History
  • No items yet
midpage
People v. London
831 N.E.2d 1135
Ill. App. Ct.
2005
Check Treatment

*1 ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. THE THE STATE OF PEOPLE OF LONDON, Defendant-Appellant. ALLISSA M. 5 — 02—0666

Fifth District No.

Opinion filed June 2005.

DONOVAN,EJ., specially concurring.

KUEHN, J., dissenting. Vincent, Nancy Appellate Daniel M. Kirwan and L. both of State Office, Vernon, appellant. Defender’s of Mt. (Norbert Goetten, Friedel, Stephen Attorney,

Steve J. State’s of Vandalia Norris, Purcell, Attorneys Appellate E. and T. David all of State’s Prosecutor’s Office, counsel), People. for the opinion

JUSTICE CHAPMAN delivered the of the court: defendant, London, unlawfully Allissa M. convicted (720 570/401(a)(6.5)(B) (West manufacturing methamphetamine ILCS 2000)). trial, suppress Prior to her the defendant filed a motion to *2 Following evidentiary hearing, evidence. an the trial court denied the trial, suppress. parties proceeded stipulated The to a bench motion guilty years’ at the defendant and sentenced to six which was found contends that the trial court imprisonment. appeal, On improperly suppress denied her motion to evidence. We affirm.

BACKGROUND (the defendant) charged unlawfully Allissa M. London was manufacturing methamphetamine. suppress She filed a motion to all methamphetamine gathered lab evidence from warrantless search and seizure at a farmhouse where she claimed to have been liv- hearing ing. judge evidentiary The trial on motion. conducted joined filing suppress, Mark Hills a motion to and the Codefendant hearing only. purposes cases were consolidated for the suppression hearing or at the testify The defendant at court, however, stipulated testimony bench trial. The did hear at County suppression hearing following Fayette from the individuals: Halleman, Gary Larry Illinois State Deputy Sheriffs Washburn Jenne, Mehl, police officer Kevin Trooper Timothy Police St. Peter Ernst, Lotz, Hodges (by stipulation Hayden, Barry Chuck Jon Lotz’s), Hills, Mark the same as Jon testimony that his would be testimony A their fol- Larry summary portions White. of relevant lows. some rural with a

Virginia Ernst owned Farina, property, At time she had lived on the located near Illinois. one testimony she had At the time of her previous years but for the not. grandson, Hayden, had lived in the of Farina. Her she town time, years but that had been several lived in the farmhouse at one years, and her had been several tenants over before. There had lived some of the rentals. No one grandson had assisted with time. the farmhouse for some Plumbing to have 16, 2001, Ernst called Whitt’s

On November from Whitt’s employees the farmhouse. Two someone winterize about 3 Hodges, to the farmhouse Plumbing, Barry Lotz and went Jon surprised they were they entered the p.m. day. When collection, furniture, (i.e., large knife find effects personal the farmhouse had been told that refrigerator), they in the since food floor, they the first of tasks on a number empty. performing After was they passed by As a bathroom. check if there was upstairs to went tell could not They a bed. bedroom, lying on they noticed someone quickly left point, they dead. At that asleep was or person whether Whitt they had seen. their boss what reported the farmhouse at the had found employees and told her what called Ernst spoke to department and turn, called the sheriffs farmhouse. In Ernst dispatcher. Halle- Deputy Larry information to dispatcher relayed the Plumbing from Whitt’s Halleman that someone Deputy man. He told farmhouse and found Ernst’s vacant gone out to winterize dead in one of effects, asleep either weapons, person and a personal in the run off whoever was Ernst wanted them to the bedrooms. unoccupied. She called back supposed to be farmhouse because it was officer send more than one warning they time should a second farmhouse at Halleman went to the weapons. Deputy because of Deputy Gary Wash- accompanied by He approximately p.m. 6:30 was Mehl, Kevin burn, Marxman, Timothy and Officer Trooper Officer Jenne. lane, containing some they observed a truck up

As drove moving around They people effects. could see furniture and household at the they knocked inside the farmhouse but no one outside. When Larry as White. White door, opened by it a male identified front *3 As there, that he did not know. responded asked lived and he was who White, jeans they a male in blue talking the officers were saw into some shirt run from the rear of the farmhouse without shoes or a Hills, by the of- man, apprehended identified as Mark was bushes. The ran, why replied he squad ficers and taken to a car. When asked arrest. Hills was also outstanding warrant for his that there was he, too, did farmhouse, responded that he lived in the asked who (Hills question.) Hills told the denies that he was asked this not know. the officers in the farmhouse. Three of officers that there were others a male sweep. They found protective farmhouse to make a entered the Two of the officers David on the first floor. identified as Wade in a floor, the defendant was discovered proceeded to the second where there, replied she if she lived bedroom. The defendant was asked there. The not, just sleeping indicating that she was she than Hills. squad in a different car placed secured and was area, the of- farmhouse and a shed During protective search of the commonly used in the manufacture numerous items ficers observed They also drug paraphernalia. methamphetamine, as well as other vicinity of the farmhouse anhydrous ammonia outside smelled and the shed.

After the initial sweep, again questioned. Hills was He then stated that he and the renting defendant were the farmhouse from Chuck Hayden and that the defendant had paid Hayden $100 towards the rental. The defendant was confronted with this new information and paid was asked if she had Hayden any money to rent the farmhouse. paid any money defendant stated that she had not to rent the renting farmhouse and was not the farmhouse. One of the officers Ernst, then advising they called her that had found four individuals the farmhouse and that suspected place that the was used methamphetamine. manufacture Ernst if was also asked she knew that, someone named Hayden, replied yes, to which she he was grandson. gave her She Hayden’s telephone number to the officer. The officer asked Ernst to come out to farmhouse. The officer at- tempted Hayden to contact but was unsuccessful.

When Ernst arrived at the she was asked if anyone had authority property. According officers, to rent her all she authority was insistent that no one had to rent the property. Accord- ing Mehl, specifically Washburn and she was also asked if her grandson behalf, permission had to rent the on responded to which she “No.”

However, testified, when Ernst she first stated that when offic- anyone ers had asked her if had rent her she had authority. told them that Chuck had that But when conversation, pressed on cross-examination about this she was unsure said, stating clearly that is what she had that she did not remember did, what the police asked her and what she had said to them. She however, clearly signing remember the consent to search. She also stated that had spoken grandson Hayden evening, she to her later that got she home from the farm. after point, receipt (containing At some both defendant’s name) Hayden’s name and Chuck was found the farmhouse. There conflicting testimony about whether the had been found signed before Ernst was called to the farmhouse and the consent to receipt. search and whether Ernst had been shown the that, sign testified before he asked Ernst to the consent- Washburn form, Fayette County Attorney to-search he had contacted the State’s regarding to seek advice whether he could obtain a consent to search from Ernst or if he needed to obtain a search warrant. He informed *4 Attorney presence drug paraphernalia, the State’s of the of Hills’ he and the defendant were conflicting regarding statements whether farmhouse, $100, receipt for of the defendant’s renting the of the there, and of Ernst’s state- paid deposit denial that she or lived $100 be property, ments that she the that no one had to owned people the behalf, that she wanted and it on her or to lease there property. from the removed to ask advice, proceeded the officers Attorney’s

Upon the State’s obtaining Ernst’s After the to search Ernst for her consent and recovered farmhouse the consent, the officers searched written methamphetamine. the manufacture items used for large number of arrested. the were found on All four individuals Illinois, at living Caseyville, he was testified that Hayden day the evening the of November incident. On the time of the his had driven to he police to the Ernst sent the before had stored parts car that he pick up some grandmother’s farmhouse to up to the pulled he he arrived. When there. It was dark when with testified, and Hills were there the defendant going to they were Although he not know person. another possibly spoken the defendant there, surprised because be he was He could not renting place. the possibly him before about sometime already in the farmhouse were people whether the remember they got into did not know how he arrived. He outside when parked possessions their They had a truck with farmhouse. Hills defendant and rent the farmhouse to the agreed He driveway. part him cash as a month, paid per and the defendant for $250 proceeded receipt and He wrote the defendant security deposit. belongings into the Hills move their help the defendant him on grandmother until his called According Hayden, farmhouse. telling grandmother his yet gotten had not around to November day before to the defendant he had rented the farmhouse immediately grandmother’s call came Hills. claimed that his farm, he advised her of the at which time she went out to before rental. that he testimony, Hayden volunteered point At in his one memory. problems with his sometimes had trial court denied evidentiary hearing, the conclusion of the At the disputes factual resolved all the suppress. The trial court the motion to defendants. It noted against lease regarding the existence of a made about defendant had Hills and the conflicting statements testimony Hayden’s It found renting property. they were whether 15, 2001, improb- on November leasing property regarding court also valid lease. The there was no able. The court found telling them calling police that Ernst’s actions of noted even consenting to the search from the people remove did not indicated that Ernst for rent after told of It further “colorable” tenants. the defendant consider Hills and he had suggested that the farmhouse flight that Hills’ from concluded v. Citing Illinois right possess property. legal no lease or other *5 572

Rodriguez, 177, 148, (1990), 497 U.S. 111 L. Ed. 2d 110 S. Ct. 2793 court found that the officers good reason to believe that Ernst had actual apparent authority to consent to the search of the and/or premises. It observed that the defendant’s and Hills’ any denials of property interest supported the officers’ legitimacy doubt of the lease, any despite security deposit receipt bearing the defen- dant’s name.

ANALYSIS A motion suppress generally evidence presents questions mixed reviewing of law and fact. A court considers de novo the ultimate legal determination of the challenge to a denial of a motion sup- press, according great while deference findings to the factual of the trial court. We will not disturb a trial findings court’s factual unless they against are weight manifest of the People evidence. v. Soren- (2001). son, 425, 431, 1078, 196 Ill. 2d 752 N.E.2d 1083 The fourth right amendment states that the of individuals “to houses, be secure in persons, papers, effects, their against and seizures, violated, unreasonable searches and shall not be and no War issue, cause, rants upon probable shall but supported by Oath or af firmation, particularly searched, describing place to be persons things Const., or to be seized.” U.S. amend. In order to IV search, challenge a a defendant must establish that he had a reason (or legitimate) expectation able property searched or McLaurin, 498, 501, seized. People App. 296, v. 331 Ill. 3d 772 N.E.2d (2002). 299 The defendant bears demonstrating the burden of an il legal Kidd, 1, 22, search People or seizure. v. 175 Ill. 2d 675 N.E.2d (1996). 910, 921

A presumptively per warrantless search is invalid and se unreasonable unless the search falls a recognized exception. within Place, 696, 700-01, 110, 116-17, United States v. 462 L. U.S. 77 Ed. 2d 2637, (1983); Coolidge 103 S. Ct. 2641 v. New Hampshire, 403 U.S. (1971). 443, 454-55, 564, 576, 2022, 29 L. Ed. 2d 91 S. Ct. 2032 An property” recognized exception “abandonment of is one requirement. exception prevents warrant This individuals from ef fectively contesting property the search or seizure of after have Smith, relinquished possession ownership property. People or v. (1990). 545, 551-52, 252, App. 203 Ill. 3d 561 256 Abandon N.E.2d by relinquishment ment has been viewed courts as of an interest (1) longer property to the extent that a defendant either no has (2) longer in the or no has expectation standing subsequent property. contest the search or seizure of the 552, Smith, Smith, 256; 203 Ill. 3d at 561 at see also 203 App. N.E.2d

573 (discussing finding 552-53, cases 561 at 256-57 App. Ill. 3d at N.E.2d claim fourth amendment an defeats a defendant’s abandonment bases). longer no been abandoned is Property that has on both seized may be searched or by amendment protected the fourth 1149, Slawek, 1146, 425 App. 98 Ill. 3d People a warrant. v. without (1981). N.E.2d 28-29 intent, inferred from question primarily

Abandonment is Jackson, facts, States words, objective conduct. United v. other (9th 1976). case, Where, in this F.2d Cir. as very subjective intent testify, the becomes chooses not to defendant’s situation, the Seventh analogous In an factual difficult discern. “ affidavit Appeals Circuit Court of found ‘without *6 testimony privacy almost to find a impossible from the defendant it is in on the defendant’s depends, part, interest because this interest ” his that manifest that intent.’ United subjective intent and actions 1995). (7th 599, Ruth, v. F.3d Cir. States 65 605 suppression hearing she had a The defendant asserted at her that however, premises. believe, expectation privacy reasonable of the We her the time that intent. that actions at of the search and seizure belie notably, not Most the defendant’s actions —statements she was living at the not a direct farmhouse and had rented it—manifested (in any The the any privacy disavowment of interest. denial of interest abandoned) thing place the is- important analyzing or is an factor 1466, 1469 Nordling, sue of abandonment. United States v. 804 F.2d (9th 1986). denial is ownership objective Cir. The of demonstration property. Nordling, of an intent abandon F.2d at 1470. 804 Here, the did words and of the other three actions individuals the Hills expectation privacy: little more establish defendant’s of fled, clothed, bushes, actually partially ap- into the when the farmhouse; know proached White told officers that did not there, (initially). only who lived as did Wade and Hills factor indicating a Hills’ claim that privacy interest is later he and renting supported by were which was discovery “receipt” containing for the defendant’s name. However, contradictory discovery Hills’ statement and after living at receipt, again renting the defendant denied the farmhouse. personal may be raised rights Because fourth amendment are not (Rakas 387, 128, 133-34, 2d vicariously Illinois, v. U.S. 58 L. Ed. 439 (which 394, 421, (1978)), might give rise 99 S. Ct. 425 Hills’ assertions interest) his own do not bolster expectation-of-privacy expectation she privacy, defendant’s claim of an since continued any deny interest. Hayden’s testimony he had leased the

Nor —that 574

the defendant any and Hills —add credibility ato claim of a reasonable expectation privacy. The trial court found testimony his “improb- agree, able.” We believing Hayden’s rendition of the facts bordered on the absurd. We also note that volunteered in his testimony that he sometimes memory problems.

Furthermore, whether there was in fact a valid lease does not resolve the issue of a interest. The concepts of state property law, relevant, while dispositive are not in determining a reasonable privacy interest for fourth purposes. Smith, amendment 203 Ill. App. 553-54, 3d at 561 N.E.2d at (relying extensively 257 on United States (9th 1972)). Wilson, v. 472 F.2d 901 Cir. lease, Even with a valid defendant, by conduct, still effectively could have abandoned her interest, which would have then reverted to Ernst. See United States (2d 1987). Levasseur, 37, v. 816 F.2d Cir. Because we find that the defendant’s actions abandonment, amounted to an it is necessary to make a determination whether there inwas fact a valid lease inter- est.

A determination light must be made in of the totality of the circumstances. Nordling, 804 F.2d at 1469. While the “receipt considered, rent” is a factor to be it is but one factor in totality Smith, circumstances before the court. See App. 203 Ill. 3d at 561 N.E.2d at 258. The totality of the circumstances here leads us to the determination the defendant any abandoned expectation might she have had Absent the expectation privacy, defendant’s a warrantless search was valid Ernst, based on voluntary consent of a consensual search recognized another exception to the requirement. warrant People See (2001). Robinson, App. 169, 176, v. 322 Ill. 3d 748 N.E.2d *7 Furthermore, even if the defendant had a expecta reasonable abandoned, tion of that she had not Rodriguez based on we would still find the warrantless search valid. In Rodriguez, the United Supreme States Court held that a warrantless search is valid when police reasonably the believe under the person circumstances that the giving authority, consent has that even it is later determined to be 188-89, Rodriguez, 161, erroneous. 497 U.S. at 111 2d L. Ed. at 110 S. Ct. at 2801. This criterion requirement satisfies the “reasonableness” of the fourth comports purpose amendment the rule, i.e., exclusionary police to deter unlawful conduct a search and (9th 1075, seizure. See United Sledge, States v. 650 F.2d 1081 n.11 Cir. 1981) (relying Peltier, 531, 542, on United 422 States v. U.S. 45 L. Ed. (1975)). 374, 384, 2313, 2d 95 Rodriguez S. Ct. 2320 instructs that the police always need not always be correct but that must be reason surrounding able in their factual determinations search-and-seizure

575 159, S. Ct. at 185, 111 Ed. 2d at 110 497 at L. Rodriguez, U.S. issues. at the time to the officers Viewing apparent facts available 2800. the for them to seizure, reasonable we find it was of the search and authority to consent to than Ernst had the other believe that no one premises. the search of There, court appellate the support in Smith.

We find additional in Ro- set forth standard the but erroneous” applied “reasonable the warranted factual circumstances driguez to determine whether Smith, premises. had abandoned belief that defendant police’s this The found that at 259. court 203 3d at 561 N.E.2d App. Ill. the fourth requirement of the “reasonableness” standard satisfied a reasonable but police formed amendment in situations where Smith, Ill. abandoned. premises mistaken belief that been at N.E.2d at 260. App. 3d To agree holding in Smith. hold otherwise would

We with the position judged of on their actions place police in the untenable property has appearances in situations from all been where outward subjective retained a but a defendant claims to have abandoned later interest. made foregoing, on we find that the court well-reasoned

Based totality determinations credibility assessments. factual (1) before the court circumstances showed privacy she had in the any expectation abandoned reasonable (2) erroneous belief that premises or the officers had a reasonable but (3) premises Ernst had to a search of the to consent officers had a but erroneous belief that the defendant’s Any to one of these al- conduct amounted an abandonment. scenarios a consensual search lowed Ernst authorize trial court did not Consequently, without a warrant. we find evidence seized denying suppress abuse its discretion the motion ruling denying affirm from the We therefore its and we affirm the defendant’s convic- suppress, defendant’s motion tion.

Affirmed. DONOVAN, concurring: specially JUSTICE

PRESIDING Rodriguez, I Supreme Court in Relying upon reasoning facts suppress. Given the concur in denial defendant’s motion search, it was reasonable for officers at the time of the available authority to consent to a search them to that Ernst had the believe *8 premises. the I agree with Justice Kuehn’s dissent to extent the defendant did not abandon her interest the farmhouse. KUEHN,

JUSTICE dissenting: abandonment, reasonable, erroneous, The use of or a but belief abandonment, justify misplaced. to this search is The defendant did not abandon interests in by lying the farmhouse to police officers when confronted living about whether she was amidst a newly methamphetamine erected lab. This a consensual was search a les- home, see’s upon based an invalid consent obtained from the property owner. belief,

None of the circumstances warranted a reasonable or otherwise, that the constituted property. People abandoned moving were moving into the of it. refrigera- out stocked, tor freshly and in use. The utilities were turned on. The And, quite obviously, farmhouse was furnished. occupants the house’s had up methamphetamine set Presumably, they lab. intended to use it at some imminent future time. decidedly

It would have improper been for officers to treat as farmhouse abandoned and search it for that reason. flight Neither Mark Hills’ nor defendant’s denials residency about clearly allowed for it. Someone lived in the even Hills and the defendant not. had clearly Someone constitutionally farmhouse protected privacy interests in the its and contents. The of- recognized ficers much. as

I my colleagues’ turn to They validation of consensual search. request deem the for a why. consent to search reasonable. This is Virginia (Virginia) originated presence Ernst the officers’ with a request them strangers property. According to remove from her to officers, grandson’s authority those Virginia disavowed her to lease (Hills) initially Mark Hills ran from house denied living Then, living there, there. the defendant twice denied contradict- ing recently Ergo, Hills’ belated admission about a entered-into lease. could reasonably believe that to consent a search of else’s recently acquired to someone home. (Hayden) rented the farmhouse to Hills to the beyond question. Hayden defendant. This is testified rented him paid house them defendant rental deposit. Virginia apparent testified that had more than author- ity According Virginia, authority. rent house. he had actual confirm, sup- And both Hills and the in their motions Hayden. from is even press, that rented the farmhouse There written that memorializes the rental transaction cor- nothing Moreover, absolutely is there everyone’s position. roborates tenancy’s existence. contradict *9 acknowledging pos- that the defendant clearly begin by should

We home newly acquired in her expectation of sessed a reasonable promise of the fourth amendment’s and that she was entitled to only presented question against unreasonable searches. protection a reasonable belief that circumstances is whether warranted search, permis- her for a officers asked authority to allow when sion to search farmhouse. erroneous consensual why permits is certain

Here Constitution searches to stand. “ of the course many which confront ‘Because situations be ambiguous, room must

executing their duties are more less part. But mistakes must be on their allowed for some mistakes men, leading sensibly to their acting on those facts of ” added.) (Emphasis v. Rod- probability.’ Illinois conclusions of 177, 186, 148, 159-60, L. 2d 110 S. Ct. riguez, 497 111 Ed. U.S. States, 160, 2793, (1990),quoting Brinegar 338 U.S. 2800 v. United (1949). 1879, 1891, 1302, L. Ed. 69 Ct. 1311 93 S. satisfy requirement “[I]n order to ‘reasonableness’ Amendment, many generally demanded of the Fourth what is agents by determinations made regularly factual that must be *** correct, they always that government not that be but is 185-86, L. they always Rodriguez, 497 U.S. at be reasonable.” S. at Ed. 2d at 110 Ct. 2800. Virginia’s authority to case mistake

Did the officers this sensibly conclusion that consent, acting on facts that led to a while search of the farmhouse? her consent could authorize a constitutional tenancy, person with whom In Hills’ belated claim of light of dealt, that existed at the claimed to the circumstances have transaction, rental and a written a friend who confirmed the claim, a real that details Hills’ officers confronted memorialized protected tenants with possibility that Hills and the defendant were confronted an in the The officers interests that uncertainty sensibly lead them to conclude that could not Hills, a search Virginia, as could authorize constitutional opposed an giving put, the officers confronted by permission. Simply guess a that chose resolve with ambiguous situation proved wrong. that led to a consultation with ambiguities

The obvious factual ac- entirely different course of sensibly led Attorney State’s also have taken. With law officers would tion that reasonable enforcement existed, reasonable law enforce- that a leasehold estate potential ment pursued convenient, officials would have less more labor- intensive course action that would have ensured constitutional compliance. possibility On the distinct Hayden, acting with ap- parent grandmother, from his her, and unbeknownst rented defendant, the farmhouse to Hills and the reasonable officers of the law simply pursed would have constitutionally favored authorization for the They search an American’s home. would have procured a search warrant. during made the protective Observations sweep clearly provided probable cause to obtain one.

Taking a handy, constitutionally path uncertain to search home, warrant, someone’s instead using a search is official deci- sionmaking I term would “reasonable.” The erroneous reliance upon an invalid consent given to search this the conflict- ing circumstances and the opportunity obvious to procure a search warrant, does not constitute the kind of mistake that we should be willing to tolerate. Law enforcement should not be excused from mak- ing promise it. The fourth amendment deserves little more reasonableness.

What facts did the they officers confront when forego decided to a Virginia’s search and ask permission warrant for search to someone all, he, else’s residence? First they Hills’ statement that defendant, day rented farmhouse the before from a man named Hayden paid Hayden and that the defendant part a the first month’s rent. Hills possession detailed how he came into knowledge protective with of the sweep its revela- tions. This was far more than an idle This assertion. was an admis- sion, full knowledge spelled consequence. made with that it adverse Next, friend, the officers had confirmation the lease from Hills’ (White). Larry White The officers had no reason to consider this a White he. by

Hills’ admission was also corroborated the circumstances. It was consistent with Hills’ the defendant’s access to the obvious freshly farmhouse. It consistent A refrigerator. was with stocked very agreement recent a rental was consistent with truck full of furniture. And uniquely one circumstance credited Hills’ admission. protective sweep The allowed officers to know that Hills felt secure enough possess in his to right exclusively farmhouse to erect a methamphetamine lab inside it. Virginia anyone

When the officers asked she knew named Chuck Hayden, Virginia told grandson. them that he was none other than her It point would have seemed sensible to at that that Hills conclude being Regardless Virginia’s posi- truthful about a lease transaction. lease, ignore Hayden’s authority tion a about to the officers could not authority apparent clothed with the possibility grandson, that her real from defendant. so, do rent took officers, testimony of two with the testimony conflicted Virginia’s her Virginia reported diverged over whether sharply that evidence it his to rent the farmhouse and grandson’s past rentals of upon who testified truth- depend this search does not My anew. view of However, had rented that indeed fully. undisputed since it is simple this history in included past, and since out the farmhouse rental, had no reason to Virginia truth and farmhouse about majority’s implicitly concludes he it to officers. The view police about testimony, officers contrary police lied Virginia, sworn authority to rent the farmhouse. grandson’s about her was not run down Next, the could see that the farmhouse grounds its were maintained. disrepair. in a The house and or state one dilapidated, appearance. unattended No The house not have a to run an permission it be would think that could used without possession of a illegal drug laboratory. physical Hills’ undetected sensibly could not lead this farmhouse’s condition farmhouse interloper. The idea that Hills complete that Hills was conclusion simply and erected his lab there was not moved into the farmhouse only by by condition of house itself Hills’ admission belied but it, dealt lease, of Hills’ claim about the White’s corroboration surrounding Virginia’s grandson, and the circumstances Notwithstanding, the officers had to consistent with a leasehold. interloper conclude that Hills was an order conclude legally permit could search. colleagues denials about the leasehold

My credit the defendant’s fact, In residency weighing reasonably the officers acted. how in an always the officers treated the denials for what were—lies lab. charged methamphetamine to avoid attempt because living custody released from when she denied defendant was not always she paying any Hayden. there rent to She was treated like illegal drug *11 of and its lab. To the possession was in the farmhouse Hills’ extent that defendant’s custodial denials raised doubts about leasehold, quieted been when admission of those doubts should have Hills’ that witness to earlier receipt the officers discovered a bore claims the details of the rental transaction. about acknowledged Hayden’s receipt

The officers found a document that he had admitted that rented of from the defendant. Hills earlier and that grandson, owner’s Hayden, the farmhouse from This was paid partial had rent the amount $100. defendant receipt the written told the officers before discovered Thus, admitted Hills transaction. evidenced the details of the rental was further corroborated by documentary proof, before the officers forego decided to a search Virginia’s warrant and ask for consent to search. circumstances,

With existence of these simply reasonably could not possibility foreclose a that Hills possessed defendant legitimate expectations in the Virginia farmhouse. Even if had history defied and lied about Hay- authority den’s actual to rent the that misinformation did not end inquiry. Indeed, the need further the officers tried to Hayden, contact presumably to ask whether rented the farmhouse Virginia’s permission. without Even if had lied to officers Hayden’s authority about to rent the there remained a possibility that Hills and the had engaged in the claimed Hayden. They transaction with legitimate could obtain expectations held out himself as an agent reasonably and Hills believed that to rent the farmhouse. light

In tenancy, Hills’ admission about the White’s corrobora- it, tion it, the farmhouse circumstances at consistent with physical itself, condition house the written only general evidenced not the leasehold’s existence but details about light totality the claimed rental transaction —in of the circumstances, asking for Virginia’s permission to search resulted mistake that reasonable men would not have made. The facts did not sensibly lead to their conclusion of probability Virginia could validly consent. Reasonable law enforcement officers would have obtained a search warrant. foregoing reasons,

For the I respectfully dissent. ILLINOIS, Plaintiff-Appellee, THE THE PEOPLE OF STATE OF v. BROWN, Defendant-Appellant. JERAMEY R.

Fifth 5 — 03—0489 District No. May 27, Rehearing Opinion filed denied June 2005. 2005.

Case Details

Case Name: People v. London
Court Name: Appellate Court of Illinois
Date Published: Jun 2, 2005
Citation: 831 N.E.2d 1135
Docket Number: 5-02-0666 Rel
Court Abbreviation: Ill. App. Ct.
AI-generated responses must be verified and are not legal advice.
Log In