JOHN KISSLER, A/K/A GERRY BOGARD, APPELLANT,
v.
THE STATE OF FLORIDA, APPELLEE
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Appellant was convicted of robbery after a bench trial. He appealed on two grounds: that the trial court erred in denying his motion to suppress evidence (pass keys) found during a search of his person, and that he was denied the right to present a closing argument. The appellate court affirmed, finding probable cause for arrest and search, and rejecting the closing argument claim because appellant's counsel declined the opportunity when offered.
The court held that the officer had probable cause to arrest the appellant and conduct the search that revealed the pass keys, and therefore the trial court did not err in admitting the evidence. The court further held that appellant was not denied the right to closing argument because although the trial court initially proceeded to judgment without allowing oral argument, the court subsequently offered multiple opportunities for appellant's counsel to present argument, which counsel declined.
“We hold, as argued on behalf of the state, that in the circumstances disclosed the officer had probable cause to arrest the appellant and make the search which revealed the pass keys, and that no error was committed by the trial court in permitting their introduction into evidence.”
The court's holding on the suppression issue, finding probable cause justified the search and arrest.
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceAt approximately 2:30 A.M., Harry G. Koehler, an employee of the Wofford Beach Hotel in Miami Beach, was assaulted and robbed of his pass keys. A poli…
The full statement of facts, procedural history, and disposition for this case are member content.
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The appellant was informed against, tried without a jury, and convicted and adjudged guilty of robbery. Two points are presented on his appeal, first that the court erred in denying his motion to suppress certain evidence resulting from a search of his person, and second, that he was deprived of the right to present a closing argument.
Pertinent facts developed at the trial were that at approximately 2:30 o’clock A. M. on a certain date one Harry G. Koeh-*45ler, an employee of the Wofford Beach Hotel in Miami Beach, was assaulted and relieved of his pass keys. A police officer in the area was informed by radio message that a hold-up was in progress at the Wof-ford Beach Hotel. Upon entering the hotel the officer observed the manager walking across the lobby followed by the appellant and two other men. One of the men was carrying a coat over his arm. Upon the policeman’s inquiry the manager told him to stay around, that he was having “a little trouble.” Other officers arrived, the men were put under arrest and search of them revealed the appellant had in his possession pass keys which were taken from Koehler, and that the one carrying the coat had an automatic pistol.
On trial of appellant and the co-defendants, appellant’s motion to suppress the evidence consisting of the pass keys was denied, and they were introduced into evidence.
We hold, as argued on behalf of the state, that in the circumstances disclosed the officer had probable cause to arrest the appellant and make the search which revealed the pass keys, and that no error was committed by the trial court in permitting their introduction into evidence.
Upon an examination of the record we conclude that the contention of the appellant that he was denied closing argument is without merit. As stated in appellant’s brief, the record does disclose that when the defendant rested and renewed his motion for directed verdict the trial court denied the motion and adjudged the defendant guilty without any oral argument having been made by defendant’s counsel, and that an objection was promptly made on behalf of the defendant Kissler on the ground that he had been denied the right to make a closing argument. However, the record also discloses that the court then offered to vacate the adjudication and afford the defendant’s attorney an opportunity to make a closing argument, but that the latter declined to present an argument, giving as his reason that the court already had expressed an opinion as to the guilt of the defendant. The trial judge continued, several times offering counsel an opportunity to present argument and when counsel for the defendant persisted in refusing to make an argument in this non-jury trial, the judge considered, and so stated, that the attorney for the defendant was choosing not to make an argument when opportunity therefor was offered. In so concluding, the trial judge was eminently correct.
Affirmed.
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Earvin Thomas v. State, 220 So. 2d 638 (Fla. 3d DCA 1969)…l for the defendant indicated he had no objection “to its being read back”. Accord, Henry v. State, 94 Fla. 783, 114 So. 523; Copeland v. State, Fla. 1955, 76 So. 2d 137; Tribue v. State, Fla.App.1958, 106 So. 2d 630; Kissler v. State, Fla.App.1968, 212 So. 2d 44. Secondly, it did not constitute error to reread a portion of the transcript to the jury at its request. Barton v. State 72 Fla. 408, 73 So. 230; Lutins v. State, 142 Fla. 288, 194 So. 803; § 919.05, Fla.Stat., F.S.A. Therefore, for the reasons abo…