DEMONTRELL TEVONE SCOTT V. COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
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JrMPOR TA ~VT M 7'~CE
NOT-TO BE PUBLISHED OPINION
THIS OPINION IS DESIGNA TED "NOT TO BE
PUBLISHED. PURSUANT TO THE RULES OF
CIVIL PROCEDURE PROMUL CA TED B Y THE
SUPREME CO URT, CR 76.28 (4) (c), THIS OPINION
IS NOT TO BE PUBLISHED AND SHALL NOTBE
CI.TE'D OR USED AS A UTUORITYIN ANY OTHER
CASE INANY COURT OF THIS STATE.
f"
RENDERED : NOVEMBER 22, 2006
NOT TO BE PUBLISHED
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2005-SC-0649-MR
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DEMONTRELL TEVONE SCOTT
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APPELLANT
_ APPEAL FROM FAYETTE CIRCUIT COURT
HONORABLE THOMAS L . CLARK, JUDGE
2005-CR-00213
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
APPELLEE
MEMORANDUM OPINION OF THE COURT
AFFIRMING
This appeal is based on a conditional plea of guilty to first-degree rape and two
counts of'first-degree sexual abuse. Scott was sentenced to 20 years in prison for the
first-degree rape and two years in prison for each count of the first-degree sexual
abuse . The sentences were ordered to be served consecutively for a total of 24 years .
He reserved the option to appeal based on two issues : Was the taking of the
blood samples to test for sexually transmitted diseases improper; and, secondly, should
his confession resulting from a custodial interrogation have been suppressed .
The evidence presented at the suppression hearing established that the 18month old female child had been seen at a family care center for a vaginal discharge.
She was examined by medical personnel and tested positive for gonorrhea and
chlamydia . The mother indicated that there were only two men who had contact with
the child : her mother's boyfriend and Scott who was a cousin . The mother disclosed to
the police that Scott had been involved with a young female in another state and had
been incarcerated for that offense. He had been arrested at the age of 14 for a charge
of sexual assault and was listed in the national crime data base as being a sexual
offender who was required to register for life. It was later learned that the charge
involved another male .
Scott was incarcerated in another county during the investigation into the sexual
assault of the young child. Because of her age, she was not able to communicate with
the police and could not provide any information regarding how she may have possibly
contracted the sexually transmitted diseases.
The police presented the information to a judge and obtained a search warrant
authorizing the extraction of bodily fluids so that they might be tested for gonorrhea and
chlamydia. The search warrant was faxed to the detention center where Scott was
incarcerated and the warrant was executed by detention center personnel. The results
of the tests showed Scott was positive for gonorrhea but negative for chlamydia. Police
then visited the detention center and interviewed Scott who was represented by counsel
regarding other charges that had caused his incarceration . Counsel was not notified
that the interrogation was to be conducted . Scott was read his Miranda rights and
signed a card indicating he understood and waived his rights. He then gave a
statement to the police and confessed.
1. Suppression Of The Search Warrant Results .
Scott contends that it was error for the trial judge to deny the motion to suppress
the products of the search warrant. We disagree . The trial judge acted properly in
overruling the motion to suppress because there was probable cause supporting the
search warrant.
Scott first claims that there were insufficient grounds for the issuance of the
search warrant. Provided there is no indication that the warrant was issued in an
arbitrary manner, we give great deference to the decision of the trial judge . Moore v.
Commonwealth , 159 S.W .3d 325 (Ky. 2005). It is the totality of the circumstances that
determines whether the judge acted in an arbitrary manner. See Illinois v. Gates, 462
U .S. 213, 103 S.Ct. 2317, 76 L .Ed .2d 527 (1983). The standard for the issuance of a
warrant is probable cause. Probable cause does not require a certainty that evidence
will be present. See Illinois v. Caballes , 543 U .S. 405,125 S.Ct. 834,160 L.Ed .2d 842
(2005). The purpose of the Fourth Amendment is to constrain against intrusions that
are not justified under the circumstances, not against all intrusions. Schmerber v.
California , 384 U.S . 757, 86 S.Ct. 1826, 16 L .Ed .2d 908 (1966).
The officer made a proper application for a search warrant to secure the blood
samples . There is nothing in the record to suggest that the judge reached an arbitrary
decision when the warrant request was approved . Our review of the facts used to
secure the warrant indicates that the threshold of probable cause was exceeded and
the warrant was proper. Suppression of the fruits of that search and seizure of bodily
fluid samples would not have been proper. There was no error.
Next, Scott argues that the Fourth Amendment also limits intrusions that "are not
made in a proper manner'. Schmerber, supra. Although he claims that a proper
manner requires the use of a hospital and medical personnel, we disagree . We find
nothing in the record to indicate there were any problems with blood samples being
drawn by detention center employees at the detention center. Scott complains that the
jail was dirty and alludes to the fact that the samples were obtained by persons not
qualified, but we can find no indication of infection or undue pain or suffering caused by
the extraction of the blood samples. Rather, the record is silent regarding any
problems. Suppression of the samples because of a possibility that something could
have gone awry is not sufficient grounds to make a determination that there was error
that rises to the level of a Fourth Amendment violation . There was no error.
11 . Custodial Interrogation .
Scott alleges that the trial judge erred when he denied the motion to suppress
the custodial statements made to the police . It is not questioned that Scott was in
custody on other charges at the time of the questioning . The police officer who
interrogated-Scott did so without his Christian county lawyer present. Scott failed to file
a motion to suppress in the record, but at the suppression hearing he raised two issues,
the first was the matter of the warrant and the second was the custodial interrogation .
The Sixth Amendment right to counsel is offense specific. McNeil v. Wisconsin ,
501 U.S .171, 111 S .Ct. 2204, 115 L.Ed.2d 158 (1991). There was no requirement that
the police contact Scott's attorney who represented him on unrelated charges prior to
investigating the possible sexual assault . See Linehan v. Commonwealth , 878 S.W.2d
8 (Ky. 1994); Skaggs v. Commonwealth , 694 S.W.2d 672 (Ky. 1985). Scott was
experienced with the legal system. He was presented his Miranda rights and signed a
statement indicating that he understood and waived those rights . There was no
indication of coercion . Suppression of the confession was not required . There was no
error .
Scott received a fundamentally fair review of his claims at the suppression
hearing . He was not denied any constitutional right under either the federal or state
constitutions .
The convictions and sentences were proper. There was no error. The judgment
is affirmed in all respects .
All concur except Scott, J ., who dissents without opinion .
COUNSEL FOR APPELLANT :
Thomas M . Ransdell
Assistant Public Advocate
Department of Public Advocacy
100 Fair Oaks Lane, Suite 302
Frankfort, KY 40601
COUNSEL FOR APPELLEE:
Gregory D. Stumbo
Attorney General of Kentucky
Courtney J . Hightower
Assistant Attorney General
Criminal Appellate Division
Office of the Attorney General
1024 Capital Center Drive
Frankfort, KY 40601-8204
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