State of Maine v. Benjamin Lowry

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UNIFIED CRJMINAL COURT PORTLAND Docket No. CR-16-30110 STATE OF MAINE CUMBERLAND, ss. STATE OF MAINE v. BENJAMIIN LOWRY Defendant ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ORDER ON STATE'S MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION and MOTION FOR FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW By Order dated August 18, 2~ 16, the Court granted Defendant's inotio? to suppress, reasoning: "Although the nature of a field sobriety test is to distract the subject's attention, Officer Jones was not trained to perform field sobriety tests on subjects whose attention is further divided by exploding fireballs in the sky followed by clapping and cheering. As such, the Court finds Officer Jones did not have sufficient probable cause to believe Defendant had committed the crime of operating under the influence." Believing the Court's ruling to be in error, on August 24, 2016 the State filed a Motion for Reconsideration and a Motion for Further Findings and Conclusions of Law, to which Defendant responded by opposition filed September 9, 2016. The State's Motion for Further Findings and Conclusions.of Law is denied. The Court's Suppression Order sets forth sufficient factual findings and legal conclusions pursuant to M.R.U. Crim, P. 41A(d). With respect to the State's Motion for Reconsideration, while the Rules of Uniform Criminal Procedure do not expressly provide for such a motion, the Court ha~ discretion to reconsider its suppression ruling. See M.R.U. Crim. P. l(c); State v. J{ayford, 412 A.2d 987, 990 (Me. 1980) (noting that "the interests of judicial economy are well served" where judge who granted motion to suppress ' 1determined that his original order was erroneous."). · Having considered the State's argument in light of Maine law, the Court finds that its August 18th Suppression Order focused solely on the circumstances surrounding Officer Jones's administration of field sobriety tests without taking into account the indicia of intoxication observ_d by Officer Jones independent of any fiel~ testing. According to Officer Jones's e testimony, which the Court finds credible, Defendant was observed speeding in a 25 mph zone. Upon stopping Defendant's vehicl~, Officer Jones testified that he detected a strong odor of intoxicants which persisted after Defendant exited the vehicle, indicating that the odor was emanating from Defendant's person rather than from the vehicle's interior. Defendant's speech was slurred and his eyes were glassy. When asked how much he had had to drink, Defendant first answered "none" before ultimately admitting that he had had one drink and rating himself as a "one, two or three" on a 10-point intoxication scale. Considering these facts in light of the standard set forth in State v. Webster, 2000 ME 115, 754 A.2d 976 leads to the clear conclusion that "probable cause could be found without regard to [Defendant]'s performance on the field sobriety tests." Id. .1 9. As the Law Court reasoned in Webster: The probable cause standard for requiring a person to take a blood alcohol test has a very low threshold. A person is guilty of operating under the influence if his or her senses are "impaired however slightly" or "to any extent" by the alcohol that person has had to drink. For there to be probable cause to arrest someone for operating under the influence, therefore, an officer must have probable cause to believe that the person's senses are affected to the slightest degree, or to any extent, by the alcohol that person has had to drink. A reasonable suspicion to support probable cause can exist independent of any evidence of actual impaired driving, In this case, the officer had observed a driving maneuver that suggested impaired judgment. The officer smelled a strong odor of alcohol on Webster's breath, and the officer had heard Webster make a facially incredible statement that the officer could have believed was intended to cover-up recent, more substantial consumption of alcoholic beverages. With those observations made, the officer may have been regarded as careless had he allowed Webster to go on his way without further inquiry to determine the state of his sobriety and the risk he may have posed to himself and others on the highway. Considering the probable cause threshold for administering a blood alcohol test, this combination of evidence was more than sufficient to establish probable cause. With this evidence, probable cause could be found without regard to Webster's perfol'mance on the field sobriety tests. While performance on field · sobriety tests is relevant to determinations of both probable cause and ultimate guilt or innocence, such performance on. the field sobriety tests does not control either issue. There is sufficient evidence to support the cou1i's probable cause finding external to the field sobriety tests. ·· Id. 11 7-9. While Defendant is correct in noting that the Law Court's holding in Webster was directed to a determination of whether or not the suppression court's findings were clearly e1Toneous, .Webster nonetheless supplies clear guidance to a trial court ruling on a suppression motion, particularly in a matter such as this one, which arises out of strikingly- similar.facts. The . 2 Comi accordingly finds that the analysis set forth in Webster applies equally here. Acco1:dingly, having reconsidered the evidence in light of the governing "probable cause threshold," the Court h~reby GRANTS the State's Motion for Reconsideration and VACATES its August 18, 2016 Order granting Defendant's Motion to Suppress. The Clerk is hereby directed to mail a date-stamped copy of this Order to each counsel of record and note the mailing on the Unified Criminal Docket pursuant to M.R:U. Crim. P. 4 lA(d). DATED: /Ji Yf It j rench ed Criminal Court Judge I r J 3 I STATE OF MAINE CRIMINAL DOCKET CUMBERLAND, ss. Docket No CUMCD-CR-2016-30110 VS BENJAMIN A LOWRY 630 FERRY ROAD SACO ME 04072 DOCKET RECORD DOB: 11/05/1962 Attorney: PETER RODWAY RODWAY & HORODYSKI PA 120_ EXCHANGE ST 6TH FLOOR PO BOX 444 PORTLAND ME 04112-0444 RETAINED 03/11/20~6 State's Attorney: STEPHANIE ANDERSON Filing Document: CRIMINAL COMPLAINT Filing Date: 04/07/2016 Major Case Type: MISDEMEANOR (CLASS D,E) Charge(s) 1 our {ALCOHOL) Seq 12942 29-A 2411 (1-A) (A) JONES / BRI 02/20/2016 BRIDGTON Class D Docket Events: 04/11/2016 FILING DOCUMENT - CRIMINAL COMPLAINT FILED ON 04/07/2016 04/11/2016 Charge(s): 1 HEARING - ARRAIGNMENT SCHEDULE OTHER COURT ON 04/19/2016 at 01:00 p.m . BRIDC 04/12/2016 Party(s): BENJAMIN A LOWRY ATTORNEY - RETAINED ENTERED ON 03/11/2016 Attorney: PETER RODWAY 05/04/2016 Charge(s): 1 HEARING - ARRAIGNMENT WAIVED ON 04/19/2016 05/04/2016 Charge(s): 1 HEARING - DISPOSITIONAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE OTHER COURT ON 06/30/2016 in Room No. 7 PORSC 05/04/2016 Charge(s): 1 HEARING DISPOSITIONAL CONFERENCE NOTICE SENT ON 05/04/2016 05/04/2016 TRIAL - JURY TRIAL SCHEDULE OTHER COURT ON 08/22/2016 at 08:30 a.m. in Room No. 11 PORSC 05/04/2016 Charge(s): 1 TRANSFER - UCD CS FILE TRANS TO RESP CRT TRANSFERRED ON 05/04/2016 PORSC 05/04/2016 Charge(s) : 1 PLEA - NOT GUILTY ENTERED BY COUNSEL ON 04/19/2016 CR_ 200 Page 1 of 4 Printed on: 09/l~/2016 BENJAMIN A LOWRY CUMCD-CR-2016-30110 DOCKET RECORD 05/06/2016 Charge(s): 1 TRANSFER - UCD CS FILE TRANS TO RESP CRT RECVD BY COURT ON 05/06/2016 PORSC 06/07/2016 Charge(s): 1 MOTION - MOTION TO CONTINUE FILED BY DEFENDANT ON 06/06/2016 Attorney: PETER RODWAY MOTION TO CONTINUE 6-30 DISPO. ADA GORHAM DOES NOT OBJECT 06/07/2016 Charge(s): 1 MOTION - MOTION TO CONTINUE GRANTED ON 06/07/2016 PAUL - A FRITZSCHE, JUSTICE COPY TO PARTIES/COUNSEL 06/07/2016 Charge(s): 1 HEARING - DISPOSITIONAL CONFERENCE CONTINUED ON 06/07/2016 PAUL A FRITZSCHE , JUSTICE 06/07/2016 Charge(s): 1 HEARING - DISPOSITIONAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR 07/07/2016 at 01:00 p.m. in Room No. 7 06/23/2016 Charge(s): 1 HEARING - DISPOSITIONAL CONFERENCE NOTICE SENT ON 06/23/2016 07/07/2016 Charge(s): 1 HEARING - DISPOSITIONAL CONFERENCE HELD ON 07/07/2016 ROLAND A COLE, JUSTICE Attorney: PETER RODWAY DA: BRENDAN O'BRIEN CONF HELD, OFFER MADE. MOTION TO SUPPRESS FILED 07/07/2016 MOTION - MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE FILED BY DEFENDANT ON 07/07/2016 Attorney: PETER RODWAY 07/07/2016 MOTION - MOTION FOR DISCOVERY FILED BY DEFENDANT ON Q7/07/2016 Attorney: 07/08/2016 HEARING - PETER RODWAY MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE SCHEDULED FOR 08/09/2016 at 01:00 p.m. in Room No. 1 NOTICE TO PARTIES/COUNSEL 07/08/2016 HEARING - MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE NOTICE SENT ON 07/08/2016 07/25/2016 MOTION - MOTION TO CONTINUE FILED BY STATE ON 07/25/2016 TO CONTINUE MOTION HEARING 8-9-16. DEFENSE OBJECTS. 07/26/2016 MOTION - MOTION TO CONTINUE GRANTED ON 07/25/2016 ROLAND A COLE, JUSTICE COPY TO PARTIES/COUNSEL 07/26/2016 HEARING - MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE CONTINUED ON 07/25/2016 ROLAND A COLE, JUSTICE 07/26/2016 HEARING - MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE SCHEDULED FOR 08/11/2016 at 01:00 p.m. in Room No. 1 NOTICE TO PARTIES/COUNSEL 07/26/2016 HEARING - MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE NOTICE SENT ON 07/26/2016 08/11/2016 HEARING - - MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE HELD ON 08/11/2016 c~_ 200 Page 2 of 4 Printed on: 09/13/2016 BENJAMIN A LOWRY CUMCD-CR-2016-30110 DOCKET RECORD JED FRENCH, JUDGE Attorney: PETER RODWAY DA: BRENDAN O'BRIEN Defendant Present in Court FTR 1. STATE'S WITNESS: BRIDGTON POLICE OFFICER PHILLIP JONES . AUDIO OF TRAFFIC STOP PLAYED FOR THE COURT,& ADMITTED BY THE DEFENSE. MOTION TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT 08/12/2016 Charge (s): 1 TRIAL - JURY TRIAL SCHEDULED FOR 08/22/2016 at 08:30 a.m . in Room No. 11 NOTICE TO PARTIES/COUNSEL 08/12/2016 MOTION - MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE UNDER ADVISEMENT ON 08/11/2016 JED FRENCH, JUDGE 08/12/2016 Charge(s): 1 TRIAL - JURY TRIAL CONTINUED ON 08/11/2016 08/12/2016 TRIAL - JURY TRIAL CONTINUED ON 08/11/2016 08/12/2016 Charge(s): 1 TRIAL - JURY TRIAL SCHEDULED FOR 09/26/2016 at 08:30 a.m. in Room No. 11 NOTICE TO PARTIES/COUNSEL 08/12/2016 Charge(s): 1 TRIAL - JURY TRIAL NOTICE SENT ON 08/12/2016 08/12/2016 CASE STATUS - CASE FILE LOCATION ON 08/11/2016 JED FRENCH, JUDGE MOTION TO SUPPRESS TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT 08/18/2016 CASE STATUS - CASE FILE RETURNED ON 08/18/2016 08/18/2016 MOTION - MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE GRANTED ON 08/18/2016 JED FRENCH, JUDGE COPY TO PARTIES/COUNSEL 08/18/2016 ORDER - COURT ORDER FILED ON 08/18/2016 JED FRENCH, JUDGE ORDER ON DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO SUPPRESS 08/18/2016 ORDER - COURT ORDER ENTERED ON 08/18/2016 JED FRENCH, JUDGE IN LIGHT OF THE PRECEDING, DEFENDANT'S MOTION TO SUPPRESS ALL EVIDENCE OBTAINED BY THE STATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE FIELD SOBRIETY TESTS ON FEBRUARY 20, 2016 IS GRANTED. 08/25/2016 MOTION - MOTION FOR FINDINGS OF FACT FILED BY STATE ON 08/24/2016 DA: BRENDAN O'BRIEN 09/09/2016 OTHER FILING - OTHER DOCUMENT FILED ON 09/09/2016 RESPONSE TO MOTION TO RECONSIDER SUPPRESSION ORDER. 09/13/2016 ORDER - COURT ORDER FILED ON 09/12/2016 JED FRENCH, JUDGE ORDER ON STATE'S MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION AND MOTION FOR FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSION OF LAW. q9/13/2016 MOTION - MOTION FOR FINDINGS OF FACT GRANTED ON 09/12/2016 CR 200 Page 3 of 4 Printed on: 09/13/2016 BENJAMIN A LOWRY CUMCD-CR-2016-30110 DOCKET RECORD JED FRENCH, JUDGE COPY TO PARTIES/COUNSEL ._ 09/13/2016 MOTION - MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE VACATED ON 09/12/2016 JED FRENCH, JUDGE A TRUE COPY ATTEST: Clerk I I I ·1 i CR 200 Page 4 of 4 Printed on: 09/13/2016 UNIFIED CRIMINAL DOCKET Docket No. CR-16-30110 STATE OF MAINE CUMBERLAND, SS. STATE OF MAINE v. BENJAMIN LOWRY Defendant ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ORDER ON MOTION TO SUPPRESS This matter came before the Court for hearing on Defendant's motion to suppress on August 11, 2016. Defendant appeared with counsel, Peter E. Rodway, Esq .. The sole witness presented was the arresting officer, Phil Jones of the Bridgton Police Department. An audio and video recording was presented to the court in compact disc form. Due to time limitations, and with the consent of both counsel for the defendant and the State, the court reviewed the recording outside of the hearing. After consideration of the testimony and evidence presented and arguments of .counsel, the motion is GRANTED for the reasons set forth below. On the evening of February 20, 2016, Officer Jones, on foot, was directing traffic and assisting pedestrians in the Town of Bridgeton immediately prior to the Town's firework display, when he observed a motor vehicle driven by Defendant approaching at a rate of speed in excess of the posted limit. Defendant complied with Officer Jones's hand-signals to pull over. Based on the odor of intoxicants emanating from Defendant, Officer Jones asked Defendant to step out of his vehicle to perform field sobriety tests. Although initially denying that he had been drinking alcohol, Defendant admitted he had had a glass of wine earlier and placed himself between one and three on a ten-point sobriety scale. (D. Ex. 1, 0:00:45). Officer Jones first conducted a Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus test (HGN). Just as the officer was explaining the process to Defendant, the flashes and loud explosions of fireworks can be seen and heard on the officer's dash cam recording. (D. Ex. 1, 0:01:30). Officer Jones, apparently aware that the HGN results would be compromised by such distracting circumstances, interrupted the test remarking, "okay, we're gonna come back to that." (D. Ex. 1, 0:01:51). Officer Jones next instructed Defendant to perform the one-legged stand test. While conducting the test, Officer Jones can be heard chiding Defendant to continue counting and looking at his elevated foot. Barely audible over the crescendo of explosions and the cheering of crowds, Defendant can be heard saying, "this is really distracting." (D. Ex. 1, 0:03:18). Fireworks can still be seen and heard on the recording as Officer Jones instructed Defendant to recite the alphabet from the letters "E" through "T," and Defendant proceeded to recite through the letter "Z." (D. Ex. 0:04:00). Based on less than five minutes of interaction and the results of three field sobriety tests conducted while fireworks were going off, Officer Jones placed Defendant under arrest for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol. An arrest is reasonable under the Fourth Amendment "if made pursuant to an investigative detention based on reasonable suspicion of criminal activity, or if made pursuant to an arrest based on the higher standard of probable cause that a crime has been committed." State v. White, 2013 ME 66, 'if 12, 70 A.3d 1226. The State contends Defendant's performance on the field sobriety tests gave rise to probable cause to believe that Defendant had committed the crime of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, rendering Officer Jones's arrest of Defendant permissible under the Fourth Amendment. "[P]robable cause to believe a defendant was operating under the influence exists if there is reason to believe that his mental or physical faculties are impaired by the consumption of alcohol." State v. Bradley, 658 A.2d 236, 237 (Me. 1995). Under normal circumstances, Defendant's inability to complete the field sobriety tests would give rise to probable cause that the crime of operating under the influence had been committed. Under the factual circumstances of the present case, the Court finds Officer Jones's formulation of probable cause to make the arrest objectively unreasonabie. The reason police officers are trained to follow protocols in conducting field sobriety tests is to give rise to an objectively reasonable basis to determine whether or not a motorist is impaired. While we do not expect our public servants to conduct these tests with the precision of a laboratory experiment, an officer is nonetheless expected to 2 conduct them in a manner that reduces the number of independent variables affecting the motorist's performance. Although the nature of a field sobriety test is to divide the subject's attention, Officer Jones was not trained to perform field sobriety tests on subjects whose attention is further divided by exploding fireballs in the sky followed by clapping and cheering. As ·such, the Court finds Officer Jones did not have sufficient probable cause to believe Defendant had committed the crime of operating under the influence. Therefore, Officer Jones's arrest of Defendant was unreasonable under the Fourth Amendment. In light of the preceding, Defendant's Motion to Suppress all evidence obtained by the State subsequent to the administration of the field sobriety tests on February 20, 2016 is GRANTED. The Clerk is hereby directed to mail a date-stamped copy of this Order to each counsel of record and note the mailing on the Unified Criminal Docket pursuant to M.R.U. Crim. P. 41A(d). Dated: August 18, 2016 . French ·ed Criminal Court Judge 3

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