James Milton Tyler, Jr. v. Commonwealth of Virginia ( 2023 )

COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA
UNPUBLISHED
Present: Judges Athey, Chaney and Lorish
Argued at Richmond, Virginia
JAMES MILTON TYLER, JR.
MEMORANDUM OPINION* BY
v. Record No. 0219-22-2 JUDGE LISA M. LORISH
FEBRUARY 21, 2023
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY
David E. Johnson, Judge
Robert M. Lorey (Law Office of Robert M. Lorey, LLC, on briefs),
for appellant.
Lucille M. Wall, Assistant Attorney General (Jason S. Miyares,
Attorney General, on brief), for appellee.
James Milton Tyler argues that the trial court erred by allowing the Commonwealth’s expert
to testify about matters not disclosed in advance under Rule 3A:11(b)(4)(A). Because the testimony
was admissible under Rule 3A:11(b)(4)(B) and Tyler failed to show how he was prejudiced by the
lack of advanced disclosure, we affirm the trial court’s decision to admit the testimony. We also
conclude that this expert testimony, combined with the other evidence in the case, was sufficient to
prove Tyler possessed the narcotics found in his vehicle.
BACKGROUND
We recite all facts “in the ‘light most favorable’ to the Commonwealth, the prevailing party
in the trial court.” Hammer v. Commonwealth, 74 Va. App. 225, 231 (2022) (quoting
Commonwealth v. Cady, 300 Va. 325, 329 (2021)). As a result, we “discard the evidence of the
*
Pursuant to Code § 17.1-413, this opinion is not designated for publication.
accused in conflict with that of the Commonwealth, and regard as true all the credible evidence
favorable to the Commonwealth and all fair inferences to be drawn therefrom.” Cady, 300 Va. at
329 (quoting Commonwealth v. Perkins, 295 Va. 323, 323-24 (2018)).
Officer P. Howard checked the license plate of a silver Jaguar traveling in the lane ahead
of his marked patrol car, discovering the plate had expired and that the registered owner was “not
licensed.” Before Officer Howard could signal the Jaguar to stop, it “darted in front of another
vehicle, causing that vehicle . . . to slam on [the] brakes to avoid a collision.”
Officer Howard stopped the Jaguar. Wearing a body camera, he approached the driver’s
door, and Tyler rolled down the window. A woman, later identified as Courtney Smith, was in
the front passenger seat and an unidentified man was in the back seat. When Officer Howard
asked Tyler for his license and registration, Tyler replied that he did not have his license because
“they messed up on it.” He then reached over and opened the glovebox to retrieve his vehicle’s
registration. Body camera footage from Officer Shupp, assisting Officer Howard, shows a green
“Newport” cigarette package in the corner of the glovebox closest to Tyler when he opened the
glovebox. While Tyler fumbled with the documents over the steering wheel, Smith quickly
closed the glovebox.
While the officers determined that Tyler was a habitual offender, but that Smith could
drive, Smith folded her sweater in her lap and opened the glovebox again. Smith’s hands were
visible in the body camera footage and she did not move toward the glovebox after opening it.
Officer Howard instructed Tyler to remain in the vehicle, closed the driver’s door, and returned
to his patrol car with Tyler’s registration.
After checking Tyler’s registration, Officer Howard returned to the car, removed Tyler,
and arrested him for felony driving after being declared a habitual offender. When Tyler opened
the driver’s door, the glovebox was closed again. Officer Howard asked Tyler about a plastic
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baggy he saw in the door compartment that he testified was “consistent [in appearance] with
drug use.” Although Tyler was handcuffed, he picked up the baggy saying nothing was in it
while “crinkling and dumping” a brown powder onto the pavement.
Suspecting the brown powder was narcotics, Officer Howard asked both passengers to
leave the car. After spying a revolver in the unidentified male’s waistband, he was searched, and
the officers found a dollar bill containing brown powder residue. Officer Howard then searched
the car.
The officers found a gun in a purse on the front passenger floorboard, and over 60 unused
lottery “play slips” in the front passenger door. Inside the Newport cigarette package from the
glovebox was a dark, opaque bag with a brown, powdery substance inside. In the center console,
Officer Howard found a “folded up lottery ticket with brown powder residue” and a “small
plastic baggy with brown powder in it.” Subsequent forensic tests determined that the Newport
package contained 17.3442 grams of heroin and the folded dollar bill held heroin residue.
Smith told Officer Shupp that Tyler had given her the gun and had instructed her to put it
in her purse. She also admitted that there was heroin in a needle in her purse but she denied
handling the cigarette package, stating that she was “lighting a cigarette.”
At a bench trial, Detective Necolettos, an expert in drug distribution, opined that the
amount of heroin in the Newport package was inconsistent with personal use. He based this
opinion on the quantity of heroin, the 60 unused lottery play slips, and the torn lottery play slip in
the passenger door. Detective Necolettos explained that torn lottery play slips were commonly
used to distribute heroin and also observed that there was a “high correlation” between firearms
and drug trafficking. Tyler objected to Detective Necolettos’s testimony about the lottery ticket
slips, arguing that it exceeded the scope of the Commonwealth’s pre-trial expert designation
which stated simply: “The Commonwealth expects Detective Necolettos to testify that the
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amount of drugs seized is inconsistent with personal use.” The trial court overruled Tyler’s
objection. On cross-examination, Detective Necolettos admitted he had not reviewed the body
camera footage or police report before the Commonwealth filed its expert designation, but had
only known about the quantity of drugs before trial and otherwise was basing his opinion on the
evidence introduced at trial.
At the close of evidence, the court convicted Tyler of possessing a Schedule I or II
controlled substance with the intent to distribute, second offense. Before sentencing, Tyler
moved to set aside the verdict, asserting that the evidence did not exclude a reasonable
hypothesis that the front seat passenger (Smith) possessed the heroin and not him. Tyler argued
that his due process rights were violated because he had been convicted without proof of his guilt
beyond a reasonable doubt. He also argued the court erred by relying on Detective Necolettos’s
testimony about the lottery play slips and firearms in the vehicle being consistent with drug
distribution because that testimony was not disclosed to Tyler before trial. The trial court denied
his motion and sentenced him to 40 years’ incarceration, with 25 years suspended.
ANALYSIS
A. Scope of Expert Testimony
An appellate court reviews a trial court’s decision about the admissibility of evidence for
abuse of discretion. Lucas v. Riverhill Poultry, Inc., 300 Va. 78, 92 (2021). Although the trial
court has discretion, it is not “free to simply act in any way it may deem desirable under the
circumstances.” Id. Rather, “the circuit court ‘has a range of choice, and . . . its decision will not
be disturbed as long as it stays within that range and is not influenced by any mistake of law.’”
Id. at 93 (quoting Landrum v. Chippenham & Johnston-Willis Hosps., Inc., 282 Va. 346, 352
(2011)). It is well-settled that “trial courts have the authority to interpret their own orders.”
Fredericksburg Constr. Co., Inc. v. J.W. Wyne Excavating, Inc., 260 Va. 137, 144 (2000); see
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also Rusty’s Welding Serv., Inc. v. Gibson, 29 Va. App. 119, 129 (1999) (en banc). If a trial
court’s evidentiary ruling is based on an interpretation of the Rules of the Supreme Court, we
review that interpretation de novo. Cousett v. Commonwealth, 71 Va. App. 49, 57 (2019).
Tyler argues that the trial court erred by allowing Detective Necolettos to testify that the
presence of unused lottery tickets and firearms in the vehicle were factors on which he relied in
forming his opinion that the quantity of heroin was inconsistent with personal use. Tyler claims
this is inconsistent with the Commonwealth’s pretrial expert witness designation which stated
only that: “The Commonwealth expects Detective Necolettos to testify that the amount of drugs
seized is inconsistent with personal use.” Because Detective Necolettos admitted on
cross-examination that he had not reviewed the body camera footage or considered the presence
of the unused lottery tickets or firearms prior to when the Commonwealth made its written
designation, Tyler argues that this testimony violated the court’s discovery order.
Here, the discovery order incorporated Rule 3A:11(b)(4)(A), and required the
Commonwealth to:
Notify the accused in writing of the Commonwealth’s intent to
introduce expert opinion testimony at trial or sentencing and to
provide the accused with: (i) any written report of the expert
witness setting forth the witness’s opinions and bases and reasons
for those opinions, or, if there is no such report, a written summary
of the expected expert testimony setting forth the witness’s
opinions and the bases and reasons for those opinions, and (ii) the
witness’s qualifications and contact information.
The order also incorporated Rule 3A:11(b)(4)(B):
Nothing in subparts (b)(4)(A)(i) or (ii) of this Rule renders
inadmissible an expert witness’s testimony at the trial or
sentencing further explaining the opinions, bases and reasons
disclosed pursuant to this Rule, or the expert witness’s
qualifications, just because the further explanatory language was
not included in the notice and disclosure provided under this Rule.
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Under Rule 3A:11(b)(4)(A) and the court’s discovery order, the Commonwealth needed
to disclose not only the expected expert testimony (that “the amount of drugs is inconsistent with
personal use”) but also the “bases and reasons” for this opinion. Here, the Commonwealth
argues that Detective Necolettos’s testimony that torn lottery play slips were commonly used to
distribute heroin, as well as the observation that there was a “high correlation” between firearms
and drug trafficking, were additional bases and reasons “further explaining” the “opinions, bases
and reasons disclosed pursuant to this Rule.” But for additional bases and reasons to qualify
under Rule 3A:11(b)(4)(B), a party must first have disclosed at least some basis or reason under
Rule 3A:11(b)(4)(A).
In the alternative, the Commonwealth argues that Tyler was not prejudiced by the failure
to disclose under Rule 3A:11(b)(4)(A). We agree. A trial court does not err in admitting
evidence “when a discovery violation does not prejudice the substantial rights of a defendant.”
Davis v. Commonwealth, 230 Va. 201, 204 (1985). While Tyler generally argues on appeal that
he was prejudiced because the court relied on Detective Necolettos’s testimony to find him guilty
of the offense, Tyler fails to point to any prejudice he experienced from the failure to include this
information in the pretrial expert disclosure (nor did he identify any prejudice for the trial court).
For example, if he was “surprised by the content or otherwise unprepared to deal with it, he
could have requested a continuance.” Naulty v. Commonwealth, 2 Va. App. 523, 528 (1986).
Without a showing of prejudice tied to the alleged discovery violation, we affirm the trial court’s
decision to admit the testimony. Id. at 528-29 (“[A]lthough the videotape should have been
produced under the discovery order, its admission into evidence did not constitute reversible
error because no prejudice has been alleged or demonstrated by its nondisclosure.”). And
because the testimony was properly admitted, the trial court could rely on the testimony in
reaching its verdict.
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B. Sufficiency of the Evidence and Due Process
Tyler advances two theories for why the evidence was insufficient in this case. First, he
asserts that the trial court relied on the “totality of the circumstances” to find he constructively
possessed the heroin and that a “totality of the circumstances” approach is inconsistent with the
Due Process Clause of the United States Constitution and the requirement that his guilt be
proved beyond a reasonable doubt. Second, he argues that there was insufficient evidence that
he constructively possessed the heroin in the Newport cigarette package and that the evidence
failed to exclude a rational hypothesis of innocence that Smith was in “sole possession” of the
heroin, even under a totality of the circumstances analysis.
“When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, ‘[t]he judgment of the trial court is
presumed correct and will not be disturbed unless it is plainly wrong or without evidence to support
it.’” McGowan v. Commonwealth, 72 Va. App. 513, 521 (2020) (alteration in original) (quoting
Smith v. Commonwealth, 296 Va. 450, 460 (2018)). “In such cases, ‘[t]he Court does not ask itself
whether it believes that the evidence at the trial established guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.’” Id.(alteration in original) (quoting Secret v. Commonwealth, 296 Va. 204, 228 (2018)). “Rather, the
relevant question is whether ‘any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the
crime beyond a reasonable doubt.’” Vasquez v. Commonwealth, 291 Va. 232, 248 (2016) (quoting
Williams v. Commonwealth, 278 Va. 190, 193 (2009)). “If there is evidentiary support for the
conviction, ‘the reviewing court is not permitted to substitute its own judgment, even if its opinion
might differ from the conclusions reached by the finder of fact at the trial.’” McGowan, 72
Va. App. at 521 (quoting Chavez v. Commonwealth, 69 Va. App. 149, 161 (2018)).
We start by addressing Tyler’s suggestion that the criminal standard of proof “beyond a
reasonable doubt” is inconsistent with our caselaw allowing the fact finder to rely on the totality of
the circumstances in a constructive possession case. It is, of course, “elementary that the burden is
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on the Commonwealth to prove every essential element of the offense beyond a reasonable
doubt.” Washington v. Commonwealth, 273 Va. 619, 623 (2007) (quoting Dowdy v.
Commonwealth, 220 Va. 114, 116 (1979)). This protection stems from the “Due Process Clause
[which] protects the accused against conviction except upon proof beyond a reasonable doubt of
every fact necessary to constitute the crime with which he is charged.” Id. (quoting In re
Winship, 397 U.S. 358, 364 (1970)).
When it comes to the constructive possession of drugs, the Commonwealth must “show[ ]
that the presence and character of the substance[s] w[ere] known to the defendant and that the
substance[s] w[ere] subject to his dominion and control.” Cordon v. Commonwealth, 280 Va.
691, 694 (2010). “Knowledge of the presence and character of the [drugs] may be shown by
evidence of the acts, statements or conduct of the accused.” Eckhart v. Commonwealth, 222 Va.
447, 450 (1981). The defendant’s “acts, statements, or conduct,” as well as “other facts or
circumstances,” may also constitute proof that the drugs were subject to his dominion and
control. Powers v. Commonwealth, 227 Va. 474, 476 (1984).
Critically, “[p]ossession and not ownership is the vital issue. Possession may be joint or
several. Two or more persons may be in possession where each has the power of control and
intends to exercise control jointly.” Atkins v. Commonwealth, 57 Va. App. 2, 23 (2010)
(alteration in original) (quoting Burnette v. Commonwealth, 194 Va. 785, 792 (1953)); see also
Hamilton v. Commonwealth, 16 Va. App. 751, 755-56 (1993) (noting that possession of
contraband may be joint). Possession “need not be exclusive.” Eckhart, 222 Va. at 450.
In determining whether a defendant is guilty of possession of contraband, the trier of fact
must view the evidence based on the totality of the circumstances. Haskins v. Commonwealth,
44 Va. App. 1, 6 (2004). “Circumstantial evidence is not viewed in isolation.” Commonwealth
v. Hudson, 265 Va. 505, 514 (2003). “While no single piece of evidence may be sufficient, the
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‘combined force of many concurrent and related circumstances, each insufficient in itself, may
lead a reasonable mind irresistibly to a conclusion [of guilt].’” Rams v. Commonwealth, 70
Va. App. 12, 37 (2019) (alteration in original) (quoting Stamper v. Commonwealth, 220 Va. 260,
273 (1979)). Moreover, “[t]he statement that circumstantial evidence must exclude every
reasonable hypothesis of innocence is simply another way of stating that the Commonwealth has
the burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt.” Hudson, 265 Va. at 513.
In a case based on circumstantial evidence, “[t]he only requirement” is that the
Commonwealth “put on enough circumstantial evidence such that a reasonable [fact finder]
could have rejected [the] defendant’s [hypotheses] of innocence.” Bagley v. Commonwealth, 73
Va. App. 1, 27 (2021) (alterations in original) (quoting Davis v. Commonwealth, 65 Va. App.
485, 502 (2015)). The Commonwealth has met its burden of proof “[a]s long as ‘a rational
factfinder could reasonably reject [the appellant’s] theories in his defense and find that the
totality of the suspicious circumstances proved [his guilt] beyond a reasonable doubt.’” Id.(alterations in original) (quoting Commonwealth v. Moseley, 293 Va. 455, 466 (2017)). Within
these parameters, “circumstantial evidence is competent and is entitled to as much weight as
direct evidence.” Finney v. Commonwealth, 277 Va. 83, 89 (2009) (quoting Dowden v.
Commonwealth, 260 Va. 459, 468 (2000)). A sufficiency inquiry “does not distinguish between
direct and circumstantial evidence, as the fact finder itself ‘is entitled to consider all of the
evidence, without distinction, in reaching its determination.’” Bagley, 73 Va. App. at 26-27
(quoting Moseley, 293 Va. at 463).
Coming back to where we started, this circumstantial evidence, in light of the totality of
the circumstances, must prove each element beyond a reasonable doubt. See Washington, 273
Va. at 623.
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Here, a rational fact finder was not compelled to adopt Tyler’s hypothesis that Smith
alone possessed the heroin in the Newport package or that Tyler was unaware of its presence and
character.
The “combined force” of the circumstances presented to the trial court demonstrated that
Tyler constructively possessed the heroin in the glovebox. Rams, 70 Va. App. at 37 (quoting
Stamper, 220 Va. at 273). Tyler owned the vehicle and was driving the vehicle at the time of the
traffic stop. And there was evidence of drug use and distribution throughout the vehicle. Along
with the brown powder found in the Newport pack, later confirmed to be heroin, there was a
baggy with brown powder in the front driver’s door, a small plastic baggy with brown powder in
the center console, and a folded-up lottery ticket with brown powder residue also in the center
console. More than 60 unused lottery play slips were in the front passenger door. In addition,
the evidence shows that Tyler handed Smith a gun and told her to put it in her purse. Expert
testimony confirmed that both the firearm and lottery slips were correlated with drug
distribution. See also Stone v. Commonwealth, 297 Va. 100, 103 (2019) (recognizing nexus
between firearms and drug trafficking).
Moreover, Tyler’s decision to empty out the bag with brown powder found in the door
next to where he was sitting—just after law enforcement asked him about the bag—also
supported a reasonable conclusion that he was familiar with the appearance of heroin generally
and that he was aware of the heroin in his glovebox. And the glovebox was subject to his
dominion and control as the owner of the car. When Officer Howard stopped Tyler and
requested his registration, Tyler reached over to open the glovebox. Body camera footage shows
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the Newport pack in the glove compartment when Tyler opened it, and there is no evidence of
anyone else touching the Newport pack at any point later.1
Viewed as a whole, the evidence was competent, credible, and sufficient to prove beyond
a reasonable doubt that Tyler constructively possessed the heroin in the glovebox with the intent
to distribute it. Because the evidence proved Tyler’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, we hold
that his due process rights were not violated.2
CONCLUSION
For these reasons, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Affirmed.
1
Tyler suggests that the officers observed Smith “manipulating” the Newport pack
during the stop based on a conversation captured on a body camera video. Considering any
conflicting evidence in the light most favorable to the Commonwealth, we rely on Officer
Howard’s testimony at trial that Smith never told him that she “ha[d] th[e] Newport pack in her
hand at the time of the stop.” And Officer Shupp testified that he never saw Smith touch
anything in the glovebox or the Newport pack.
2
Tyler first assigned error to the court’s failure to rule on his objections to the sentencing
transcript, but in his reply brief he conceded that he has waived this argument. So we do not
consider it. See Butcher v. Commonwealth, 298 Va. 392, 395 (2020) (appellate court may accept
a concession of waiver “as a basis for not deciding” the issue raised on appeal).
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