Joseph M. Bell v. State of Indiana

Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be
regarded as precedent or cited before Jul 17 2014, 6:13 am
any court except for the purpose of
establishing the defense of res judicata,
collateral estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT: ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE:
TIMI S. SLOAT GREGORY F. ZOELLER
Kindig & Sloat, PC Attorney General of Indiana
Nappanee, Indiana
KATHERINE MODESITT COOPER
Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
JOSEPH M. BELL, )
)
Appellant-Defendant, )
)
vs. ) No. 20A03-1311-CR-464
)
STATE OF INDIANA, )
)
Appellee-Plaintiff. )
APPEAL FROM THE ELKHART CIRCUIT COURT
The Honorable Terry C. Shewmaker, Judge
Cause No. 20C01-1207-FA-42
July 17, 2014
MEMORANDUM DECISION - NOT FOR PUBLICATION
BRADFORD, Judge
CASE SUMMARY
On July 16, 2012, Appellant-Defendant Joseph M. Bell was pulled over for failing to
use his turn signal. After being pulled over, Bell acted suspiciously. When an investigating
officer walked around Bell’s vehicle, the officer noticed a chemical smell coming from the
vehicle and saw a baggie containing a white powdery substance and items used in
manufacturing methamphetamine sitting in plain sight on the floorboard of the vehicle. A
search of the vehicle revealed a methamphetamine lab and numerous items used in
manufacturing methamphetamine. A subsequent search of Bell’s apartment revealed
additional items used in manufacturing methamphetamine. In addition, Bell told
investigating officers that he regularly manufactured methamphetamine and that each time he
did so, he manufactured four grams of methamphetamine.
On July 18, 2012, Appellee-Plaintiff the State of Indiana (the “State”) charged Bell
with Class A felony attempted dealing in methamphetamine. Following a bench trial, the
trial court found Bell guilty as charged and imposed a thirty-three-year term of incarceration,
with four years suspended to probation. On appeal, Bell contends that the trial court abused
its discretion in admitting a portion of his statement to investigating officers. Bell also
contends that the evidence is insufficient to sustain his conviction for Class A felony
attempted dealing in methamphetamine. We affirm.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
While on patrol during the morning hours of July 16, 2012, Corporal Dan Milanese of
the Elkhart Police Department initiated a traffic stop after he observed a red Mercury Topaz
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turn without signaling. When Corporal Milanese activated his police vehicle’s emergency
overhead lights, the driver of the vehicle, later identified as Bell, “kind of took off quickly,”
drove through an intersection, “ducked in behind” an apartment building, and parked the
vehicle “haphazardly” in a parking lot behind the apartment building. Tr. p. 18. Bell exited
the vehicle immediately after he parked and began to walk away. In light of Bell’s actions,
Corporal Milanese suspected that Bell might be attempting to flee from law enforcement and
requested additional police assistance.
Corporal Milanese ordered Bell to return to his vehicle. Bell complied with this
request. Corporal Milanese approached and determined that Bell was the only person inside
the vehicle. Corporal Milanese requested Bell’s driver’s license and registration and
explained why he initiated the traffic stop. Bell indicated that he “just forgot” to use his turn
signal. Tr. p. 21.
During his encounter with Bell, Corporal Milanese observed that Bell was extremely
nervous and that Bell’s reaction was “much different” from what he typically observes in
others. Tr. p. 21. In particular, Corporal Milanese noted that Bell’s hands were “very, very
shaky” and his breathing was rapid. Tr. p. 21. Bell clutched his chest and said “[M]y
heartbeat. It’s beating so fast. It’s beating so fast.” Tr. p. 21. Corporal Milanese also noted
that Bell failed to respond appropriately to repeated questions. Due to concern for Bell’s
safety, Corporal Milanese asked Bell to exit his vehicle.
After arriving at the scene, Corporal Chad Odle, also of the Elkhart Police
Department, observed that Bell appeared to be “very nervous.” Tr. p. 37. Bell consented to
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an outer body pat-down search, which revealed no weapons. Bell remarked to Corporal Odle
that he thought he was going to jail.
As Corporal Odle stood near Bell’s vehicle, he detected a chemical smell that seemed
to be coming from inside the vehicle. Corporal Odle approached Bell’s vehicle on the
passenger side and could see a plastic baggie that contained a powdery substance, lithium
batteries, and money sitting in plain sight on the floorboard of the driver’s side of the vehicle.
Based on his training and experience as a police officer, Corporal Odle knew that certain
narcotics had the appearance of a white powdery substance and were packaged in plastic
baggies. Corporal Odle also knew that lithium batteries could be used in the manufacture of
methamphetamine.
After having noticed the above-stated items in plain sight, Corporals Milanese and
Odle initiated a search of Bell’s vehicle. During the search of Bell’s vehicle, Corporals
Milanese and Odle found several items used to manufacture methamphetamine in Bell’s
vehicle. These items include a Coleman fuel can, plastic baggies, crystal drain cleaner,
sodium hydroxide, stripped lithium batteries and casings, a coffee filter containing white
residue, cold packs, and four empty blister packs of pseudoephedrine. Corporals Milanese
and Odle contacted the Elkhart Police Department drug unit and the Indiana State Police
meth suppression team. Upon searching the vehicle, Detective Greg Harder of the Elkhart
Police Department observed what he believed, based upon his training and experience, might
be a methamphetamine lab. Bell was subsequently placed under arrest.
After obtaining a search warrant, officers also searched Bell’s apartment, finding
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numerous items used in or related to the manufacture of methamphetamine. These items
included wire strippers, a coffee grinder that contained white residue, scales, a Coleman fuel
can, a plastic Coke bottle,1 plastic baggies, two full boxes of pseudoephedrine, two receipts,
and crystal drain cleaner. Officers also found an orange box that contained glass tubes that
had burn marks, coffee filters containing a white residue that field tested positive for
methamphetamine, plastic baggies, and aluminum foil boats.
That same day, Bell gave a videotaped interview to Detective Tim Freel of the Elkhart
Police Department in which he admitted that he had been manufacturing methamphetamine
for about one year. Bell described the process he used to cook the methamphetamine, in
detail, specifically recounting that he used “two and two only” boxes of pseudoephedrine at a
time. State’s Ex. 1. Bell stated that each batch of methamphetamine consistently produced
four grams of finished methamphetamine.
On July 18, 2012, the State charged Bell with Class A felony attempted dealing in
methamphetamine. The trial court conducted a bench trial on August 30, 2013, after which it
took the matter under advisement. On October 10, 2013, the trial court found Bell guilty as
charged. On November 15, 2013, the trial court sentenced Bell to a thirty-three-year term of
incarceration, with four years suspended to probation. This appeal follows.
DISCUSSION AND DECISION
On appeal, Bell contends that the trial court abused its discretion in admitting certain
1
Detective Greg Harder testified that methamphetamine can be manufactured inside a plastic bottle
such as a plastic Coke bottle.
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evidence. Bell also contends that the evidence is insufficient to sustain his conviction for
Class A felony attempted dealing in methamphetamine. For its part, the State argues that the
trial court acted within its discretion in admitting the challenged evidence at trial and that the
evidence is sufficient to sustain Bell’s conviction.
I. Admission of Evidence
Bell contends that the trial court abused its discretion in admitting certain evidence at
trial in violation of Indiana Evidence Rule 404(b) (“Evidence Rule 404(b)”). Our standard of
review for rulings on the admissibility of evidence is essentially the same whether the
challenge is made by a pre-trial motion to suppress or by an objection at trial. Ackerman v.
State, 774 N.E.2d 970, 974-75 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002), reh’g denied, trans. denied. We do not
reweigh the evidence, and we consider conflicting evidence most favorable to the trial court’s
ruling. Collins v. State, 822 N.E.2d 214, 218 (Ind. Ct. App. 2005), trans. denied. We also
consider uncontroverted evidence in the defendant’s favor. Id.A trial court has broad discretion in ruling on the admissibility of evidence.
Washington v. State, 784 N.E.2d 584, 587 (Ind. Ct. App. 2003) (citing Bradshaw v. State,
759 N.E.2d 271, 273 (Ind. Ct. App. 2001)). Accordingly, we will reverse a trial court’s
ruling on the admissibility of evidence only when the trial court abused its discretion. Id.(citing Bradshaw, 759 N.E.2d at 273). An abuse of discretion involves a decision that is
clearly against the logic and effect of the facts and circumstances before the court. Id. (citing
Huffines v. State, 739 N.E.2d 1093, 1095 (Ind. Ct. App. 2000)).
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Bell claims that the trial court abused its discretion in admitting Bell’s statement2 that
each time he manufactures methamphetamine, he follows the same recipe and procedure and
each batch consistently produces four grams of the drug. Bell acknowledged at trial that his
statement was relevant to prove his motive, intent, and plan to manufacture
methamphetamine. However, Bell argued both below and on appeal, that this same statement
was not relevant to prove the amount of the drug he intended to manufacture, and, as a result,
was admitted in violation of Evidence Rule 404(b). We disagree.
When addressing the admissibility of evidence under [Evidence] Rule
404(b), courts must utilize a two-prong analysis. Scalissi v. State, 759 N.E.2d
618, 623 (Ind. 2001). First, the court must assess whether the evidence has
some relevancy to a matter at issue other than the defendant’s propensity to
commit the charged act. Id. Second, the court must weigh the probative value
of the evidence against its prejudicial effect, pursuant to Evidence Rule 403.
Id. We will reverse a trial court’s determination of admissibility only for an
abuse of discretion. Id.Wages v. State, 863 N.E.2d 408, 410 (Ind. Ct. App. 2007).
“Evidence Rule 404(b) was designed to assure that ‘the State, relying upon evidence
of uncharged misconduct, may not punish a person for his character.’” Lee v. State, 689
N.E.2d 435, 439 (Ind. 1997) (quoting Wickizer v. State, 626 N.E.2d 795, 797 (Ind. 1993)).
Evidence Rule 404(b)(1) provides that “[e]vidence of a crime, wrong, or other act is not
admissible to prove a person’s character in order to show that on a particular occasion the
person acted in accordance with the character.” However, “[t]his evidence may be
admissible for another purpose, such as proving motive, opportunity, intent, preparation,
2
Bell acknowledges that he made this statement after being informed of and waiving his right to have
counsel present during questioning as established in Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436 (1966).
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plan, knowledge, identity, absence of mistake, or lack of accident.” Ind. Evid. R. 404(b)(2).
In addition, “‘[e]vidence of happenings near in time and place that complete the story of the
crime is admissible even if it tends to establish the commission of other crimes not included
among those being prosecuted.’” Wages, 863 N.E.2d at 411 (quoting Bocko v. State, 769
N.E.2d 658, 664-65 (Ind. Ct. App. 2002), trans. denied).
Upon review, we determine that the challenged evidence was not admitted to show
that Bell acted in accordance with his character but rather to prove Bell’s intent, preparation,
and plan for manufacturing the methamphetamine. Because Bell was charged with Class A
felony attempted dealing in methamphetamine, the State merely needed to prove that Bell
engaged in conduct which constituted a substantial step toward manufacturing three grams or
more of methamphetamine. See Ind. Code § 35-41-5-1 (providing that a person attempts to
commit a crime “when acting with the culpability required for the commission of the crime,
[the person] engages in conduct that constitutes a substantial step toward the commission of
the crime”). Bell’s statement was clearly relevant to prove that Bell (1) intended to
manufacture more than three grams of methamphetamine, (2) was prepared to manufacture
more than three grams of methamphetamine, and (3) had a plan for manufacturing more than
three grams of methamphetamine.
Bell has failed to establish that the prejudicial effect of his statement outweighed the
probative value of the evidence that he intended, was prepared, and had a plan to
manufacture more than three grams of the drug. In addition, Bell’s statement was admissible
under Evidence Rule 404(b) because it was evidence of events happening near in time and
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place to the instant offense and helped to complete the story of Bell’s crime. See Wages, 863
N.E.2d at 411. Accordingly, we conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in
admitting Bell’s statement at trial.
II. Sufficiency of the Evidence
Bell also contends that the evidence is insufficient to sustain his conviction for Class
A felony dealing in methamphetamine.
When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence to support a conviction,
appellate courts must consider only the probative evidence and reasonable
inferences supporting the verdict. It is the fact-finder’s role, not that of
appellate courts, to assess witness credibility and weigh the evidence to
determine whether it is sufficient to support a conviction. To preserve this
structure, when appellate courts are confronted with conflicting evidence, they
must consider it most favorably to the trial court’s ruling. Appellate courts
affirm the conviction unless no reasonable fact-finder could find the elements
of the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt. It is therefore not necessary
that the evidence overcome every reasonable hypothesis of innocence. The
evidence is sufficient if an inference may reasonably be drawn from it to
support the verdict.
Drane v. State, 867 N.E.2d 144, 146-47 (Ind. 2007) (citations, emphasis, and quotations
omitted). “In essence, we assess only whether the verdict could be reached based on
reasonable inferences that may be drawn from the evidence presented.” Baker v. State, 968
N.E.2d 227, 229 (Ind. 2012) (emphasis in original). Upon review, appellate courts do not
reweigh the evidence or assess the credibility of the witnesses. Stewart v. State, 768 N.E.2d
433, 435 (Ind. 2002).
Indiana Code section 35-48-4-1.1(a) provides that a person who knowingly or
intentionally manufactures methamphetamine commits dealing in methamphetamine, a Class
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B felony. However, the offense is a Class A felony if “the amount of the drug involved
weighs three (3) grams or more.” Ind. Code § 35-48-4-1.1(b). Again, “[a] person attempts to
commit a crime when, acting with the culpability required for commission of the crime, he
engages in conduct that constitutes a substantial step toward commission of the crime.” Ind.
Code § 35-41-5-1(a). “An attempt to commit a crime is a felony or misdemeanor of the same
class as the crime attempted.” Id.In the instant matter, the evidence is sufficient to prove that Bell attempted to
manufacture more than three grams of methamphetamine. Bell admitted to investigating
officers that he manufactured methamphetamine every other day, that he followed the same
recipe and procedure each time he manufactured the drug, and that each batch consistently
produced four grams of the drug. In addition, at the time of Bell’s arrest, Elkhart police
located several items used to manufacture methamphetamine in Bell’s vehicle. These items
include a Coleman fuel can, plastic baggies, crystal drain cleaner, sodium hydroxide, stripped
lithium batteries and casings, a coffee filter containing white residue, cold packs, and four
empty blister packs of pseudoephedrine.
After obtaining a search warrant, officers also searched Bell’s apartment, finding
numerous items used in or related to the manufacture of methamphetamine. Again, these
items included wire strippers, a coffee grinder that contained white residue, scales, a
Coleman fuel can, a plastic Coke bottle, plastic baggies, two full boxes of pseudoephedrine,
two receipts, crystal drain cleaner, glass tubes that had burn marks, coffee filters containing a
white residue that field tested positive for methamphetamine, and aluminum foil boats. The
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evidence found in Bell’s vehicle and Bell’s apartment, coupled with his admission, is
sufficient to prove that Bell attempted to manufacture three grams of methamphetamine.
Furthermore, we are unpersuaded by Bell’s claim that the State was required to prove
the actual weight of the methamphetamine in question. Because Bell was convicted of
attempted dealing in methamphetamine, the State was merely required to prove that Bell took
a substantial step toward manufacturing over three grams of methamphetamine, not that he
actually did so.3 The above-stated evidence clearly proves that Bell did, in fact, take a
substantial step toward manufacturing over three grams of methamphetamine. Bell’s claims
to the contrary effectively amount to an invitation for this court to reweigh the evidence,
which we will not do. See Stewart, 768 N.E.2d at 435.
The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
RILEY, J., and ROBB, J., concur.
3
We note that Bell’s argument would arguably lack merit even if he had been convicted of dealing in
methamphetamine rather than attempted dealing in methamphetamine. The Indiana Supreme Court has
previously concluded that in order to prove the element of weight of drugs or controlled substances, the State
must either offer evidence of its actual, measured weight or demonstrate that the quantity of the drugs or
controlled substances is so large as to permit a reasonable inference that the element of weight has been
established. See Halsema v. State, 823 N.E.2d 668, 674 (Ind. 2005). The State likely met this burden by
proving that Bell intended to and consistently did produce four grams of methamphetamine each time he
manufactured the drug.
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