State v. Salyer
Annotate this Case
Download PDF
[Cite as State v. Salyer, 2013-Ohio-140.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
THIRD APPELLATE DISTRICT
MARION COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO,
PLAINTIFF-APPELLEE,
CASE NO. 9-12-29
v.
STEPHEN M. SALYER,
OPINION
DEFENDANT-APPELLANT.
Appeal from Marion Municipal Court
Trial Court No. TRC 11 7483
Judgment Affirmed
Date of Decision:
January 22, 2013
APPEARANCES:
J.C. Ratliff and Jeff Ratliff for Appellant
Steven E. Chaffin for Appellee
Case No. 9-12-29
SHAW, J.
{¶1} Defendant-appellant Stephen M. Salyer (“Salyer”) appeals the
judgment of the Marion Municipal Court sentencing him to 90 days in jail, with 87
suspended, after Salyer was found guilty of OVI in violation of R.C.
4511.19(A)(1)(a) following Salyer’s plea of no contest to the charge. For the
reasons that follow, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
{¶2} On September 17, 2011, at approximately 1:39 a.m., Trooper David
Shockey observed a vehicle make a left turn without signaling and initiated a
traffic stop. Trooper Shockey approached the vehicle and learned that Salyer was
the driver. While speaking with Salyer, Trooper Shockey detected a “moderate
odor” of an alcoholic beverage and Trooper Shockey observed that Salyer’s eyes
were glassy, though not bloodshot. According to Trooper Shockey, Salyer was
very talkative, and Salyer admitted to having a rum and coke approximately three
hours prior to the stop.
{¶3} Subsequently Trooper Shockey asked Salyer to exit his vehicle in
order to perform field sobriety tests. Trooper Shockey first administered the HGN
test, observing two clues of impairment in each of Salyer’s eyes.
Trooper
Shockey then administered an alphabet test, the one legged Stand test, and the
walk and turn test. Salyer did not complete the one leg stand test. According to
Trooper Shockey, Salyer said of the one leg stand test “well, I couldn’t do that
-2-
Case No. 9-12-29
so…[.]” (Tr. at 23). Trooper Shockey indicated that Salyer caught himself just
before he said “sober” and said instead later on “well, I couldn’t do that—you can
come and find me at 3:00 tomorrow afternoon I couldn’t do that test.” (Id.)
Trooper Shockey stated that he observed one clue of impairment on the walk and
turn test. Taking into consideration the clues on the tests and his observations of
Salyer, Trooper Shockey then arrested Salyer.
{¶4} Salyer was taken to the Multi-County jail and asked to submit to a
breath test on the Datamaster. Salyer did so and his BAC registered at .093, in
excess of the legal limit. Salyer was ultimately charged with OVI in violation of
R.C. 4511.19(A)(1)(a), and (A)(1)(d), and making a left turn without the use of a
turn signal in violation of R.C. 4511.39. (Doc. 1).
{¶5} On September 20, 2011, Salyer pled not guilty to the charges, waived
his speedy trial rights, and demanded a jury trial. (Doc. 4).
{¶6} On December 8, 2011, Salyer filed a twenty-two page motion to
suppress challenging the stop, his detainment, the field and breath tests, and his
arrest. (Doc. 11).
{¶7} On December 27, 2011, the State filed a motion to limit or strike
Salyer’s motion to suppress on the grounds that it was untimely. (Doc. 13).
-3-
Case No. 9-12-29
{¶8} On December 28, 2011, the trial court denied the State’s motion to
strike, adding that the State’s motion to limit Salyer’s motion to suppress would be
addressed at the hearing on the motion to suppress. (Doc. 14).
{¶9} On December 29, 2011, the trial court held a hearing on the motion to
suppress. At the hearing, Salyer, through counsel, narrowed the issues from the
motion to suppress that would be challenged in the hearing. Salyer’s counsel
specifically challenged “[c]ompliance with NHTSA on the administration of the
field sobriety testing, reasonable suspicion to detain further after the stop, probable
cause to arrest, lack of Miranda upon arrest and – and the results of the breath test
machine.” (Dec. 29, 2011, Tr. at 4).
{¶10} The State called Trooper Shockey who testified to his credentials,
experience, and the events as described above. Salyer’s counsel cross-examined
Trooper Shockey, but the hearing was ultimately continued to hear further
testimony.
{¶11} On February 16, 2012, the hearing resumed. At the hearing, Trooper
Benjamin Addy of the State Highway Patrol in Marion County explained the
calibration procedures for the DataMaster. Trooper Addy also testified that he
was the person that calibrated the breath machine on September 11, 2011, and
September 18, 2011, the week prior to and the day after Salyer’s breath test. (Tr.
-4-
Case No. 9-12-29
91, 93). At the conclusion of Trooper Addy’s testimony, the State rested. No
witnesses were called by Salyer.
{¶12} On March 28, 2012, the trial court overruled Salyer’s motion to
suppress. As part of this ruling, the trial court cited the testimony of Trooper
Shockey and Trooper Addy and the video of the stop as support for overruling the
motion.
{¶13} On April 9, 2012, Salyer changed his plea of not guilty and entered a
plea of no contest, with a stipulated finding of guilty. (Doc. 59). The trial court
accepted this plea and sentenced Salyer to 90 days in jail, with 87 suspended.1
(Id.)
{¶14} It is from this judgment that Salyer appeals, asserting the following
assignment of error for our review.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR
THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN DENYING DEFENDANT’S
MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE AS (1) THE OFFICER
DID NOT POSSESS A REASONABLE AND ARTICULABLE
SUSPICION JUSTIFYING THE CONTINUED DETENTION
OF THE DEFENDANT BEYOND THE SCOPE OF THE
INITIAL STOP; (2) THE FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS AND
CHEMICAL TEST WERE NOT DONE IN SUBSTANTIAL
COMPLIANCE WITH NHTSA OR ITS EQUIVALENT AND
THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RULES AND
REGULATIONS; (3) THE OFFICER DID NOT POSSESS A
REASONABLE
AND
ARTICULABLE
SUSPICION
JUSTIFYING THE ADMINISTRATION OF FIELD
SOBRIETY TESTS; AND (4) THE OFFICER DID NOT
1
Salyer was also sentenced to pay a $1,000 fine, with $625.00 suspended, Salyer’s license was suspended
for six months, and Salyer was ordered to attend a driver intervention program. (Doc. 59).
-5-
Case No. 9-12-29
POSSESS
PROBALE
DEFENDANT.
CAUSE
TO
ARREST
THE
{¶15} In his assignment of error, Salyer argues that the trial court erred in
overruling his motion to suppress. Salyer asserts four specific grounds to support
his contention.
{¶16} Initially, we note that appellate review of a decision on a motion to
suppress evidence presents a mixed question of law and fact. State v. Bressler, 3d
Dist. No. 15–05–13, 2006–Ohio–611. At a suppression hearing, the trial court
assumes the role of trier of fact and is in the best position to resolve factual
questions and evaluate the credibility of witnesses. State v. Carter, 72 Ohio St.3d
545, 552 (1995). When reviewing a trial court’s decision on a motion to suppress,
an appellate court must uphold the trial court’s findings of fact if they are
supported by competent, credible evidence. State v. Dunlap, 73 Ohio St.3d 308,
314 (1995). We must defer to “the trial court’s findings of fact and rely on its
ability to evaluate the credibility of the witnesses,” and then independently review
whether the trial court applied the correct legal standard. State v. Anderson, 100
Ohio App.3d 688, 691 (4th Dist.1995).
{¶17} In Salyer’s first and third grounds for contending the trial court erred
in overruling his motion to suppress, Salyer argues that his continued detention
exceeded the scope and duration of the stop, and that Trooper Shockey did not
have reasonable, articulable suspicion to conduct field sobriety tests. The State
-6-
Case No. 9-12-29
contends Trooper Shockey had reasonable, articulable suspicion that Salyer was
engaged in criminal activity (OVI) that would justify Salyer’s continued detention
and the administration of the field sobriety tests.
{¶18} When conducting a stop of a motor vehicle for a traffic violation, an
“officer may detain an automobile for a time sufficient to investigate the
reasonable, articulable suspicion for which the vehicle was initially stopped.” State
v. Smith, 117 Ohio App.3d 278, 285, 690 N.E.2d 567 (1st Dist.1996). However,
the duration of the stop “is limited to ‘effectuate the purpose for which the initial
stop was made.’” Id., quoting State v. Venham, 96 Ohio App.3d 649, 655 (4th
Dist.1994), citing United States v. Brignoni–Ponce, 422 U.S. 873 (1975); State v.
Chatton, 11 Ohio St.3d 59, 63 (1994). “Thus, when detaining a motorist for a
traffic violation, an officer may delay the motorist for a time period sufficient to
issue a ticket or a warning.” Smith at 285, citing State v. Keathley, 55 Ohio
App.3d 130 (2d Dist.1998). This time period also includes the period of time
sufficient to run a computer check on the driver’s license, registration, and vehicle
plates. See Delaware v. Prouse, 440 U.S. 648, 659 (1979).
{¶19} The detention of a stopped driver may continue beyond the time
frame necessary to conduct the stop for purposes of the traffic violation when
“additional facts are encountered that give rise to a reasonable, articulable
suspicion [of criminal activity] beyond that which prompted the initial stop[.]”
-7-
Case No. 9-12-29
Smith at 285, citing State v. Myers, 63 Ohio App.3d 765, 771 (2nd Dist.1990);
Venham at 655. Reasonable articulable suspicion exists when there are “‘specific
and articulable facts which, taken together with rational inferences from those
facts, reasonably warrant the intrusion.’” State v. Stephenson, 3d Dist. No. 14-0408, 2004-Ohio-5102, ¶ 16, quoting State v. Bobo, 37 Ohio St.3d 177, 178 (1988).
{¶20} An officer’s request to perform field sobriety tests must be separately
justified by specific, articulable facts showing a reasonable basis for the request.
State v. Evans, 127 Ohio App.3d 56, 62-63 (11th Dist.1998), citing Yemma, supra.
“Although the facts that served as the impetus for the stop may also assist in
providing this separate justification, additional articulable facts are necessary.” Id.
{¶21} Whether a law enforcement officer possessed reasonable suspicion or
probable cause to continue to detain an individual must also be examined in light
of the “totality of the circumstances.” State v. Cromes, 3d Dist. No. 17-06-07,
2006-Ohio-6924, ¶ 38, citing United States v. Arvizu, 534 U.S. 266, 273, 122 S.Ct.
744 (2002). The totality of the circumstances test “allows officers to draw on their
own experience and specialized training to make inferences from and deductions
about the cumulative information available to them that ‘might well elude an
untrained person.’” Id., citing Arvizu, 534 U.S. at 273, quoting United States v.
Cortez, 449 U.S. 411, 418, 101 S.Ct. 690 (1981).
-8-
Case No. 9-12-29
{¶22} Circumstances from which an officer may derive a reasonable,
articulable suspicion that the detained driver was operating the vehicle while under
the influence include, but are not limited to:
(1) the time and day of the stop (Friday or Saturday night as
opposed to, e.g., Tuesday morning); (2) the location of the stop
(e.g., whether near establishments selling alcohol); (3) any
indicia of erratic driving before the stop that may indicate a lack
of coordination (speeding, weaving, unusual braking, etc.); (4)
whether there is a cognizable report that the driver may be
intoxicated; (5) the condition of the suspect's eyes (bloodshot,
glassy, glazed, etc.); (6) impairments of the suspect's ability to
speak (slurred speech, overly deliberate speech, etc.); (7) the
odor of alcohol coming from the interior of the car, or, more
significantly, on the suspect's person or breath; (8) the intensity
of that odor, as described by the officer (“very strong,” “strong,”
“moderate,” “slight,” etc.); (9) the suspect's demeanor
(belligerent, uncooperative, etc.); (10) any actions by the suspect
after the stop that might indicate a lack of coordination
(dropping keys, falling over, fumbling for a wallet, etc.); and (11)
the suspect's admission of alcohol consumption, the number of
drinks had, and the amount of time in which they were
consumed, if given.
Evans, 127 Ohio App.3d at 63, Fn. 2. “All of these factors, together with the
officer’s previous experience in dealing with [impaired] drivers, may be taken into
account by a reviewing court in determining whether the officer acted reasonably.
No single factor is determinative.” Id.
{¶23} At the suppression hearing, Trooper Shockey testified that he
stopped Salyer’s vehicle at approximately 1:39 a.m. on September 17, 2011, for
failing to use a left turn signal when turning left. Trooper Shockey testified that
-9-
Case No. 9-12-29
when he spoke with Salyer, Trooper Shockey detected a “moderate” odor of an
alcoholic beverage. According to Trooper Shockey, Salyer was very talkative and
Salyer admitted to consuming a rum and coke approximately three hours prior to
the stop. Trooper Shockey testified that Salyer’s eyes were glassy, though not
bloodshot.
{¶24} The trial court cited the time, odor of an alcoholic beverage, glassy
eyes, and admission of the consumption of alcohol as support for Trooper
Shockey’s detainment of Salyer in its entry denying Salyer’s motion to suppress.2
(Doc. 46).
{¶25} Based on the evidence in the record, we conclude that Trooper
Shockey encountered additional facts to give rise to a reasonable, articulable
suspicion of criminal activity beyond that which prompted the initial stop. We
further conclude that Trooper Shockey’s reasonable, articulable suspicion that
Salyer was driving while impaired justified the prolonged detention to administer
the field sobriety tests.
Accordingly, we find no error with the trial court’s
decision to overrule Salyer’s motion to suppress on either of these bases.
{¶26} As the next ground for contending that the trial court erred in
overruling his motion to suppress, Salyer argues that the field sobriety tests and
2
The trial court also cited the fact that Salyer pulled over on the wrong side of the road. (Id.) On appeal,
Salyer argues that he pulled over on the wrong side of the road out of convenience/necessity. The video of
the stop does indicate that Salyer pulled over on the left side of the road; however, the video also illustrates
that cars were parked all along the right side of the road, thus there is no indication as to whether this action
was done out of necessity or convenience.
-10-
Case No. 9-12-29
the chemical breath test were not administered in substantial compliance with the
applicable guidelines, and therefore the results from these tests should have been
suppressed.
{¶27} In order for the results of field sobriety tests to be admissible, the
State is not required to show strict compliance with testing standards, but must
instead demonstrate that the officer substantially complied with NHTSA
standards. R.C. 4511.19(D)(4)(b); State v. Clark, 12th Dist. No. CA2009-10-039,
2010-Ohio-4567, ¶ 11.
“A determination of whether the facts satisfy the
substantial compliance standard is made on a case-by-case basis.” State v. Fink,
12th Dist. Nos. CA2008-10-118, CA2008-10-119, 2009-Ohio-3538, ¶ 26. The
State may demonstrate what the NHTSA standards are through competent
testimony and/or by introducing the applicable portions of the NHTSA manual.
State v. Boczar, 113 Ohio St.3d 148, 153, 2007-Ohio-1251, at ¶ 28.
{¶28} At the suppression hearing and on appeal, Salyer does not identify
specific errors with Trooper Shockey’s administration of the field sobriety tests, in
light of NHTSA or other applicable guidelines, but nevertheless Salyer argues that
suppression of the test results is warranted.3
{¶29} Regarding the Field Sobriety Tests, the trial court’s entry denying the
motion to suppress stated the following:
3
At the suppression hearing, Salyer did seem to question the fact that Trooper Shockey administered an
“alphabet test” to Salyer after the HGN and before the other tests, but he does not renew this argument on
appeal.
-11-
Case No. 9-12-29
In this case, Defendant Salyer contends that the field
sobriety tests were not conducted in substantial compliance with
NHTSA standards.
Trooper Shockey testified that he
administered standardized field sobriety tests which included
the HGN, the One-Leg Stand and the Walk and Turn Tests. In
explaining his administration of the HGN test, Shockey stated
that he checked for visual or other distractions, and he checked
for eyeglasses. He further testified as to how he positioned the
stimulus and that he detected 4 clues while checking for lack of
smooth pursuit and 4 clues while checking for distinct
nystagmus at maximum deviation.4 Shockey did not detect any
clues on the onset of nystagmus prior to 45 degrees. Finally,
Trooper Shockey stated that he administered the HGN “as
explained in the manual”.
On the One-Leg Stand test, Trooper Shockey testified, and
the video revealed, as to how he set up the test conditions and
how he instructed and positioned the defendant. When the
trooper instructed the defendant to begin, he could not perform
the test and stated, “I couldn’t do this even if I was
sob…..(sober)[.]” He continually touched the ground with his
foot. Shockey testified that he found that the defendant could
not perform the test, but did not offer any number of clues that
he detected.
On the Walk and Turn, Trooper Shockey’s testimony and
the video revealed that he set up the test conditions and that he
explained and demonstrated the test asking questions as to the
defendant’s understanding of the instructions. Thereafter,
Shockey testified that he detected 1 clue, but the video actually
recorded 2 clues: stepped off the line and used arms to balance,
lifting them more than six inches from his side.
4
We note that it is not clear whether the trial court’s characterization directly corresponds to Trooper
Shockey’s testimony. Trooper Shockey testified, “Yes, I observed a total of four clues, two in each eye, I
observed a nystagmus, maximum deviation and lack of smooth pursuit. I did not observe nystagmus prior
to 45 degrees.” (Tr. at 21). However, even if the trial court’s characterization is improper—for example, if
the trial court was stating there were 4 clues in each eye (which is not possible as there are only 6 clues
total, 3 in each eye)—any misstatement would not change the outcome here. The HGN results were not
considered by the trial court.
-12-
Case No. 9-12-29
Based on the testimony and evidence presented, the Court is
unable to find clear and convincing evidence that Trooper
Shockey administered the HGN test in substantial compliance
with NHTSA standards. However, the Court finds clear and
convincing evidence that the One-Leg Stand and Walk and Turn
tests were administered in substantial compliance.
(Doc. 46).
{¶30} Thus the trial court found that the HGN test was not done in
compliance with NHTSA standards but the one leg stand and walk and turn test
were conducted in substantial compliance with recognized standards. The record
supports the trial court’s findings. Trooper Shockey testified at the suppression
hearing that he received Alcohol Detection and Prosecution (ADAP) training and
that he administered the tests according to the NHTSA manual. (Tr. at 16, 20, 2223).
{¶31} Even assuming arguendo that we find that Trooper Shockey did not
substantially comply with NHTSA or other applicable standards—which would
require the results of the tests to be excluded—Trooper Shockey’s testimony
regarding Salyer’s performance on nonscientific field sobriety tests is admissible
under Evid.R. 701 and can support a finding of probable cause to arrest under the
totality of the circumstances analysis. See State v. Schmitt, 101 Ohio St.3d 79,
2004-Ohio-37, ¶¶ 14-15. Notwithstanding this fact, we find no error in the trial
court’s conclusion that the State met its burden in demonstrating that Trooper
-13-
Case No. 9-12-29
Shockey’s administration of the one-leg stand and walk and turn tests substantially
complied with NHTSA standards.5
{¶32} Next, Salyer challenges the admissibility of the results from the
breath analysis test and asserts that the State failed to demonstrate that the test was
conducted in substantial compliance with the regulations prescribed by the
Director of the Ohio Department of Health. Specifically Salyer argues the State
failed to show that Salyer’s test was conducted free of any radio frequency
interference (“RFI”). Salyer also argues that the State did not establish that it had
kept three years of records on the Datamaster as required by the Ohio Department
of Health Rules.
{¶33} In seeking to suppress the results of a breath analysis test, the
defendant must set forth an adequate basis for the motion. State v. Shindler, 70
Ohio St.3d 54, 58, 1994-Ohio-452. The motion must state the “* * * legal and
factual bases with sufficient particularity to place the prosecutor and court on
notice as to the issues contested.” Id; Crim.R. 47. Once an adequate basis for the
motion has been established, the prosecution then bears the burden of proof to
demonstrate substantial compliance with the Ohio Department of Health
regulations. Xenia v. Wallace, 37 Ohio St.3d 216, 220 (1988). If the prosecution
demonstrates substantial compliance, the burden of proof then shifts to the
5
As the court found that the HGN test was not done in substantial compliance with recognized guidelines,
we need not conduct a similar analysis regarding this test.
-14-
Case No. 9-12-29
defendant to overcome the presumption of admissibility and demonstrate that he
or she was prejudiced by anything less than strict compliance. State v. Burnside,
100 Ohio St.3d 152, 157, 2003-Ohio-5372, ¶ 24.
{¶34} The extent of the State’s burden to show substantial compliance
varies with the degree of specificity of the violation alleged by the defendant.
“When a defendant’s motion to suppress raises only general claims, along with the
Ohio Administrative Code sections, the burden imposed on the state is fairly
slight.” State v. Johnson, 137 Ohio App.3d 847, 851 (2000). Specifically, when a
motion fails to allege a fact-specific way in which a violation has occurred, the
state need only offer basic testimony evidencing compliance with the code section.
State v. Bissaillon, 2d Dist. No. 06–CA–130, 2007-Ohio-2349, ¶ 15.
{¶35} Salyer’s motion to suppress did allege that Trooper Shockey did not
ensure that Salyer’s test was conducted free of any radio transmissions from
within the affected RFI zone.
Salyer’s counsel also raised this issue at the
suppression hearing and questioned Trooper Shockey regarding RFI interference
on cross-examination. On direct-examination at the suppression hearing, Trooper
Shockey testified that he was a Senior Operator with authority to perform testing
on the BAC Datamaster. (Tr. at 17). On cross-examination, Salyer’s counsel
specifically questioned Trooper Shockey regarding potential RFI interference.
-15-
Case No. 9-12-29
What follows is testimony that was elicited from Trooper Shockey on crossexamination:
Q: [Defense on Cross-examination] There are two people at all
times in the Multi-County booking room, correct?
A: [Trooper Shockey] No.
Q: No. It’s not their policy to have two people in the booking
room?
A: I’m not – I don’t know what their policy is, but I know what
the reality of things are.
Q: Okay. That night in question how many people were in the
booking room.
A: I have no clue, I don’t remember.
Q: Okay. So there could have been two, correct?
A: There could have been.
Q: Okay. And they wear radios, correct?
A: Correct.
Q: And they – according to their policy they don’t turn those
radios off because – in case of an emergency at the jail and
they’re required to respond, correct?
A: Correct.
-16-
Case No. 9-12-29
Q: Okay. So upon administering the test you didn’t ask either
one of them to leave, did you?
A: No.
Q: Okay. And upon administering the test I didn’t hear any
testimony that your radio was off?
A: I don’t know if it was or wasn’t.
(Tr. 66-67).
{¶36} The State’s other witness, Trooper Addy, also offered some
testimony regarding RFI related to the Datamaster in question. Trooper Addy
testified that he performed the RFI check on the Datamaster September 11, 2011,
at approximately 7:27, within the weekly range of testing. (Tr. at 107). Trooper
Addy testified that the Datamaster was functioning properly. Trooper Addy also
testified that he performed the weekly check on September 18, 2011, after Salyer’s
test, and that machine was functioning properly.
{¶37} While Salyer argues on appeal that Trooper Shockey did not insure
that no RFI interference was present during testing, the preceding testimony does
not affirmatively establish that there was RFI interference in Salyer’s test. First,
whereas on appeal Salyer argues that two other officers were in the room when
Salyer took his breath test and that Trooper Shockey’s radio was on, no testimony
affirmatively establishes this fact. Trooper Shockey testified that he could not
-17-
Case No. 9-12-29
remember whether other people were in the room, and that he could not remember
whether his radio was on. This testimony does not, in any way, establish that there
were definitely radios on during Salyer’s test within a range that could disrupt the
Datamaster.
{¶38} Second, at the hearing, Salyer called no witnesses to testify as to how
these “hypothetical” radios that were potentially on in the room at the time of the
test caused any actual interference with Salyer’s specific test.
There is no
evidence connecting any of the radios that may or may not have been on or present
to any actual RFI interference. Under these circumstances we cannot find that the
trial court erred in overruling Salyer’s motion to suppress the breath test based on
the tenuous connection of RFI interference advocated by Salyer.
{¶39} Salyer’s argument regarding record keeping is similarly nebulous.
On appeal, Salyer claims that in his motion to suppress and at the suppression
hearing he challenged the record keeping related to the Datamaster. According to
Salyer, the Ohio Department of Health requires three years of records to be
maintained on the testing machine. Salyer contends that the State did not establish
substantial compliance with this rule. It is not clear from Salyer’s motion to
suppress, the testimony at the suppression hearing, or Salyer’s brief to this court
how there was any failure in record keeping or how any alleged failure affected
the results of Salyer’s test.
-18-
Case No. 9-12-29
{¶40} Trooper Addy testified that he had performed the required instrument
checks the week prior to Salyer’s test on September 11, 2011, and the week (day)
following Salyer’s test, September 18, 2011.6
According to Trooper Addy’s
testimony, the machine was functioning properly. It is unclear from the record
how any lack of records months or years prior to the date of the test in question
caused an issue warranting suppression of the breath test. Based on the foregoing,
we cannot find that the trial court erred in its ruling not to suppress the breath test
results.
{¶41} In his final argument, Salyer argues that the court erred in concluding
that probable cause existed to arrest Salyer. The trial court’s entry regarding
probable cause reads as follows:
In this case, Trooper Shockey took into consideration the fact
that the defendant stopped his car on the left side of the street
facing the wrong way; that the defendant had admitted to
drinking three (sic) rum and cokes prior to the stop; that there
was an odor of alcohol from the defendant’s breath and person;
that the defendant’s eyes were glassy; that the defendant
exhibited an extraordinary amount of talkativeness; the
observations that he made as Defendant performed the
standardized field sobriety tests; and the clues presented from
the Walk and Turn and the defendant’s inability to perform the
One Leg Stand. These facts and events, given the totality of the
circumstances, would have warranted a reasonable person such
as the trooper to believe that Defendant Salyer committed a
violation of ORC 4511.19.
(Doc. 46).
6
Calibration checks were conducted every seven days.
-19-
Case No. 9-12-29
{¶42} We note that the trial court mistakenly characterizes the amount of
alcohol that Salyer admittedly consumed; Salyer admitted to having one rum and
coke three hours prior to the stop, not three drinks. We further note that while
Trooper Shockey may have considered the fact that Salyer’s vehicle was stopped
on the wrong side of the road, and that this fact was clearly displayed in the video
thereby being properly considered by the trial court, Trooper Shockey did not
testify that this was a factor in determining his probable cause.
{¶43} Despite the trial court’s mischaracterizations, we find that the
remaining facts and circumstances, even without considering the HGN test, still
would give rise to probable cause to arrest Salyer for OVI. In addition to the facts
cited by the trial court that were established in the record, we would also point to
the time being a factor, since it was approximately 1:39 a.m., and we would also
point to Trooper Shockey’s testimony that Salyer had been about to say “well I
couldn’t even do that so[ber].” (Tr. at 23). These facts taken with Salyer’s
admission to drinking, his glassy eyes, his traffic violation, the clue on the walk
and turn, Salyer’s inability to perform the one leg stand test, and the moderate
odor of alcohol could lead to probable cause.7
Under the totality of the
circumstances, we cannot find that the trial court erred in finding there was
probable cause to arrest Salyer.
7
As the trial court did not find that the HGN test was done in substantial compliance with recognized
standards, we did not use the HGN clues in our review of probable cause.
-20-
Case No. 9-12-29
{¶44} For the foregoing reasons Salyer’s assignment of error is overruled
and the judgment of the Marion Municipal Court is affirmed.
Judgment Affirmed
PRESTON, P.J. and WILLAMOWSKI, J., concur.
/jlr
-21-
Some case metadata and case summaries were written with the help of AI, which can produce inaccuracies. You should read the full case before relying on it for legal research purposes.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
