Vasquez v. State

ON PETITION FOR TRANSFER

BOEHM, Justice.

We hold that testimony as to the nature of a compound may be based on a witness’ experience with it if the circumstances support the conclusion that the witness’ identification is reliable.

Factual and Procedural Background

On October 4, 1999, two Indianapolis police officers, Jeffrey Kelley and Steve Knight, responded to a report of a burglary at an apartment at 55 South Linwood. Jose Vasquez answered the door and appeared to be disoriented, non-responsive, off-balance, and thick-tongued. The officers smelled what they believed to be a toluene-type…