State v. Adams , 2019 Ohio 1140 ( 2019 )

[Cite as State v. Adams, 2019-Ohio-1140.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
CLARK COUNTY
STATE OF OHIO :
:
Plaintiff-Appellee : Appellate Case No. 2018-CA-80
:
v. : Trial Court Case No. 2017-CR-671
:
KELLY LYNNE ADAMS : (Criminal Appeal from
: Common Pleas Court)
Defendant-Appellant :
:
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OPINION
Rendered on the 29th day of March, 2019.
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ANDREW P. PICKERING, Atty. Reg. No. 0068770, Clark County Prosecutor’s Office,
Appellate Division, 50 East Columbia Street, Suite 449, Springfield, Ohio 45502
Attorney for Plaintiff-Appellee
FRANK MATTHEW BATZ, Atty. Reg. No. 0093817, 126 N. Philadelphia Street, Dayton,
Ohio 45403
Attorney for Defendant-Appellant
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FROELICH, J.
{¶ 1} Kelly Lynne Adams appeals her conviction for possession of cocaine, a fifth-
degree felony. The judgment of the trial court will be affirmed.
Factual and Procedural Background
{¶ 2} On September 9, 2017, a caller to 911 reported seeing an unresponsive
person lying in the corner of a backyard in Springfield. When officers from the Springfield
Police Division arrived at the location of the suspected drug overdose, medics already
were on the scene tending to a female lying on the ground next to a tree stump. That
woman was Adams, who at the time was under community control for a previous
conviction of possessing cocaine. See State v. Adams, Clark C.P. No. 2016-CR-595.
{¶ 3} On top of the two-foot wide tree stump near Adams, then-Officer Cassidy
Cantrell1 observed a pink and white plaid purse and “a mirror with white powder on it.”
The purse contained various personal belongings, including several notebooks bearing
Adams’s name. Also on or near the stump were two orange caps from syringes and one
empty syringe. After the medics revived Adams from what appeared to be an overdose
of heroin or another opiate, she was “[v]ery angry” and uncooperative; Adams merely
“grunt[ed]” in response to questions about the items found on the tree stump. Over
Adams’s objection, she was transported to Springfield Regional Medical Center. When
police officers later attempted to interview her at the hospital, Adams asked “where her
stuff was” but provided no information about the drugs found at the scene.
1
Cantrell was a sergeant when she testified at Adams’s trial, but received the promotion
to that rank after the incident leading to Adams’s arrest.
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{¶ 4} Officer Justin Adkins arrived at the scene after Officer Cantrell. Officer Adkins
took photographs and collected evidence, including placing the white powder from the
mirror into a plastic bag. Testing by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (“BCI”)
laboratory determined that the white substance contained less than 0.10 grams of
cocaine. Adams thereafter was indicted for possession of cocaine in violation of R.C.
2925.11(A), a felony of the fifth degree.
{¶ 5} Following Adams’s plea of not guilty, her case proceeded to a jury trial. Sgt.
Cantrell testified about responding to the scene of Adams’s apparent overdose and
identified the photographs taken at that time. Based on her training and experience,
Cantrell stated that the orange caps depicted in the photographs were from syringes that
people “usually * * * use [to inject] heroin.” She indicated that she had known drug users
to use multiple types of drugs, including both heroin and cocaine.
{¶ 6} On cross-examination, Cantrell said that aside from Adams and emergency
responders, the only other person she saw at the scene of Adams’s overdose was the
unnamed man who had called 911 after spotting Adams’s unconscious body from the
alley behind the property where she was found. Cantrell never entered the residence at
that address. Cantrell said that she did not know who may have been living at the address
where Adams was found, or where Adams resided. Cantrell was not aware of any
fingerprint evidence collected at the scene, and the sergeant acknowledged she had no
evidence that Adams had used cocaine on September 9, 2017. However, Cantrell said
that in her training and experience, drugs typically are not left lying unattended, and often
are found near the people using those drugs. She termed it “unlikely” that the powdery
substance on the mirror would have been left outside by someone not present.
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{¶ 7} Officer Adkins identified the evidence that he had collected from the scene.
He testified that Adams was uncooperative when he and Cantrell attempted to question
her at the hospital, and that persons revived from an overdose “more often” than not
refuse to cooperate with law enforcement. Like Cantrell, he testified that drug addicts
often use both heroin and cocaine, and often have drugs in close proximity when arrested.
Officer Adkins stated that it is “not uncommon” for a person using a “downer” such as
heroin to then use cocaine as a stimulant to counteract the heroin’s effect.
{¶ 8} On cross-examination, Officer Adkins testified that crack cocaine “is usually
smoked,” but that no crack pipe was found on or near Adams or among her personal
belongings at the scene. He also confirmed that two syringe caps, but only one syringe,
were found at the scene, and that no fingerprints were taken or blood tests conducted.
{¶ 9} Megan Snyder of Ohio BCI testified as an expert witness regarding the
identification of controlled substances. Snyder explained how she had determined “the
off-white solid substance” recovered from the mirror at the scene of Adams’s overdose to
be cocaine. She testified that the substance appeared to be crack cocaine, which is
“typically smoked,” but can be “dissolve[d] * * * in an acidic liquid” such as lemon juice or
vinegar, and then injected.
{¶ 10} The defense conducted no cross-examination of Snyder, and neither side
presented any additional witnesses. The State’s exhibits were admitted into evidence
without objection.
{¶ 11} In closing, the State acknowledged that Adams apparently had overdosed
on heroin, fentanyl, or some other opiate, but argued that Adams had kept cocaine nearby
as a way to try “to bring herself back from the low heart rate” associated with an opiate
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overdose. The prosecutor pointed to testimony that drug users often use both heroin and
cocaine. The State also noted that Adams claimed the purse, even though she did not
admit ownership of the illegal drugs found adjacent to that purse.
{¶ 12} Adams’s attorney countered that the State had failed to demonstrate
beyond a reasonable doubt that Adams exercised control over the cocaine found on the
mirror. Asserting that Adams did not live at the “drug house” where she overdosed,2
defense counsel argued that both the 911 call and the presence of two syringe caps but
only one syringe indicated that someone else had been present where the cocaine was
discovered. She further urged that the absence of a crack pipe and the State’s failure to
show that Adams had any means available to use the crack found at the scene weighed
against a conclusion that the cocaine belonged to Adams. Additionally, defense counsel
advanced the absence of fingerprint evidence or blood test results connecting Adams to
the cocaine and urged that her mere “access” to that drug did not amount to possession.
{¶ 13} The jury found Adams guilty of possession of cocaine. Given Adams’s
history of other drug convictions as well as a prior overdose, the trial court continued
Adams’s previously-imposed community control for four years, imposed a 180-day jail
sentence, and ordered her to complete a drug treatment program, serve 120 hours of
community service, and pay costs and supervision fees.
{¶ 14} Adams appeals that judgment, setting forth three assignments of error:
1) [Adams]’s conviction was based on insufficient evidence as a matter of
law.
2
Despite this argument, no evidence was presented either that the location was a “drug
house” or as to where Adams resided.
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2) [Adams]’s conviction was against the manifest weight of the evidence.
3) [Adams] was provided with ineffective assi[s]tance of counsel.
Assignments of Error #1, #2 –Sufficiency and Manifest Weight of Evidence
a. Standard of Review
{¶ 15} A sufficiency of the evidence argument disputes whether the State has
presented adequate evidence on each element of the offense to sustain the verdict as a
matter of law. State v. Wilson, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 22581, 2009-Ohio-525, ¶ 10,
citing State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St. 3d 380, 386, 678 N.E.2d 541 (1997). “The relevant
inquiry is whether, after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution,
any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime proven
beyond a reasonable doubt.” State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St. 3d 259, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991),
paragraph two of the syllabus.
{¶ 16} In contrast, “a weight of the evidence argument challenges the believability
of the evidence and asks which of the competing inferences suggested by the evidence
is more believable or persuasive.” Wilson at ¶ 12; see Eastley v. Volkman, 132 Ohio St. 3d
328, 2012-Ohio-2179, 972 N.E.2d 517, ¶ 19 (“ ‘manifest weight of the evidence’ refers to
a greater amount of credible evidence and relates to persuasion”). When evaluating
whether a conviction is against the manifest weight of the evidence, the appellate court
must review the entire record, weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences, consider
witness credibility, 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 and a new trial ordered.” Thompkins at 387, citing State v.
Martin, 20 Ohio App. 3d 172, 175, 485 N.E.2d 717 (1st Dist.1983).
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{¶ 17} Because the trier of fact sees and hears the witnesses at trial, we must defer
to the factfinder’s decisions whether, and to what extent, to credit the testimony of
particular witnesses. State v. Lawson, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 16288, 1997 WL 476684
(Aug. 22, 1997). The fact that the evidence is subject to different interpretations does not
render the conviction against the manifest weight of the evidence. Wilson at ¶ 14. A
judgment of conviction should be reversed as being against the manifest weight of the
evidence only in exceptional circumstances. Martin at 175.
b. Elements of the Offense of Possession of Cocaine
{¶ 18} Under R.C. 2925.11(A), “[n]o person shall knowingly obtain, possess, or
use a controlled substance or a controlled substance analog.” Even a trace amount of
cocaine qualifies as a controlled substance. See State v. Teamer, 82 Ohio St. 3d 490,
491-492, 696 N.E.2d 1049 (1998). Possession of less than five grams of cocaine is a
felony of the fifth degree. R.C. 2925.11(C)(4)(a).
{¶ 19} “ ‘[P]ossession’ means having control over a thing or substance.” R.C.
2925.01(K). Possession may be actual or constructive. State v. Wiley, 2d Dist. Darke No.
2011-CA-8, 2012-Ohio-512, ¶ 20, citing State v. Cooper, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 24321,
2011-Ohio-5017, ¶ 61. “Actual possession exists when the circumstances indicate that
an individual has or had an item within his immediate physical possession.” State v.
Kingsland, 177 Ohio App. 3d 655, 2008-Ohio-4148, 895 N.E.2d 633, ¶ 13 (4th Dist.),
quoting State v. Fry, 4th Dist. Jackson No. 03CA26, 2004-Ohio-5747, ¶ 39. Further, “[a]
person has constructive possession of an item when he is conscious of the presence of
the object and able to exercise dominion and control over that item, even if it is not within
his immediate physical possession.” State v. Rastbichler, 2d Dist. Montgomery No.
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25753, 2014-Ohio-628, ¶ 32, quoting State v. Mabry, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 21569,
2007-Ohio-1895, ¶ 18.
{¶ 20} “Dominion and control may be established by circumstantial evidence
alone.” Fry at ¶ 39, citing State v. Taylor, 78 Ohio St. 3d 15, 676 N.E.2d 82 (1997) and
State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St. 3d 259, 272-273, 574 N.E.2d 492 (1991). Circumstantial
evidence also may be used to establish consciousness of an item’s presence. State v.
Riggs, 4th Dist. Washington No. 98CA39, 1999 WL 727952, *4 (Sept. 13, 1999).
{¶ 21} Possession “may not be inferred solely from mere access to the thing or
substance through ownership or occupation of the premises upon which the thing or
substance is found.” R.C. 2925.01(K). While ownership alone therefore is not proof of
possession, correspondingly, the State is required to prove “only * * * constructive
possession, not ownership, of the drugs,” in order to sustain a conviction for possession
of cocaine. State v. Greenwood, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 19820, 2004-Ohio-2737, ¶ 12.
{¶ 22} Although “mere proximity is in itself insufficient to establish constructive
possession,” “proximity to an object may constitute some evidence of constructive
possession.” Wiley, 2d Dist. Darke No. 2011-CA-8, 2012-Ohio-512, at ¶ 20, quoting
Kingsland, 177 Ohio App. 3d 655, 2008-Ohio-4148, 895 N.E.2d 633, at ¶ 13. “Thus,
presence in the vicinity of contraband, coupled with another factor or factors probative of
dominion or control over the contraband, may establish constructive possession.”
Kingsland at ¶ 13, citing Riggs at *5.
c. Adams’s Insufficient Evidence Claim
{¶ 23} Adams contends that the evidence presented by the State was insufficient
to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that she “knowingly exercised dominion and control
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over” the cocaine found on the tree stump. Viewing the evidence in the light most
favorable to the prosecution, we conclude that a reasonable jury could find that evidence
sufficient to show that Adams possessed the cocaine present on the mirror.
{¶ 24} Testimony established that Adams was found unconscious on the ground
very near a tree stump on which a mirror containing cocaine was positioned. In addition,
Adams’s purse containing her personal belongings was on that tree stump, next to the
mirror. The cocaine was spread on the mirror as though intended for immediate use, thus
permitting an inference that Adams was aware of the cocaine’s presence. Moreover, no
other person was shown to have been in the immediate vicinity of the tree stump while
the cocaine was present on the mirror, and two police officers testified that, in their
experience, drug users typically do not leave their drugs outside and unattended,
especially if in powder form. (See Trial Tr. pp. 61, 62, 72-73). Accordingly, the evidence
went beyond showing Adams’s “mere proximity” to the cocaine. See Wiley at ¶ 20. Under
the totality of the circumstances, the circumstantial evidence was sufficient to support
inferences that Adams both was conscious of and had dominion or control over the
cocaine, as necessary to establish her constructive possession of that drug. See
Rastbichler, 2d Dist. Montgomery No. 25753, 2014-Ohio-628, at ¶ 32.
{¶ 25} Adams’s first assignment of error challenging the sufficiency of the evidence
is overruled.
d. Adams’s Manifest Weight of the Evidence Claim
{¶ 26} In her second assignment of error, Adams contends that the jury’s verdict
finding her guilty of possessing cocaine was against the manifest weight of the evidence.
Having reviewed the trial record, we cannot conclude that the jury “clearly lost its way” in
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resolving any conflicts in the evidence. See Thompkins, 78 Ohio St. 3d at 387, 678 N.E.2d
541. Accordingly, this case does not present the “exceptional circumstance[ ]” in which
the jury’s verdict should be reversed. See Martin, 20 Ohio App. 3d at 175, 485 N.E.2d 717.
{¶ 27} Although Adams asserts on appeal that she did not live at the property
where she and the cocaine were discovered, that alleged fact is not established in the
record. Asked by defense counsel to confirm that Adams did not reside at the address
where she was found, Sgt. Cantrell denied knowing where Adams lived. (Tr. p. 58). The
defense presented no evidence indicating that Adams lived elsewhere. Nevertheless,
defense counsel argued in closing that Adams “was found in the backyard of somebody
else’s house.” (See Tr. p. 105). The jury apparently either rejected that argument or did
not find it determinative as to whether Adams possessed the cocaine. Because the guilty
verdict was supported by evidence unrelated to where Adams may have lived, the issue
of Adams’s residence was largely immaterial.
{¶ 28} Similarly, although defense counsel argued in both the opening statement
and closing argument that the property where the cocaine was found was a “drug house”
(Tr. pp. 17, 106), that argument also lacked substantiation in the record. Officer Adkins
denied prior familiarity with that address (id., p. 77), and the defense presented no
affirmative evidence suggesting that the address was the site of a “drug house.” Sergeant
Cantrell testified that the only other people near the scene when she arrived were the
medics and a man who “came running up” and said that he had called 911 after spotting
an unresponsive Adams while he was walking through the alley behind the property. (Tr.
p. 58). That testimony weighed against any intimation that the cocaine may have
belonged to another drug user who fled after calling 911 to obtain assistance for the
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overdosing Adams. No evidence was presented of any other person who may have been
at the scene and responsible for placing the cocaine there.
{¶ 29} Some circumstantial evidence could be interpreted to suggest that another
person may have been at or near the tree stump before Adams was found. Defense
counsel argued that the presence of two syringe caps, but only one syringe, indicates that
a syringe was removed from the scene before police arrived. However, the presumed
absence of one syringe offers no context as to when that syringe may have been
removed. Thus, the missing syringe argument does not compel a conclusion that
someone other than Adams was responsible for the presence of cocaine or that Adams
was not in possession of that cocaine.
{¶ 30} Neither does the absence of a crack pipe compel a conclusion that Adams
did not possess the cocaine. Despite evidence that the cocaine was crack cocaine which
most often is ingested by smoking, the BCI expert testified that crack also may be
dissolved in an acidic liquid and injected. A syringe was available at the scene, and the
evidence suggested that Adams had injected the drug on which she overdosed.
{¶ 31} Although Adams argues that the State failed to prove either that Adams had
access to acidic liquids with which she could have dissolved the solid crack found near
her, or that she in fact had used cocaine, neither proof of available means to use a drug
nor actual use of the drug is an element of the offense of drug possession. See R.C.
2925.01(K). Even though the evidence suggested that the cocaine was set up for
immediate use and the State argued that Adams likely was the intended user, the State
was not required to prove that Adams had ready access to a specific means to use the
cocaine in order for her to be found guilty of possessing that substance. A jury reasonably
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could have found that Adams constructively possessed the cocaine.
{¶ 32} We also do not find persuasive Adams’s argument that she was incapable
of knowingly exercising dominion or control over the cocaine because she was
“unresponsive.” The fact that Adams experienced an overdose did not negate the
circumstantial evidence that she was aware of and exercised control over the cocaine
before she lapsed into unconsciousness. Her temporary incapacitation did not insulate
her from responsibility for possessing drugs that remained in her immediate vicinity and
subject to the dominion and control of no other known person while Adams was
unresponsive.
{¶ 33} Finally, Adams contends, because the State failed to present fingerprint
evidence or to perform DNA or drug testing on the syringe, the weight of the evidence did
not demonstrate that Adams was aware of the cocaine’s presence. Certainly evidence
that another person’s fingerprints were found or Adams’s fingerprints were not found on
or near the mirror and other drug-related items would have been probative of Adams’s
awareness of and connection to the cocaine. However, we cannot say that the absence
of such physical evidence requires a reversal of the guilty verdict. As we noted, the
positioning of the cocaine and the proximity of Adams and her belongings to that cocaine
were sufficient to support an inference that Adams was aware of and exercised control
over the cocaine. Under the totality of the circumstances, the jury did not create a manifest
miscarriage of justice by concluding that Adams was guilty of possessing cocaine.
{¶ 34} Adams’s second assignment of error is overruled.
Assignment of Error #3 – Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
a. Standard of Review
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{¶ 35} To establish ineffective assistance of counsel, a defendant must
demonstrate both that trial counsel’s conduct fell below an objective standard of
reasonableness and that the errors were serious enough to create a reasonable
probability that, but for the errors, the outcome of the case would have been different.
See Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984);
State v. Bradley, 42 Ohio St. 3d 136, 141-142, 538 N.E.2d 373 (1989). Hindsight is not
permitted to distort the assessment of what was reasonable in light of counsel’s
perspective at the time, and a debatable decision concerning trial strategy cannot form
the basis of a finding of ineffective assistance of counsel. State v. Cook, 65 Ohio St. 3d
516, 524-525, 605 N.E.2d 70 (1992); State v. Fields, 2017-Ohio-400, 84 N.E.3d 193,
¶ 38 (2d Dist.). Trial counsel is also entitled to a strong presumption that his or her conduct
falls within the wide range of reasonable assistance. Strickland at 689.
b. Adams’s Ineffective Assistance of Counsel Claim
{¶ 36} Adams claims that she was denied the effective assistance of counsel
because neither of the attorneys appointed to represent her in her successive drug
possession cases3 advised her that she could avoid conviction by obtaining a screening
and seeking a referral for drug treatment, in accordance with R.C. 2925.11(B)(2)(b).
{¶ 37} That statutory provision, known as the “911 Good Samaritan Law,” provides
3
Adams contends that both her attorney in this case and her attorney in Clark C.P. No.
2016-CR-595 performed deficiently by failing to direct her to take advantage of the
immunity statute. (See Brief for the Appellant, pp. 18, 19) (e.g., “counsel from 16CR0595
was still involved in th[at] matter [when Adams was indicted in this case] and should have
advised [Adams] to seek a screening in order to obtain a referral”). Because the quality
of representation provided by Adams’s counsel from a different case is not before us on
this appeal, we will not address any alleged deficiencies in that other attorney’s
performance.
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in pertinent part:
(b) Subject to division (B)(2)(f) of this section, a qualified individual shall not
be arrested, charged, prosecuted, convicted, or penalized pursuant to this
chapter for a minor drug possession offense if all of the following apply:
(i) The evidence of the obtaining, possession, or use of the controlled
substance or controlled substance analog that would be the basis of the
offense was obtained as a result of the qualified individual seeking the
medical assistance or experiencing an overdose and needing medical
assistance.
(ii) Subject to division (B)(2)(g) of this section, within thirty days after
seeking or obtaining the medical assistance, the qualified individual seeks
and obtains a screening and receives a referral for treatment from a
community addiction services provider or a properly credentialed addiction
treatment professional.
(iii) Subject to division (B)(2)(g) of this section, the qualified individual who
obtains a screening and receives a referral for treatment under division
(B)(2)(b)(ii) of this section, upon the request of any prosecuting attorney,
submits documentation to the prosecuting attorney that verifies that the
qualified individual satisfied the requirements of that division. The
documentation shall be limited to the date and time of the screening
obtained and referral received.
R.C. 2925.11(B)(2)(b), effective September 13, 2016. See State v. Melms, 2018-Ohio-
1947, 101 N.E.3d 747, ¶ 1 (2d Dist.).
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{¶ 38} In addition, pursuant to R.C. 2925.11(B)(2)(a)(viii),
“Qualified individual” means a person who is not on community control or
post-release control and is a person acting in good faith who seeks or
obtains medical assistance for another person who is experiencing a drug
overdose, a person who experiences a drug overdose and who seeks
medical assistance for that overdose, or a person who is the subject of
another person seeking or obtaining medical assistance for that overdose
as described in division (B)(2)(b) of this section.
(Emphasis added.)
{¶ 39} The record reflects that at the time of her September 9, 2017 overdose
(which led to the drug possession charge in this case), Adams was serving community
control as a result of her prior conviction for possession of cocaine in Clark C.P. No. 2016-
CR-595. (5/15/18 Disposition Tr. p. 3). Consequently, under R.C. 2925.11(B)(2)(a)(viii),
Adams was not a “qualified individual” entitled to take advantage of R.C.
2925.11(B)(2)(b)’s immunity from prosecution. Her trial attorney in this case cannot have
performed deficiently by failing to advise her of that statutory immunity.
{¶ 40} Adams’s third assignment of error is overruled.
Conclusion
{¶ 41} The judgment of the trial court will be affirmed.
.. . . . . . . . . . . . .
DONOVAN, J. and HALL, J., concur.
Copies sent to:
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Andrew P. Pickering
Frank Matthew Batz
Hon. Richard J. O’Neill