Stephen R. Sines v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.)

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D), FILED
this Memorandum Decision shall not be Nov 21 2018, 10:05 am
regarded as precedent or cited before any CLERK
court except for the purpose of establishing Indiana Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
and Tax Court
the defense of res judicata, collateral
estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Zachary J. Stock Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
Zachary J. Stock, Attorney at Law, P.C. Attorney General of Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Justin F. Roebel
Supervising Deputy
Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Stephen R. Sines, November 21, 2018
Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No.
18A-CR-958
v. Appeal from the Hendricks Circuit
Court
State of Indiana, The Honorable Daniel F. Zielinski,
Appellee-Plaintiff. Judge
Trial Court Cause No.
32C01-1608-F2-9
Robb, Judge.
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Case Summary and Issues
[1] Following a jury trial, Stephen Ray Sines was convicted of dealing in
methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a Level
3 felony; unlawful possession of a syringe, a Level 6 felony; possession of
marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor; and possession of paraphernalia, a Class C
misdemeanor. The trial court sentenced him to an aggregate twenty-five-year
sentence. Sines appeals, raising two issues for our review which we restate as:
(1) whether the trial court abused its discretion in admitting certain evidence;
and (2) whether a second trial violated prohibitions against double jeopardy.
Concluding the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting certain
evidence and a second trial did not violate prohibitions against double jeopardy,
we affirm.
Facts and Procedural History
[2] On August 1, 2016, around 3:45 a.m., Detective Dirk Fentz of the Brownsburg
Police Department observed a vehicle speeding and fail to signal a turn.
Detective Fentz conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle, which was driven by
Iran Taylor and occupied by Sines in the passenger seat and Justin Martin on
the rear driver’s side.
[3] Detective Fentz spoke with Taylor through the driver’s side window and
described him as “[q]uiet, nervous, you could see him sweating from his
forehead. And his hands were shaking when he was giving me his driver’s
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license.” Transcript, Volume 3 at 81. Neither Sines nor Martin made eye
contact with Detective Fentz as he approached the vehicle and they both “lit up
cigarettes as soon as [he] basically initiated [his] lights[.]” Id.
[4] Detective Fentz asked Taylor to join him in his police SUV. While Detective
Fentz performed a records check through dispatch, Taylor continued to sweat,
occasionally wiping the palms of his hands on his pant legs. Detective Fentz
asked if “there was anything illegal in the vehicle[.]” Id. at 83. Taylor admitted
there were three hypodermic needles that had been used for heroin and
consented to a search of the vehicle. At the time of Taylor’s consent to search,
Detective Fentz had completed one written warning for a traffic infraction and
was halfway through a second. Three additional officers arrived and Detective
Fentz instructed one of them to request a canine officer to come to the scene.
The canine officer was requested thirty-three minutes after the initial traffic
stop.
[5] During this same time, officers also discovered that Martin was wanted on an
outstanding arrest warrant. After Martin was removed from the vehicle and
placed in handcuffs, he asked “if it was something to do with the warrant for his
arrest” and explained he was the victim of identity theft. Id. at 87. Martin
denied having any possessions in the vehicle and similarly consented to a
search.
[6] Detective Fentz explained to Sines that Taylor had admitted to the presence of
syringes in the vehicle and that Taylor and Martin had both consented to a
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search. Sines exited the vehicle but refused a request to search a black leather
bag and a camera box in the trunk, which he stated were his property.
Detective Fentz began searching the passenger compartment of the vehicle and
found “6 or 7 needles and small digital scale.” Id. at 92. The needles appeared
“used” and “dirty.” Id. at 94. Detective Fentz then opened the vehicle’s trunk
and Sines responded, “what are you doing, I don’t want you searching my
property[.]” Id. at 95.
[7] Detective Fentz removed a black leather bag and a camera box from the trunk,
Sines confirmed they were his property, and Detective Fentz placed the items
next to the rear passenger-side tire of the vehicle. Detective Fentz then noticed
“two needles in [the trunk], one used and one broken needle underneath where
[Sines’] property had been sitting.” Id. at 95. There were two plastic crates
remaining in the trunk and Sines stated that one of the crates belonged to him.
Detective Fentz placed Sines’ plastic crate with the rest of his property.
[8] Around 4:30 a.m., forty-five minutes after the traffic stop was initiated, Officer
Nathan Hibshman arrived on scene with his canine partner. Detective Fentz
stated that at this point:
I was still searching the trunk of the vehicle, there was [sic]
numerous items, a lot of trash in the trunk so it took a while to
search. When we search these cars, especially when we find
needles, you kind of take your time because you don’t want to
get stuck, so you are literally picking up things and moving things
out of the way, not just grabbing things. Searches take a lot
longer now than they used to because of the danger of the
needles and things like that.
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Id. at 101. Officer Hibshman conducted a canine sniff of Sines’ property that
had been placed on the sidewalk. During the canine sniff, Sines informed
officers there were syringes in his bag and the canine alerted on Sines’ black
leather bag.
[9] A search of Sines’ black leather bag revealed approximately 85 grams of
methamphetamine, 18 grams of marijuana, an electronic scale, “hundreds if not
a thousand little plastic bags[,]” two syringes, and other paraphernalia. Id. at
113. The paraphernalia included a rubber arm tourniquet, pills, cotton balls,
and a tin of small straws. An officer later testified the methamphetamine
possessed a street value of $8,000 to $10,000 if sold by the gram.
[10] Sines and Taylor were arrested following the search. According to Detective
Fentz, officers had been attempting to corroborate Martin’s story of identity
theft throughout the traffic stop:
It had been back and forth. We believed that he was telling the
truth. We were trying to get Marion County dispatchers to
confirm whether this was valid or not, and eventually concluded
that they couldn’t decide for sure if he should be arrested or not.
So, at that time, once we completed everything, we were just
going to set him free. We knew where he lived in town, so if we
needed to go pick him back up we could.
Tr., Vol. 2 at 25. Martin was released from the scene while Taylor and Sines
were transported to the jail.
[11] On August 1, 2016, the State charged Sines with dealing in methamphetamine,
a Level 2 felony; possession of methamphetamine, a Level 3 felony; unlawful
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possession of a syringe, a Level 6 felony; possession of marijuana, a Class B
misdemeanor; and possession of paraphernalia, a Class C misdemeanor. On
September 7, 2017, Sines filed a motion to suppress the evidence obtained from
the search, arguing the length of the seizure violated his constitutional rights.
The trial court conducted a suppression hearing on November 6 and took the
motion under advisement.
[12] A jury trial commenced the next day, November 7. During cross-examination
of Detective Fentz, defense counsel asked if he ever personally observed Sines
with the contraband and whether Sines ever admitted that the contraband, as
opposed to the containers in which the contraband items were found, was his.
Defense counsel also asked if Detective Fentz was aware of Sine’s poor eyesight
or the fact that he did not have his glasses on during the traffic stop.
[13] After the trial had concluded for the day, the State sent defense counsel the
following email:
I had not intention [sic] to introduce this evidence in my case in
chief (nor do I still at this point) but I want to make you aware
that there are several jail calls that may become pertinent as
rebuttal/impeachment evidence. Sines has made several calls
where he admits that the bags were his, the black leather bag and
the camera case. Should he testify contrary to that, I do intend to
introduce the portions of those jails [sic] calls where he made
those statements as rebuttal/impeachment. There are also
several calls where he indicates that his plan is to get the other
occupants of the vehicle on the jail calls and have them say it was
their bag because he knows the calls are recorded and then he can
create reasonable doubt by using those calls.
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In addition to the rebuttal value of these calls, they also put you
on notice that you cannot intentionally present perjured
testimony to the jury if you plan to have Sines testify that the
bags [sic] were not his.
I am happy to play the calls for you.
Defense Exhibit A.
[14] At the beginning of the second day of trial, defense counsel informed the trial
court of the State’s email and requested a mistrial, explaining that the existence
of the evidence “may have changed my entire defense.” Tr., Vol. 2 at 206.
Defense counsel also requested that the trial court prohibit the State from
retrying the case, claiming a retrial would violate constitutional double jeopardy
protections.
[15] The State responded that it did not commit a discovery violation because,
pursuant to a prior court order, the defense was ordered to disclose all defense
theories and the State had not been provided any defense theory whatsoever.
Moreover, the State argued that every pretrial deposition indicated that Sines
stated the bag was his and the State
had absolutely no anticipation that he was going to suddenly say
that these were not his bags, and the only way I found out that he
was going to say this is during cross examination of . . . Detective
Fentz. So, what I did is I immediately went back and the first
thing I did . . . when I got back . . . I sent [defense counsel] an e-
mail to let him know that I knew about this information.
Id. at 207-08.
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[16] After hearing argument on Sines’ motion for a mistrial, the trial court
concluded:
The fault of this is completely on [Sines]. If this goes to trial
again, I’m going to grant a mistrial, but I want the record to be
clear it is not because the State did anything unethical or
anything like that, but to preserve the record and to not have to
come back here in six months for another trial, I’m going to grant
a mistrial. If this case goes to trial again, there will not be
another mistrial, because the defendant is lying to his attorney.
***
I want to make it very very clear . . . that my decision is not
based on the conduct of the Prosecutor’s office. It’s based on the
conduct of [Sines] who put his own self in jeopardy. And
anyway, if this goes to trial again, if he’s found guilty, he’s
paying the cost of this jury and the next jury. One more time,
this is not a reflection in any way on the Officer, on any of the
witnesses, on the Prosecutor’s [sic] and the Prosecutor’s Office.
This is a direct reflection on [Sines] who lied to two court
appointed attorneys. . . . He had two finest attorneys, defense
attorneys, in the State. [State] make your record, but I want you
to know this is not a reflection on your office or your ability.
This is something that I think constitutionally I have to do. If I
don’t do, this is going to go to the Court of Appeals, then it’s
going to go to the Supreme Court, and then it’s going to come
back here.
Id. at 212-13.
[17] A second trial was conducted in February 2018. During the trial, Sines
renewed the pre-trial suppression motion and lodged a continuing objection to
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the admission of the disputed evidence obtained as the result of the search. The
trial court overruled the objection and concluded the search occurred “in a
reasonable amount of time” based on the officer’s conduct. Tr., Vol. 3 at 112.
The State also played excerpts from several of Sines’ jail calls, including the
following admission:
When the uh cop approached the vehicle he asked me about you
know did I have anything in the vehicle, I told him yes. I told
him I had a black bag uh uh a black uh uh briefcase type uh uh
[inaudible] and a brown camera case but uh I had I got from
somebody and um that was it.
Tr., Vol. 4 at 142.
[18] The jury found Sines guilty as charged and the trial court merged Sines’
conviction of possession of methamphetamine, a Level 3 felony, into his
conviction of dealing in methamphetamine, a Level 2 felony, and sentenced
Sines to twenty-five years executed in the Indiana Department of Correction for
dealing in methamphetamine with concurrent sentences on the remaining
counts. Sines now appeals.
Discussion and Decision
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I. Admission of Evidence
[19] Sines first claims the trial court erroneously admitted evidence in violation of
the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. 1 We disagree.
A. Standard of Review
[20] Although Sines presented a pretrial motion to suppress, he did not seek
interlocutory review of that decision. Thus, we consider his appeal as a review
of the trial court’s decision to admit evidence at trial. Clark v. State, 994 N.E.2d
252, 259 (Ind. 2013) (“Direct review of the denial of a motion to suppress is
only proper when the defendant files an interlocutory appeal.”).
[21] In ruling on admissibility following the denial of a motion to
suppress, the trial court considers the foundational evidence
presented at trial. It also considers the evidence from the
suppression hearing that is favorable to the defendant only to the
extent it is uncontradicted at trial. Because the trial court is best
able to weigh the evidence and assess witness credibility, we
review its rulings on admissibility for abuse of discretion and
reverse only if a ruling is clearly against the logic and effect of the
facts and circumstances and the error affects a party’s substantial
1
Although Sines objected at trial on the basis of both the Fourth Amendment to the United States
Constitution and Article 1, Section 11 of the Indiana Constitution, and he similarly frames the issue on
appeal, Sines’ arguments focus only on the Fourth Amendment and, with the exception of several citations to
Article 1, Section 11, he does not provide a separate Litchfield analysis for our review. See Litchfield v. State,
824 N.E.2d 356, 361 (Ind. 2005) (reasonableness of a search or seizure under the Indiana Constitution turns
on a balance of three factors: “1) the degree of concern, suspicion, or knowledge that a violation has
occurred, 2) the degree of intrusion the method of the search or seizure imposes on the citizen's ordinary
activities, and 3) the extent of law enforcement needs”). Accordingly, we apply only a Fourth Amendment
analysis here. See Williams v. State, 724 N.E.2d 1093, 1097 n.5 (Ind. 2000) (concluding state constitutional
claim was waived where the appellant failed to provide “independent analysis supporting a separate standard
under the state constitution”).
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rights. But the ultimate determination of the constitutionality of
a search or seizure is a question of law that we consider de novo.
Carpenter v. State, 18 N.E.3d 998, 1001 (Ind. 2014) (citations and quotations
omitted). Furthermore, we “may affirm the trial court’s ruling if it is
sustainable on any legal basis in the record, even though it was not the reason
enunciated by the trial court.” Harris v. State, 19 N.E.3d 298, 301 (Ind. Ct. App.
2014), trans. denied.
B. Search and Seizure
[22] The Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution provides:
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses,
papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures,
shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon
probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and
particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons
or things to be seized.
This protection is extended to the States via the incorporation doctrine of the
Fourteenth Amendment. Sanders v. State, 989 N.E.2d 332, 335 (Ind. 2013).
Under the Fourth Amendment, warrantless searches and seizures are per se
unreasonable, subject to a “few specifically established and well-delineated
exceptions.” Katz v. U.S., 389 U.S. 347, 357 (1967). The State bears the burden
of proving that an exception to the warrant requirement exists at the time of the
search or seizure. Doctor v. State, 57 N.E.3d 846, 853 (Ind. Ct. App. 2016). “A
traffic stop is considered to be a seizure under the Fourth Amendment.” Id.Where, as here, the defendant was a passenger in a vehicle subject to a traffic
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stop, the passenger may challenge any part of the traffic stop because they are
seized when the driver is seized. Brendlin v. California, 551 U.S. 249, 255 (2007).
[23] Sines does not dispute the propriety of the underlying traffic stop; rather, he
argues that his seizure was unconstitutionally prolonged when officers
conducted a canine sniff of his property. Indeed, “a seizure that is lawful at its
inception can violate the Fourth Amendment if its manner of execution
unreasonably infringes interests protected by the Constitution.” Illinois v.
Caballes, 543 U.S. 405, 407 (2005). And, although a dog sniff is not a search
protected by the Fourth Amendment, id. at 409, “[w]here a car is searched and
contraband is discovered after a dog sniff of the vehicle, discovery of the
contraband may be the product of an unconstitutional seizure if the sniff
occurred during an unreasonably prolonged traffic stop.” Wells v. State, 922
N.E.2d 697, 700 (Ind. Ct. App. 2010), trans. denied.
[24] In Rodriguez v. U.S., the Supreme Court explained the tolerable duration of a
seizure is dictated by the seizure’s particular “mission.” 135 S.Ct. 1609, 1611
(2015). In the context of a traffic stop, an officer’s mission is to address the
underlying traffic violations that warranted the stop and attend to related safety
concerns. Id. This includes checking the driver’s license, determining whether
there are outstanding warrants against the driver, and inspecting the vehicle’s
registration and proof of insurance. Id. at 1615. While “[t]hese checks serve the
same objective as enforcement of the traffic code: ensuring that vehicles on the
road are operated safely and responsibly[,]” a canine sniff, “by contrast, is a
measure aimed at ‘detect[ing] evidence of ordinary criminal wrongdoing.’” Id.Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 18A-CR-958 | November 21, 2018 Page 12 of 22
(quoting Indianapolis v. Edmond, 531 U.S. 32, 40-41 (2000)). The Court
reiterated its holding in Caballes, that a traffic stop “prolonged beyond” the
“time reasonably required to complete [the stop’s] mission” is “unlawful.” Id.
at 1616 (quoting Caballes, 543 U.S. at 407). And the Court went on to explain:
The critical question, then, is not whether the dog sniff occurs
before or after the officer issues a ticket, . . . but whether
conducting the sniff prolongs—i.e., adds time to—the stop.
Id. (quotations omitted).
[25] Relying primarily on the forty-five-minute period between the initial traffic stop
and the arrival of the canine officer, Sines argues the tasks related to the traffic
stop should have been completed “well before the [canine] unit arrived[,]” and
the traffic stop was therefore “unreasonably prolonged and ultimately
unconstitutional.” Appellant’s Brief at 11.
[26] The initial facts of this traffic stop are analogous to those of Graham v. State, 971
N.E.2d 713 (Ind. Ct. App. 2012), trans. denied. There, as an officer prepared the
defendant a traffic citation, the officer asked the defendant if there were any
weapons or drugs in the vehicle and the defendant admitted to the possession of
illegal substances. On appeal, the defendant argued the time of the traffic
stop—fifty-eight minutes—was “unreasonably prolonged prior to the officer
inquiring about the presence of weapons or guns.” Id. at 717. We disagreed
and concluded that when the defendant revealed his possession of illegal
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substances, “the nature of the stop went from that of a simple traffic stop to a
detention based on criminal activity[.]” Id.
[27] Similarly here, Detective Fentz asked Taylor about the presence of drugs prior
to completing the second traffic warning and Taylor admitted there were three
syringes that had been used for heroin in the vehicle. Taylor’s admission
thereby transformed the traffic stop into a detention based on criminal activity
and officers developed probable cause to search the vehicle pursuant to the
automobile exception. See Carroll v. U.S., 267 U.S. 132, 159 (1925) (holding a
warrantless search of a vehicle is permissible under the automobile exception to
the Fourth Amendment where police possess probable cause). Unlike Graham,
however, Taylor also consented to a search of the vehicle. This provided
officers with a second, independent exception to the warrant requirement.
Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, 412 U.S. 218, 219 (1973) (holding a warrantless
search based on lawful consent is consistent with the Fourth Amendment).
Officers instructed Sines to exit the vehicle and Detective Fentz found syringes
in a bag retrieved from the backseat. Detective Fentz then continued his search
of the vehicle and located Sines’ property in the trunk. Sines identified his
property but declined consent to search.
[28] In light of the two, independent exceptions to the warrant requirement at issue
here, we pause briefly to emphasize their divergence regarding the property of a
third person. We begin with the automobile exception as discussed in Wyoming
v. Houghton, 526 U.S. 295, 297 (1999). There, during a traffic stop for a driving
infraction, an officer noticed a syringe in the driver’s pocket and the driver
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admitted that he used the syringe for illegal drugs. Id. at 298. The officer then
ordered the driver and two female passengers out of the car and conducted a
probable cause search of the car for contraband under the automobile
exception. Id. The officer found a purse on the back seat, searched it, and
discovered drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine. Id. One of the vehicle’s
passengers, Houghton, admitted the purse belonged to her and Houghton later
challenged the search on Fourth Amendment grounds.
[29] In upholding the search of the passenger’s purse, the Supreme Court declined to
distinguish between a passenger’s belongings and the driver’s belongings even
though the officer’s suspicion of the driver’s criminal conduct was the basis of
the search. Id. at 302-06. The Court held, “officers with probable cause to
search a car may inspect passengers’ belongings found in the car that are
capable of concealing the object of the search.” Id. at 307. The Court premised
its decision based upon the scope of warrantless search principles articulated in
United States v. Ross, 456 U.S. 798, 825 (1982) (holding, “If probable cause
justifies the search of a lawfully stopped vehicle, it justifies the search of every
part of the vehicle and its contents that may conceal the object of the search.”).
Id. at 302.
[30] Shortly after Houghton, this court explained that a driver’s consent to search a
vehicle does not extend to the property of third persons within the vehicle,
absent an objectively reasonable basis to believe the driver had the authority to
consent to a search of the third person’s property. State v. Friedel, 714 N.E.2d
1231, 1240 (Ind. Ct. App. 1999). In Friedel, the driver of the vehicle consented
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to a search while accompanied by several passengers. As in Houghton, officers
found a purse, searched it, and discovered methamphetamine. Id. at 1235. We
held the search violated the Fourth Amendment because the driver’s consent
did not provide a valid consent to search the property of a third party and it was
“unreasonable for the officers to conclude that it did.” Id. at 1243.
[31] Applying Houghton and Friedel to facts presented here, because Sines’ property
was “capable of concealing the object of the search[,]” Houghton, 526 U.S. at
307—i.e., narcotics, syringes, and related paraphernalia—Sines’ professed
ownership of the property and his refusal to consent to a search was immaterial.
Put another way, the property was subject to the search of Taylor’s vehicle
regardless of whether it belonged to a third party. Therefore, officers did not
conclude their search of Taylor’s vehicle under the automobile exception until
they searched Sines’ property and the fact that officers chose to take the
additional step of obtaining a canine sniff served only to further protect Sines’
Fourth Amendment rights—not infringe upon them.
[32] Furthermore, because officers discovered syringes underneath Sines’ property in
the trunk, even if we were to assume officers lacked probable cause and the
search was based solely on Taylor’s consent, Sines’ argument would still fail.
This discovery provided officers with reasonable suspicion specific to Sines, and
officers were thereby permitted to prolong the traffic stop and obtain a canine
sniff. Rodriguez, 135 S.Ct. at 1615 (officers may prolong traffic stop so long as
“reasonable suspicion ordinarily demanded to justify detaining an individual” is
present).
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[33] Although it is true we must consider “whether the police diligently pursued a
means of investigation that was likely to confirm or dispel their suspicions
quickly,” U.S. v. Sharpe, 470 U.S. 675, 686 (1985), the record reflects the canine
sniff did not, in fact, prolong the traffic stop. At the point the canine officer
arrived on scene, Detective Fentz testified he was still searching the trunk of the
vehicle because there were a lot of items and trash in the trunk to carefully look
through due to the possible presence of needles. See Tr., Vol. 3 at 101. Officers
were also still attempting to corroborate Martin’s story that he was the victim of
identity theft and that his warrant was issued in error.
[34] In light of the confusion regarding Martin’s warrant and the presence of
multiple syringes requiring officers to conduct a slower, more methodical search
of the vehicle due to officer safety concerns, we cannot conclude that officers
acted unreasonably. Therefore, the trial court’s finding that the search occurred
“in a reasonable amount of time[,]” tr., vol. 3 at 112, was not clearly erroneous.
And, as neither Sines’ seizure nor the subsequent search of his property violated
the Fourth Amendment, we cannot conclude the trial court abused its
discretion in admitting the fruits thereof.
II. Double Jeopardy
[35] Next, Sines argues his second trial violated constitutional prohibitions on
double jeopardy because the State “knowingly or intentionally caused the
defense to seek the early termination of the first trial.” Appellant’s Br. at 14.
Again, we disagree.
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A. Standard of Review
[36] Both the United States and Indiana Constitutions forbid the State from placing
a person twice in jeopardy. U.S. Const. amend. V; Ind. Const. Art. 1, § 14.
Indiana Code section 35-41-4-3 elaborates on this provision, in relevant part:
(a) A prosecution is barred if there was a former prosecution of
the defendant based on the same facts and for commission of the
same offense and if:
***
(2) the former prosecution was terminated after the jury was
impaneled and sworn . . . unless (i) the defendant
consented to the termination or waived, by motion to
dismiss or otherwise, his right to object to the termination,
(ii) it was physically impossible to proceed with the trial in
conformity with law, (iii) there was a legal defect in the
proceedings that would make any judgment entered upon
a verdict reversible as a matter of law, (iv) prejudicial
conduct, in or outside the courtroom, made it impossible
to proceed with the trial without injustice to either the
defendant or the state, (v) the jury was unable to agree on
a verdict, or (vi) false statements of a juror on voir dire
prevented a fair trial.
(b) If the prosecuting authority brought about any of the
circumstances in subdivisions (a)(2)(i) through (a)(2)(vi) of this
section, with intent to cause termination of the trial, another
prosecution is barred.
Therefore, if a defendant moves for a mistrial, he forfeits any double jeopardy
claim unless “the motion for mistrial was necessitated by governmental conduct
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intended to goad the defendant into moving for a mistrial.” Willoughby v. State,
660 N.E.2d 570, 576 (Ind. 1996) (quotations omitted). If the prosecutor acted
with the requisite intent, then double jeopardy bars a retrial. Wilson v. State, 697
N.E.2d 466, 472 (Ind. 1998). Although a trial court’s determination of
prosecutorial intent is not conclusive for purposes of appellate review, we
regard its determination as “very persuasive.” Id. at 473. This is a factual
determination that we review under a clearly erroneous standard. Butler v. State,
724 N.E.2d 600, 604 (Ind. 2000).
B. Retrial
[37] On appeal, Sines argues the State’s late disclosure of incriminating evidence
presented him with a Hobson’s choice: either proceed with the trial contesting
ownership of the bag—a theory rendered “problematic if not completely
untenable” by the State’s disclosure—or request a mistrial in which case the
State would be able to retry him for the offense. Appellant’s Br. at 16. Thus,
Sines argues the State “commandeered at least one aspect of the defense[,]” id.,and the trial court’s finding was therefore clearly erroneous.
[38] As an initial matter, Sines fails to establish the State’s late disclosure of
evidence was improper. At trial, Sines repeatedly argued the State’s late
disclosure constituted a discovery violation. See Tr., Vol. 2 at 200-01. And on
appeal, Sines’ argument simply assumes the State was required to turn over the
evidence without citation to discovery requests or orders in the record. See Ind.
Appellate Rule 46(A)(8) (providing that the argument section of the appellant’s
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brief must “contain the contentions of the appellant on the issues presented,
supported by cogent reasoning[,]” along with citations to the authorities,
statutes, and parts of the record relied upon, and a clear showing of how the
issues and contentions in support thereof relate to the particular facts under
review). Although Sines has failed to demonstrate the State committed a
discovery violation,2 the disclosure’s effect on the defense was clear and a
mistrial was therefore an appropriate remedy. See Coleman v. State, 750 N.E.2d
370, 374 (Ind. 2001) (noting the overriding concern is whether the defendant
was so prejudiced that he was placed in a “position of grave peril” to which he
or she should not have been subjected).
[39] Sines presents several circumstantial arguments aimed at showing the State
intended to “goad” him into requesting a mistrial. Sines begins by detailing the
defense’s theory of the case, which he claims had become evident to the State
through the content of his opening statement as well as defense counsel’s cross-
examination of Detective Fentz. Sines then contends the State’s disclosure was
intended to derail this theory, rhetorically asking, “Why else would [the State]
send the email?” Appellant’s Br. at 16. And, as evidence a retrial was the
State’s desired outcome, Sines points to the fact that the State did not oppose
his request for a mistrial, as the State had only requested that the trial court find
that “[j]eopardy is not attached.” Tr., Vol. 2 at 216. Sines further argues,
2
With that said, we also take this opportunity to remind counsel—both prosecutors and defense attorneys—
that the Indiana Trial Rules “are designed to allow liberal discovery.” Beville v. State, 71 N.E.3d 13, 18 (Ind.
2017) (quotations omitted). Thus, when in doubt, counsel should err on the side of disclosure.
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“[o]ne might infer from this that the [State] was pleased to get a second
chance.” Appellant’s Br. at 17.
[40] Contrary to Sines’ contention, however, we do not view defense counsel’s
opening argument to have put the State on notice of the theory of Sines’
defense. Defense counsel merely argued the State lacked fingerprints, video
records, or DNA evidence to prove Sines owned the property. Therefore, the
State may have reasonably viewed defense counsel’s opening statement as
nothing more than highlighting reasonable doubt. This is especially true
considering pretrial discovery indicated Sines would not contest his initial
declaration of ownership of the property. Despite a court order that the defense
turn over all defense theories, it had failed to do so, and several depositions had
confirmed Sines’ professed ownership of the property.
[41] As the State argued before the trial court, it had “absolutely no anticipation that
[Sines] was going to suddenly say that these were not his bags[.]” Tr., Vol. 2 at
207. It was only after defense counsel’s cross-examination of Detective Fentz
that the State became aware of the new defense theory and it promptly notified
the defense of Sines’ incriminating statements by email. Indeed, as our
supreme court has explained, the “very nature of a trial gives rise to the
likelihood that issues will be raised during the primary phase which the State
could not logically anticipate.” Smith v. State, 553 N.E.2d 832, 835 (Ind. 1990).
[42] We also disagree with Sines’ argument that the State’s failure to object to his
motion for a mistrial inferred a mistrial was the State’s desired outcome.
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Although this inference is often reasonable—if not obvious—from the record,
we believe the State’s actions demonstrated prudence by promptly disclosing
the phone calls after Sines’ possession of the property was placed at issue.
Furthermore, we view the State’s subsequent failure to object as nothing more
than a candid recognition of the effect on the defense.
[43] The trial court found a mistrial was warranted by “the conduct of [Sines] who
put his own self in jeopardy.” Tr., Vol. 2 at 212. In the absence of compelling
argument to the contrary and mindful that the trial court’s determination of
prosecutorial intent is “very persuasive[,]” Wilson, 697 N.E.2d at 473, we
conclude the trial court’s finding is not clearly erroneous. Therefore, a second
trial did not violate constitutional prohibitions against double jeopardy.
Conclusion
[44] For the reasons set forth above, we conclude the trial court did not abuse its
discretion in admitting certain evidence and a second trial did not violate
prohibitions against double jeopardy. Accordingly, we affirm.
[45] Affirmed.
Baker, J., and May, J., concur.
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