State v. JacksonState v. Jackson
A jury found Harold Jackson guilty as charged of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute,
FACTS
On March 9, 1990, at approximately 2:00 a.m., officers of the Jonesboro Police Department observed a 1975 Chevrolet Nova weaving back and forth across the line dividing two northbound lanes of U.S. Highway 167. Suspecting the operator to be intoxicated, they stopped the vehicle after directing it into the parking lot of a bowling alley.
Police Chief McKinney ordered the woman driver out of the car, requested her license, and began a series of questions. Within moments, Officer Robinson instructed the three other occupants to exit and place their hands on the top of the vehicle. At about the same time, McKinney made some form of reference to drugs and directed the operator to empty her purse. Upon overhearing this, Jackson, previously positioned in the front passenger seat, bolted toward the bowling alley while holding a blue-gray jacket.
With Robinson in pursuit, Jackson fled around the side of the building and toward a wooded area. Officer Perry, another Jonesboro policeman who had just driven to the scene, also joined the chase. As defendant approached the woods, he fell and cast the jacket away. One of the officers then overtook Jackson, before further flight could occur.
Retrieving and checking the jacket, Robinson discovered three large clumps of a white substance, later identified as crack cocaine. After arresting all four persons, the officers conducted a search of the vehicle, uncovering a waist pouch containing Jackson‘s driving license, $372 in cash, $135 in food stamps, a money order for $40, a utility company refund check, and a black billfold enclosing a small set of postal scales.
After a jury convicted defendant of possession of cocaine with an intent to distribute, the trial court adjudged him a second felony offender and assessed fifteen years at hard labor. See
DISCUSSION
Juror Challenges for Cause
Defendant‘s first two assignments of error concern the denial of his challenges for cause directed at two prospective jurors. In order to succeed in such a complaint, he must show an erroneous denial of the challenge and, also, prejudice from the ruling. State v. Ross, 623 So.2d 643 (La.1993); State v. Vanderpool, 493 So.2d 574 (La.1986).
During voir dire, prospective juror Michael Wayne Chatham disclosed that he worked regularly from 4:00 p.m. until midnight and had been requested, by his employer, to report to the job as soon as his jury obligation ended each day. Defense counsel asserted that such a schedule would preclude adequate attention to courtroom duties. The state responded that the arrangement afforded plenty of time for rest before the daily 9:00 a.m. sessions. After questioning Chatham, who gave assurances he could serve without any problem, the court refused to excuse this individual. Defendant then exercised his second peremptory challenge.
Although mere inconvenience is not grounds for challenging a juror, State v. Wiley, 513 So.2d 849 (La.App.2d Cir.1987), writ denied, 522 So.2d 1092 (La.1988), the defense argues that the probable loss of sleep created impartiality, as enumerated at
Defendant additionally argues that another venireman showed a willingness to require defendant to prove himself innocent. Rickey McBride, who is a school teacher and father of a teenager, initially stated an awareness of the drug problem and his belief that persons arrested on narcotics charges should not be presumed innocent. However, extensive questioning by both sides reflected that the potential juror adequately understood the state faced the burden of proof.
Furthermore, upon defense inquiry, McBride indicated he only thought the law should be changed, yet well realized he must apply the existing standards and not his own ideas. Finding that the prospective juror had shown a complete readiness to implement the court‘s instructions, the trial judge also rejected this challenge for cause. In our view, that decision did not constitute an abuse of discretion. Cf. State v. Griffin, 618 So.2d 680 (La.App.2d Cir.1993).
Of course, neither Chatham nor McBride actually served on the jury. Additionally, the record does not disclose that defendant exhausted his twelve peremptory challenges, but simply that he exercised eleven while the state presented four. Both sides also peremptorily excused venireman David Harper on their election slips. However, under the intendment of
Thus, defendant having failed to demonstrate use of all his peremptories, prejudice is not presumed even if the erroneous
Search and Seizure
In assignments 4, 6, and 25, Jackson asserts that no probable cause existed to stop or search the automobile, and that the trial court erred by denying his motion to suppress testimony about all events transpiring after the police first interfered. Specifically, he argues that officers acted in contravention of the Fourth Amendment to the Federal Constitution and Article 1, Section 5 of the Louisiana Constitution.
It is primarily contended that the Jonesboro authorities had no justification for initially stopping the automobile. However, the right of police to stop and interrogate upon reasonable suspicion of criminal conduct is recognized by
In the case at bar, the officers followed the Chevrolet Nova for approximately three-quarters of a mile. During that interval, the automobile swerved over the dividing line between the two northbound lanes at least three different times. This unusual behavior, combined with the lateness of the hour, supported a reasonable suspicion that such erratic driving could be alcohol-related, and gave sufficient occasion for the police to stop the vehicle. Furthermore, we stand convinced that the pattern of operation described here exceeded the “minor deviations” discussed in State v. Vaughn, 448 So.2d 915 (La.App. 3d Cir.1984), heavily relied upon by defendant. Hence, the record fully discloses probable cause for the initial investigatory stop.
In certain situations, as recognized in State v. Landry, 588 So.2d 345 (La.1991), police officers also have authority to order that passengers disembark from a vehicle while affairs are transacted with the driver. Accord Pennsylvania v. Mimms, 434 U.S. 106, 98 S.Ct. 330, 54 L.Ed.2d 331 (1977), recognizing the inordinate risk police officers encounter from persons seated in a vehicle. At the hearing on the motion to suppress, Officer Robinson stated that he asked the passengers to alight from the automobile and place their hands in view, as a precautionary measure. Understandably, the late hour and the fact that the travelers outnumbered the policemen heightened safety concerns. Indeed, the danger presented in these circumstances transcended the privacy interests of those persons still in the vehicle, allowing for a reasonable request that they exit the car. See State v. Landry, supra.
Subsequently, when Chief McKinney mentioned drugs and sought to have the driver empty her purse, Jackson ran from the scene toward the rear of the bowling alley. While flight, nervousness, or a startled look at the sight of a police officer, by itself, may be insufficient to justify an investigatory stop, such highly suspicious conduct may be one factor leading to a finding of reasonable cause upon considering the totality of the circumstances. State v. Belton, supra.
Here, defendant‘s flight toward the woods occurred at 2:00 a.m., contemporaneously with a reference to drugs and a display request directed to the driver. These circumstances, viewed in their entirety, justified an investigatory stop based on reasonable cause to believe Jackson had committed, was committing, or was about to commit a crime. Hence, in pursuing him, the officers engaged in a permissible attempted investigatory detention.
After recovering the substantial quantity of contraband, the officers eventually arrested all occupants of the automobile and conducted an examination of the Nova. Under the “automobile exception” to the warrant requirement, law enforcement personnel may immediately, or even subsequently, search a vehicle which they have probable cause to believe contains contraband or evidence. California v. Acevedo, 500 U.S. 565, 111 S.Ct. 1982, 114 L.Ed.2d 619 (1991). As a traditional practice, Louisiana courts have also required a showing of exigent circumstances. See generally State v. Wells, 593 So.2d 465 (La.App. 2d Cir.), writ denied, 598 So.2d 357 (La.1992).
When the total circumstances allow the conclusion that there is a fair probability that contraband or evidence of crime will be found in a particular location, probable cause to search exists. State v. Williams, 605 So.2d 716 (La.App. 2d Cir.1992), and state and federal authorities cited therein. As shown by the record, defendant‘s jacket contained crack cocaine with a street value of approximately $3,000, and obviously in a quantity exceeding anything normally carried for personal consumption. Furthermore, Jackson‘s previous occupancy of the car gave the officers reason to conclude, within a fair probability, that paraphernalia associated with drug dealing, or the fruits of such illegal transactions, would be found within the automobile. Under these circumstances, the police had probable cause to examine the vehicle interior.
In both California v. Acevedo, supra and California v. Carney, 471 U.S. 386, 105 S.Ct. 2066, 85 L.Ed.2d 406 (1985), the Supreme Court indicated that the inherent mobility of a motor vehicle creates a conclusive presumption of exigency. Moreover, in the present case, urgent circumstances are disclosed. The Nova had been parked in the bowling alley entrance, blocking ingress and egress; the four occupants had been arrested; the situation arose at about 2:00 a.m.; and the car, left unattended, would have been accessible to other persons for several hours. During that period, of course, the vehicle could have been moved or evidence taken from it. Cf. State v. Wells, supra; State v. Colvin, 494 So.2d 1357 (La.App. 2d Cir.), writ denied, 497 So.2d 311 (La.1986).
Accordingly, the officers having acted lawfully in stopping the vehicle, and in recovering evidence both from defendant and the automobile, these three assignments of error lack merit.
Other Crimes Evidence/Drug Paraphernalia
Assignments of error numbers 3 and 21 concern the scales found in defendant‘s wallet. It is argued that, by characterizing this item as “drug paraphernalia” during the opening statement and in testimony by narcotics expert Henry Whitehorn, the state alluded to other crimes (possession of drug paraphernalia,
Clearly, under
Relevancy
Assignments 7, 8, and 22 challenge the admissibility of, and testimony concerning, several items: the money (S-5), the food stamps (S-6), the wallet with the scales and razor blade (S-7), the waist pouch (S-4) containing all of these, and the utility refund check payable to a third party. Defendant argues these to be irrelevant and prejudicial.
Evidence is relevant if tending to show any fact of consequence to the determination of the action.
The expert testimony of Officer Whitehorn associated the items in question with the sale of cocaine, rather than with ordinary use. He explained the possible utilization of postage scales and razor blades in selling cocaine, and also indicated that payment for drugs may occur by means of cash, food stamps, and refund checks. The arresting officers found the challenged exhibits and defendant‘s driving license in the waist pouch, situated immediately adjacent to Jackson‘s previous position in the vehicle. Thus, the evidence tended to show defendant‘s relationship with the various objects and his intent to distribute the contraband. Hence, the trial judge did not abuse her discretion by admitting the highly probative testimony and exhibits.
Prior Arrest of State Witness
In assignment of error number 11, Jackson complains that the trial judge did not allow questioning about Officer Kevin Perry‘s pending DWI charge.
Generally, in criminal cases, only an offense for which the witness has been convicted is admissible on the issue of credibility, and no inquiry is permitted into matters for which there has only been an arrest, a warrant, an indictment, a prosecution, or an acquittal.
In assignment number 12, it is argued that a mistrial should have been granted when the prosecutor stated he would assert the objection to questioning Perry about DWI charges “unless we‘re going to have everyone be able to get into what‘s pending... to everybody.” After sustention of the state‘s position, defense counsel contended the comment constituted an improper reference to other crimes committed by defendant. However, the trial court overruled the mistrial motion, cautioned the prosecution, and admonished the jury to disregard the statement.
Under
Although the expression by the prosecution related to inadmissible arrests, it also referred to “everybody,” i.e., all witnesses in the case. Thus, the statement does not appear to be the type of indirect remark drawing prejudicial attention toward the defendant and mandatorily repudiated by
Juror-Witness Contact
In assignments 13, 14, and 15, defendant argues that, following allegedly improper contact between certain jurors and state witness Mike Walsworth, the trial court erred in not granting a mistrial, striking the officer‘s earlier testimony, or using the alternate to replace one of the jury members.
It is well settled that communications between jurors and witnesses in a criminal trial, absent a showing that the actions prejudiced the defendant, furnish no grounds for upsetting a conviction. State v. Day, 414 So.2d 349 (La.1982); State v. Mims, 524 So.2d 526 (La.App. 2d Cir.), writ denied, 531 So.2d 267 (La.1988); State v. Green, supra. In the present case, Jackson failed to demonstrate any prejudice whatsoever.
At the conclusion of the first day of trial, Walsworth left the courtroom after testifying and, in a hallway, soon engaged two officers in conversation. Within minutes the court also released the jurors, some of whom proceeded down the same corridor. As the released witness simultaneously departed, he opened the door for an unidentified woman in the manner, as explained in a subsequent hearing, he had been “brought up to do.” He also shook hands with one jury member, Kenneth Guyotte, after that individual extended his hand in greeting. Only a very limited exchange of pleasantries occurred, and without any discussion of the case. Thus, it is obvious that the trial court acted correctly in denying the mistrial. Cf. State v. Guidry, 496 So.2d 650 (La.App. 1st Cir. 1986), writ denied, 500 So.2d 420 (La.1987).
Nor should the witness‘s testimony have been stricken based upon defense contentions that he violated the rule of sequestration. Clearly, his casual, innocuous courtesies did not impinge upon that order. Furthermore, Walsworth had already been released from the restriction. Simply put, defendant‘s motion borders on absurdity.
It is also urged that Guyotte should have been replaced by the alternate. However, as noted above, defendant revealed no prejudice from the exchanged pleasantries. Furthermore, the judge found that the conduct by no measure approached undue influence. The trial court has wide latitude in determining whether to disqualify a juror. See
Chain of Custody
Contrary to defendant‘s contentions in assignment of error number 16, the state established an adequate chain of custody anent the cocaine taken from the jacket.
Before being admitted, an item of evidence must be sufficiently identified as having been involved in the occurrence in question. State v. Daniels, 614 So.2d 97 (La.App. 2d Cir.), writ denied, 619 So.2d 573 (La.1993). The ultimate question is whether more probably than not the evidence is the object originally seized. Lack of positive identification goes to weight, rather than admissibility, of the evidence. State v. Sneed, 571 So.2d 735 (La.App. 2d Cir.1990), and authorities cited therein.
Here, the state more than satisfactorily established the white matter found in defendant‘s jacket to be the same substance introduced into evidence and identified by the laboratory expert as crack cocaine. The record clearly reveals all links in the transfer of the contraband from the time of initial discovery, to the police evidence locker, to the crime lab, and back to the Jonesboro police safe.
Of particular importance, laboratory technician Linda Armstrong explained, without objection, the method used to analyze the substance and determine its chemical character. Qualified as an expert, she indicated
Assignments of error numbers 9 and 10 specifically challenge the admission of the evidence transfer form (S-10), an element of the chain of custody. First, defendant claims the state failed to establish a foundation for its introduction. However, Officer Perry and lab technician Susan Rutledge clearly identified the document and their handwriting thereon. Such testimony is proper for laying a foundation.
These three assignments of error lack merit.
Expert Testimony
Despite assignments 17, 18, 19, and 20, our review of the record reveals no error concerning the testimony of the state‘s narcotics investigation expert, Officer Whitehorn.
Clearly, in a criminal case, such a witness cannot express an opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the accused and, thus, usurp the province of the jury.
In the case sub judice, the expert did not conclude that either Jackson, or a hypothetical person under similar facts, intended to distribute. Instead, the questions of which defendant complains all related to amounts of cocaine consistent with distribution and/or possession, the potential street value of the crack cocaine discovered, and the significance of certain other items such as razor blades and scales in the commerce of illegal drugs. Such queries are clearly permissible.
Nor did the trial court err in allowing Whitehorn to testify about how many twenty-dollar rocks of crack could be produced from 33 grams of the substance. Earlier, the lab technician established the total weight of the cocaine.
In a final assault on the expert testimony, defendant complains that the trial court allowed the state to lead the witness and show him items not previously admitted
These four assignments of error lack merit.
Prior Conviction
In assignment number 24, Jackson contends the trial court erred in allowing evidence of his probation and suspended sentence in reference to a previous drug conviction.
On direct examination, defense counsel asked defendant why he ran when the police mentioned drugs at the scene of the traffic stop. Jackson responded that he had been on probation due to a drug charge, and, in that regard, received instructions to leave any situation upon even the mention of drugs. On cross-examination, the prosecution asked if one of the conditions of his probation required that he refrain from any future criminal activity. The court overruled an objection, after the state argued that the existence of this probationary requirement gave the accused an additional reason to avoid telling the truth.
Ordinarily, only the fact of a conviction, the offense, the date thereof, and the sentence imposed is admissible when examining a witness about such a matter.
Here, the state made no inquiry into the conditions of probation beyond the
Three Other Assignments
We have also examined, and found meritless, three other assignments of error:
Number 5—that the evidence did not conclusively show defendant owned or possessed the jacket.
Number 23—that S-14 (a petition filed in a forfeiture proceeding and asserting defendant‘s ownership of the vehicle) is irrelevant.
Number 27—that the trial court erred in denying defendant‘s motion for new trial.
Post-Verdict Judgment of Acquittal
In his twenty-sixth assignment of error, emanating from the denial of a motion for post-verdict acquittal, defendant maintains his conviction cannot be sustained by the evidence.
The criteria for evaluating sufficiency of evidence is whether, upon viewing evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found all elements of the crime proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed.2d 560 (1979); State v. Washington, supra. That standard, initially enunciated in Jackson,
Clearly, it is the function of the judge or jury to assess credibility and resolve conflicting testimony. State v. Thomas, 609 So.2d 1078 (La.App. 2d Cir.1992), writ denied, 617 So.2d 905 (La.1993); State v. Bonnett, 524 So.2d 932 (La.App. 2d Cir.), writ denied, 532 So.2d 148 (La.1988). Where the trier of fact has made a rational determination, an appellate court should not disturb it. State v. Mussall, 523 So.2d 1305 (La.1988); State v. Combs, 600 So.2d 751 (La.App. 2d Cir.), writ denied, 604 So.2d 973 (La.1992). Indeed, in the absence of internal contradiction or irreconcilable conflict with physical evidence, the testimony of one witness, if believed by the fact-trier, is sufficient support for the requisite factual conclusion. State v. Reaves, 569 So.2d 650 (La.App. 2d Cir.1990), writ denied, 576 So.2d 25 (La. 1991); State v. Shepherd, 566 So.2d 1127 (La.App. 2d Cir.1990).
The crime of possession with intent to distribute cocaine requires the state to show the defendant possessed the controlled dangerous substance with specific intent to distribute it.
Where intent to distribute a controlled substance is at issue, the fact-trier may consider factors such as 1) whether the defendant actually distributed or attempted to distribute the drug, 2) whether it existed in a form usually associated with distribution, 3) whether the amount is such as to create a presumption of intent to distribute, 4) whether any paraphernalia evidenced an intent to distribute, and 5) whether the amount involved is inconsistent with personal use. State v. House, 325 So.2d 222 (La.1975); State v. Lowery, 609 So.2d 1125 (La.App. 2d Cir.1992), writ denied, 617 So.2d 905 (La. 1993); State v. Tyler, 544 So.2d 495 (La.App. 2d Cir.1989). Intent, of course, may be inferred from surrounding circumstances. State v. Lowery, supra.
In the present case, officers testified that in the automobile they found a waist pouch containing defendant‘s driving license, over $370 in cash, $135 in food stamps, and a wallet containing a single-edged razor blade and postal scales. In addition, the crime lab technician identified the white substance discovered in the jacket as 33 grams of crack cocaine.
Whitehorn, the state police narcotics investigator, gave expert testimony with which the jury could conclude that the items in defendant‘s possession disclosed intent to traffic in illegal drugs. Specifically, this witness stated that 33 grams of the illegal substance in the form displayed in exhibit S-3 could produce 165 street-marketable “rocks” worth $3300, and that freshly manufactured crack is commonly dried in paper towels, the same wrapping contained in Jackson‘s jacket.
Certainly, when the record is viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution, a rational juror could find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Thus, the assignment of error falls.
Abandoned Assignment
As his twenty-eighth assignment, Jackson initially complained the district court erred, as a matter of law, in adjudicating him an habitual offender. However, having been neither briefed nor argued, this contention is considered abandoned. URCA Rule 2-12.4; State v. Schwartz, 354 So.2d 1332 (La.1978); State v. Kotwitz, 549 So.2d 351 (La.App. 2d Cir.1989), writ denied, 558 So.2d 1123 (La. 1990).
Defendant, in his last assignment of error, contends that his term of imprisonment is excessive. Yet the record does not contain a motion to reconsider sentence, as necessitated by
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, defendant‘s conviction and sentence are affirmed.
AFFIRMED.