Grier v. State

Raker, Judge. Petitioner Robert Grier was convicted before the Circuit Court for Baltimore City with the crimes of attempted robbery with a deadly weapon, mayhem with intent to disfigure, and other related offenses. At trial, the State elicited evidence of Petitioner’s post-arrest silence, and Petitioner entered a general objection. We consider three issues in this case.

First, we consider whether a general objection to the admission of evidence of Petitioner’s post-arrest silence was sufficient to preserve the issue for appellate review. Second, we consider whether evidence of Petitioner’s post-arrest silence was admissible as “fair response” to the defense theory of the case. Finally, if we find error, was the admission of evidence of Petitioner’s post-arrest silence harmless error. ²⁴⁵ We shall hold that because the State’s questions did not generate any admissible evidence, a general objection was sufficient to preserve the issue for appellate review. Petitioner’s post-arrest silence was not admissible as “fair response.” Finally, the trial court’s error admitting evidence of post-arrest silence was not harmless.

Accordingly, we shall reverse the Court of Special Appeals. I. While on patrol, two Baltimore City police officers observed Robert Grier (Petitioner) and Carl Mack struggling with each other in the middle of the street. While the officers were turning their vehicle around, Grier and Mack stopped struggling, and Grier started to walk away. Grier was carrying a camera case.

The officers noticed that Mack had a deep cut on his left hand, and that he was hysterical. Officer Farley remained on the scene and spoke with Mack, who told the officer that Grier had attacked him and stolen his backpack. Officer Purtell followed Grier. Officer Purtell stayed 20 feet behind Grier both for safety reasons and because he did not want to approach Petitioner “right off the bat” until he “knew what was going on.” After calling an ambulance for Mack, Officer Farley also followed in pursuit of Grier.

Officer Farley observed Grier walk into a dead-end alley and throw something onto a porch. As Grier came out of the alley, the officers “got him and put him on the ground and then took him into custody.” Grier was tried before a jury in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. He was convicted of attempted robbery with a deadly weapon, in violation of Maryland Code (1957, 1996 Repl.Vol., 1997 Supp.) Article 27, § 488; statutory maiming, in violation of Maryland Code (1957, 1992 Repl.Vol.) Article 27, § 385 1 ; and other related offenses. At trial, defense counsel told the jury in opening statement: ²⁴⁶ Now, as the prosecutor has said, you will hear from a number of witnesses, two police officers and Mr. Mack, the infamous Mr. Mack . . . .

Now, you will hear through these witnesses what they did, at least the police officers, what they did by way of investigation, what they didn’t do by way of investigation, and you will also find testimony from these witnesses to be lacking. You will find the physical evidence to be lacking. Officer Farley, the State’s first witness, testified to his observation of the struggle, his questioning of Mack, and his subsequent pursuit of Grier. OFFICER FARLEY: When we rode by, I seen them standing right in front of each other arguing.

After that point we did a U-turn and came back through. And as we did the U-turn I seen them struggling with each other. The defendant had grabbed the victim. By the time we got down there, he had let go and starting walking away.

THE STATE: When you got down there, who let go and started walking away? OFFICER FARLEY: The defendant, I mean, yeah, the defendant let go of the victim and starting walking away from us. THE STATE: And what happened to Mr. Mack? OFFICER FARLEY: He was there.

I had approached him and my partner went towards the defendant. I had approached Mr. Mack and I observed— THE STATE: Was he standing, sitting, laying down, how was he? OFFICER FARLEY: He was standing. He was holding his hand when I approached him.

THE STATE: And, what, if anything, did you see with his hand? ²⁴⁷ OFFICER FARLEY: I saw blood all over his hand. ****** THE STATE: Okay. Now, when you saw the defendant, did you see the defendant walk away? OFFICER FARLEY: Yes, sir. ****** THE STATE: And so what did you do? Did you leave Mr. Mack and continue on— OFFICER FARLEY: After I called the ambulance, I left Mr. Mack to go with my partner.

THE STATE: And where did your partner go, if you know? OFFICER FARLEY: He was walking eastbound down on 30th. THE STATE: Your partner was walking? OFFICER FARLEY: Well, he was walking right behind the defendant.

The defendant was walking very fast. THE STATE: And where did the defendant go, if you know? OFFICER FARLEY: When we were going down, he attempted to go through an alley which was a dead end, and then he came back out and tried to go back down the street and that is where we got him. ****** THE STATE: So when [Grier] came out of the alley, what, if anything, did he do next? OFFICER FARLEY: He walked down, continued eastbound on 30th, and it looked like he had thrown something, I didn’t know what happened at that time, onto a porch there, and at that time we got him and put him on the ground and then got him into custody.

THE STATE: And did anyone go back up to the porch? OFFICER FARLEY: Yes sir, my partner did. THE STATE: You didn’t go up there? OFFICER FARLEY: No. ²⁴⁸ THE STATE: Did the defendant offer any explanation as to what this was about ?

DEFENSE COUNSEL: Objection, Your Honor. THE COURT: Sustained. THE STATE: Your Honor, may we approach? THE COURT: Yes.

(Counsel and the defendant approached the bench and the following ensued:) THE STATE: Judge, I believe that the question does not elicit any hearsay. THE COURT: What does it elicit? THE STATE: Just whether he offered an explanation or not. THE COURT: It’s as well a leading question.

THE STATE: Well, I will rephrase it. THE COURT: Do you expect him to give you an answer about what explanation was offered? THE STATE: No. THE COURT: You expect him to say no explanation? THE STATE: Uh-huh.

THE COURT: Oh, okay. Well, you have to ask it right. * * * * * THE STATE: Officer, what, if any, explanation did the defendant offer to you ever why he was or why this was taking place? DEFENSE COUNSEL: Objection Your Honor. THE COURT: You may answer, sir.

OFFICER FARLEY: He didn’t offer any. THE COURT: The Court does overrule the objection. Grier elected not to testify at trial. He was convicted and sentenced to the Department of Corrections for twelve years for the attempted armed robbery with a deadly weapon and ²⁴⁹ fifteen years for the statutory maiming, to be served concurrently.

Petitioner noted a timely appeal to the Court of Special Appeals, contending that the trial court erred in admitting evidence of his post-arrest silence as substantive evidence of guilt. The Court of Special Appeals held that Petitioner’s “general objection was insufficient to preserve the post-arrest silence issue” for review and affirmed. Grier v. State, 116 Md.App. 534, 542 , 698 A.2d 1133, 1137 (1997). The court reasoned as follows: Md. Rule 5-103(a)(l) provides that the erroneous admission of evidence is not preserved for appellate review by a general objection when a specific ground is required by the applicable rule.

Before the bench conference concluded, appellant’s trial counsel was well aware that the fair and accurate answer to the “explanation” question would generate (1) admissible evidence of appellant’s pre-arrest silence, and (2) inadmissible evidence of appellant’s post-arrest silence. Under these circumstances, Md. Rule 5-105 required that appellant’s trial counsel make a specific request that Judge Hubbard restrict the answer to its proper scope. The general objection was insufficient to preserve the post-arrest silence issue for our review. Grier, 116 Md.App. at 542 , 698 A.2d at 1137 .

Alternatively, the court found that the evidence of Petitioner’s post-arrest silence was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. at 542-43 , 698 A.2d at 1137 . We granted Grier’s petition for writ of certiorari to consider the following questions: 1. Did the Court of Special Appeals err in holding that a general objection was insufficient to preserve for appellate review the question of whether or not the trial court had erred in admitting evidence of Petitioner’s post-arrest silence as substantive evidence of guilt? 2.

Did the Court of Special Appeals err in holding that admission of evidence of Petitioner’s post-arrest silence was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt? ²⁵⁰ II. We address first whether counsel’s general objection was sufficient to preserve for appellate review the trial court’s decision to admit evidence of Petitioner’s silence. Petitioner argues that there was no reason for defense counsel to anticipate that the “explanation” question would generate any admissible evidence. Therefore, his general objection to the admissibility of evidence of Petitioner’s post-arrest silence was sufficient to preserve the issue for appellate review.

The State argues that the questioning at issue generated both admissible and inadmissible evidence. Thus, Petitioner was required to object specifically to that portion of the evidence that was inadmissible. We conclude, contrary to the Court of Special Appeals, that the questioning as to defendant’s silence elicited no admissible evidence, and therefore, a general objection properly sustained the issue for appellate review. A. Maryland Rule 2-517(a) provides, in pertinent part, that “[t]he grounds for [an] objection need not be stated unless the court, at the request of a party or on its own initiative, so directs.” Rule 5-103(a)(1) similarly provides: Rule 5-103.

Rulings on evidence (a) Effect of erroneous ruling. Error may not be predicated upon a ruling that admits or excludes evidence unless the party is prejudiced by the ruling, and (1) Objection. In case the ruling is one admitting evidence, a timely objection or motion to strike appears of record, stating the specific ground of objection, if the specific ground was requested by the court or required by rule[.] If neither the court nor a rule requires otherwise, a general objection is sufficient to preserve all grounds of objection which may exist. See Ali v. State, 314 Md. 295, 305-06 , 550 A.2d 925, 930 (1988); von Lusch v. State, 279 Md. 255, 262-63 , 368 A.2d 468, 472 (1977).

The State contends, and the Court of Special Appeals agreed, that Maryland Rule 5-105 required defense counsel to ²⁵¹ limit his objection to evidence of Defendant’s post-arrest silence. Rule 5-105 provides: Rule 5-105. Limited Admissibility. When evidence is admitted that is admissible as to one party or for one purpose but not admissible as to another party or for another purpose, the court, upon request, shall restrict the evidence to its proper scope and instruct the jury accordingly.

As a threshold matter, we note that Rule 5-105 is inapplicable to the issue in this case. Rule 5-105 addresses the situation in which evidence is admissible only for a limited purpose. Even under the State’s analysis, i.e., that the question asked of the police officer generated admissible evidence of pre-arrest silence and inadmissible evidence of post-arrest silence, Rule 5-105 is inapplicable. Rule 5-105 applies when evidence is admissible for a limited purpose.

For example, Rule 5-105 is implicated when “other crimes” evidence is admitted for the limited purpose of proving defendant’s intent or motive, and not for the purpose of proving propensity for criminal conduct. See Rule 5-404. In that circumstance, a court, upon defendant’s request, should instruct the jury that the evidence should be used only for the limited purpose of proving intent or motive. Whether a specific objection is required when a question elicits both inadmissible and admissible evidence is not addressed by the Maryland Rules of Evidence.

Because we conclude that the question in this case elicited no admissible evidence, we need not address this issue. When a question elicits no admissible evidence, a general objection is sufficient to preserve the question of admissibility for appeal. See Ali v. State, 314 Md. 295, 305-06 , 550 A.2d 925, 930 (1988). B. Both the State and Petitioner agree that the question— “What, if any explanation did the defendant offer to you ever why he was or why this was taking place?”—elicited evidence ²⁵² of Petitioner’s post-arrest silence.

They disagree as to whether the questioning also elicited admissible evidence of Petitioner’s pre-arrest silence. The State argues that there was a period of initial questioning and detention of Grier that generated admissible evidence of Grier’s pre-arrest silence. The State maintains that “[a]fter Grier exited the dead-end alley and began to go back down the street, he was stopped for questioning by Officers Farley and Purtell.” Officer Farley’s testimony contradicts this characterization of the events. Officers Farley and Purtell never stopped Grier for a period of initial questioning.

After Grier came out of the dead-end alley, the officers immediately arrested him. The officers pursued Grier, “got” him, and put him on the ground. Once Petitioner was on the ground and in the custody and control of the police officers, he was certainly under arrest. See Bouldin v. State, 276 Md. 511, 515-16 , 350 A.2d 130, 133 (1976).

Although Officer Farley may have had the right simply to detain and question Petitioner before placing him in custody, he did not do so. Because there was no initial investigatory detention, any evidence of “pre-arrest silence” necessarily would have occurred during the time that the police officers pursued Petitioner. Although Petitioner was technically “silent” during this period, this pre-arrest silence was not admissible as substantive evidence of guilt. Evidence of a person’s silence is generally inadmissible because “[i]n most circumstances silence is so ambiguous that it is of little probative force.” United States v. Hale, 422 U.S. 171, 176 , 95 S.Ct. 2133, 2136 , 45 L.Ed.2d 99 (1975).

We have recently reaffirmed that silence is considered probative and admissible as substantive evidence of guilt if it amounts to a tacit admission, that is, if it is in response to an assertion which the party would, under all circumstances, naturally be expected to deny. Key-El v. State, 349 Md. 811, 817 , 709 A.2d 1305, 1307 (1998). See also Younie v. State, 272 Md. 233, 244 , 322 A.2d 211, 217 (1974); Miller v. State, 231 Md. 215, 218 , 189 A.2d 635, 636 (1963); Ewell v. State, 228 Md. 615, 618-19 , 180 ²⁵³ A.2d 857, 859-60 (1962); McCormick on Evidence § 160, at 648 (J. Strong, ed., 4th ed.1992). Accordingly, we have held that prearrest silence may be admissible as substantive evidence of guilt, on a case-by-case basis, when it amounts to a tacit admission.

Key-El, 349 Md. at 818-19 , 709 A.2d at 1308 . In the instant case, however, there is no tacit admission because, quite simply, there was no accusation to deny. Before Petitioner was taken into custody, Officers Purtell and Farley did not accuse Petitioner of any criminal conduct, nor did they question Petitioner as to what had happened. They were at least twenty feet behind Petitioner as they pursued him. 2 The State argues that even in the absence of an accusation, Petitioner’s failure to come forward and tell the officers his version of events constitutes pre-arrest silence.

According to the State, the natural response of an innocent person in Grier’s shoes would be to speak out and tell the police his story at the time of the crime. 3 Thus, the State seeks to expand the notion of admissible “pre-arrest silence” beyond tacit admissions to include a defendant’s mere failure to tell the police his version of the events in question. We reject the notion that a person’s failure to come forward and tell the police his or her version of events constitutes pre-arrest silence such that it is admissible as substantive evidence of guilt. Such evidence carries little or no probative value. Further, any minimal amount of proba ²⁵⁴ tive value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice.

Silence under these circumstances differs significantly from a tacit admission, which this Court has found in some situations to be probative evidence of guilt. To qualify as a tacit admission, pre-arrest silence first must meet the threshold requirements set out by the Court in Henry v. State, 324 Md. 204, 241 , 596 A.2d 1024, 1043 (1991), and reaffirmed in Key-El v. State, 349 Md. 811, 817 , 709 A.2d 1305, 1307 (1998): In order for the other’s statement to be considered the party’s tacit admission, the following prerequisite must be satisfied: (1) the party heard and understood the other person’s statement; (2) at the time, the party had an opportunity to respond; (3) under the circumstances, a reasonable person in the party’s position, who disagreed with the statement, would have voiced that disagreement. The party must have had first-hand knowledge of the matter addressed in the statement. (quoting L. Mclain, Maryland Evidence, § 801(4).3, at 312-13 (1987)).

We noted in Key-El that these prerequisites ensure to some extent that a defendant’s pre-arrest silence is probative of guilt before admitted into evidence. The premise underlying the tacit admission rule is that silence in the face of an accusation is probative of guilt, because a false accusation “ “would naturally rouse the accused to speak in his or her defense.’ ” Key-El v. State, 349 Md. at 817 , 709 A.2d at 1307 (quoting Henry v. State, 324 Md. 204, 241 , 596 A.2d 1024, 1043 (1991)). In the absence of an accusation, a defendant’s failure to come forward does not constitute an admission, and lacks probative value. Citizens ordinarily have no legal obligation to come forward to the police.

See Davis v. State, 344 Md. 331, 335 , 686 A.2d 1083, 1085 (1996). Failure to come forward to the police may result from numerous factors, including a belief that one has committed no crime, general suspicion of the police, or fear of retaliation. See, e.g., People v. DeGeorge, 73 N.Y.2d 614 , 543 N.Y.S.2d 11 , 541 N.E.2d 11, 13 (1989). Such silence is simply ²⁵⁵ not probative as substantive evidence of guilt.

It is thus inadmissible in the State’s case-in-chief. Jenkins v. Anderson, 447 U.S. 231 , 100 S.Ct. 2124 , 65 L.Ed.2d 86 (1980), does not compel a different result. Jenkins involved a defendant’s pre-arrest silence that was used to impeach his trial testimony, not used as substantive evidence of his guilt. In Jenkins , the Supreme Court concluded that the trial court’s admission of evidence of the defendant’s failure to come forward with his version of events did not violate the defendant’s Fifth or Fourteenth Amendment rights.

Id. at 238-39 , 100 S.Ct. at 2129 . At trial, the defendant testified that he had killed the victim in self-defense. Id. at 233 , 100 S.Ct. at 2126 . The prosecutor, in cross-examination and closing, emphasized that the defendant had not waited at the scene to tell the police what had happened, and had not gone subsequently to the police to tell them that he had acted in self-defense.

Id. at 233-34 , 100 S.Ct. at 2126-27 . The Court held that when the defendant testified, impeachment of him with his pre-arrest