608 N.E.2d 1152 | Ohio Ct. App. | 1992
Lead Opinion
[EDITORS' NOTE: THIS PAGE CONTAINS HEADNOTES. HEADNOTES ARE NOT AN OFFICIAL PRODUCT OF THE COURT, THEREFORE THEY ARE NOT DISPLAYED.] *213
This is an appeal from a judgment of conviction and sentence entered by the Athens County Common Pleas Court finding Tommy Adkins, Jr., defendant below and appellant herein, guilty of aggravated trafficking in drugs in violation of R.C.
Appellant assigns the following errors:
First Assignment of Error:
"A search warrant issuing authority is not `neutral and detached' when he has a pecuniary interest in the premises being searched and when he is a participant in the initial preparatory stages of obtaining a search warrant."
Second Assignment of Error:
"The defendant, in a criminal case, is denied a fair trial and due process of law where the prosecuting attorney blatantly violates the rules of discovery." *214
Third Assignment of Error:
"The state violated the defendant's constitutional right to counsel by sending its agent to converse with the defendant after he was under indictment and when he was represented by counsel."
Fourth Assignment of Error:
"The defendant could only be convicted of one of the related offenses since both offenses of aggravated trafficking in drugs arose from the same drugs, conduct and circumstances."
Fifth Assignment of Error:
"The trial court erred in failing to allow the defendant to call all necessary witnesses."
On Friday afternoon, April 27, 1990, Sandy Bortle, the manager of the Amerihost Inn in Athens, Ohio, suspected appellant was engaging in illegal drug activities on the premises. Bortle testified the inn was full that weekend with its first big conference, and, consequently, she wanted to make sure appellant's activities did not jeopardize the safety of her guests and her employees, and did not jeopardize the reputation of her business. When Bortle called the Athens Police Department, she learned they were too busy to help. When Bortle attempted to contact her attorney, she learned he was out of town.
Knowing she had only two workday hours left to resolve the situation before the weekend, Bortle next called an acquaintance, Athens County Common Pleas Court Judge L. Alan Goldsberry, for advice. Bortle testified she believed Judge Goldsberry attempted to transfer her call to the Athens County Sheriff's Department, but the transfer failed. Bortle did not know the transfer failed until her other telephone line rang. At that point she switched to that line and talked with the sheriff's department.
At the time Bortle called Judge Goldsberry, she knew Judge Goldsberry owned one of one hundred limited partnership shares in the Amerihost Inn. The limited partners together own a seventy percent interest in the inn. Judge Goldsberry paid $6,500 for his seven tenths of one percent investment in the business. Bortle testified in pertinent part as follows:
"* * * I didn't call the Judge because of his financial interest. I called because I was looking for someone to give me some advice. * * *"
The sheriff's department and the police department joined together to investigate appellant's activities that night. At approximately midnight, Police Officer Clyde Beasley obtained a search warrant from Judge Goldsberry. Beasley testified he usually goes to Judge Goldsberry for search warrants. The search warrant affidavit sought marijuana, cocaine and drug paraphernalia, and provided in pertinent part as follows: *215
"The facts tending to establish that such property is there located are as follows: On 4-27-90 the management, Amerihost Inn, called the Athens Police department and advised that the person who had room 201 rented was conducting business of a suspicious nature and believed they were trafficking drugs due to the volume of people coming and going from this room. The management also advised that Tom Adkins had the room rented and this was not the first time. Adkins had make [sic] comments to employees which lead [sic] them to believe they were using drugs in the rooms of the Amerihost Inn. At this time officer R. Filar was assigned to surveil the room a/201 from 202. He observed people coming and going from room 201.
"I contacted a subject who is known to be a reliable citizen and a business person in the community and one who[m] I have conducted business with told me that they have seen marijuana and cocaine at room 201 the amerihost inn located at 20 Home Street within the past 48 hours. This person advised that drugs were being sold and that they observed sales of contraband drugs at room 201, Amerihost Inn.
"This source of information must remain anonymous as they have reason to believe they may be in great danger of death or serious harm to their person or family."
The officers conducted the search on April 28, 1990 at approximately 12:30 a.m. Seven people including appellant, Gary George and Tony Cooper were in the room when the officers entered. The officers found marijuana, cocaine and drug paraphernalia about the room. The officers also found $1,775 cash in appellant's wallet.
Tony Cooper testified appellant borrowed Cooper's wife's car on April 25, 1990 in order "to go up north to get some coke." Appellant returned with cocaine, and gave Cooper and his wife cocaine in exchange for the loan of the car. Both Tony Cooper and Gary George testified that: (1) appellant was responsible for the cocaine found in the room; (2) appellant used the cocaine; (3) appellant divided the cocaine into lines for snorting; (4) appellant offered doses of the cocaine to all in the room; and (5) every person in the room snorted four or five lines of cocaine that evening before the search.
Zanesville Police Officer Richard Robson testified that while he was working undercover with a confidential informant on June 27, 1990 at a bar in Athens County, appellant came up and told the informant about the April 28, 1990 search. Appellant bragged that the officers did not find all of his cocaine, that he had a "glacier" left. Officer Robson testified he did not target appellant for an investigation that evening, and further testified that at the time of the incident he did not know the circumstances surrounding appellant's arrest. *216
The jury found appellant guilty of possession of cocaine in violation of R.C.
Appellant filed a timely notice of appeal.
Appellant cites Ohio Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 3(C)(1), which states:
"A judge should disqualify himself in a proceeding in which his impartiality might reasonably be questioned, including but not limited to instances where:
"* * *
"(c) he knows that he * * * has a substantial financial interest in the subject matter in controversy * * * or any other interest that could be substantially affected by the outcome of the proceeding[.]"
In the case sub judice, we do not believe Judge Goldsberry's pecuniary interest in the inn was substantial, and we do not believe his interest could have been substantially affected by the outcome of the search authorized by *217
the warrant. See, generally, Conally v. Georgia (1977),
Further, we find no evidence in the record indicating Judge Goldsberry acted as Bortle's "advisor or counsellor" or improperly engaged in law enforcement activities. A review of the record indicates that after Judge Goldsberry received Bortle's telephone call and learned of her desire to contact the appropriate law enforcement authorities, Judge Goldsberry simply attempted to transfer Bortle's call to the Athens County Sheriff's Department. Judge Goldsberry did not participate in the police investigation in any fashion. Clearly, Judge Goldsberry merely responded to the legitimate requests of law enforcement officials who presented him with evidence of wrongdoing and requested that he issue a search warrant. SeeCoolidge, supra; LoJi Sales v. New York (1979),
Additionally, we note that appellant never questioned whether probable cause existed to support the issuance of the search warrant. See Illinois v. Gates (1983),
Accordingly, based upon the foregoing reasons, we overrule appellant's first assignment of error.
Appellant argues the prosecutor's misconduct is blatant in light of the fact that the prosecutor's initial discovery response denied the existence of any fingerprint reports, yet Officer Beasley testified he delivered the fingerprint report to the prosecutor five days prior to the response. Appellant notes Officer Robson's name, the statement appellant made in Officer Robson's presence, and the fingerprint report were all available prior to the August 10, 1990 hearing on appellant's motion to compel discovery. Appellant did not *218 learn about the fingerprint report until the day of trial and did not learn about Officer Robson until five days before trial.
Lastly, appellant complains the court failed to grant him a continuance in order to enable him to subpoena Lori Hart, the person appellant believes was the confidential informant present with Officer Robson when appellant made his incriminatory statement. The court denied the continuance, stating that appellant knew the name of the informant before the trial began, and therefore appellant should have subpoenaed the informant earlier. Appellant argues that until five days before trial he was unaware Officer Robson would be called as a witness, and until the trial he was unaware the court would permit Officer Robson's testimony. Thus, appellant argues, until the trial he did not know Lori Hart would be needed to rebut Officer Robson's testimony.
Appellee argues appellant failed to request a continuance during the motion hearings held at 9 a.m. on October 31, 1990 just before the trial began. Appellant waited until the conclusion of that day to complain about the late discovery. Appellee additionally argues that although appellant complains he was unable to subpoena Lori Hart, appellant made no proffer concerning her testimony.
Appellee notes the court did sanction appellee for failing to disclose the fingerprint report by forbidding appellee to present the report into evidence. Appellee notes that although appellant contends the report would help his case, when appellee offered to admit the report into evidence, and offered to stipulate to the accuracy of the report, appellant declined the offer.
Crim.R. 16(E)(3) provides:
"Failure to comply. If at any time during the course of the proceedings it is brought to the attention of the court that a party has failed to comply with this rule or with an order issued pursuant to this rule, the court may order such party to permit the discovery or inspection, grant a continuance, or prohibit the party from introducing in evidence that material not disclosed, or it may make such other order as it deems just under the circumstances."
The rule does not require the court to grant continuances or to prohibit the introduction of certain evidence. The rule grants the court discretion to impose whatever sanction it deems just under the circumstances. State v. Wiles (1991),
"The term `abuse of discretion' connotes more than an error of law or of judgment; it implies that the court's attitude is unreasonable, arbitrary or *219
unconscionable." See, also, State v. Moreland (1990),
In State v. Parson (1983),
In the case sub judice, we find no abuse of discretion. Although the prosecutor offered to stipulate to the accuracy of the fingerprint report, appellant declined the offer. Although appellant knew five days in advance of trial that Officer Robson might be called to testify, appellant made no attempt to subpoena or locate Lori Hart as a rebuttal witness until the second day of trial. Although the prosecutor should have disclosed Officer Robson's name prior to five days before trial, we do not believe the court's decision to allow Officer Robson to testify was "unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable."
Accordingly, based upon the foregoing reasons, we overrule appellant's second assignment of error.
We agree with appellant that the Sixth Amendment right to counsel attaches at the initiation of adversary judicial criminal proceedings, whether by formal charge, preliminary hearing, indictment, information, or arraignment. Kirby v.Illinois (1972),
In the instant case, however, we find no evidence that the state sent Officer Robson to converse with appellant. Further, the record contains no evidence *220
that Officer Robson conversed with appellant. Officer Robson testified that when he was working undercover and sitting in a bar next to a confidential informant, appellant approached the confidential informant and began a conversation with the informant. Officer Robson did not question appellant. Officer Robson did not converse with appellant. Officer Robson merely sat passively near appellant and listened to appellant's conversation with the confidential informant. We find nothing in the record to support appellant's assertion that the state's agent deliberately elicited incriminating statements from appellant. See Massiah, supra; United States v. Henry (1980),
Accordingly, based upon the foregoing reasons, we overrule appellant's third assignment of error.
In Newark v. Vazirani (1990),
"Under R.C.
In State v. Roberts (1980),
"Where a defendant is charged with possession for sale of a narcotic drug in violation of R.C.
The court, by implication, held that if an accused possessed a quantity of drugs in excess of the amount sold, he could be convicted of both offenses. See, also, State v. Jennings (1987),
Appellant argues the evidence demonstrates his sale of drugs involved the same drugs he possessed, and, therefore, he did not commit the two offenses separately or with a separate animus. We disagree with appellant's assessment of the evidence.
Initially, we note R.C.
"`Sale' includes delivery, barter, exchange, transfer, gift, or offer thereof, and each such transaction made by any person, whether as a principal, proprietor, agent, servant, or employee."
In the case sub judice, the evidence demonstrates appellant sold cocaine when he gave cocaine to individuals in the room. The evidence also demonstrates appellant did not sell all of the cocaine he possessed. The officers discovered the excess of the cocaine when they conducted the search. Consequently, appellant may be convicted of both selling and possessing cocaine.
Accordingly, based upon the foregoing reasons, we overrule appellant's fourth assignment of error.
Appellee argues that although four months prior to trial appellant knew the Roths were potential witnesses, appellant did not subpoena them until two weeks prior to trial. Appellee further argues appellant failed to proffer into the record what the Roths might have said on the witness stand. Appellee contends the Roths' testimony would have severely damaged appellant's case by showing appellant sold them marijuana on the evening in question.
In State v. Unger (1981),
"The grant or denial of a continuance is a matter that is entrusted to the broad, sound discretion of the trial judge. * * *" See, also, State v. Claytor (1991),
We again note the term "abuse of discretion" connotes more than an error of law or judgment; it implies the court's attitude is unreasonable, arbitrary or unconscionable. SeeMontgomery, Adams, and Moreland, supra.
In the case sub judice, we find the court's decision denying appellant a continuance was not unreasonable, arbitrary, or unconscionable. The record is devoid of evidence or argument that the Roths' testimony is critical to appellant's case.
Accordingly, based upon the foregoing reasons, we overrule appellant's fifth assignment of error.
Judgment affirmed.
HARSHA and PETER B. ABELE, JJ., concur.
GREY, J., dissents.
"(A) No person shall knowingly do any of the following:
"(1) Sell or offer to sell a controlled substance in an amount less than the minimum bulk amount.
"* * *
"(6) Possess a controlled substance in an amount equal to or exceeding three times the bulk amount, but in an amount less than one hundred times that amount."
"(A) Where the same conduct by defendant can be construed to constitute two or more allied offenses of similar import, the indictment or information may contain counts for all such offenses, but the defendant may be convicted of only one.
"(B) Where the defendant's conduct constitutes two or more offenses of dissimilar import, or where his conduct results in two or more offenses of the same or similar kind committed separately or with a separate animus as to each, the indictment or information may contain counts for all such offenses, and the defendant may be convicted of all of them."
Dissenting Opinion
I respectfully dissent. I agree with the majority's disposition of the other assignments of error, but would sustain assignment of error four and remand for resentencing.
This question of one or two crimes of similar import has plagued the courts, but there is a rational pattern in the decisions. The question — Is this one crime or two? — is answered much the same way we decide if anything is the same or different. Things are different if they are different in type, in place, *223 in time, and in number. Things that are the same in type, place, time and number are the same.
For example, this court held in State v. Rees (Nov. 24, 1989), Gallia App. No. 88 CA 17, unreported, 1989 WL 145614, that different types of drugs constituted different offenses. Likewise in State v. Delfino (1986),
Place is another determinant. Rape and kidnapping often involve a similar-import question, and place seems to be the major criterion for deciding if it is one crime or two. InState v. Ware (1980),
Time is another criterion. Crimes separate in time are separate crimes. In State v. Henry (1987),
Number is a real problem. Robbing three guys in a bar at the same time is one offense, State v. Hughley (1984),
These criteria, type, place, time, and number were, I believe, the point the Supreme Court was trying to make inState v. Roberts (1980),
As noted in the majority opinion, it was this act of giving out the cocaine which constituted the offense. He would have been guilty if no one had taken him up on his offer and used the stuff. The drugs which were used to prove the charge of selling were the same type, at the same time, at the same place, *224 and in the same quantity as the drugs used to prove the possession charge. One might argue, sophistically, that since the people in the hotel room had probably snorted some of what he laid out, the quantity was different. But what was snorted was not used to prove the charge. It was only what was left when the police searched the room upon which the jury could infer that a sale, or gift, had taken place. Simply put, the cocaine was one: one in kind, time, place, and number.
Perhaps the best indication of what might constitute a separate offense was Adkins' boast to the undercover agent that the search of the hotel room did not find the "glacier" of cocaine he had. If that other cocaine had been found, Adkins would have been guilty of a separate offense. But under theRoberts standard, where "it is not proven that the defendant possessed a quantity of any type of narcotic drug in excess of the amount sold the defendant may be indicted for both offenses but may be convicted of only one." Id.,
The language in Roberts about an excess quantity comes from the particular facts in that case. The police had made several buys from him at different locations and had good reason to believe that Roberts was guilty of both possession and possession for sale, but they could not prove both crimes. As the court pointed out, at 171, 16 O.O.3d at 202,
In this case we have exactly what happened in Roberts, but the exact opposite result. The evidence used to prove the sale charge was the identical evidence used to prove the possession charge. Roberts was convicted of one offense, but Adkins was convicted of two. This is error.
I can find no opinions explicitly using this type, time, place, and number analysis. It is, after all, more the language of logic and epistemology than of the law. But the problem of identity is the same in either area. If something is different from another thing, it can only be different in time or place, etc. It can only be different in terms by which we know things.
I will concede there is not a lot of consistency in the opinions on this issue. The main criterion in determining whether it is one crime or two seems to be the egregiousness of the act (e.g., three robbery victims is one offense, while three auto deaths are three separate offenses), but this court has a duty to follow the statutes.
If R.C.
Based on the foregoing, I would hold that sentencing appellant on both charges is improper, would reverse on those grounds and remand solely for resentencing.
Thus, I dissent.