Nickollas Jermaine Mitchell v. State ( 2010 )

NO. 12-09-00107-CR
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT
TYLER, TEXAS
NICKOLLAS JERMAINE MITCHELL, § APPEAL FROM THE
APPELLANT
V. § COUNTY COURT AT LAW #2
THE STATE OF TEXAS,
APPELLEE § SMITH COUNTY, TEXAS
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Nickollas Jermaine Mitchell appeals his conviction for possession of marihuana in an
amount of two ounces or less. In his sole issue, he contends that the trial court abused its
discretion in denying his motion to suppress evidence. We affirm.
BACKGROUND
On July 30, 2008, Officer Joshua Hill and Officer Damon Swan of the Tyler Police
Department responded to a suspicious vehicle call. The vehicle was parked in front of a known
narcotics trafficking location, and was occupied by three individuals, including Appellant. When
Officer Hill approached the vehicle, Appellant was sitting in the driver‟s seat and rolled down
the window. The officer immediately detected the odor of marihuana. Officer Hill and Officer
Swan asked the three occupants to step out of the vehicle. As Appellant exited the vehicle,
Officer Hill noted that Appellant‟s eyes were red and glassy. He also noted that Appellant had
the odor of marihuana on his breath, he wobbled when exiting the vehicle, and his speech was
slow. Officer Hill related these observations to Appellant and asked him if he had been smoking
marihuana. Appellant replied that he had smoked marihuana approximately twenty minutes
earlier. At Officer Hill‟s request, Appellant consented to a search of the vehicle and sat down on
the curb. During the search, Officer Hill discovered a marihuana “blunt” cigarette under the
armrest separating the driver‟s seat and the front passenger seat. Officer Hill then asked to
whom the marihuana belonged. Appellant replied that it was his and that the other two
occupants knew nothing of it. Appellant was then placed under arrest.
Ultimately, Appellant was charged by information with possession of marihuana in an
amount of two ounces or less. Prior to trial, he moved to suppress his confession and a videotape
that was taken during transport after the arrest. The trial court allowed the confession, but
suppressed the audio portion of the videotape. The jury found Appellant guilty of possession of
marihuana in an amount of two ounces or less, and the trial court assessed punishment at
confinement for 160 days and a $1,000.00 fine. Appellant timely appealed.
MOTION TO SUPPRESS
In his sole issue, Appellant contends that the trial court abused its discretion in denying
his motion to suppress his confession.
Standard of Review
We review a trial court‟s ruling on a motion to suppress evidence under a bifurcated
standard of review. Amador v. State, 221 S.W.3d 666, 673 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). A trial
court‟s decision to admit evidence of a confession will be overturned on appeal only where a
flagrant abuse of discretion is shown. See Delao v. State, 235 S.W.3d 235, 238 (Tex. Crim. App.
2007). In reviewing the trial court‟s decision, we do not engage in our own factual review. See
Romero v. State, 800 S.W.2d 539, 543 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990). The trial judge is the sole trier
of fact and judge of the credibility of the witnesses and the weight to be given their testimony.
Wiede v. State, 214 S.W.3d 17, 24-25 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). Therefore, we give almost total
deference to the trial court's rulings on (1) questions of historical fact, even if the trial court‟s
determination of those facts was not based on an evaluation of credibility and demeanor, and (2)
application of law to fact questions that turn on an evaluation of credibility and demeanor. See
Amador, 221 S.W.3d at 673. But when application of law to fact questions do not turn on the
credibility and demeanor of the witnesses, we review the trial court‟s rulings on those questions
de novo. See id.
In other words, when reviewing the trial court‟s ruling on a motion to suppress, we must
view the evidence in the light most favorable to the trial court‟s ruling. See Wiede, 214 S.W.3d
at 24; State v. Kelly, 204 S.W.3d 808, 818 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006). When, as here, the record is
silent on the reasons for the trial court‟s ruling, or when there are no explicit fact findings and
neither party timely requested findings and conclusions from the trial court, we imply the
necessary fact findings that would support the trial court‟s ruling if the evidence, viewed in the
light most favorable to the trial court's ruling, supports those findings. See Kelly, 204 S.W.3d at
819. We then review de novo the trial court‟s legal ruling unless the implied fact findings
supported by the record are also dispositive of the legal ruling. See id.
Applicable Law
The warnings required by Miranda1 and article 38.22 of the Texas Code of Criminal
Procedure are intended to safeguard a person‟s privilege against self-incrimination during a
“custodial interrogation.” Herrera v. State, 241 S.W.3d 520, 525-26 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). A
“custodial interrogation” occurs when a person is questioned by police officers after having been
taken into custody or otherwise deprived of his freedom in any significant way. Id. “At trial, the
defendant bears the initial burden of proving that a statement was the product of „custodial
interrogation.‟” Id. at 526. There are four situations that may constitute custody for purposes of
Miranda and article 38.22: (1) when the suspect is physically deprived of his freedom of action
in any significant way; (2) when a law enforcement officer tells the suspect he is not free to
leave; (3) when law enforcement officers create a situation that would lead a reasonable person
to believe that his freedom of movement has been significantly restricted; and (4) when there is
probable cause to arrest the suspect, and law enforcement officers do not tell the suspect he is
free to leave. See Dowthitt v. State, 931 S.W.2d 244, 255 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996).
Assumption of Error
Appellant contends that all four situations arose in this case, but concentrates primarily
on the fourth scenario. Specifically, Appellant points out that Officer Hill admitted in his
testimony that after he obtained consent, searched the vehicle, and discovered the marihuana, he
had probable cause to arrest all three occupants of the vehicle. Furthermore, Officer Hill did not
communicate that the vehicle‟s occupants were free to leave. Instead, Officer Hill asked whose
marihuana he had discovered, and Appellant replied that it was his. Appellant argues that this
violated his constitutional Miranda rights, his statutory rights under article 38.22, section 2, and
1
Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 86 S. Ct. 1602, 16 L. Ed. 2d 694 (1966).
the procedural requirements of article 38.22, section 3 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.
For the purpose of this analysis, we will assume, without deciding, that the admission of
Appellant‟s statement was error and proceed directly to the harm analysis.
Harmless Error Analysis
Because the admissibility of incriminating statements made during custodial
interrogations depends in part on whether the police provided the constitutionally required
warnings, we review that type of Miranda error under the constitutional error standard. See
Akins v. State, 202 S.W.3d 879, 891-92 (Tex. App.–Fort Worth 2006, pet. ref‟d.). Constitutional
error requires reversal “unless the court determines beyond a reasonable doubt that the error did
not contribute to the conviction or punishment.” TEX. R. APP. P. 44.2(a). “In conducting this
analysis in the context of a Miranda error, we must judge the magnitude of the error in light of
the evidence as a whole to determine the degree of prejudice to the defendant resulting from that
error.” Jones v. State, 119 S.W.3d 766, 777 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003); see also Wesbrook v.
State, 29 S.W.3d 103, 119 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). The question is whether there is a
reasonable likelihood that the error materially affected the jury‟s deliberations. Neal v. State,
256 S.W.3d 264, 284 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008), cert. denied, 129 S. Ct. 1037, 173 L. Ed. 2d 471
(2009). Stated another way, the question is whether a reasonable probability exists that the error
moved the jury from a state of nonpersuasion to one of persuasion as to the issue in question.
Wesbrook, 29 S.W.3d at 119. Therefore, we must assess the probable weight a juror would
place upon the statement. See Jones, 119 S.W.3d at 778. To do this in the case at bar, we assess
the independent proof of Appellant‟s possession of the marihuana. Id.
The admission of statements taken in noncompliance with article 38.22, on the other
hand, is nonconstitutional error. Nonn v. State, 117 S.W.3d 874, 881 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003).
Accordingly, we must disregard such a statutory error unless it affects an appellant‟s substantial
rights. See TEX. R. APP. P. 44.2(b). A substantial right is affected when the error has a
substantial and injurious effect or influence in determining the jury's verdict. Woods v. State,
152 S.W.3d 105, 118-19 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004).
1. Proof required.
A person commits a class B misdemeanor if he knowingly or intentionally possesses
marihuana in an amount of two ounces or less. TEX. HEALTH & SAFETY CODE ANN.
§ 481.121(a), (b)(1) (Vernon Supp. 2009). “Possession” is defined as having “actual care,
custody, control, or management” of the controlled substance. TEX. PENAL CODE ANN.
§ 1.07(39) (Vernon Supp. 2009).
To support a conviction for possession of a controlled substance, the state must also
prove that “(1) the accused exercised control, management, or care over the substance; and (2)
the accused knew the matter possessed was contraband.” Evans v. State, 202 S.W.3d 158, 161
(Tex. Crim. App. 2006); Poindexter v. State, 153 S.W.3d 402, 405 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005). If
the accused is not in exclusive possession of the contraband, the state must show additional
independent facts and circumstances that affirmatively link the accused and the contraband.
Brown v. State, 911 S.W.2d 744, 748 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995); Deshong v. State, 625 S.W.2d
327, 329 (Tex. Crim. App. 1981). Mere presence where the drugs are found is insufficient alone,
but when combined with other evidence, either direct or circumstantial (“links”), may well be
sufficient to establish knowing possession, control, management, or care of the contraband
beyond a reasonable doubt. Evans, 202 S.W.3d at 162.
The following is a list of possible nonexclusive links that have been recognized as
sufficient, either singly or in combination, to establish a person's knowing possession of
contraband:
(1) the defendant's presence when a search is conducted; (2) whether the
contraband was in plain view; (3) the defendant's proximity to and the
accessibility of the narcotic; (4) whether the defendant was under the
influence of narcotics when arrested; (5) whether the defendant possessed
other contraband or narcotics when arrested; (6) whether the defendant
made incriminating statements when arrested; (7) whether the defendant
attempted to flee; (8) whether the defendant made furtive gestures; (9)
whether there was an odor of contraband; (10) whether other contraband or
drug paraphernalia were present; (11) whether the defendant owned or had
the right to possess the place where the drugs were found; (12) whether the
place where the drugs were found was enclosed; (13) whether the defendant
was found with a large amount of cash; and (14) whether the conduct of the
defendant indicated a consciousness of guilt.
Id. at 163 n.12.
2. Independent proof of possession.
Here, Officer Hill initiated a lawful citizen encounter. Appellant was in the driver‟s seat
of the vehicle. Officer Hill noticed the distinct odor of marihuana emanating from the vehicle,
and he asked Appellant to exit the vehicle. The officer smelled marihuana on Appellant‟s breath,
observed his red and glassy eyes, and saw Appellant wobble when he exited the vehicle. The
officer also noticed that Appellant‟s speech was slow. Officer Hill testified that, based on his
training and experience, Appellant was likely under the influence of marihuana, and he thought
that marihuana might be located in the vehicle. In addition to the later obtained confession,
which we must disregard, Appellant also made several incriminating statements to the officer.
For example, Appellant admitted that he smoked marihuana approximately twenty minutes prior
to his encounter with Officer Hill and that he smoked marihuana several times in the past. This
transformed the encounter into a lawful detention. At that point, Officer Hill lawfully asked
Appellant if he could search the vehicle, and Appellant consented.
Appellant sat on the curb while the search was conducted. The officer discovered a
marihuana “blunt” cigarette, which was not in plain view or elaborately concealed; it was simply
placed under the armrest between the driver‟s seat and the front passenger seat. Appellant was
only inches from the marihuana, which had been partially smoked. The vehicle belonged to
Appellant‟s aunt. It is undisputed, however, that he had the exclusive right to control the vehicle
at the time of the arrest, and was exercising such control.
When considered as a whole, the above evidence constitutes overwhelming proof that
Appellant committed the offense of possession of marihuana in an amount of two ounces or less.
Given the strength of this evidence, we are convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that there is no
reasonable likelihood that the admission of Appellant‟s confession materially affected the jury‟s
deliberations. Said another way, we conclude that there is no reasonable probability that the jury
was moved from a state of nonpersuasion to persuasion by the admission of Appellant‟s
confession. Likewise, due to the above analysis and the more stringent standard for the
constitutional Miranda violation, any nonconstitutional statutory violations under section 38.22
could not have had a substantial or injurious influence in determining the jury‟s verdict.
We recognize that a defendant‟s confession is often likely to have a profound impact on a
jury. Nonetheless, given the other evidence and circumstances in this particular case, the
admission of the Appellant‟s confession was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt.
Appellant‟s sole issue is overruled.
DISPOSITION
We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
SAM GRIFFITH
Justice
Opinion delivered February 26, 2010.
Panel consisted of Worthen, C.J., Griffith, J., and Hoyle, J.
(DO NOT PUBLISH)