax Court
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Mark K. Leeman Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
Logansport, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana
Samuel J. Dayton
Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Zachary Gearring, October 3, 2019
Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No.
19A-CR-280
v. Appeal from the Cass Superior
Court
State of Indiana, The Honorable Richard A.
Appellee-Plaintiff. Maughmer, Judge
Trial Court Cause No.
09D02-1802-F5-11
Tavitas, Judge.
Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 19A-CR-280 | October 3, 2019 Page 1 of 23
Case Summary
[1] Zachary Gearring appeals his conviction for battery resulting in bodily injury to
a public safety officer, a Level 5 felony. We affirm. 1
Issues
[2] Gearring raises three issues on appeal, which we restate as follows:
I. Whether Gearring knowingly and voluntarily waived his
right to counsel.
II. Whether Gearring was denied his Sixth Amendment right
to present witnesses in his defense.
III. Whether the evidence was sufficient to support Gearring’s
battery conviction.
Facts
[3] On February 9, 2018, Officer Zachary Griffith and Officer Flaude Dillon with
the Logansport Police Department were dispatched to a possible overdose. The
officers found Gearring unconscious and unresponsive on the kitchen floor.
Others present included a “hysterical” Nakoah Langdon and another woman.
Tr. Vol. II p. 96. After observing Gearring, officers believed Gearring
overdosed due to Gearring’s “pinpoint pupils [and] shallow breathing.” Id. at
68. The officers also noticed Gearring had a black eye and blood in his nose.
1
Oral argument was held in this matter on September 5, 2019, at Crown Point High School. We thank
counsel for their presentations and Crown Point High School for its hospitality.
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Officer Griffith and Officer Dillon were informed by Langdon that Langdon
was not with Gearring prior to discovering Gearring unconscious; however,
Langdon stated that Gearring possibly consumed methamphetamine and
marijuana. Langdon also indicated that Gearring has a medical history of
seizures. 2
[4] Officer Dillon, who is also an EMT, administered Narcan to Gearring.
Gearring did not immediately respond to the Narcan. Shortly thereafter,
medics arrived, and Gearring was placed inside the ambulance where he began
to gain consciousness. Gearring was very resistant and “lung[ed] at people,”
including lunging at Officer Griffith while Gearring was handcuffed to the
siderails on the gurney. Id. at 64. While in the ambulance, Gearring was
“cursing[] [and] yelling profanities.” Id. As Gearring was taken inside the
hospital, Gearring continued to yell and scream and was “making animal
noises.” Id. at 65. Gearring was yelling both profanities and “incoherent
babbles.” Id.
[5] Alex Donathen, a Cass County paramedic, testified that, when he arrived on
the scene, Gearring was handcuffed to his belt. Donathen observed that
2
At oral argument, there was some discussion regarding statements Langdon made to officers regarding
Gearring’s physical state when officers first arrived on the scene. Gearring cross-examined Officer Dillon,
and during cross examination, Officer Dillon stated that he was told by Langdon that Gearring “possible [sic]
had consumed methamphetamine and marijuana.” Tr. Vol. II p. 105. Gearring then asked Officer Dillon
follow up questions, including whether Langdon reported that Gearring “is not high. He has seizures,” to
which Officer Dillon responded “Correct.” Id. After further questioning, Officer Dillon stated that, despite
Langdon’s statement that Gearring “has seizures,” the “symptoms [Gearring’s] body was showing was [sic]
not [consistent with] a seizure state.” Id. at 106.
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Gearring was becoming combative, which can be common for those suffering
from an overdose. Donathen also testified: “[o]fficers on-scene had already
given Narcan and it’s not uncommon when you give Narcan, patients come up
swinging. They’re upset, they’re disoriented, they don’t know exactly what’s
going on around them a lot of times.” Id. at 76. Donathen also indicated that
Gearring tried to “head-butt” Donathen and his partner, but Gearring was
unable to due to the restraints. Id. at 77. Gearring did, however, rip out the
intravenous device (“IV”) that emergency personnel placed in his arm.
[6] Gearring was wheeled into the emergency room and handcuffed to a hospital
bed, and officers remained outside Gearring’s hospital room as Gearring began
receiving treatment. Gearring was being treated in the room with paramedic
Bob Zimmerman and nurse Marie Nichols. While in the room, Zimmerman
observed Gearring “reach[] up and, and take[] a hold of [Nichols’] arm and
beg[in] to twist her arm.” Id. at 136. Nichols testified that it “felt like [her]
wrist was going to snap.” Id. at 173.
[7] Officer Griffith, Officer Dillon, and Donathen heard Nichols yell, and they
went into Gearring’s hospital room. There, they observed Gearring holding
onto Nichols’ arm, and Nichols appeared to be in pain, so officers began to
restrain Gearring. Officers restrained Gearring so he could be catheterized to
provide a urine sample. Officer Griffith restrained Gearring by holding
Gearring’s legs down.
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[8] Gearring’s urine tests came back negative for all substances; however,
Gearring’s blood was later drawn and tested positive for methamphetamine.
Before Nichols left her shift, approximately two hours after Gearring was
admitted, Gearring apologized to Nichols and requested she not file any
charges against him.
[9] On February 12, 2018, the State charged Gearring with Count I, battery
resulting in bodily injury to a public safety officer, a Level 5 felony; and Count
II, resisting law enforcement, a level 6 felony. On April 5, 2018, public
defender, Bryan Coulter, filed a motion to withdraw his appearance due to a
conflict of interest. 3 The same day, public defender, Jay Hirschauer, filed an
appearance on Gearring’s behalf. On June 18, 2018, Gearring sent the trial
court a letter requesting termination of his court-appointed legal counsel.
[10] At the pretrial conference on November 5, 2018, Gearring’s counsel informed
the trial court that Gearring “want[ed] to defend himself.” Tr. Vol. II p. 24.
The trial court then asked Gearring directly if he wanted to “go through the
process of defending [himself]” to which Gearring replied, “Yeah. That, that’s
fine.” Id. Gearring was then placed under oath, and the trial court asked
Gearring a series of questions including: his age; whether he was under the
influence of any drugs or alcohol; if Gearring had been to law school; how
much school Gearring had attended; how much experience Gearring had with
3
The motion to withdraw indicates that Coulter previously prosecuted Gearring and filed charges in a case
for which Gearring was serving probation at the time of the instant offense.
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the criminal justice system; whether Gearring could read and write; and if
Gearring understood his rights to a speedy trial, as well as his rights: to trial by
jury, to compel evidence, to present witnesses, to have an attorney represent
him, against self-incrimination, to appeal, and the State’s burden of proof. The
trial court then engaged with Gearring in a long exchange as follows:
THE COURT: Do you understand you have the right to be
defended in this case by an attorney?
THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.
THE COURT: And you understand you have the right to
choose the attorney that you want to defend you if you can afford
him?
THE DEFENDANT: That’s the intent. Yes, sir.
*****
THE COURT: You are going to hire your own attorney?
THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.
THE COURT: Do you understand by hiring an attorney and
having a jury trial on the 28th of November you’re probably
putting yourself in a situation where your attorney’s not going to
be ready to go but the Prosecutor’s going to go ahead and pursue
the case?
THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.
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THE COURT: Okay. And you understand that may put you in
legal jeopardy?
THE DEFENDANT: I can’t see me being in any worse
situation that [sic] I’m in now.
THE COURT: So, what you’re telling me right now, however, is
is [sic] that you’re going to retain an attorney to represent you?
THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.
THE COURT: You understand if you cannot afford an attorney
the Court would appoint one for you?
THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.
THE COURT: You understand . . . you have a right to an
attorney provided by the Court even if you’re found guilty of the
offense charged?
THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.
THE COURT: Okay. Where you [sic] going to get the money
to hire a lawyer?
THE DEFENDANT: My family.
*****
THE COURT: Do you understand that if you decide to
represent yourself in this cause of action, you’re not going to get
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any special treatment, or I’m not going to hold your hand
through the process? I’m going to treat you both equally.
THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.
THE COURT: And you understand that that [sic] fellow that’s
going to prosecute the case has been to law school?
THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.
THE COURT: And he’s going to beat your brains out with the
rules and procedures that you don’t know?
THE DEFENDANT: Yes, I understand.
THE COURT: And you’re willing to throw yourself in, on that
gauntlet?
*****
THE DEFENDANT: -- well, it’s not going to be me. It’s going
to be a hired attorney.
THE COURT: You’re going to get an attorney? Okay.
THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.
THE COURT: Do you understand if you don’t hire an attorney,
however, I’m preparing for that opportunity, that if you don’t
hire an attorney, that they’re going to go ahead and proceed with
trial without you being represented by a lawyer?
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THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.
THE COURT: Okay. And you’re willing to accept that risk?
THE DEFENDANT: Unfortunately, I am.
*****
THE COURT: Okay. So you’re telling me now on the record
you do not want to be defended by an attorney in this case?
THE DEFENDANT: For the time being, no.
THE COURT: Okay. All right. Show he waived his right to
counsel. . . .
Id. at 27-30.
[11] Gearring’s jury trial began on November 28, 2018; Gearring appeared pro se.
When the trial court asked Gearring to review the preliminary jury instructions,
Gearring and the trial court had the following exchange:
THE DEFENDANT: As I’m sure you know I’m fairly new to
this. This is pretty much winging it at this point to be honest.
THE COURT: Well, you told me you didn’t want Mr.
Hirschauer to represent you under oath. Yes?
THE DEFENDANT: Yes, sir.
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THE COURT: And you told me that you were going to either
represent yourself or hire an attorney. Correct?
THE DEFENDANT: Yes. The intent was to hire an attorney
but, obviously, I was just bonded out recently in the last two
weeks or so –
THE COURT: Okay. You paid $2,000.00 cash you could’ve
used for an attorney.
THE DEFENDANT: Well, it was more for a medical issue than
paying for an attorney. I had medical issues that the jail couldn’t
accommodate.
THE COURT: Okay.
Id. at 34-35.
[12] At the jury trial, witnesses testified to the foregoing facts. Donathen indicated
that, based on his experience, Gearring’s behavior was not consistent with a
seizure and was instead consistent with a “combative patient who lost [his]
high.” 4 Id. at 82. Donathen also indicated that, when test results show a
substance in a person’s blood and not their urine, the results indicate that the
substance “has not been fully processed in the body.” Id. at 83. Donathen also
indicated, because methamphetamine is not an opiate, Narcan would not
reverse the effects of methamphetamine; however, officers moving someone
4
Officer Dillon and Zimmerman similarly testified that, in their experience, Gearring’s behavior was not
consistent with a seizure.
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and causing them to wake while on methamphetamine may result in similar
anger.
[13] After the trial commenced, outside the presence of the jury, the State indicated
that it was advised the day of the trial that Gearring intended to present
testimony of two witnesses, Pierre Hawkins and Karen Cooper, in his defense.
The State indicated that the State was able to take brief statements from the
witnesses, but that the witnesses’ testimony would not be relevant. The State
orally moved to exclude the witnesses’ testimony. 5 The State argued:
[Hawkins], I believe would be testifying to, to incidents of dates
of which he is unable to verify or relate in which he witnessed
what he believes to be a seizure. He cannot place them in time in
relation to the case. He also has no medical training to diagnose
a seizure. So, his diagnosis, such as it is, is based on hearsay, not
on medical training. . . . [H]e would also add some character
testimony which is, does not comport with the requirements of
402. [Cooper] would testify as well to her knowledge of seizures,
of the Defendant having seizures, but cannot relate them in time
to this case. She also apparently was a bartender at the Corner
Pub and remembers an occasion in which Officer Dillon came in
and was intoxicated and the Defendant feels that’s relevant
somehow. It’s obviously not and I’m moving that that be
excluded as well.
5
The deputy prosecutor indicated that Hawkins described an incident during which Gearring was having a
seizure; he was shaking, breathing heavily, got a bloody nose, and Gearring’s words were
“discombobulated.” Tr. Vol. II p. 124.
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Tr. Vol. II p. 122. The trial court asked Gearring questions regarding the two
witnesses, and Gearring indicated that Cooper and Hawkins both have seen
Gearring seize; however, they were not present the evening of the incident.
Moreover, the prosecutor indicated that Hawkins does not appear to have any
medical training, aside from a CPR certification. Cooper is a cardiac tech in
Illinois; however, according to the State’s representation of their discussion
with Cooper, Cooper’s training did not include diagnosis of seizures. Gearring
also acknowledged that he did not inform the State of the witnesses until after
the trial began.
[14] The trial court granted the State’s oral motion in limine to exclude the witness
testimony because their testimony is “not relevant to the issue before the jury at
this time.” Id. at 127. The trial court then asked if Gearring “wish[ed] to make
any record in that regard or an offer to prove” to which Gearring responded,
“[n]o.” Id.
[15] When the jury notified the trial court that a verdict had been reached, the trial
court contacted Gearring by phone, but Gearring did not appear in court when
the verdict was rendered. The trial court issued a warrant for Gearring’s arrest.
The jury found Gearring guilty of both Count I and Count II, which the trial
court merged. The trial court sentenced Gearring on Count I to 1,460 days
executed at the Department of Correction.
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Analysis
I. Right to Counsel
[16] Gearring first contends that he did not knowingly or intelligently waive his right
to counsel because he was not advised of the “dangers and disadvantages of
self-representation.” Appellant’s Br. p. 19. “The Sixth Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution and Article 1, [S]ection 13 of the Indiana Constitution guarantee a
criminal defendant the right to appointed counsel.” Jones v. State, 783 N.E.2d
1132, 1138 (Ind. 2003). “Accordingly, when a criminal defendant waives his
right to counsel and elects to proceed pro se, we must decide whether the trial
court properly determined that the defendant’s waiver was knowing, intelligent,
and voluntary.” Id. “Waiver of assistance of counsel may be established based
upon the particular facts and circumstances surrounding the case, including the
background, experience, and conduct of the accused.” Id.
[17] “It is well established that there is a strong presumption against the waiver of
the right to counsel, and it is the trial court that bears the ‘serious and weighty
responsibility to determine whether there was an intelligent and competent
waiver.’” Wirthlin v. State, 99 N.E.3d 699, 704 (Ind. Ct. App. 2018) (quoting
Eaton v. State, 894 N.E.2d 213, 217 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008)) (emphasis supplied),
trans. denied. “‘When a defendant asserts the right to self-representation, the
court should tell the defendant of the dangers and disadvantages of self-
representation.’” Wirthlin, 99 N.E.3d at 705 (quoting Poynter v. State, 749
N.E.2d 1122, 1126 (Ind. 2001)). “Although a trial court need not follow
specific talking points when advising a defendant of the dangers and
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disadvantages of proceeding without counsel, a trial court must come to a
considered determination that the defendant is making a knowing, voluntary,
and intelligent waiver of his right to counsel.” Id. (internal quotations omitted).
[18] To determine whether a knowing, voluntary, and intelligent
waiver has occurred, an appellate court considers these four
factors: (1) the extent of the trial court’s inquiry into the
defendant’s decision, (2) other evidence in the record that
establishes whether the defendant understood the dangers and
disadvantages of self-representation, (3) the background and
experience of the defendant, and (4) the context of the
defendant’s decision to proceed pro se. A lack of any advisement
regarding the dangers and disadvantages of self-representation
weighs heavily against finding a knowing and intelligent waiver.
The importance of the right to counsel cautions that trial courts
should at a minimum reasonably inform such defendants of the
dangers and disadvantages of proceeding without counsel.
Id. (internal quotations omitted).
[19] Gearring specifically argues that, even though there was some colloquy with the
trial court on self-representation: (1) the colloquy occurred a few weeks before
trial; (2) the colloquy occurred while Gearring was still incarcerated; (3) the trial
court said “nearly nothing” about the dangers and disadvantages of self-
representation; and (4) the trial court did not renew his questions regarding self-
representation after it appeared Gearring sought to hire private counsel, but was
unable to do so. Appellant’s Br. p. 19.
[20] In Houston v. State, 553 N.E.2d 117, 118 (Ind. 1990), our Supreme Court held
that the trial court did not err in allowing Houston to represent himself at trial
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after Houston repeatedly refused to cooperate with counsel and failed to “retain
private counsel [which] enabled him to frustrate the judicial process and avoid
being brought to trial.” Houston, 553 N.E.2d at 118. Houston was “adequately
warned” that if he did not employ private counsel he would represent himself
with only advisory counsel. Id. Still, Houston later again refused court-
appointed counsel, and our Supreme Court held that it “must assume that
appellant elected to waive his right to counsel and proceed pro se.” Id.
[21] Although we acknowledge the factual difference between this case and
Houston—namely, that there is no evidence Gearring was uncooperative with
counsel—the same result is required here. Gearring acknowledged more than
once that he planned to hire private counsel; however, he was warned by the
trial court that there may be an occasion which Gearring is unable to hire
counsel and that Gearring would be required to continue pro se. Gearring
stated he understood the trial court’s statement that: “if you don’t hire an
attorney, however, I’m preparing for that opportunity, that if you don’t hire an
attorney, that they’re going to go ahead and proceed with trial without you
being represented by a lawyer.” Tr. Vol. II pp. 29-30. See Houston, 553 N.E.2d
at 118 (“Appellant was adequately warned by the trial court that if he chose not
to employ private counsel, he would represent himself and would be given
advisory counsel. Because appellant did not retain private counsel, he must
have elected to proceed with advisory counsel only.”).
[22] Based on the record before us, Gearring has not proved that his waiver of
counsel was not knowingly and voluntary.
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II. Presentation of Witnesses
[23] Second, Gearring argues that he was unable to present witnesses, which
violated his Sixth Amendment rights. 6 As discussed above, Gearring sought to
present two witnesses who would testify regarding Gearring’s history of
seizures and his typical conduct during seizures in support of Gearring’s
defense that he was not intoxicated but, instead, suffered a seizure. By all
accounts, these witnesses were lay witnesses because, as discussed above, while
one of the witnesses may have had some medical experience, they were not
introduced as expert witnesses.
[24] Gearring argues that he was denied the right to present witnesses in violation of
his Sixth Amendment rights. “The Sixth Amendment to the United States
Constitution ‘guarantees a defendant the right to present witnesses on his
behalf.’” Townsend v. State, 26 N.E.3d 619, 627 (Ind. Ct. App. 2015) (quoting
Farris v. State, 818 N.E.2d 63, 69 (Ind. Ct. App. 2004), trans denied), trans. denied.
“[W]hile the right to present witnesses is of the utmost importance, it is not
absolute.” Id. Trial courts “have the discretion to exclude a belatedly disclosed
witness when there is evidence of bad faith on the part of counsel or a showing
of substantial prejudice to the State.” Id. In light “of a defendant’s right to
6
The State argues that Gearring waived this argument because Gearring did not attempt to introduce the
witnesses during his presentation of the evidence and because Gearring declined the trial court’s opportunity
to make an offer of proof regarding the witnesses. There appears to be adequate information in the record
regarding what the witnesses would have stated during their testimony; therefore, we will address Appellant’s
arguments on their merits.
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compulsory process under the federal and state constitutions, there is a strong
presumption to allow the testimony of even late-disclosed witnesses.” Id.
[25] “‘The trial court has wide latitude in ruling on the admissibility of evidence in
determining its relevancy.’” Williams v. State, 749 N.E.2d 1139, 1142 (Ind.
2001) (quoting Kremer v. State, 514 N.E.2d 1068, 1073 (Ind. 1987)). “We review
a trial court’s ruling as to relevance for an abuse of discretion.” Williams, 749
N.E.2d at 1142. “And even if the trial court erroneously excludes admissible
evidence, we will not reverse a defendant’s conviction unless his substantial
rights have been affected.” Id. When, however, there is an issue of
constitutional law, we review those claims de novo. Brittain v. State, 68 N.E.3d
611, 617 (Ind. Ct. App. 2017), trans. denied.
[26] Gearring argues, because his witnesses were excluded, he had no evidence to
support his theory of the case that he was suffering from a seizure and did not
knowingly or intentionally batter Nichols. The only evidence in the record of
what these witnesses would have testified to is the State’s characterization of
the testimony based on the State’s brief conversation with the proffered
witnesses. Gearring’s witnesses would have testified to the physical
characteristics they observed with previously seeing Gearring seize, which
Gearring would have argued was similar to the way officers and paramedics
described Gearring that evening. Gearring’s witnesses, according to Gearring,
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would not have been able “to remember exact dates.” 7 Tr. Vol. II p. 123.
Moreover, the two witnesses were not with Gearring the night of February 9,
2018, when the underlying events occurred.
[27] Accordingly, these lay witnesses would only be able to testify to what Gearring
looked like during and after his previous seizures at some undetermined time in
the past. These witnesses would not have been able to testify that Gearring was
seizing the night of the offense, however, because the witnesses were not
present that evening. 8 Under these circumstances, we cannot say the trial
court’s exclusion of this evidence constituted a violation of Gearring’s
constitutional rights.
III. Sufficient Evidence
[28] Finally, Gearring argues the evidence was insufficient regarding the intent
element of the battery. When there is a challenge to the sufficiency of the
evidence, “[w]e neither reweigh evidence nor judge witness credibility.” Gibson
v. State, 51 N.E.3d 204, 210 (Ind. 2016) (citing Bieghler v. State, 481 N.E.2d 78,
84 (Ind. 1985), cert. denied). Instead, “we ‘consider only that evidence most
favorable to the judgment together with all reasonable inferences drawn
7
Gearring notes that he was “incarcerated for the last nine months,” and that he had only been out of jail for
two weeks, and the prosecutor stated the timeline was “at least nine months prior [to Gearring’s prior
incarceration],” but there was no other indication of when the witnesses saw Gearring seize. Tr. Vol. II p.
123.
8
Importantly, Officer Dillon, Nichols, Zimmerman, and Donathen, all of whom were present that evening,
testified that Gearring’s conduct was not consistent with a seizure.
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therefrom.’” Id. (quoting Bieghler, 481 N.E.2d at 84). “We will affirm the
judgment if it is supported by ‘substantial evidence of probative value even if
there is some conflict in that evidence.’” Id. (quoting Bieghler, 481 N.E.2d at
84); see also McCallister v. State, 91 N.E.3d 554, 558 (Ind. 2018) (holding that,
even though there was conflicting evidence, it was “beside the point” because
that argument “misapprehend[s] our limited role as a reviewing court”).
Further, “[w]e will affirm the conviction unless no reasonable fact-finder could
find the elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt.” Love v. State,
73 N.E.3d 693, 696 (Ind. 2017) (citing Drane v. State, 867 N.E.2d 144, 146 (Ind.
2007)).
[29] The charging information for Count I alleges that Gearring “on or about
February 9, 2018, . . . did knowingly or intentionally touch [Marie] Nichols, a
public safety officer, in a rude, insolent, or angry manner by grabbing her left
upper arm” contrary to Indiana Code Sections 35-42-2-1(c)(1) and 35-42-2-1
(g)(5)(A). Indiana Code Section 35-42-2-1(c)(1) states that a person commits
battery if the defendant knowingly or intentionally “touches another person in a
rude, insolent, or angry manner.” The offense becomes a Level 5 felony, if the
offense is committed against “[a] public safety official while the official is
engaged in the official’s official duties.” Ind. Code § 35-42-2-1(g)(5)(A).
[30] The trial court instructed the jury on voluntary intoxication. The instruction
stated:
Voluntary intoxication is not a defense to the charge of Battery
Resulting in Bodily Injury to a Public Safety Officer or Resisting
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Law Enforcement. You may not take voluntary intoxication into
consideration in determining whether the Defendant acted
intentionally, knowingly or recklessly as alleged in the
information.
Appellant’s App. Vol. II p. 201. See Ind. Code § 35-41-2-5 (“Intoxication is not
a defense in a prosecution for an offense and may not be taken into
consideration in determining the existence of a mental state that is an element
of the offense unless the defendant meets the requirements of IC 35-41-3-5.”).
Moreover, Indiana Code Section 35-41-3-5 states:
It is a defense that the person who engaged in the prohibited
conduct did so while he was intoxicated, only if the intoxication
resulted from the introduction of a substance into his body:
(1) Without his consent; or
(2) When he did not know that the substance might cause
intoxication.
[31] Gearring argues that voluntary intoxication was the State’s theory of mens rea
and that it was the State’s burden to prove voluntary intoxication. The State,
however, contends that the State did prove Gearring knowingly or intentionally
committed the battery and that voluntary intoxication—in the form of
methamphetamine ingestion—is not a defense.
[32] We do not agree with Gearring that the State’s case at the trial court was
predicated solely on a theory of voluntary intoxication. Specifically, on direct
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examination of Zimmerman, who was present when Gearring grabbed Nichols’
arm, the following colloquy occurred:
Q. Did something happen between the Defendant and Mr.
Nichols, Ms. Nichols at that point?
A. Yeah. He, the Defendant, actually had reached up and, and
taken a hold of her arm and began to twist her arm.
Q. You personally observed this?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Did it appear, did it appear to be a volitional, intentionally
[sic] movement?
A. I believe so.
Q. Did it, did it appear to be an involuntary spasm?
A. No, sir.
Tr. Vol. II p. 136. We recognize that the State, in closing argument, argued
voluntary intoxication, and stated: “[voluntary intoxication] is important for
you to consider because unless the meth fairy came down and put it in the
Defendant’s system, he was voluntarily intoxicated and I think the evidence
shows that.” Tr. Vol. II p. 217. Still, our view of the record was that the State
pursued both theories—that Gearring knowingly or intentionally battered
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Nichols or, in the alternative, that Gearring did so while voluntarily
intoxicated.
[33] The evidence indicates that, upon arrival, a person at the home where Gearring
was found indicated that Gearring had possibly consumed methamphetamine
or marijuana. When officers administered Narcan, the Narcan did not work.
While being transported to the ambulance, and after being placed in the
ambulance, Gearring was loudly shouting profanities, shouting other
statements which were unclear, making animal noises, and even ripped the IVs
out of his arm. This erratic conduct continued while Gearring was at the
hospital; he went back and forth between this enraged stage and a calm
demeanor. When Nichols and Zimmerman were tending to Gearring in the
room, he grabbed Nichols’ wrist so hard that Nichols thought her wrist was
going to break. Zimmerman, who was in the room when Gearring grabbed
Nichols’ wrist, stated that Gearring’s actions appeared to be intentional, and
not an involuntary spasm. Officers then grabbed Gearring and restrained him
so the catheter could be placed in Gearring. After the incident, Gearring
apologized and asked Nichols not to press charges.
[34] Based on the foregoing, there was sufficient evidence of the mens rea element of
battery to sustain Gearring’s conviction.
Conclusion
[35] Gearring knowingly and voluntarily waived his right to counsel. Furthermore,
the exclusion of Gearring’s witnesses did not violate his Sixth Amendment
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rights. Finally, there was sufficient evidence to convict Gearring of battery.
We affirm.
[36] Affirmed.
Vaidik, C.J., and Mathias, J., concur.
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