Anthony Brockington v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.) ( 2019 )

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be FILED
regarded as precedent or cited before any May 24 2019, 8:44 am
court except for the purpose of establishing CLERK
the defense of res judicata, collateral Indiana Supreme Court
Court of Appeals
estoppel, or the law of the case. and Tax Court
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Clifford M. Davenport Curtis T. Hill, Jr.
Anderson, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana
Tyler G. Banks
Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Anthony Brockington, May 24, 2019
Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No.
18A-CR-2422
v. Appeal from the Madison Circuit
Court
State of Indiana, The Honorable Thomas Newman,
Appellee-Plaintiff. Jr., Judge
Trial Court Cause No.
48C04-1801-F5-81
Robb, Judge.
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Case Summary and Issues
[1] In June 2018, Anthony Brockington pleaded guilty but mentally ill to seven
charges, the most severe of which was terroristic mischief, a Level 5 felony. He
was sentenced to six years with three years executed in community corrections
and three years suspended. In September of 2018, the trial court revoked
Brockington’s placement for having contraband and possession of a lookalike
substance and ordered him to serve his six-year sentence at the Indiana
Department of Correction (“DOC”). Brockington appeals the revocation,
raising two issues for our review: 1) whether the evidence was sufficient to
support the trial court’s finding that he violated terms of his community
corrections program and 2) whether the trial court abused its discretion in
revoking his community corrections placement as a sanction for the violations.
Concluding the State proved the violations by a preponderance of the evidence
and the trial court did not abuse its discretion in imposing a sanction, we affirm.
Facts and Procedural History
[2] On January 4, 2018, four Anderson Police Department officers responded to a
call about a man at an apartment building “going crazy.” Appellant’s
Appendix, Volume II at 13. They found Brockington on the third-floor landing
outside his girlfriend’s apartment. He threatened to shoot the officers and told
them he had filled the apartment with gas and was going to blow the building
up. Officers could smell the gas and began evacuating the building.
Brockington challenged one of the officers to a fist fight and assumed a fighting
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stance as an officer made his way up the stairs. When the officer reached the
landing, Brockington turned and put his hands behind his back and was
handcuffed and taken into custody.
[3] The State charged Brockington with one count of terroristic mischief, a Level 5
felony, for disseminating the gas; four counts of intimidation as Level 5 felonies
for the threats to the officers; and one count of disorderly conduct and one
count of criminal mischief, both Class B misdemeanors. Brockington filed a
notice of his intent to assert the insanity defense, as he claimed to remember
nothing of the incident. The parties eventually entered into a plea agreement
whereby Brockington agreed to plead guilty but mentally ill to all charges and
the State agreed to recommend that all sentences run concurrently and that the
executed portion of the sentence be capped at three years. The trial court
accepted Brockington’s plea of guilty and on July 13, sentenced him to six years
for terroristic mischief, one year for each count of intimidation, and 180 days
each for disorderly conduct and criminal mischief. Pursuant to the plea
agreement, the sentences were ordered to be served concurrently, with three
years executed in the Madison County Continuum of Sanctions program and
three years suspended to probation. The Continuum of Sanctions program was
to decide where Brockington would serve those three years and ultimately
placed him in work release.
[4] On September 24, 2018, the Continuum of Sanctions program coordinator filed
a Notice of Adult Day Reporting/Continuum of Sanctions Termination request
alleging Brockington violated the following program rules:
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a) On 9/21/18, Mr. Brockington committed a Work Release
violation of having contraband (tobacco-related) inside the
facility.
b) On 9/21/18, Mr. Brockington committed the new criminal
offense of Possession of a look-alike substance, an A
misdemeanor.
c) As of 9/21/18, Mr. Brockington currently owes $57.62 in
arrears to the Madison County Work Release Facility.
Id. at 76.
[5] The trial court held an evidentiary hearing on September 28, at which
correctional officers Austin Russell and Jacob Roads testified. Russell had been
a correctional officer for “[o]h about 3 weeks” when he was showing Roads, a
new officer on his first day, around the facility dorms on September 21.
Transcript, Volume I at 41. As they were approaching the dorm where
Brockington was housed, they smelled smoke and then Russell noticed
“another participate [sic] [who] was sitting on the wrong bunk with Mr.
Brockington” cough and exhale smoke. Id. at 42. They then saw Brockington
throw something into his locker and shut the door. They asked both
participants what they had and they both responded, “[N]othing.” Id. at 43.
When the officers searched Brockington’s locker, they found two bags
containing a green leafy substance—one bag tied and one bag open—and also
found “a rolled up substance.” Id. Although Russell indicated he was familiar
with spice and the green leafy substance looked like spice, he conceded the
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substance was not tested and positively identified. Russell specifically denied
seeing Brockington exhale any smoke but reiterated that he saw Brockington
throw something into his locker and that participants “are not allowed to be
smoking in the dorms period.” Id. at 48. The State also admitted into evidence
an affidavit of probable cause in which Officer Keith Gaskill averred that he
took possession of the two bindles of green leafy substance found in
Brockington’s locker and “recognized the substance within to be synthetic
cannabinoid, commonly referred to in street jargon as ‘Spice, K2 or Katy’.”
Appellant’s App., Vol. II at 81.
[6] At the conclusion of the hearing, the trial court stated:
The Court finds that the defendant violated the rules of in home
um Work Release[.] . . . The Court sentences the Defendant to
the Department of Corrections [sic] for 6 years.
Tr., Vol. I at 54. In its written order, the trial court elaborated:
The court finds by preponderance of the evidence that the
defendant has violated the conditions of Adult Day
Reporting/Continuum of Sanctions; to wit, Defendant brought
contraband and possessed a look-a-like substance.
The Court makes recommendations to [DOC] that the defendant
participate in Recovery While Incarcerated. Upon successful
completion of the clinically appropriate substance abuse
treatment program as determined by [DOC], the court will
consider a modification to this sentence.
Appellant’s App., Vol. II at 12. Brockington now appeals.
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Discussion and Decision
I. Sufficiency of Evidence
[7] Brockington first argues the evidence is insufficient to show he violated the
terms of his placement in the Continuum of Sanctions program. We review a
decision to revoke placement in a community corrections program in the same
way we review a decision to revoke probation. Cox v. State, 706 N.E.2d 547,
549 (Ind. 1999). “A probation hearing is civil in nature and the State need only
prove the alleged violations by a preponderance of the evidence.” Id. at 551.
We will not reweigh the evidence or judge the credibility of the witnesses and
will consider the evidence most favorable to the trial court’s decision. Id. “If
there is substantial evidence of probative value to support the trial court’s
conclusion that a defendant has violated any terms of [his placement], we will
affirm its decision to revoke[.]” Id. The violation of a single condition of
probation is enough to support revocation. Pierce v. State, 44 N.E.3d 752, 755
(Ind. Ct. App. 2015).
[8] Brockington argues that the State failed to prove he had violated the conditions
of his placement. He focuses on the fact that he was not seen smoking and that
the substance found in his locker was never tested or positively identified. We
agree the State’s evidence could have been presented more artfully and in more
detail. However, the State only had to prove a violation by a preponderance of
the evidence. See Ind. Code § 35-38-2-3(f). “Preponderance of the evidence”
“simply means the greater weight of the evidence.” Kishpaugh v. Odegard, 17
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N.E.3d 363, 373 (Ind. Ct. App. 2014) (quotation omitted). And the State’s
evidence meets that standard.
[9] Brockington was alleged to have possessed tobacco-related contraband in the
work release facility. Although tobacco is not illegal and therefore not
inherently “contraband,” in the context of the Continuum of Sanctions
program, tobacco or tobacco-related products would be considered contraband
as they are not allowed to be used in the facility. Brockington was not alleged
to have been smoking but only to have the means to do so, and both the green
leafy substance and the rolled object were found in his locker. Moreover,
officers saw Brockington throw something into his locker as they approached,
and one of the bags of the green leafy substance was found “right inside the
locker where . . . it looked like he would have thrown in there as soon as
[officers] walked up.” Tr., Vol. I at 43. And although the substance inside the
rolled object was not identified, the object was rolled up like a joint – in other
words, in a manner to facilitate smoking.
[10] As for the allegation that Brockington committed a new criminal offense by
possessing a lookalike substance, it is a Class A misdemeanor to knowingly or
intentionally possess a synthetic drug lookalike substance. Ind. Code § 35-48-4-
11.5(c). A synthetic drug lookalike substance is defined as a “substance, other
than a synthetic drug, which any of the factors listed in subsection (c) would
lead a reasonable person to believe to be a synthetic drug.” Ind. Code § 35-
31.5-2-321.5(a)(1). The factors listed in section 35-31.5-2-321.5(c) include the
“overall appearance of a dosage unit of the substance, including its shape, color,
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size, markings or lack of markings, taste, consistency, and any other identifying
physical characteristics.” Ind. Code § 35-31.5-2-321.5(c)(1). The testimony at
the hearing was that there was a rolled object and two bags of the green leafy
substance in Brockington’s locker. It is true the green leafy substance was never
definitively identified, but there was evidence in the form of Russell’s testimony
and Gaskill’s affidavit1 that they recognized the green leafy substance to be
consistent with the appearance of spice. “Although chemical analysis is one
way, and perhaps the best way, to establish the identity of a compound,” “[t]he
opinion of someone sufficiently experienced with the drug may establish its
identity, as may other circumstantial evidence.” Vasquez v. State, 741 N.E.2d
1214, 1216 (Ind. 2001). As for Brockington’s possession of the substance,
officers did not find it in his actual possession, but they saw him throw
something into his locker and later found two bags of the substance in his
locker. Constructive possession can be proved by evidence that the person has
both the capability and the intent to maintain dominion and control of the
contraband. Sargent v. State, 27 N.E.3d 729, 733 (Ind. 2015). The locker was
apparently in close enough proximity to Brockington that he was able to easily
throw into it whatever was in his hand. Moreover, the green leafy substance
1
Brockington did not object to the admission of this probable cause affidavit “without making any admission
as to the allegation that may[]be derived” from it. Tr., Vol. I at 52. On appeal, Brockington argues the
affidavit should not have been admitted, acknowledges counsel’s statement was “perhaps ambiguous,” and
contends that even if error in its admission is deemed waived, it constituted fundamental error. Appellant’s
Brief at 17. As any error was invited, it cannot be fundamental. See Brewington v. State, 7 N.E.3d 946, 975
(Ind. 2014). Regardless, the hearsay rule is not applicable in revocation proceedings and the trial court may
consider all relevant evidence, including reliable hearsay. Cox, 706 N.E.2d at 552.
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was found in Brockington’s locker among his other things and his throwing the
item was an attempt to hide it. See Negash v. State, 113 N.E.3d 1281, 1291 (Ind.
Ct. App. 2018) (pointing out that some of the circumstances indicating a
defendant knew of the contraband and was capable of controlling it are furtive
gestures, proximity to the contraband, and the contraband being in close
proximity to items owned by the defendant). Recognizing that the standard of
proving Brockington violated his placement by committing a new criminal
offense is a preponderance of the evidence, not beyond a reasonable doubt, we
conclude the State met its burden of proving Brockington possessed a synthetic
lookalike substance.
[11] In sum, the allegations in the notice were proved by a preponderance of the
evidence and the trial court did not err in determining Brockington had
committed a violation of the terms of his placement as alleged by the program
coordinator.
II. Sanction
[12] Brockington’s argument regarding the sanction imposed by the trial court is
primarily grounded in seeking a revision of the sanction pursuant to Appellate
Rule 7(B) because the trial court’s initial sentence gave “great consideration” to
his mental health and the sanction “wholly fails to address Brockington’s
mental health and the need for him to continue treatment[.]” Appellant’s Brief
at 8, 23. However, Appellate Rule 7(B) does not apply to sanctions imposed in
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a probation revocation proceeding. Prewitt v. State, 878 N.E.2d 184, 188 (Ind.
2007).
[13] Instead, we review the sanction the trial court imposes in a revocation
proceeding for an abuse of discretion. Puckett v. State, 956 N.E.2d 1182, 1186
(Ind. Ct. App. 2011). An abuse of discretion will only be found if the trial
court’s decision is against the logic and effect of the facts and circumstances
before it. Id. Both community corrections programs and probation serve as
alternatives to commitment to the DOC and are ordered at the sole discretion of
the trial court. Cox, 706 N.E.2d at 549. Placement in either program is a matter
of grace and a conditional liberty that is a favor, not a right. Id. “Once a trial
court has exercised its grace by ordering probation rather than incarceration,
the judge should have considerable leeway in deciding how to proceed.”
Prewitt, 878 N.E.2d at 188. When reviewing revocation of probation, we look
only at the sentence imposed after revocation and not the terms of the initial
sentence. Johnson v. State, 62 N.E.3d 1224, 1230 (Ind. Ct. App. 2016). After a
hearing and upon finding that a violation occurred, the trial court may revoke
the defendant’s placement in community corrections and order all or part of the
previously suspended sentence to be executed. Ind. Code § 35-38-2-3(h)(3).
[14] Here, within two months of being given the grace of serving his sentence in the
Continuum of Sanctions program, Brockington violated the terms of that
program. The trial court initially showed Brockington leniency but
Brockington did not rise to the opportunity, instead violating the terms of his
placement almost immediately. The trial court did not ignore Brockington’s
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issues in committing him to the DOC, but rather, recommended to the DOC
that he participate in Recovery While Incarcerated and indicated its willingness
to consider a modification to his sentence in the future. Under these
circumstances, we cannot say the trial court abused its discretion in imposing a
sanction.
Conclusion
[15] The State met its burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that
Brockington had violated the terms of his community corrections placement
and the trial court did not abuse its discretion in imposing a sanction for the
violations. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
[16] Affirmed.
Baker, J., and Najam, J., concur.
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