Hm. It probably seemed like a good idea at the time.
Officer Brent Heller testified that he heard Defendant tell Lemonier that he had swallowed an eight ball of methamphetamine and that Defendant was sweating and “looking pretty rough.”
Officer Adam Lemonier testified that he and his partner, Officer Todd Myers, went to Defendant’s home on April 24, 2008, to execute a search warrant. Lemonier stated that Defendant and his mother (Pam Childress) lived at the same address and were “known players in the methamphetamine network.” Lemonier explained that Pam Childress opened the door and after initially denying that Defendant was present, she allowed the officers into the home to look for Defendant. Lemonier stated that Myers found Defendant in a closet in the basement. Lemonier explained that Defendant did not resist arrest.
Lemonier testified that during the arrest, Defendant was nervous, sweating and “rambling real fast,” and that Defendant told him that he needed to get to a hospital because he “swallowed an eight ball.” Lemonier stated that Defendant told him that he ingested the drug by tying it up in a baggy with a knot at the end, after which he “threw it down.” Lemonier indicated that Defendant was “borderline freaked out” and insistent that he get to a hospital.
Lemonier testified that Defendant was transported to the hospital and was still agitated while “sipping down the charcoal milkshake” when Lemonier arrived. Lemonier stated that Defendant again admitted to swallowing the drugs while at the hospital.
Officer Brent Heller testified that he heard Defendant tell Lemonier that he had swallowed an eight ball of methamphetamine and that Defendant was sweating and “looking pretty rough.” Heller explained that Lemonier asked Defendant questions to see if Defendant was just trying to get out of going to jail and that Defendant was adamant that he swallowed the drug and wanted to go to the hospital. Heller also testified that he was at the hospital with Defendant and heard Defendant tell the doctors that he had swallowed the drug. Heller stated that Defendant was sweating profusely, was twitching, had no color, and that the doctors decided to admit him to the hospital.
Heller identified Defendant’s medical records and testified that Defendant’s final diagnosis was “methamphetamine ingestion.” Heller also referred to the hospital emergency room’s “history of present illness,” which indicated that Defendant stated “that he ingested the pack of the meth to try to avoid any charges *** [and] that the meth was wrapped in a baggy, which was tied off in a knot.”
Heller acknowledged during cross-examination that Defendant’s discharge summary stated that his vitals were normal, that his sensory perception and mobility were not impaired, and that Defendant’s nutrition evaluation was excellent. Heller stated, however, that he did not believe that Defendant was exaggerating to get out of going to jail and noted that it would be unusual to admit to taking drugs if you did not do it.
State v. Childress, 2009-Ohio-702. full case here
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