State v. Gabrielle Oliva Lashane Davis Kocsis ( 2022 )

THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
In The Court of Appeals
The State, Respondent,
v.
Gabrielle Oliva Lashane Davis-Kocsis, Appellant.
Appellate Case No. 2019-000687
Appeal From Berkeley County
Maite Murphy, Circuit Court Judge
Opinion No. 5908
Heard February 16, 2022 – Filed May 4, 2022
AFFIRMED
Appellate Defender Susan Barber Hackett, of Columbia,
and Jason Scott Luck, of Luck VI Ltd. Co. d/b/a Jason
Scott Luck, Attorney at Law, of Bennettsville, both for
Appellant.
Attorney General Alan McCrory Wilson and Assistant
Attorney General Julianna E. Battenfield, both of
Columbia; and Solicitor Scarlett Anne Wilson, of
Charleston, all for Respondent.
LOCKEMY, A.J.: Gabrielle Oliva Lashane Davis-Kocsis (Kocsis) appeals her
convictions for murder, first-degree burglary, criminal conspiracy, and two counts
of kidnapping and aggregate fifty-year sentence. On appeal, Kocsis argues the trial
court erred in (1) failing to charge the current law of burglary, (2) failing to direct
verdicts on the burglary and kidnapping charges, (3) sentencing her for kidnapping
in light of her murder sentence, and (4) admitting a 911 call. We affirm.
FACTS
In 2016, a Berkley County grand jury indicted Kocsis for the murder of Mark
Connor (Victim), first-degree burglary involving Rosemary Hoffberg and her
home, criminal conspiracy, and the kidnappings of Alexis Nicole Murray and
Whitney Renee Chance.
Pretrial, Kocsis moved to suppress State's Exhibit 1, which is a recording of a 911
call that consisted of Murray requesting emergency services to respond quickly,
telling Victim not to die from his gunshot wound, describing that she and others
had been pepper sprayed and Victim was shot, identifying Kocsis as a perpetrator,
and stating they were asleep when Kocsis and the others came into the home.
Chance can also be heard on the recording. Relying on Rule 403, SCRE, Kocsis
argued the 911 call would "stir up the passions and prejudices of the jury via using
emotion rather than facts." The State asserted all 911 calls are emotional, this call
was not substantially prejudicial, and the 911 call provided a "real time" account
immediately after the shooting. The trial court found State's Exhibit 1 admissible
for "corroborative purposes and establishing the elements of the offense[s]" and
stated "although [State's Exhibit 1] may be prejudicial, the probative value
outweigh[ed] the prejudicial effects."1
In her opening statement, Kocsis asserted many of the witnesses, including herself,
used methamphetamine, and she urged the jury to consider the credibility of the
witnesses, their motives in testifying she was responsible for organizing how
Victim was killed, and if she were "some drug leader."
During the first witness's testimony, the trial court admitted State's Exhibit 1 over
Kocsis's renewed Rule 403 objection. Thereafter, the State presented evidence that
Kocsis was a drug dealer, Victim stole over a thousand dollars and a motorcycle
from her, and Kocsis "put a hit on" Victim.
On the day of Victim's death, Victim was staying at "Ms. Rose's" home, and there
were several other people there, including Murray, Chance, Richard Curtis, Nick
Varner, and Ms. Rose. Witnesses described Ms. Rose's home as a drug or "trap
house." The trial court admitted photographs of Ms. Rose's home, which depicted
1
The court had not listened to State's Exhibit 1 at the time of the pretrial ruling.
a house that someone was living in—there was a beer can, cleaning supplies,
furniture, and a calendar flipped to the correct month on the day of the incident.
Two witnesses testified Ms. Rose slept in the home, including on the night in issue.
According to the State's witnesses, Kocsis, Matt Grainger, Grayson Griffin, and
others broke into Ms. Rose's home in the early morning hours by breaking a
window and kicking a door in2 while they were looking for Victim. These
witnesses detailed Kocsis sprayed bear mace, or pepper spray, inside the home and
indicated to Grainger to shoot Victim. Thereafter, a gun went off, and Kocsis and
the other intruders fled Ms. Rose's home.3
According to Varner, he told Chance to call 911—although Murray was the one
who actually called 911 on State's Exhibit 1. Varner testified he told Chance to tell
law enforcement that they were at Ms. Rose's home and stated law enforcement
would know the location. Deputy Kimberly Vandiver, of the Berkeley County
Sherriff's Office, testified she was one of the first responders and she spoke with
"[t]he owner of the residence."
Murray testified that during the break-in, she was in a bedroom and did not feel
free to leave because one of the men Kocsis was with was pointing a gun at her
face. Chance, who was in the living room, also testified she did not feel free to
leave during the incident; Chance emphasized the mace caused her pain and she
had difficulty breathing because of it.
Melissa Freeman, who was with the intruders, testified Kocsis "orchestrated" the
incident, and Freeman believed Kocsis and the others were only going to scare
Victim. Griffin testified he sold drugs to Kocsis and did not know that someone
was going to be killed when they went to Ms. Rose's home. However, Curtis
testified he overheard a phone call between Griffin and Kocsis in which Griffin
told Kocsis that "they [could not] let stuff like this happen and [let] people get
away with it."
During cross-examination of many of the State's witnesses, Kocsis questioned the
witnesses about their credibility, focusing on their drug usage, criminal records,
possible benefits from testifying, and their recollections of what occurred.
2
Griffin explained someone may have opened the door when Grainger was kicking
the door.
3
Grainger pled guilty to murder.
At the close of the State's case, Kocsis moved for a directed verdict. Specifically,
she argued (1) "Rosemary Hoffberg" had not testified, her ownership and identity
remained unknown, and witnesses broadly identified "Miss Rose"; (2) burglary
required "proof of a possessory interest" and an "expectation of peace and
security"; and (3) the State failed to present evidence that Kocsis knew Murray and
Chance would be in the home. The trial court denied Kocsis's motion, finding
there was evidence that this was a dwelling where Ms. Rose slept, Kocsis and the
others broke into the dwelling, and Murray and Chance testified they did not feel
free to leave.
Kocsis testified in her own defense and confirmed Victim took her money and
motorcycle. According to Kocsis, the money that Victim stole actually belonged
to Griffin because Griffin sold her drugs on credit. Kocsis asserted Griffin
threatened that if she could not obtain the money from Victim, he "was going to
take it out on [her]." Kocsis testified Griffin took out the hit on Victim, but Kocsis
later acknowledged she shared information about the hit. According to Kocsis, she
received a text message that Victim was at Ms. Rose's home, and Griffin wanted
her to tell him where the home was located. She stated Griffin gave her a pistol to
give to Grainger, which she later gave to Grainger, and Griffin tried to give her a
gun to use personally, but she declined to take it. Kocsis testified that upon
arriving to Ms. Rose's home, Griffin told her that he planned to smash a window to
cause everyone to run out. Kocsis stated Griffin broke a window and Grainger
attempted to kick the door in. Kocsis explained the door started coming open, and
Ms. "Rose Hoffberg" was "standing behind the door." Kocsis identified Ms. Rose
as the "owner of the house" and admitted she had "heard" about "Miss Rose's
house"; Murray previously testified she saw Kocsis at Ms. Rose's home on several
occasions over a period of three years.
Kocsis stated she entered the home and looked for Victim, and upon seeing Victim
in the backroom, she sprayed him with the mace. According to Kocsis, Grainger
believed Victim was "rushing at him"; Grainger fell in a hole in the floor, and the
gun went off. Kocsis denied telling Grainger to shoot Victim. Kocsis asserted it
was Griffin's idea to find Victim, she did not want Victim dead, and she did not
have a choice about going to the home. Kocsis acknowledged the purpose of going
to Ms. Rose's home was to obtain the stolen money. Kocsis denied the intention
was to kill Victim and asserted the incident was not planned.
Curtis Jamison also testified in Kocsis's defense and asserted Kocsis was afraid of
Griffin. The defense rested, and the trial court instructed the parties to send it jury
instructions. In a memorandum, Kocsis requested the trial court charge Judge
Ralph King Anderson's proposed jury charge4 defining "without consent" after our
supreme court issued State v. Singley5 and an additional paragraph about an
expectation of being safe and secure. The memorandum did not state any
reasoning beyond that it was the "current South Carolina law." The requested
charge stated the following:
The entry must have been without consent. "Enters a
dwelling without consent" means to enter "without the
consent of the person in lawful possession." In addition
to the normal meaning of entry without consent, the
phrase also includes entering by using deception, artifice,
trick, or misrepresentation to gain consent to enter from
the person in lawful possession.
A person in "lawful possession" has custody and control
of, and the right and expectation to be safe and secure in,
the dwelling in question.
The trial court held an off-the-record charge conference, and when on the record,
Kocsis referenced her proposed burglary charge and only stated "we would object
based on that." The trial court denied Kocsis's request, stating it thought the
"[c]ourt's [standard] charge cover[ed her] concerns." Additionally, Kocsis renewed
her directed verdict motion, which the trial court denied.
In her closing argument, Kocsis emphasized many of the State's witnesses were
drug addicts, asserted they were liars, attacked their credibility, and contended
their memories were faulty. Kocsis specifically went witness by witness in her
closing argument and highlighted aspects about the individuals.
The trial court issued the following first-degree burglary charge:
The defendant is charged with burglary in the first
degree. The State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt
that the defendant entered a dwelling without consent.
4
Ralph King Anderson, Jr., South Carolina Request to Charge—Criminal, § 2-13
(2d ed. 2012).
5
392 S.C. 270, 709 S.E.2d 603 (2011).
A dwelling is any building or portion of a building in
which a person ordinarily sleeps. A building constructed
as a dwelling that has never been occupied cannot be
considered a dwelling for purposes of burglary. But a
building is a dwelling even if the residents are
temporarily absent from the building.
In order to prove that the defendant entered the building,
the State does not have to show that the defendant's entire
body entered the building. The smallest entry is
sufficient. It may be any part of the body, such as a hand
or a foot, or even an instrument, such as a hook or other
instrument.
In addition, the State does not have to prove that force
was used to gain entry. If a person enters a building by
using deception, artifice, trick, or misrepresentation to
get consent to enter, this is an entry without consent.
Next, the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt
that the defendant intended to commit a crime, either a
felony or a misdemeanor, at the time of entry. Mere
entry into a dwelling without consent is not burglary. If
the intent to commit a crime is formed after the entry, it
is not burglary.
On the other hand, if the defendant intended to commit a
crime at the time of the entry, it is a burglary even if the
intent was abandoned after the entry. It does not matter
that the intended crime was not completed.
Intent may be shown by acts and conduct of the
defendant and other circumstances from which you may
naturally and reasonably infer intent.
Additionally, the trial court charged the jury on the applicable aggravating
circumstances. It also charged accomplice liability and instructed the jury to
consider each offense separately:
Each indictment charges separate and distinct offenses.
You must decide each indictment separately on the
evidence and law applicable, uninfluenced by your
decision as to any other indictment. The defendant may
be convicted or acquitted on any or all of the offenses
charged.
You will be asked to write a separate verdict of guilty or
not guilty for each indictment.
After the trial court charged the jury, Kocsis "reiterate[d her] previous exceptions,"
which the trial court denied.
During its deliberations, the jury requested to listen to State's Exhibit 1 again,
which the trial court permitted. The jury found Kocsis guilty as indicted, and the
trial court sentenced Kocsis to an aggregate sentence of fifty years' imprisonment,
including for the murder of Victim and the kidnappings of Murray and Chance.
Thereafter, Kocsis moved for a new trial, asserting (1) "there was not [the]
requisite evidence to prove any sort of legal possession necessary to prove a
burglary charge"; (2) "there was [not] sufficient evidence to support a mens rea
aspect of the kidnapping charge[s]"; (3) State v. East6 implied for a jury to "convict
a defendant of kidnapping that is incident to another crime, . . . there need[ed] to be
a specific charge telling them that there must be requisite intent to commit two
separate offenses"; and (4) she "would like . . . like to reincorporate" her prior
objection to the jury charge.
The trial court denied her motion, finding there was sufficient evidence for the jury
to return the verdicts it did, the jury was charged to consider each element of each
offense separately, and it charged all of Kocsis's requested charges except for the
burglary charge. This appeal followed.
ISSUES ON APPEAL
1. Did the trial court err in charging the jury on the law of burglary?
2. Did the trial court err in failing to grant directed verdicts on the burglary and
kidnapping charges?
6
353 S.C. 634, 578 S.E.2d 748 (Ct. App. 2003).
3. Did the trial court err in sentencing Kocsis for kidnapping in light of her murder
sentence?
4. Did the trial court err in admitting State's Exhibit 1 in violation of Rule 403?
LAW/ANALYSIS
I. Burglary Jury Charge
Kocsis argues the trial court erred in not issuing her requested burglary charge
because the trial court's charge did not comply with Judge Anderson's
interpretation of Singley. She further avers the issues of an "expectation to be safe
and secure" and whether the home could have been burglarized were integral to her
case. We disagree.
"[T]he trial court is required to charge only the current and correct law of South
Carolina." State v. Marin, 415 S.C. 475, 482, 783 S.E.2d 808, 812 (2016) (quoting
State v. Brandt, 393 S.C. 526, 549, 713 S.E.2d 591, 603 (2011) (alteration in
original)). "The law to be charged must be determined from the evidence
presented at trial." Id. (quoting Brandt, 393 S.C. at 549, 713 S.E.2d at 603). "An
appellate court will not reverse the trial [court's] decision regarding a jury charge
absent an abuse of discretion." Id. (quoting State v. Mattison, 388 S.C. 469, 479,
697 S.E.2d 578, 584 (2010)). "In reviewing jury charges for error, we must
consider the court's jury charge as a whole in light of the evidence and issues
presented at trial." Id. (quoting Brandt, 393 S.C. at 549, 713 S.E.2d at 603). "The
substance of the law is what must be instructed to the jury, not any particular
verbiage." Id. (quoting State v. Smith, 315 S.C. 547, 554, 446 S.E.2d 411, 415
(1994)). "To warrant reversal, a trial [court's] refusal to give a requested jury
charge must be both erroneous and prejudicial to the defendant." Brandt, 393 S.C.
at 550, 713 S.E.2d at 603 (quoting Mattison, 388 S.C. at 479, 697 S.E.2d at 583).
Section 16-11-311(A) of the South Carolina Code (2015) provides the statutory
crime of first-degree burglary. In pertinent part, the statute states: "A person is
guilty of burglary in the first degree if the person enters a dwelling without consent
and with intent to commit a crime in the dwelling . . . ." Id. "'Dwelling' means its
definition found in [s]ection 16-11-10 [of the South Carolina Code (2015)] and
also means the living quarters of a building which is used or normally used for
sleeping, living, or lodging by a person." S.C. Code Ann. § 16-11-310(2) (2015).
Section 16-11-10 defines dwelling as "any house, outhouse, apartment, building,
erection, shed or box in which there sleeps a proprietor, tenant, watchman, clerk,
laborer or person who lodges there with a view to the protection of property shall
be deemed a dwelling house . . . ." "'Enters a building without consent' means: (a)
To enter a building without the consent of the person in lawful possession; or (b)
To enter a building by using deception, artifice, trick, or misrepresentation to gain
consent to enter from the person in lawful possession." S.C. Code Ann.
§ 16-11-310(3) (2015).
"The law of burglary is primarily designed to secure the sanctity of one's home,
especially at nighttime when peace, solitude and safety are most desired and
expected." State v. Brooks, 277 S.C. 111, 112, 283 S.E.2d 830, 831 (1981). See
generally 4 William Blackstone, Commentaries *223 (Wilfrid Prest ed. 2016)
("Burglary, or nocturnal housebreaking, burgi latrocinium [robbery of the castle],
which by our antient law was called hamesecken, as it is in Scotland to this day,
has always been looked upon as a very heinous offense: not only because of the
abundant terror that it naturally carries with it, but also as it is a forcible invasion
and disturbance of that right of habitation . . . ." (first alteration in original)).
In Singley, our supreme court was presented with the issue of whether a defendant
who owned a legal interest in a house was precluded from being convicted of
burglary of that home as a matter of law. 392 S.C. at 273, 709 S.E.2d at 605. Our
supreme court found the defendant could be convicted because "the proper test is
whether, under the totality of the circumstances, a burglary defendant had custody
and control of, and the right and expectation to be safe and secure in, the dwelling
burglarized." Id. at 277-78, 709 S.E. 2d at 606-07.
Initially, we acknowledge the State emphasizes in its appellate brief that Kocsis
failed to provide a justification on the record for why she wanted the specific jury
charge for first-degree burglary. See generally Gilchrist v. State, 364 S.C. 173,
178, 612 S.E.2d 702, 705 (2005) (finding "trial counsel's submission of the request
to charge, without any further explanation of his point, was insufficient to preserve
for review the trial court's failure to charge the specific language"). However, we
are mindful that issue preservation is not meant to be a "gotcha game" and
recognize Kocsis submitted a proposed jury charge to the trial court, the trial court
held an off-the-record charge conference, and Kocsis renewed her objection on the
record, which the trial court denied. See Atl. Coast Builders & Contractors, LLC v.
Lewis, 398 S.C. 323, 329, 730 S.E.2d 282, 285 (2012) (stating preservation is not a
"'gotcha' game"); cf. State v. Kromah, 401 S.C. 340, 353, 737 S.E.2d 490, 497
(2013) ("Although the full grounds for the exception were not articulated on the
record at the time of the objection, as would have been advisable to avoid a
question in this regard, it nevertheless appears from the transcript and the context
of the proceedings that Kromah's reference to the parties' earlier discussion
sufficiently apprised the trial court of the nature of the objection."). Thus, we
reach the merits of Kocsis's issue.
The trial court did not err as to the jury charge. See Marin, 415 S.C. at 482, 783
S.E.2d at 812 ("[T]he trial court is required to charge only the current and correct
law of South Carolina." (quoting Brandt, 393 S.C. at 549, 713 S.E.2d at 603(alteration in original))); id. ("The law to be charged must be determined from the
evidence presented at trial." (quoting Brandt, 393 S.C. at 549, 713 S.E.2d at 603)).
Here, the trial court charged the definition of a dwelling and stated it was "any
building or portion of a building which a person ordinarily sleeps"; it also stated
that the defendant had to enter without consent. See § 16-11-310(2) ("'Dwelling'
means its definition found in [s]ection 16-11-10 and also means the living quarters
of a building which is used or normally used for sleeping, living, or lodging by a
person."). Although Kocsis's proposed jury charge raises an issue about lawful
possession and consent, there was no evidence of a legal ownership dispute as
existed in Singley. See 392 S.C. at 273, 709 S.E.2d at 604-05 (discussing whether
a defendant who owned a legal interest in a home was precluded from being
convicted of burglary of that home as a matter of law). There was no contention
that Kocsis had an interest in the home. Rather, the witnesses consistently
identified the home as belonging to Ms. Rose or Ms. Rose Hoffberg and that Ms.
Rose lived in the home. Moreover, Kocsis and her coconspirators broke a window
and kicked the door to gain access to Ms. Rose's home to find Victim. Kocsis even
testified Ms. "Rose Hoffberg . . . was standing behind the door" when the door was
kicked and Ms. Rose was "the owner of the house."
Further, we acknowledge witnesses testified Ms. Rose's home was a drug or "trap
house," and thus, Kocsis contends Ms. Rose's overall home could not be
burglarized. However, Kocsis has not cited to any authority, nor have we found
any, that supports this specific contention. During oral arguments, Kocsis argued
this court should limit Ms. Rose's dwelling to her bedroom and urged the court to
consider the other rooms in Ms. Rose's home—the kitchen, living room, guest
bedrooms, and hall bathroom—not to be part of Ms. Rose's dwelling. We view
this limitation to be illogical when considering Ms. Rose's dwelling was a
residential home that Ms. Rose lived in, including on the night of the incident. Ms.
Rose and her "castle," deserve the same protections under the law of first-degree
burglary as any other home that meets the statutory requirements. See 4 William
Blackstone, Commentaries *223 ("Burglary, or nocturnal housebreaking, burgi
latrocinium [robbery of the castle], which by our antient law was called
hamesecken, as it is in Scotland to this day, has always been looked upon as a very
heinous offense: not only because of the abundant terror that it naturally carries
with it, but also as it is a forcible invasion and disturbance of that right of
habitation . . . ." (first alteration in original)). Thus, we hold the trial court did not
err in issuing its jury charge. Accordingly, we affirm on this issue.
II. Directed Verdict
Kocsis argues the trial court erred in not granting directed verdicts on her burglary
and kidnapping charges. We disagree.
"When ruling on a motion for a directed verdict, the trial [court] is concerned with
the existence of evidence, not its weight." State v. Butler, 407 S.C. 376, 381, 755
S.E.2d 457, 460 (2014) (quoting State v. Wiggins, 330 S.C. 538, 544-45, 500
S.E.2d 489, 492-93 (1998)). "On appeal from the denial of a directed verdict, [the
appellate court] views the evidence and all reasonable inferences in the light most
favorable to the State." Id. "If there is any direct evidence or any substantial
circumstantial evidence reasonably tending to prove the guilt of the accused, the
[appellate court] must find the case was properly submitted to the jury." State v.
Weston, 367 S.C. 279, 292-93, 625 S.E.2d 641, 648 (2006).
A. Burglary
Kocsis argues the trial court erred in failing to direct a verdict on the burglary
charge because (1) the State did not establish "the entry was without the consent of
the person in lawful possession" and (2) the home "was not a structure that could
be burglarized." We disagree.
Section 16-11-311(A) provides the statutory crime of first-degree burglary. In
pertinent part, the statute states: "A person is guilty of burglary in the first degree if
the person enters a dwelling without consent and with intent to commit a crime in
the dwelling . . . ." "'Dwelling' means its definition found in [s]ection 16-11-10
and also means the living quarters of a building which is used or normally used for
sleeping, living, or lodging by a person." § 16-11-310(2); see also § 16-11-10
(defining "dwelling" as "any house, outhouse, apartment, building, erection, shed
or box in which there sleeps a proprietor, tenant, watchman, clerk, laborer or
person who lodges there with a view to the protection of property shall be deemed
a dwelling house"). "'Enters a building without consent' means: (a) To enter a
building without the consent of the person in lawful possession; or (b) To enter a
building by using deception, artifice, trick, or misrepresentation to gain consent to
enter from the person in lawful possession." § 16-11-310(3).
We disagree with Kocsis's arguments that the trial court erred in denying her
directed verdict motion on the burglary charge because (1) the State did not
establish "the entry was without the consent of the person in lawful possession"
and (2) the home "was not a structure that could be burglarized." See Butler, 407
S.C. at 381, 755 S.E.2d at 460 ("When ruling on a motion for a directed verdict,
the trial [court] is concerned with the existence of evidence, not its weight."
(quoting Wiggins, 330 S.C. at 544-45, 500 S.E.2d at 492-93)); Weston, 367 S.C. at
292-93, 625 S.E.2d at 648 ("If there is any direct evidence or any substantial
circumstantial evidence reasonably tending to prove the guilt of the accused, the
[appellate court] must find the case was properly submitted to the jury."). As
discussed above, there was not a dispute like Singley in this case. Rather, Kocsis's
argument is focused on the fact that the witnesses did not specifically identify
Rosemary Hoffberg as Ms. Rose. This argument is meritless because Kocsis
specifically testified Ms. "Rose Hoffberg" was behind the door when she and the
others broke into the home and Ms. Rose was "the owner of the house."
Additionally, Varner instructed Chance to call 911 and to identify the home as Ms.
Rose's, and Deputy Vandiver testified she spoke to the homeowner upon arriving at
the scene. Accordingly, this evidence supports that Ms. Rose was in possession of
the home and did not consent to Kocsis and the others breaking into her home.
Moreover, as discussed above, we disagree with Kocsis's argument that Ms. Rose's
home was not one that could be burglarized. Two witnesses specifically testified
that Ms. Rose slept in the home, including on the night of the incident.
Additionally, the trial court admitted photographs of the home that depicted a
home that someone was living in—there was a beer can, cleaning supplies,
furniture, and a calendar flipped to the correct month. We disagree that because
Ms. Rose's house may have been a "trap house," Ms. Rose did not deserve the
protections of the law. Accordingly, we affirm on this issue.
B. Kidnapping
Kocsis argues the trial court erred in failing to direct a verdict on the kidnapping
charges because the State did not establish the necessary mens rea. We disagree.
"Whoever shall unlawfully seize, confine, inveigle, decoy, kidnap, abduct or carry
away any other person by any means whatsoever without authority of law, except
when a minor is seized or taken by his parent, is guilty of a felony . . . ." S.C. Code
Ann. § 16-3-910 (2015).
"Under the 'hand of one is the hand of all' theory [of accomplice liability], one who
joins with another to accomplish an illegal purpose is liable criminally for
everything done by his confederate incidental to the execution of the common
design and purpose." State v. Condrey, 349 S.C. 184, 194, 562 S.E.2d 320, 324
(Ct. App. 2002); see also Butler v. State, 435 S.C. 96, 97-98, 866 S.E.2d 347, 348
(2021). Under accomplice liability, it does not matter if the defendant knows
whether his codefendant is going to undertake a particular criminal act. See State
v. Longworth, 313 S.C. 360, 372, 438 S.E.2d 219, 225 (1993) ("Under a theory of
accomplice liability, it is immaterial whether appellant knew beforehand that [a
codefendant] was going to shoot [a victim]."). In State v. Crowe, our supreme
court held a murder was the natural and probable consequence of a mutual plan to
commit a robbery. 258 S.C. 258, 265, 188 S.E.2d 379, 382 (1972); see also State
v. Cannon, 49 S.C. 550, 555, 27 S.E. 526, 530 (1897) ("The common purpose may
not have been to kill and murder, but if it was unlawful, as, for instance, to break
in, and steal, and in the execution of this common purpose a homicide is
committed by one, as a probable or natural consequence of the acts done in
pursuance of the common design, then all present participating in the unlawful
common design are as guilty as the slayer.").
The trial court did not err in denying Kocsis's directed verdict motion as to the
kidnapping charges. See Butler, 407 S.C. at 381, 755 S.E.2d at 460 ("When ruling
on a motion for a directed verdict, the trial [court] is concerned with the existence
of evidence, not its weight." (quoting Wiggins, 330 S.C. at 544-45, 500 S.E.2d at
492-93)); Weston, 367 S.C. at 292-93, 625 S.E.2d at 648 ("If there is any direct
evidence or any substantial circumstantial evidence reasonably tending to prove
the guilt of the accused, the [appellate court] must find the case was properly
submitted to the jury."). Here, the State presented direct evidence that Kocsis
participated in a plan with others to break into Ms. Rose's home to retrieve her
money. Although Kocsis claims she did not know Chance and Murray were in the
home, we find this argument unavailing under the theory of accomplice liability.
See Condrey, 349 S.C. at 194, 562 S.E.2d at 324 ("Under the 'hand of one is the
hand of all' theory [of accomplice liability], one who joins with another to
accomplish an illegal purpose is liable criminally for everything done by his
confederate incidental to the execution of the common design and purpose.").
Both Murray and Chance testified they felt they were not free to leave during the
incident, and the kidnappings were a natural and probable consequence of breaking
into Ms. Rose's home. Cf. Crowe, 258 S.C. at 265, 188 S.E.2d at 381-82 (stating
murder was a natural and probable consequence of a mutual plan to commit a
robbery). Moreover, Kocsis's argument is inconsistent about not knowing there
could be people in Ms. Rose's home when compared to her burglary arguments—
that Ms. Rose could not have an expectation to be safe and secure because there
were so many other people in the home. Additionally, Murray testified she saw
Kocsis at Ms. Rose's home "over a period of three years," and even Kocsis testified
she "heard" about Ms. Rose's house before. Accordingly, we affirm on this issue.
III. Kidnapping Sentences
Kocsis argues the trial court erred in sentencing her for her kidnapping convictions
in light of her murder sentence. Citing East, Kocsis additionally contends the trial
court erred in not sufficiently charging the jury about the requisite mens rea that
was required to convict her of the separate offenses. We disagree.
"In criminal cases, the appellate court sits to review errors of law only." State v.
Wilson, 345 S.C. 1, 5, 545 S.E.2d 827, 829 (2001). Section 16-3-910 provides:
Whoever shall unlawfully seize, confine, inveigle, decoy,
kidnap, abduct or carry away any other person by any
means whatsoever without authority of law, except when
a minor is seized or taken by his parent, is guilty of a
felony and, upon conviction, must be imprisoned for a
period not to exceed thirty years unless sentenced for
murder as provided in [s]ection 16-3-20.
"Our courts have long held, where an appellant has been sentenced for murder of a
victim, this code section precludes a sentence for kidnapping of that victim, and
any such sentence should be vacated." State v. Vick, 384 S.C. 189, 201, 682 S.E.2d
275, 281 (Ct. App. 2009). In Vick, this court noted the defendant failed to object to
his sentences for murdering and kidnapping the same victim, but it vacated the
kidnapping sentence for judicial economy. Id. at 201-03, 682 S.E.2d at 281-82.
In State v. Vazsquez, 364 S.C. 293, 302, 613 S.E.2d 359, 363 (2005), the criminal
defendant was sentenced on four counts of kidnapping and two counts of murder
for two of the kidnapping victims. Our supreme court vacated the kidnapping
sentences as to the two murder victims but stated the sentences for the other two
kidnapping convictions were proper. Id.In East, the defendant argued the trial court erred in denying his directed verdict
motion because "the brief confinement of the employees during the course of the
armed robbery was not sufficient to constitute the separate crime of kidnapping."
353 S.C. at 636, 578 S.E.2d at 750. Our court noted South Carolina may be in the
minority of jurisdictions in which "confinement can constitute the separate offense
of kidnapping when it is incidental to the commission of another crime." Id. at
637-38, 578 S.E.2d at 750. Our court further stated the trial court emphasized to
the jury it had to find the defendant possessed the requisite intent to commit both
crimes—armed robbery and kidnapping; thus, our court affirmed. See id. at 638,
578 S.E.2d at 751.
Initially, we note Kocsis never specifically raised to the trial court that she could
not be sentenced for the kidnappings of Murray and Chance in light of her murder
sentence for Victim, and thus, this argument would traditionally be unpreserved.
See generally State v. Dunbar, 356 S.C. 138, 142, 587 S.E.2d 691, 693-94 (2003)
("Issues not raised and ruled upon in the trial court will not be considered on
appeal."). However, in light of Vick, we reach the merits. See Vick, 384 S.C. at
201-03, 682 S.E.2d at 281-82 (vacating a kidnapping sentence when the defendant
was also sentenced for murdering the same victim but failed to object).
Based on Vazsquez, we find the trial court properly sentenced Kocsis for the
kidnappings of Murray and Chance because Kocsis was only sentenced for
murdering Victim—not Murray and Chance—and thus, the prohibition found in
section 16-3-910 does not apply. See Vazquez, 364 S.C. at 302, 613 S.E.2d at 363(stating kidnapping sentences related to victims who were not murdered were
proper); see also Vick, 384 S.C. at 201, 682 S.E.2d at 281 ("Our courts have long
held, where an appellant has been sentenced for murder of a victim, this code
section precludes a sentence for kidnapping of that victim, and any such sentence
should be vacated." (emphasis added)). We acknowledge Kocsis cites two
opinions from our supreme court from 1984 to support her position. See State v.
Livingston, 282 S.C. 1, 8, 317 S.E.2d 129, 133 (1984); State v. Stroman, 281 S.C.
508, 514, 316 S.E.2d 395, 400 (1984). However, we are bound by Vazquez
because it is the more recent opinion on this issue. See State v. Phillips, 416 S.C.
184, 194, 785 S.E.2d 448, 453 (2016) ("[I]t is incumbent upon the court of appeals
to apply [the South Carolina Supreme Court's] precedent."); id. (emphasizing the
court of appeals should generally consider recent case law from our supreme court
when ruling on petitions for rehearing).
Moreover, as to Kocsis's argument that there was an issue with these jury
instructions and the necessary mens rea for the separate offenses, this issue is
unpreserved because Kocsis did not timely state a specific objection on the record
until her new trial motion. See generally State v. Avery, 333 S.C. 284, 296, 509
S.E.2d 476, 483 (1998) (finding an objection to a jury instruction was unpreserved
when the defendant "did not object to the trial [court's] initial or supplemental
instructions"). We note Kocsis's argument about the separate offenses did not
appear in her jury charge memorandum to the trial court, and the trial court
expressly stated in its denial of Kocsis's new trial motion that it issued all of
Kocsis's requested charges except for the burglary language. Thus, based on our
review of the record, Kocsis did not make an objection on this ground during the
off-the-record charge conference.
Nevertheless, even if this issue were preserved, we find this case is similar to East
because the trial court instructed the jury: "Each indictment charges separate and
distinct offenses. You must decide each indictment separately on the evidence and
law applicable, uninfluenced by your decision as to any other indictment. The
defendant may be convicted or acquitted on any or all of the offenses charged."
See East, 353 S.C. at 636-38, 578 S.E.2d at 750-51 (emphasizing the trial court
instructed the jury to find whether the defendant possessed the requisite intent to
commit both crimes—armed robbery and kidnapping). Accordingly, we affirm on
this issue.
IV. State's Exhibit 1: 911 Call
Kocsis argues the trial court erred in admitting State's Exhibit 1 in violation of
Rule 403, SCRE, because the call was "raw and emotional." She contends the
admission of the call was cumulative because the individuals speaking on the call
testified at trial. We disagree.
"The admission or exclusion of evidence is a matter addressed to the sound
discretion of the trial court and its ruling will not be disturbed in the absence of a
manifest abuse of discretion accompanied by probable prejudice." State v.
Douglas, 369 S.C. 424, 429, 632 S.E.2d 845, 847-48 (2006). "An abuse of
discretion occurs when the conclusions of the trial court either lack evidentiary
support or are controlled by an error of law." Id. at 429-30, 632 S.E.2d at 848. "If
judicial self-restraint is ever desirable, it is when a Rule 403 analysis of a trial
court is reviewed by an appellate tribunal." State v. Green, 412 S.C. 65, 79, 770
S.E.2d 424, 432 (Ct. App. 2015) (quoting State v. Lyles, 379 S.C. 328, 339, 665
S.E.2d 201, 207 (Ct. App. 2008)).
"All relevant evidence is admissible, except as otherwise provided by the
Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of South Carolina,
statutes, these rules, or by other rules promulgated by the Supreme Court of South
Carolina." Rule 402, SCRE. "Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its
probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice . . . ."
Rule 403, SCRE. "[E]ven where the evidence is shown to be relevant, if its
probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, the
evidence must be excluded." State v. Wiles, 383 S.C. 151, 158, 679 S.E.2d 172,
176 (2009). "Unfair prejudice means an undue tendency to suggest decision on an
improper basis." Id. "[T]he determination of prejudice must be based on the entire
record, and the result will generally turn on the facts of each case." State v. Stokes,
381 S.C. 390, 404, 673 S.E.2d 434, 441 (2009).
In State v. Stephens, 398 S.C. 314, 319-22, 728 S.E.2d 68, 71-73 (Ct. App. 2012),
our court held the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting a second
photographic line up pursuant to Rule 403 because "[t]he central theme of [the]
defense was discrediting [a witness's] identification of him in the second
photographic line up."
The trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting State's Exhibit 1 for
"corroborative purposes and establishing the elements of the offense[s]." See
Douglas, 369 S.C. at 429, 632 S.E.2d at 847-48 ("The admission or exclusion of
evidence is a matter addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court and its
ruling will not be disturbed in the absence of a manifest abuse of discretion
accompanied by probable prejudice."); Green, 412 S.C. at 79, 770 S.E.2d at 432
("If judicial self-restraint is ever desirable, it is when a Rule 403 analysis of a trial
court is reviewed by an appellate tribunal." (quoting Lyles, 379 S.C. at 338, 665
S.E.2d at 207)). Here, State's Exhibit 1 was the first piece of evidence that was
admitted at trial, and Kocsis already raised in her opening statements that the
witnesses were drug addicts and emphasized the jury needed to consider their
credibility. State's Exhibit 1 supported the State's version of events by providing
an account of what happened in "real time," and the recording identified Kocsis as
being part of the group that broke into Ms. Rose's home and killed Victim.
Additionally, during cross-examination of many of the State's witnesses, Kocsis
questioned the witnesses about their credibility, their drug usage, criminal records,
possible benefits from testifying, and the quality of their recollections of what
occurred. In her closing argument, Kocsis emphasized the State's witnesses were
drug addicts, asserted they were liars, attacked their credibility, and contended
their memories were faulty. Kocsis's case is similar to Stephens because in light of
the whole trial, Kocsis attempted to discredit the State's witnesses like the
defendant attempted to discredit the witness's identification in Stephens. See 398
S.C. at 319-22, 728 S.E.2d at 71-73 (holding the trial court did not abuse its
discretion in admitting second photo line pursuant to Rule 403 because "[t]he
central theme of [the defendant's] defense was discrediting [a witness's]
identification of him in the second photographic line up). Thus, the trial court did
not abuse its discretion in admitting State's Exhibit 1.
Finally, as to Kocsis's argument that State's Exhibit 1 was needlessly cumulative,
this argument is unpreserved because Kocsis only argued at trial that State's
Exhibit 1 would "stir up the passions and prejudices of the jury via using emotion
rather than facts." See Dunbar, 356 S.C. at 142, 587 S.E.2d at 693-94 ("Issues not
raised and ruled upon in the trial court will not be considered on appeal."); id. at
142, 587 S.E.2d at 694 ("A party may not argue one ground at trial and an alternate
ground on appeal."). Accordingly, we affirm on this issue.
CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, Kocsis's convictions and sentences are
AFFIRMED.
GEATHERS and HILL, JJ., concur.