Adrien Newson v. State of Indiana ( 2012 )

FILED
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be
regarded as precedent or cited before
Mar 26 2012, 8:21 am
any court except for the purpose of
establishing the defense of res judicata,
CLERK
collateral estoppel, or the law of the case. of the supreme court,
court of appeals and
tax court
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT: ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE:
MATTHEW D. ANGLEMEYER GREGORY F. ZOELLER
Marion County Public Defender Attorney General of Indiana
Appellate Division
Indianapolis, Indiana J.T. WHITEHEAD
Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
ADRIEN NEWSON, )
)
Appellant-Defendant, )
)
vs. ) No. 49A02-1103-CR-254
)
STATE OF INDIANA, )
)
Appellee-Plaintiff. )
APPEAL FROM THE MARION SUPERIOR COURT
The Honorable William E. Young, Judge
Cause No. 49G20-0609-FA-173208
March 26, 2012
MEMORANDUM DECISION - NOT FOR PUBLICATION
BRADFORD, Judge
Appellant-Defendant Adrien Newson appeals his convictions for Class A felony
Dealing in Cocaine,1 Class C felony Possession of Cocaine and a Firearm,2 and Class A
misdemeanor Possession of Marijuana.3 Newson raises numerous issues which we restate as
follows:
I. Whether the trial court erred in imposing convictions for both Class A
felony dealing in cocaine and Class C felony possession of cocaine and
a firearm;
II. Whether the evidence is sufficient to sustain Newson‟s Class A felony
dealing in cocaine conviction;
III. Whether the trial court properly admitted Newson‟s statement to the
investigating officer that he would not deny having dealt drugs into
evidence; and
IV. Whether Newson‟s sentence is appropriate.
Concluding that Class C felony possession of cocaine and a firearm is a lesser included
offense of Class A felony dealing in cocaine, that the evidence is sufficient to sustain
Newson‟s Class A felony dealing in cocaine conviction, that the trial court did not err in
admitting Newson‟s statement to the investigating officer, and that Newson‟s sentence is
appropriate, we affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand to the trial court with instructions
for the trial court to vacate Newson‟s Class C felony possession of cocaine and a firearm
conviction.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
1
Ind. Code § 35-48-4-1 (2006).
2
Ind. Code § 35-48-4-6 (2006).
3
Ind. Code § 35-48-4-11 (2006).
2
On September 12, 2006, Detective Clifton Jones of the Indianapolis Police
Department went to a residence located at 3214 East New York Street in Indianapolis for the
purpose of executing a narcotics search warrant. Newson‟s driving record indicated that he
lived at this residence. Upon arriving at the residence, Detective Jones “knocked at the front
door, announced, „Police. Search warrant,‟ and waited for an answer at the front door.” Tr.
p. 15. “After a period of time when there was no answer,” Detective Jones forced his way
inside. Tr. pp. 15-16. Detective Jones observed Newson open a bedroom door, look out of
the bedroom, and shut the bedroom door after seeing Detective Jones. Detective Jones
approached the bedroom door and kicked it down. As Detective Jones entered the bedroom,
he observed Newson throw a plastic object, which was later determined to be a plastic baggie
containing 3.578 grams of cocaine, toward the nightstand.
Detective Jones removed Newson and a female companion from the bedroom and
read them, as well as another female found in the residence, their Miranda4 rights. After
Detective Jones Mirandized Newson, Detective Jones and Newson engaged in a conversation
in which Detective Jones notified Newson that he was the subject of a lengthy narcotics
investigation, to which Newson replied, “I‟m not denying that I haven‟t been dealing but Ms.
Sanders has nothing to do with it.” Tr. p. 25.
While Detective Jones spoke with Newson, the assisting detectives, including
Detectives Robert Long, Deborah Forrest, and David McDaniel, executed the search of the
home. The search of the bedroom in which Newson was found resulted in the detectives
4
Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966).
3
finding two separate containers of cocaine totaling approximately seventeen grams,
marijuana, and digital scales. It was later determined that the plastic baggie that Newson
threw when Detective Jones entered the bedroom contained just over three grams of cocaine,
and was found on the floor near the nightstand. What was later determined to be the
approximately fourteen grams of additional cocaine was found on the nightstand in a Swisher
Sweets cigar box. In addition, a “long rifle” was recovered from under a mattress in another
bedroom. Tr. p. 37. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Detective David Miller testified that
the items found in Newson‟s home, including the approximately seventeen grams of cocaine,
the scales, and the firearm, were consistent with dealing in cocaine. When questioned about
the cocaine found in the bedroom, Newson again told Detective Jones that Ms. Sanders “had
nothing to do with it” and that the cocaine found inside the bedroom “was his.” Tr. p. 100.
On September 13, 2006, the State charged Newson with one count of Class A felony
dealing in cocaine, one count of Class C felony possession of cocaine, one count of Class C
felony possession of cocaine and a firearm, and one count of Class A misdemeanor
possession of marijuana. On March 14, 2008, Newson waived his right to a trial by jury.
The trial court conducted a bench trial on April 11, 2008, during which the trial court
admitted Newson‟s statement to Detective Jones that he was not “denying that [he] ha[d]‟t
been dealing” over Newson‟s objection. Tr. p. 25. Following the conclusion of trial, the trial
court found Newson guilty as charged.
On May 1, 2008, the trial court vacated Newson‟s Class C felony possession of
cocaine conviction after determining that it was a lesser included offense of Class A felony
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dealing in cocaine. The trial court sentenced Newson to twenty years for his conviction for
Class A felony dealing in cocaine, two years for his Class C felony possession of cocaine and
a firearm conviction, and fifty days for his Class A misdemeanor possession of marijuana
conviction. The trial court ordered that each sentence be served concurrently to the others,
for an aggregate twenty-year term of imprisonment.
Newson filed a motion to correct error on May 12, 2008. The trial court subsequently
denied Newson‟s motion to correct error on May 13, 2008. On February 23, 2011, Newson
requested permission to file a belated appeal. The trial court granted Newson‟s request, and
this belated appeal follows.
DISCUSSION AND DECISION
I. Whether Newson’s Convictions for Class A Felony Dealing in Cocaine
and Class C Felony Possession of Cocaine and a Firearm
Violate the Prohibitions Against Double Jeopardy
Newson contends that his convictions for Class A felony dealing in cocaine and Class
C felony possession of cocaine and a firearm violate the constitutional prohibitions against
double jeopardy. In making this contention, Newson relies upon the Indiana Supreme
Court‟s opinion in Hardister v. State, 849 N.E.2d 563 (2006).5 The State concedes that under
Hardister, Newson‟s Class C felony possession of cocaine and a firearm conviction cannot
stand because it is a lesser included of his Class A felony dealing in cocaine conviction. We
5
We note that while the Indiana Supreme Court did in fact hold that the defendant‟s conviction for
Class C felony possession of cocaine could not stand because it was a lesser included offense of the
defendant‟s conviction for Class A felony dealing in cocaine, it did so on statutory construction grounds.
Hardister, 849 N.E.2d at 575. Thus, because Newson relies on Hardister in making his appellate argument on
this ground, we will address Newson‟s claim on statutory construction grounds.
5
agree. See id. at 575 (holding that Class C felony possession of cocaine and a firearm is a
lesser included offense of Class A felony dealing in cocaine). As a result, we conclude that
while Newson‟s conviction for Class A felony dealing in cocaine remains, his conviction for
Class C felony possession of cocaine and a firearm must be vacated. See id.II. Whether the Evidence is Sufficient to Sustain Newson’s
Class A Felony Dealing in Cocaine Conviction6
Newson also contends that the evidence is insufficient to sustain his conviction for
Class A felony dealing in cocaine.
When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence to support a conviction,
appellate courts must consider only the probative evidence and reasonable
inferences supporting the verdict. It is the fact-finder‟s role, not that of
appellate courts, to assess witness credibility and weigh the evidence to
determine whether it is sufficient to support a conviction.… The evidence is
sufficient if an inference may reasonably be drawn from it to support the
verdict.
Drane v. State, 867 N.E.2d 144, 146-47 (Ind. 2007) (citations, emphasis, and quotations
omitted). “[I]t is for the trier of fact to reject a defendant‟s version of what happened, to
determine all inferences arising from the evidence, and to decide which witnesses to
believe.” Holeton v. State, 853 N.E.2d 539, 541 (Ind. Ct. App. 2006). Upon review,
appellate courts do not reweigh the evidence or assess the credibility of the witnesses.
Stewart v. State, 768 N.E.2d 433, 435 (Ind. 2002).
Indiana Code section 35-48-4-1 provides that “[a] person who … knowingly or
6
Having concluded that Newson‟s Class C felony possession of cocaine and a firearm conviction
should be vacated, we need not consider whether the evidence is sufficient to sustain Newson‟s Class C felony
possession of cocaine and a firearm conviction.
6
intentionally … possesses, with intent to … deliver … cocaine … commits dealing in
cocaine.” Indiana Code section 35-48-4-1 further provides that “The offense is a Class A
felony if: (1) the amount of the drug involved weighs three (3) grams or more.”
A. Possession of Cocaine
Newson first argues that the evidence is insufficient to sustain his conviction for Class
A felony dealing in cocaine because the State failed to prove that he possessed the cocaine
found in the Swisher Sweets cigar box. We must disagree. The State presented evidence
that, after being Mirandized, Newson told Detective Jones that the cocaine found in the
bedroom “was his.” Tr. p. 100. The cocaine found in the Swisher Sweets cigar box was
found on the nightstand in the bedroom in question. Thus, we must conclude that the trial
court, acting as the trier of fact, could reasonably infer that Newson‟s admission included the
cocaine found in the Swisher Sweets cigar box.
Furthermore, we note that Newson does not challenge the sufficiency of the evidence
to sustain the determination that he possessed the 3.578 grams of cocaine that was found in
the baggie that he threw when Detective Jones entered the bedroom. Again, Indiana Code
section 35-48-4-1 provides that an individual may be convicted of Class A felony dealing in
cocaine if they possess cocaine in an amount of three grams or more. Thus, we must
conclude that the uncontested evidence that Newson possessed 3.578 grams of cocaine is
sufficient to satisfy the possession requirement set forth in Indiana Code section 35-48-4-1
regardless of whether the State sufficiently proved that he possessed the approximately
fourteen grams of cocaine found in the Swisher Sweets cigar box.
7
B. Intent to Deliver
Newson also argues that the State failed to prove that he possessed the cocaine with
the intent to deliver. In making this argument, Newson relies on his unsuccessful claim that
the State failed to prove that he possessed all of the approximately seventeen grams of
cocaine found in the bedroom and claims that he possessed the rifle found under the mattress
in another bedroom of the home. Thus, Newson claims that the State failed to prove that he
intended to deliver the cocaine because his possession of the 3.578 grams of cocaine and the
scales is consistent with personal use.
Circumstantial evidence showing possession with intent to deliver may
support a conviction. Possessing a large amount of a narcotic substance is
circumstantial evidence of intent to deliver. The more narcotics a person
possesses, the stronger the inference that he intended to deliver it and not
consume it personally. Love v. State, 741 N.E.2d 789, 792 (Ind. Ct. App.
2001) quoting Berry v. State, 574 N.E.2d 960, 963 (Ind. Ct. App. 1991)
(citations omitted), trans. denied.
Davis v. State, 791 N.E.2d 266, 270 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003).
Here, the record demonstrates that Newson possessed approximately seventeen grams
of cocaine, 3.578 grams of which was packaged in the corner of a plastic baggie. Detective
Miller testified that the possession of approximately seventeen grams of cocaine and the
packaging of the 3.578 grams is consistent with dealing. The record also demonstrates that
Newson possessed scales and that a rifle7 was found under a mattress in Newson‟s home.
7
We note that we need not consider whether the evidence is sufficient to prove that Newson actually
possessed the rifle, but rather conclude that its presence in his home is circumstantial evidence that may be
considered along with the large quantity of cocaine and the scales found in Newson‟s home, to support the
inference that Newson intended to deliver the cocaine.
8
Detective Miller further testified that the presence of scales and a firearm is consistent with
dealing.
In Davis, this court concluded that the possession of 5.6225 grams of cocaine was
consistent with the amount possessed by a dealer, rather than for strictly personal use. Id.Here, Newson possessed nearly three times that possessed by the defendant in Davis. As
such, we conclude that the possession of seventeen grams of cocaine, 3.578 grams of which
was packaged in a manner consistent with dealing, is circumstantial evidence of the intent to
deliver sufficient to support an inference that Newson intended to deliver the cocaine rather
than use it for personal consumption. See id. We further conclude that this evidence, when
considered with Newson‟s possession of the scales and the presence of a firearm in Newson‟s
residence, is sufficient to support the inference that Newson possessed the cocaine with the
intent to deliver.
III. Whether the Trial Court Properly Admitted Newson’s Statement to
Detective Jones that He Would Not Deny Having Dealt Drugs
Newson next contends that the trial court abused its discretion in admitting his
statement to Detective Jones that “I‟m not denying that I haven‟t been dealing but Ms.
Sanders has nothing to do with it.” Tr. p. 25. Upon review, we accord the trial court broad
discretion in determining the admissibility of evidence and will not reverse its determination
absent an abuse of that discretion. Bacher v. State, 686 N.E.2d 791, 795 (Ind. 1997).
“Absent a requisite showing of abuse, the trial court‟s decision will not be disturbed.”
Douglas v. State, 746 N.E.2d 424, 426 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001), trans. denied. Moreover,
even where we find error in the admission of evidence, we disregard it as
9
harmless error unless it affects the substantial rights of a party. Ind. Trial Rule
61; Hardin v. State, 611 N.E.2d 123, 131 (Ind. 1993). An error will be found
harmless if its probable impact on the jury, in light of all of the evidence in the
case, is sufficiently minor so as not to affect the substantial rights of a party.
Fleener v. State, 656 N.E.2d 1140, 1142 (Ind. 1995).
Bacher, 686 N.E.2d 791, 795.
Newson argues that the trial court abused its discretion in admitting his statement to
Detective Jones because it tended to prove that, in light of his admitted past drug sales, he
had the propensity to sell the cocaine in question in the instant appeal. Generally, Indiana
Rule of Evidence 404(b) allows evidence of prior misconduct to be introduced “unless such
evidence is used to imply the defendant is of bad character or to infer the charged crime was
committed in conformity with that character.” Douglas, 746 N.E.2d at 426. Indiana
Evidence Rule 404(b) provides:
Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not admissible to prove the
character of a person in order to show action in conformity therewith. It may,
however, be admissible for other purposes, such as proof of motive, intent,
preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, or absence of mistake or accident,
provided that upon request by the accused, the prosecution in a criminal case
shall provide reasonable notice in advance of trial, or during trial if the court
excuses pre-trial notice on good cause shown, of the general nature of any such
evidence it intends to introduce at trial.
In Douglas, the defendant objected to the admission of the investigating officer‟s
testimony regarding his statement to the investigating officer that he sold small amounts of
cocaine in attempts to support his family. 746 N.E.2d at 426. This statement was made
during a conversation between the defendant and the investigating officer after the defendant
was Mirandized. Id. The defendant claimed that his statement to the investigating officer
10
was inadmissible because “such statements were not an admission by [defendant] concerning
the present charge, but were inadmissible statements concerning other offenses not charged.”
Id. The trial court disagreed and admitted the investigating officer‟s testimony regarding the
statement over defendant‟s objection. Id.On appeal, we concluded that the trial court acted within its discretion in admitting the
investigating officer‟s testimony regarding the statement made by the defendant. Id. After
Mirandizing the defendant, the investigating officer informed the defendant that he was being
charged with dealing in cocaine for a purchase made one month prior. Id. Defendant then
admitted that he had sold small amounts of cocaine. Id. We concluded that, based on this
evidence, the State did not introduce the investigating officer‟s testimony about the
defendant‟s statements about other cocaine dealings to show that he acted in conformity
therewith, but rather to show defendant‟s intent and motive for dealing cocaine on the present
occasion. Id. at 426-27. Thus, we further concluded that this was not evidence of other
crimes, but rather, defendant‟s response to the investigating officer‟s questioning with
respect to the present offense. Id. at 427.
In the instant matter, after Mirandizing Newson, Detective Jones informed Newson
that he was the subject of a lengthy narcotics investigation, to which Newson replied, “I‟m
not denying that I haven‟t been dealing but Ms. Sanders has nothing to do with it.” Tr. p. 25.
On appeal, Newson claims that his statement was made in the past tense, reflecting that he
would not deny that he had “been dealing in the past.” Tr. p. 43. Thus, Newson argues that
its introduction into evidence must have been made for the purpose of showing prior bad acts
11
that would prove only that he had the propensity to deal cocaine.
However, regardless of the tense used by Newson in making this statement to
Detective Jones, we believe that like in Douglas, Detective Jones‟s testimony regarding
Newson‟s statement was offered as testimony relating to Newson‟s intent to sell cocaine. See
id. at 426-27. After Mirandizing Newson, Detective Jones informed Newson that he was the
subject of a lengthy narcotics investigation at which time Newson indicated that he would not
deny that he had been dealing. Rather than indicating past wrongs by Newson, we conclude
that this statement is evidence that would support the reasonable inference that he intended to
sell the approximately seventeen grams of cocaine found in his home. See id. at 426-27.
Moreover, even if Newson‟s statement had been admitted to show that he had the
propensity to commit the act of dealing in cocaine, we further conclude that such error was
harmless, as it did not affect Newson‟s substantial rights. In light of the evidence
demonstrating that the detectives recovered approximately seventeen grams of cocaine, 3.578
grams of which was packaged in a manner consistent with sale, digital scales, and a rifle
from Newson‟s residence considered with Detective Miller‟s testimony that such evidence
was consistent with dealing in cocaine, we conclude that Newson‟s statement to Detective
Jones was merely cumulative of other evidence that he intended to sell the approximately
seventeen grams of cocaine. As such, the admission of Newson‟s statement, if an abuse of
the trial court‟s discretion, was harmless. See Bacher, 686 N.E.2d 791, 795.
IV. Whether Newson’s Sentence is Appropriate
In challenging the appropriateness of his sentence, Newson acknowledges that he
12
received the minimum sentence for a Class A felony conviction and that his sentence was
nonsuspendible because of a prior unrelated felony conviction. Newson, however, argues
that his placement at the Department of Correction (“DOC”) for the entirety of his sentence is
inappropriate in light of the nature of his offense and his character. Indiana Appellate Rule
7(B) provides that “The Court may revise a sentence authorized by statute if, after due
consideration of the trial court‟s decision, the Court finds that the sentence is inappropriate in
light of the nature of the offense and the character of the offender.” The defendant bears the
burden of persuading us that his sentence is inappropriate. Sanchez v. State, 891 N.E.2d 174,
176 (Ind. Ct. App. 2008). We cannot, however, agree that the trial court‟s order that Newson
serve his entire twenty-year sentence is the DOC is inappropriate.
The location where a sentence is to be served is an appropriate focus for our review
and revise authority. Biddinger v. State, 868 N.E.2d 407, 414 (Ind. 2007). Nevertheless, it is
quite difficult for a defendant to prevail on a claim that his sentence placement is
inappropriate. Fonner v. State, 876 N.E.2d 340, 343 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007).
As a practical matter, trial courts know the feasibility of alternative placements
in particular counties or communities. For example, a trial court is aware of
the availability, costs, and entrance requirements of community corrections
placements in a specific locale. Additionally, the question under Appellate
Rule 7(B) is not whether another sentence is more appropriate; rather, the
question is whether the sentence imposed is inappropriate. A defendant
challenging the placement of a sentence must convince us that the given
placement is itself inappropriate.
Id. at 343-44.
Newson does not argue that the placement of his sentence in inappropriate in light of
13
the nature of his offense, but only that it is inappropriate in light of his character. With
respect to his character, Newson argues that the placement of his full twenty-year sentence in
DOC is inappropriate because he has a relatively minor criminal history. Newson‟s criminal
history includes a juvenile adjudication for criminal trespass, and a felony conviction for
Class C felony possession of cocaine. In addition, a charge of Class A misdemeanor driving
while license suspended was pending at the time of sentencing. Newson has twice
successfully completed probation. As such, Newson claims he makes a good candidate for
work release and home detention.
Like the trial court, we acknowledge that Newson does not have a substantial criminal
history, but note that his criminal actions appear to be escalating in nature. Both Newson‟s
unrelated prior felony conviction and his instant Class A felony conviction involve the
possession of cocaine, here, with the intent to deliver. As such, we conclude that the trial
court‟s order that Newson serve his entire twenty-year sentence in the DOC is not
inappropriate.
The judgment of the trial court is affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded with
instructions.
VAIDIK, J., and CRONE, J., concur.
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