State v. Malarcher
State v. Malarcher
Opinion of the Court
The defendant, Matthew J. Malarcher, was charged by bill of information with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, fourth offense, a violation of La. R.S. 14:98.4, and pled not guilty.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
On March 27, 2015, at approximately 12:42 a.m., Sergeant Duke Staples and Officer Louis Perry of the Baton Rouge City Police Department (BRPD) came into contact *840with the defendant.
As Sergeant Staples began administering the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, he instructed Officer Perry to step behind him to observe the maximum deviation of nystagmus. The defendant was then given the instructions for the one-leg stand test. Finally, the defendant was instructed to perform a walk-and-turn test. Based on the defendant's performance on the field sobriety testing, the officers concluded that the defendant was under the influence of an alcoholic beverage, placed him under arrest, and transported him to the site of headquarters and a DWI bus. After being advised of his rights by BRPD Lieutenant Byron Fontenot, the defendant refused breathalyzer and urine sample testing.
SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE
In a combined argument, the defendant contends that the jury erred in finding that the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of his arrest. He further contends that the trial court erred in denying his motion for new trial. Quoting State v. Hightower,
The defendant contends that the trial court erred in denying his motion for new trial based on arguments that the verdict is contrary to the law and the evidence, and that the ends of justice would be served by granting a new trial. La. Code Crim. P. art. 851(B)(1) & (5). However, the grant or denial of a new trial on either basis is not subject to appellate review. State v. Bartley,
A conviction based on insufficient evidence cannot stand as it violates Due Process. See U.S. Const. amend. XIV ; La. Const. art. I, § 2. In reviewing claims challenging the sufficiency of the evidence, this court must consider whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia,
*842State v. Ordodi, 2006-0207 (La. 11/29/06),
In order to convict a defendant of driving while intoxicated, the prosecution must prove that the defendant was operating a vehicle and that he was under the influence of alcohol or drugs. La. R.S. 14:98. In State v. Hightower, the court stated that "a person is intoxicated within the provisions of the statute when he does not have the normal use of his physical and mental faculties by reason of the use of alcoholic beverages (or narcotics), thus rendering such person incapable of operating an automobile in a manner in which an ordinarily prudent and cautious man in full possession of his faculties, using reasonable care, would operate a motor vehicle under like conditions." Hightower,
It has been widely recognized that intoxication, with its attendant behavioral manifestations, is an observable condition about which a witness may testify. State v. Allen,
Sergeant Staples had been working as a uniform patrol officer for twenty years and for the DWI task force for nearly three years at the time of the trial. He testified that he conducted an average of sixty to eighty DWI arrests annually. He completed academy DWI training, consisting of a forty-hour intoxilyzer course, thirty-two hours of training in standardized field sobriety testing, and in-service refresher courses. He further indicated that he had current certifications for the use of intoxilyzer machines. At the time of the offense, Officer Perry had been on the force for nine months as a BRPD uniform patrol officer and was "riding along" with Sergeant Staples, who was primarily responsible for conducting the stop. Officer Perry's training consisted of forty hours of DWI training (class room and practical) at the academy and approximately three weeks of field training before he began independently conducting DWI investigations. At the time of the offense, he had completed his training at the academy, and riding along with other more experienced officers was part of his recommended field training. As a result of his training he was *843certified to perform field sobriety tests and for the use of intoxilyzer machines.
In defining the horizontal gaze nystagmus test, Sergeant Staples noted that nystagmus is an involuntary jerking of the eyes and that an impaired individual may exhibit exaggerated effects. Therefore, the nystagmus test involves the use of a stimulus like a penlight to test for nystagmus, detected by the involuntary jerking of the eyes. As further described by the officers, the testing includes a check for the onset of nystagmus prior to forty-five degrees. This involves slowly moving the stimulus from the center of the subject's eye at his face to approximately forty-five degrees which is usually even with the subject's shoulder. Officer Perry observed that the defendant was unable to follow his pen during the maximum deviation. Further regarding the nystagmus test, Sergeant Staples noted that the defendant had a lack of smooth pursuit. He detected clues on both eyes during the maximum deviation and detected a total of four clues for the entire horizontal gaze nystagmus test. He noted that those four clues, the minimum required for a horizontal gaze nystagmus test, would be sufficient to make a determination of impairment.
A minimum of two additional clues were observed during the one-leg stand test. For the one-leg stand test, the defendant was instructed to stand with his feet together, place his hands by his sides, and to look down at his feet. Sergeant Staples observed the defendant for any physical disabilities or injuries and none were noted. The defendant was further instructed to lift one foot approximately six inches off of the ground and count out loud for thirty seconds while looking down. The subject is allowed to pick their foot back up and resume counting if their foot is placed down. The observable clues include swaying, using arms for balance, putting a foot down, and hopping. During this test, the defendant put his foot down twice, once at ten to twelve seconds, brought his left arm out for balance, and put his foot down again at approximately eighteen seconds, losing his balance at that point and swaying.
For the walk-and-turn test, the defendant was instructed (as also demonstrated by Sergeant Staples) to place his hands to his sides, his feet together, to lift his left foot and place it on the line in front of him, to repeat the same with his right foot, and to continue with a series of nine heel-to-toe steps. He was further instructed to turn and take small steps, to pivot to his left and come back around, and to continue with nine additional heel-to-toe steps. The defendant was informed that he could ask questions or for further demonstrations if necessary. During this test, the defendant lost his balance from the onset, turned the wrong way, and stepped out of line, using his arms for balance. Thus, another four clues were detected, well over the required two clues for the walk-and-turn test.
The officers confirmed that it was windy or breezy at the time of the incident, that Sergeant Staples was wearing a coat, and that the defendant was wearing a short sleeve shirt and jeans. However, the defendant did not make any statements of concern about the wind or indicate that it was impeding his ability to perform the tests. Sergeant Staples further confirmed that his spotlight on his unit was being used to illuminate the area. He noted that there was enough light for adequate visibility. The defendant did not make any complaints about the light or indicate that it was too bright.
After the defendant was transported to the DWI bus, Lieutenant Fontenot, the commander of the BRPD DWI task force at the time, observed him for the requisite fifteen-minute period while advising him of *844his rights and the consequences of refusal to submit to chemical testing. The defendant refused to take the intoxilyzer breath test, and, after initially indicating that he would submit to a urine screen, refused to provide a urine sample. However, after having been advised of his Miranda rights, the defendant answered questions posed to him by Lieutenant Fontenot. During the questioning, the defendant denied consuming alcohol, and stated that he was refusing testing because the attorney who represented him on previous DWI offenses advised him not to submit to chemical testing. Lieutenant Fontenot asked the defendant to stick his tongue out and observed that the back of the defendant's tongue was green with pronounced taste buds, which he testified indicated to him that the defendant had smoked marijuana. The defendant initially denied smoking marijuana, but then confirmed that he smoked a half a blunt of marijuana at a friend's house, and that the stop took place after he left his friend's house. The defendant did not testify at trial.
A law officer may testify as to matters within his personal knowledge acquired through experience without first being qualified as an expert. See La. Code Evid. art. 701 ; State v. Moses,
After a careful review of the record, including the testimony of Officer Perry and Sergeant Staples and the dash cam video footage, we find that the evidence supports the jury's determination of guilt. The testimony of the officers supports a finding that the defendant was impaired while driving. Additionally, the defendant refused to provide breathalyzer testing and/or a urine sample. While not presumptive evidence, refusal to take a chemical test is relevant evidence in a prosecution for DWI. See La. R.S. 32:666(A)(2)(c) ; State v. Kestle, 2007-1573 (La. 12/2/08),
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the defendant's conviction and sentence are affirmed.
CONVICTION AND SENTENCE AFFIRMED.
The defendant's status as a fourth or subsequent offender was based on the following predicate convictions: a DWI (first offense) guilty plea on July 7, 2005, a DWI (third offense) guilty plea on August 2, 2011, and a DWI (fourth offense) guilty plea on August 9, 2013.
While it was indicated in the bill of information and questioning by the State at trial that the offense occurred on March 26, 2015, according to the State's exhibits, the police encountered and stopped the defendant after midnight on March 27, 2015.
Miranda v. Arizona,
Sergeant Staples' unit was equipped with a dash camera and the traffic stop and field sobriety testing was captured by the camera and played during the trial. While the defendant's eyes were not visible due to the camera range and lighting, and the officers briefly stood between the defendant and the camera, we find that the captured footage is consistent with the trial testimony.
While the defendant does not appear to be challenging the admissibility of Lieutenant Fontenot's testimony regarding his observance of the defendant's tongue and/or the implication of marijuana use, out of an abundance of caution we note that the defendant did not object to the testimony at trial. Alleged irregularities or errors cannot be availed of on appeal if they are not objected to at the time of the occurrence. See La. Code Crim. P. art. 841 ; State v. Walker, 94-0587 (La. App. 1st Cir. 4/7/95),
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.