STATE OF OHIO v. ALONZO BLEVINS
Case No. 10CA3353
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT SCIOTO COUNTY
RELEASED 04/18/11
[Cite as State v. Blevins, 2011-Ohio-3367.]
Harsha, P.J.
DECISION AND JUDGMENT ENTRY
Gene Meadows, Portsmouth, Ohio, for appellant.
Mark E. Kuhn, SCIOTO COUNTY PROSECUTOR, and Julie Cooke Hutchinson, SCIOTO COUNTY ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR, Portsmouth, Ohio, for appellee.
Harsha, P.J.
{1} Alonzo Blevins was one of four back seat passengers in a vehicle stopped by law enforcement for a cracked windshield. The driver, front seat passenger, and Blevins had outstanding warrants. Upon their arrest, a search of the vehicle resulted in the discovery of a trace amount of methamphetamine and numerous materials that could be used to make the drug. Based upon this incident, a jury found Blevins guilty of possession of chemicals for the manufacture of methamphetamine and possession of methamphetamine.
{2} In this appeal, Blevins contends that his conviction for possession of methamphetamine was against the manifest weight of the evidence. We agree. Law enforcement only found a trace amount of the drug on a piece of a plastic baggie located on the front passenger seat after that passenger exited the vehicle. No
{3} In addition, Blevins contends that his conviction for the possession of chemicals charge was against the manifest weight of the evidence. However, the State presented evidence from which the jury could conclude that Blevins had constructive possession of ether (in starting fluid), lithium (in batteries), and pseudoephedrine, i.e. chemicals that may be used to manufacture methamphetamine, with the intent to manufacture the drug. And because the jury could reasonably return a guilty verdict based on the State‘s version of the events, we cannot say that the jury clearly lost its way and created a manifest miscarriage of justice. Thus, we reject that argument.
{4} Next, Blevins contends that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance by failing to make a
{5} Finally, Blevins contends that the trial court erred by admitting unfairly
I. Facts
{6} The Scioto County grand jury indicted Blevins on: 1.) one count of possession of chemicals for the manufacture of methamphetamine, in violation of
{7} On July 3, 2009 at approximately 9:00 p.m., Deputy David Fairchild and Detective Matt Spencer with the Scioto County Sheriff‘s Office and Trooper Nick Lewis with the Ohio State Highway Patrol were patrolling U.S. 23 in Scioto County when they observed a vehicle with a cracked windshield. Fairchild initiated a traffic stop, and Spencer and Lewis assisted him. The vehicle contained six occupants. The driver, Jason Craft, and the front seat passenger, Jillian Newman, had outstanding warrants for their arrest. Craft‘s father owned the vehicle but was not present. The following people
{8} Law enforcement found the following items in the passenger compartment of the vehicle: one can of Preston starting fluid, four cans of Johnson starting fluid, crushed pseudoephedrine, uncrushed tablets containing pseudoephedrine, two four-packs of lithium batteries, two rolls of black electrical tape, one siphon pump, three copper fittings, and an empty box of CVS cold medicine (pseudoephedrine). They found the uncrushed tablets between the driver‘s seat and center console and the crushed pseudoephedrine “very well hidden” stuffed under the center console. They found the tape, batteries, and one can of Johnson starting fluid in a Walmart bag on the floor behind the driver‘s seat. In addition, they found the empty CVS box on the “passenger rear floorboard” and “underneath some stuff.” The copper fittings were on the floor behind the driver‘s seat. The siphon pump was found in a Big Lots bag, presumably in the back seat of the vehicle.
{9} Spencer and Detective Adam Giles of the Scioto County Sheriff‘s Office explained the role the items found in the vehicle play in the production of methamphetamine. Giles testified that pseudoephedrine is a “precursor chemical” found in common cold medicines, and it or ephedrine is needed to produce methamphetamine. Giles also testified that a solvent, like starting fluid is added to the crushed up cold pills to draw out the pseudoephedrine and lithium or sodium metal is also added to the mixture later. Spencer testified that the ether in starting fluid is a key
{10} A CVS receipt in the vehicle showed a purchase of a CVS brand decongestant, i.e. a pseudoephedrine purchase, at 7:49 p.m. that day. CVS records revealed that Stapleton made that purchase. And Spencer testified that through his investigation, he learned that Anthony was with Stapleton at the time. Walmart records revealed that Craft, Stapleton, and Newman purchased drugs containing pseudoephedrine that day. Newman made her purchase at 7:54 p.m., Craft made his purchase at 7:57 p.m., and Stapleton made his purchase at 8:10 p.m. A Walmart receipt found in the vehicle revealed a cash purchase of various items at 8:15 p.m., including one can of starting fluid, batteries, two rolls of tape, and one container of tic tacs. According to Spencer, Blevins and Vest (his girlfriend) were depicted on Walmart surveillance footage of this transaction, and Vest appeared to pay for the items. Lisa Payton, a Walmart Asset Protection Coordinator, testified that the Universal Product Code for the starting fluid matched the code on the can of Preston starting fluid found in the vehicle. Spencer also testified that the Big Lots receipt from the vehicle indicated someone purchased a siphon pump at 8:47 p.m. To Spencer‘s knowledge Blevins did not make that purchase or go into Big Lots.
{11} Blevins had tic tacs and two syringes on his person when law enforcement arrested him. One syringe was still in a package, but the other had been opened and
{12} Spencer and Lewis testified that when they instructed Newman to exit the vehicle, she kept her legs together as she did so. Lewis testified that her actions made him believe she was trying to conceal something between her legs, and after she stood, he saw the corner of a clear plastic baggie on the seat, i.e. Newman had been sitting on it. Lewis testified that people who possess drugs commonly put their stash into a baggie, filter the drugs into one corner of the bag, cut that corner off, and twist the open part of the corner to secure the drugs inside. He testified that this particular “corner piece” contained white residue. Michelle Anderson, a forensic scientist for the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigations identified the residue as a trace amount of methamphetamine.
{13} Lieutenant Edward Crispen, the post commander at the Ohio State Highway Patrol‘s Portsmouth post testified that sometime in August 2009, Blevins came to the post to complain about Lewis’ conduct during a different traffic stop. Blevins was angry and complained that Lewis violated his constitutional rights on multiple occasions. According to Crispen, Blevins felt he was “getting stopped more than he should have been stopped.” In addition, Blevins told Crispen that he was “just a small time meth dealer user,” and Lewis should focus on more serious criminals. Crispen advised Blevins that what he was doing was still illegal. Blevins said, “I realize that but it[‘]s still small time stuff.”
{14} The jury found Blevins guilty on both counts of the indictment. After sentencing, Blevins filed this appeal.
II. Assignments of Error
{15} Blevins assigns three errors for our review:
The Defendant-Appellant was denied effective assistance of counsel in violation of the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments of the United States Constitution as a result of Trial Counsel‘s failure to move for a Criminal Rule 29 motion of acquittal at the close of the Plaintiff-Appellee‘s case in chief.
The trial court abused its discretion and erred to the prejudice of the Defendant-Appellant by allowing prejudicial testimony in violation of
Evid.R. 403(A) .The verdict and conviction is against the manifest weight of the evidence presented at trial.
For ease of analysis, we will address these assignments of error out of order.
III. Manifest Weight of the Evidence
{16} In his third assignment of error, Blevins contends that his convictions were against the manifest weight of the evidence. “In determining whether a criminal conviction is against the manifest weight of the evidence, an appellate court must review the entire record, weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider the credibility of witnesses and determine whether, in resolving conflicts in the evidence, the trier of fact clearly lost its way and created such a manifest miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be reversed.” State v. Brown, Athens App. No. 09CA3, 2009-Ohio-5390, at ¶ 24, citing State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 387, 1997-Ohio-52, 678 N.E.2d 541. A reviewing court “may not reverse a conviction when there is substantial evidence upon which the trial court could reasonably conclude that all elements of the offense have been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.” State v. Johnson (1991), 58 Ohio St.3d 40, 42, 567 N.E.2d 266, citing State v. Eskridge (1988), 38 Ohio St.3d 56, 526 N.E.2d 304, at paragraph two of the syllabus.
{17} Even in acting as a thirteenth juror we must still remember that the weight to be given evidence and the credibility to be afforded testimony are issues to be determined by the trier of fact. State v. Frazier, 73 Ohio St.3d 323, 339, 1995-Ohio-235, 652 N.E.2d 1000, citing State v. Grant, 67 Ohio St.3d 465, 477, 1993-Ohio-171, 620 N.E.2d 50. The fact finder “is best able to view the witnesses and observe their demeanor, gestures, and voice inflections, and use these observations in weighing the credibility of the proffered testimony.” Seasons Coal Co. v. Cleveland (1984), 10 Ohio St.3d 77, 80, 461 N.E.2d 1273 (per curiam). Thus, we will only interfere if the fact finder clearly lost its way and created a manifest miscarriage of justice. Moreover, “[t]o reverse a judgment of a trial court on the weight of the evidence, when the judgment results from a trial by jury, a unanimous concurrence of all three judges on the court of appeals panel reviewing the case is required.” Thompkins, supra, at paragraph four of the syllabus, construing and applying
A. Possession of Drugs
{18} The jury found Blevins guilty of possession of drugs, i.e. methamphetamine, in violation of
{19} Possession may be actual or constructive. “Actual possession exists when the circumstances indicate that an individual has or had an item within his immediate physical possession. Constructive possession exists when an individual is able to exercise dominion or control of an item, even if the individual does not have the item within his immediate physical possession.” State v. Fry, Jackson App. No. 03CA26, 2004-Ohio-5747, at ¶ 39, citing State v. Hankerson (1982), 70 Ohio St.2d 87, 434 N.E.2d 1362, at syllabus and State v. Wolery (1976), 46 Ohio St.2d 316, 329, 348 N.E.2d 351. For constructive possession to exist, “[i]t must also be shown that the person was conscious of the presence of the object.” Hankerson at 91. “Dominion and control, as well as whether a person was conscious of the presence of an item of contraband, may be established by circumstantial evidence.” State v. Matteson, Vinton App. No. 06CA642, 2006-Ohio-6827, at ¶ 23, citing State v. Jenks (1991), 61 Ohio St.3d 259, 272-273, 574 N.E.2d 492.
{20} A defendant‘s mere proximity to contraband is in itself insufficient to establish constructive possession, but proximity to contraband may constitute some evidence of constructive possession. Fry at ¶ 40. Therefore, presence in the vicinity of contraband, coupled with another factor or factors probative of dominion or control over the contraband, may establish constructive possession. State v. Riggs (Sept. 13, 1999), Washington App. No. 98CA39, 1999 WL 727952, at *5. Moreover, two or more persons may have joint constructive possession of the same object. Id. at *4.
{21} Although Blevins had a loaded syringe on his person at the time of his arrest, the Sheriff‘s Office destroyed the syringe without testing it, and none of the State‘s witnesses testified about any characteristics of the substance that could lead the jury to conclude it constituted methamphetamine. The “corner piece” law enforcement found on the front passenger seat contained the only controlled substance seized during the traffic stop. However, Blevins did not have actual possession of the piece, and the evidence does not support a finding that he had constructive possession of it. The piece only had trace amounts of methamphetamine on it and was small enough
B. Possession of Chemicals for the Manufacture of Methamphetamine
{22} The jury also found Blevins guilty of possession of chemicals for the manufacture of a controlled substance, i.e. methamphetamine, in violation of
{23} Blevins apparently concedes that the chemicals found in the vehicle - pseudoephedrine, ether in the starting fluid, and lithium in the batteries - may be used to manufacture methamphetamine. He focuses instead, on the argument that the State
{24} The State presented evidence from which a jury could conclude that Blevins possessed chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine with intent to make the drug. Although he did not pay for the starting fluid and batteries, Blevins was present when Vest paid for the items at Walmart, had actual possession of one other item from this transaction during his arrest (tic tacs), and had the starting fluid and batteries sitting on the floor by him in the backseat. Blevins also sat within reach of the crushed and uncrushed pseudoephedrine in the vehicle and within reach of non-chemical items that play a role in the manufacture of methamphetamine, such as the electrical tape and copper fittings.
{25} The State‘s evidence of the timeline of events suggests that Blevins participated in a carefully orchestrated plan with the other occupants of the vehicle to acquire these items to make methamphetamine and to avoid suspicion by dividing up the purchases.1 Between 7:49 p.m. and 8:10 p.m., three of the vehicle occupants purchased medicine containing pseudoephedrine and a fourth occupant was present during at least one of those purchases. Three of the four purchases were made at Walmart between 7:54 p.m. and 8:10 p.m. Blevins and Vest went through the checkout line at the same Walmart store at 8:15 p.m. to purchase the starting fluid, batteries, and tape. The jury could infer that once the Walmart purchases (which occurred within
{26} The evidence reasonably supports the conclusion that Blevins had constructive possession of chemicals used in the manufacture of methamphetamine - lithium (in the batteries), ether (in the starting fluid), and pseudoephedrine - and that he intended to manufacture methamphetamine along with the other vehicle occupants. The jury chose to believe the State‘s version of events, and we will not substitute our judgment for that of the jury under these circumstances. After reviewing the entire record, we cannot say that the jury lost its way and created a manifest miscarriage of justice when it found Blevins guilty of possession of chemicals for the manufacture of a controlled substance.
IV. Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
{27} In his first assignment of error, Blevins contends that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance. To prevail on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, an appellant must show that: 1.) his counsel‘s performance was deficient and, 2.) the deficient performance prejudiced his defense so as to deprive him of a fair trial. State v. Drummond, 111 Ohio St.3d 14, 2006-Ohio-5084, 854 N.E.2d 1038, at ¶ 205, citing Strickland v. Washington (1984), 466 U.S. 668, 687, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674. To establish deficient performance, an appellant must show that trial counsel‘s performance fell below an objective level of reasonable representation. State v. Conway, 109 Ohio St.3d 412, 2006-Ohio-2815, 848 N.E.2d 810, at ¶ 95. To establish prejudice, an appellant must show a reasonable probability exists that, but for the
{28} Blevins contends that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance by not moving for a
{29} However, the failure to raise a sufficiency argument at trial does not waive that argument on appeal. State v. Cooper, 170 Ohio App.3d 418, 2007-Ohio-1186, 867 N.E.2d 493, at ¶ 13. Moreover, “[w]hen an appellate court concludes that the weight of the evidence supports a defendant‘s conviction, this conclusion necessarily includes a finding that sufficient evidence supports the conviction.” State v. Puckett, Ross App. No. 10CA3153, 2010-Ohio-6597, at ¶ 34, citing State v. Pollitt, Scioto App. No. 08CA3263, 2010-Ohio-2556, at ¶ 14. “Thus, a determination that [a] conviction is supported by the weight of the evidence will also be dispositive of the issue of sufficiency.” Id., quoting State v. Lombardi, Summit App. No. 22435, 2005-Ohio-4942, at ¶ 9, in turn, quoting State v. Roberts (Sept. 17, 1997), Lorain App. No. 96CA006462, 1997 WL 600669.
V. Prejudicial Testimony
{31} In his second assignment of error, Blevins contends that the trial court erred under
{32} Blevins contends that the probative value of Crispen‘s testimony was substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. However, “[o]nly in rare cases are an accused‘s own actions or language unfairly prejudicial.” State v. Lee, Franklin App. No. 06AP226, 2007-Ohio-1594, at ¶ 7, citing State v. Bailey, Franklin App. No. 04AP-553, 2005-Ohio-4068, at ¶ 11. Clearly Blevins’ alleged statement was relevant to establishing his guilt. Blevins’ status as a user and dealer of methamphetamine would make it more probable that he understood the ingredients and process for the manufacture of the drug and in fact intended to manufacture the drug to both sell and use it.
{33} Blevins primarily complains that his alleged statement was “prejudicial” because Crispen‘s testimony lacked credibility. Specifically, he complains that Crispen could not recall exactly when Blevins made the statement and did not follow up on the statement even though Blevins had presumably admitted to being a criminal. Blevins also complains that the statement was not explicitly related to the traffic stop in this case. However, Crispen‘s testimony was not inherently unreliable. The jury was capable of determining what weight, if any, Blevins’ alleged statement deserved in light of the other evidence in the case. Admission of the testimony, harmful as it may have been to Blevins’ case, was not unfairly prejudicial and was not a violation of
VI. Conclusion
{34} In summary, we overrule Blevins’ first and second assignments of error. We sustain Blevins’ third assignment of error in part and overrule it in part. We reverse his conviction for possession of methamphetamine and remand so that the trial court
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED IN PART, REVERSED IN PART, AND CAUSE REMANDED.
It is ordered that the JUDGMENT IS AFFIRMED IN PART AND REVERSED IN PART, and that the CAUSE IS REMANDED. Appellant and Appellee shall split the costs.
The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the Scioto County Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment into execution.
IF A STAY OF EXECUTION OF SENTENCE AND RELEASE UPON BAIL HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY GRANTED BY THE TRIAL COURT OR THIS COURT, it is temporarily continued for a period not to exceed sixty days upon the bail previously posted. The purpose of a continued stay is to allow Appellant to file with the Supreme Court of Ohio an application for a stay during the pendency of proceedings in that court. If a stay is continued by this entry, it will terminate at the earlier of the expiration of the sixty day period, or the failure of the Appellant to file a notice of appeal with the Supreme Court of Ohio in the forty-five day appeal period pursuant to Rule II, Sec. 2 of the Rules of Practice of the Supreme Court of Ohio. Additionally, if the Supreme Court of Ohio dismisses the appeal prior to expiration of sixty days, the stay will terminate as of the date of such dismissal.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure. Exceptions.
Abele, J. & Kline, J.: Concur in Judgment and Opinion.
For the Court
BY: ______________________________
William H. Harsha, Presiding Judge
NOTICE TO COUNSEL
Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final judgment entry and the time period for further appeal commences from the date of filing with the clerk.