Kenneth R. Goldsmith v. State of Mississippi

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
NO. 2014-KA-01321-COA
KENNETH R. GOLDSMITH A/K/A KENNETH APPELLANT
GOLDSMITH A/K/A KENNETH RAY
GOLDSMITH
v.
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI APPELLEE
DATE OF JUDGMENT: 02/26/2014
TRIAL JUDGE: HON. SAMAC S. RICHARDSON
COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED: RANKIN COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT: OFFICE OF STATE PUBLIC DEFENDER
BY: BENJAMIN ALLEN SUBER
GEORGE T. HOLMES
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE: OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
BY: LISA L. BLOUNT
DISTRICT ATTORNEY: MICHAEL GUEST
NATURE OF THE CASE: CRIMINAL - FELONY
TRIAL COURT DISPOSITION: CONVICTED OF GRAND LARCENY, AND
SENTENCED AS A HABITUAL OFFENDER
TO LIFE WITHOUT ELIGIBILITY FOR
PAROLE
DISPOSITION: AFFIRMED - 01/05/2016
MOTION FOR REHEARING FILED: 01/27/2016 - DENIED; AFFIRMED -
05/17/2016
MANDATE ISSUED:
EN BANC.
LEE, C.J., FOR THE COURT:
MODIFIED OPINION ON MOTION FOR REHEARING
¶1. The motion for rehearing is denied. We withdraw our original opinion and substitute
this modified opinion.
¶2. Kenneth R. Goldsmith was convicted of grand larceny in the Circuit Court of Rankin
County, Mississippi. He was sentenced as a habitual offender to serve life without parole.
Goldsmith raises the following issues on appeal: (1) the evidence was insufficient to support
the verdict, (2) he should have been sentenced under the original indictment, (3) the State
failed to prove his habitual-offender status, (4) his sentence was disproportionate to the
crime, (5) he received ineffective assistance of counsel, and (6) cumulative error. Finding
no error, we affirm.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
¶3. On October 15, 2012, David Purvis, vice president of safety at Ergon Trucking in
Flowood, Mississippi, noticed suspicious activity in the Ergon parking lot involving a man
in a Chevrolet Trailblazer.1 Purvis reported the suspicious activity and the Trailblazer’s
license-plate number to the Flowood Police Department.
¶4. On October 19, 2012, at 8:15 a.m., Barton Lampton parked his truck in the parking
lot at Ergon, where he worked. Lampton’s Giant TCR Advanced SL1 bicycle was in the
back of the truck. According to Lampton, the bicycle retailed for $6,000 to $6,500. But
because Lampton was friends with the owner of a bicycle shop, he was able to purchase a
demo for $3,200.
¶5. Time-stamped photographs taken from the surveillance camera at Ergon show that at
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The Trailblazer belonged to Goldsmith’s fiancée, Lillian Harvey. The following
people had access to the Trailblazer: Harvey; her son, Christopher; her cousin, Smootie; and
Goldsmith.
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8:37 a.m., the same Trailblazer from October 15 drove through Ergon’s smaller parking lot.
At 8:40 a.m., the Trailblazer drove into Ergon’s larger parking lot where Lampton’s truck
was parked. The network administrator at Ergon was unable to zoom in to the photographs
to see who was in the vehicle.
¶6. Ian Gallman, an employee at USA Pawn and Jewelry on Woodrow Wilson Avenue
in Jackson, Mississippi, identified the pawn receipt where Goldsmith pawned Lampton’s
bicycle.2 Gallman estimated Goldsmith would have arrived at the pawn shop between 9:00
a.m. and 9:10 a.m. The transaction was complete at 9:20 a.m. According to Gallman, the
retail value of the bicycle was $7,000. However, Gallman paid Goldsmith $100 because that
is the amount Goldsmith requested. Gallman later listed the bicycle on Craigslist for $4,000.
¶7. At trial, Goldsmith denied stealing the bicycle and denied having been in the Ergon
parking lot on October 15 or 19. Goldsmith testified he was driving the Trailblazer on the
morning of October 19 when his stepson, Christopher, and his stepson’s friend asked him to
pick them up at the Citgo gas station on Lakeland Drive. Goldsmith could not recall the
friend’s name.
¶8. On direct examination, Goldsmith testified that he paid the friend $45 for the bicycle.
The friend then told Goldsmith to wait fifteen to twenty minutes. If he did not bring
Goldsmith his money back, the friend stated Goldsmith could sell the bicycle. Goldsmith
then drove from the Citgo to the pawn shop and pawned the bicycle for $100 to pay an
electrical bill.
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During the transaction, Goldsmith was required to show photo identification.
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¶9. On cross-examination, Goldsmith’s testimony initially conformed to his testimony on
direct. But later on cross-examination, Goldsmith testified that after picking up his stepson
and his stepson’s friend from the Citgo, he drove the Trailblazer from the Citgo to the
Parkside Inn on Interstate 55 North in Jackson, where he took fifteen to twenty minutes to
service an air conditioner. Goldsmith then drove the Trailblazer from the Parkside Inn to the
pawn shop.
¶10. During a hearing on Goldsmith’s prior convictions, it was established that he had a
total of at least eleven prior felony convictions: five uttering forgery; three theft by receiving;
two commercial burglary; and one possession of a firearm by an incarcerated person.
Goldsmith also had a total of at least two prior convictions that qualify as crimes of violence:
one robbery conviction and one aggravated-assault conviction.
¶11. At the conclusion of the State’s case, Goldsmith moved for a directed verdict, which
was denied. Goldsmith did not renew his motion at the close of all evidence. On December
13, 2014, Goldsmith was convicted of grand larceny, and on February 26, 2014, he was
sentenced as a violent habitual offender to life in prison. On June 30, 2014, Goldsmith filed
a motion for a judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV) or, in the alternative, a new
trial. The trial court denied the motion, and Goldsmith now appeals.
DISCUSSION
I. Insufficient Evidence
¶12. Goldsmith claims the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction for grand
larceny. Specifically, Goldsmith claims the trial court erred in denying his motions for a
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directed verdict and JNOV or, in the alternative, a new trial.
A. Procedural Bar—Directed Verdict
¶13. “To preserve the issue of denial of a directed verdict, the defense must move for [a]
directed verdict at the close of the State’s [case].” Page v. State, 990 So. 2d 760, 761 (¶9)
(Miss. 2008) (citing Wright v. State, 540 So. 2d 1, 3 (Miss. 1989)). “If a motion for a
directed verdict is denied and the defendant introduces evidence on his own behalf, the
defendant must renew his motion for [a] directed verdict at the close of all evidence.” Id.
¶14. Goldsmith moved for a directed verdict at the close of the State’s case-in-chief, which
was denied. Goldsmith then presented evidence on his own behalf. At the conclusion of all
evidence, Goldsmith did not renew his motion for a directed verdict. Therefore, Goldsmith
is barred from raising the issue on appeal.
B. Procedural Bar Notwithstanding
¶15. Procedural bar notwithstanding, we find that the trial court did not err in denying
Goldsmith’s motion for a directed verdict or his motion for a JNOV or new trial.
¶16. “A directed verdict and a motion for JNOV both challenge the sufficiency of the
evidence presented to the jury.” Jones v. State, 991 So. 2d 629, 634 (¶11) (Miss. Ct. App.
2008) (citing McClain v. State, 625 So. 2d 774, 778 (Miss. 1993)). “Therefore, our standard
of review is the same for both.” Id. “This Court will consider the evidence in the light most
favorable to the State, giving the State ‘the benefit of all favorable inferences that may
reasonably be drawn from the evidence.’” Id. (quoting Collier v. State, 711 So. 2d 458, 461
(¶11) (Miss. 1998)). “The relevant question then becomes whether ‘any rational trier of fact
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could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt.’” Id.(quoting Bush v. State, 895 So. 2d 836, 843 (¶16) (Miss. 2005)).
¶17. “Unlike a motion for a directed verdict or JNOV, a motion for a new trial challenges
the weight of the evidence.” Id. at (¶12) (citing Sheffield v. State, 749 So. 2d 123, 127 (¶16)
(Miss. 1999)). “This Court’s standard of review of a trial court’s denial of a motion for a
new trial is abuse of discretion.” Id. (citing Johnson v. State, 904 So. 2d 162, 167 (¶11)
(Miss. 2005)). “A new trial will not be awarded unless ‘the verdict is so contrary to the
overwhelming weight of the evidence that, to allow it to stand, would be to sanction an
unconscionable injustice.’” Id.
¶18. In his motion for a directed verdict, Goldsmith claimed there was insufficient
evidence to establish the value of the bicycle met the monetary requirement for grand
larceny. In his appeal, Goldsmith claims there was insufficient evidence to establish he
committed the crime.3 We will address each argument in turn.
1. Value of the Bicycle
¶19. Goldsmith claims there was insufficient evidence to establish the value of the bicycle
met the monetary requirement for grand larceny.
¶20. Grand larceny is defined as “taking and carrying away, feloniously, the personal
property of another, of the value of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or more . . . .” Miss.
3
“Motions for a directed verdict must be specific and not general in nature.”
Sheffield, 749 So. 2d at 126 (¶10) (quoting Banks v. State, 394 So. 2d 875, 877 (Miss.
1981)). Goldsmith did not specifically challenge the sufficiency of the evidence with respect
to whether he committed the crime in his motion for a directed verdict or in his motion for
a JNOV or new trial. However, we will continue to address the issue.
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Code Ann. § 97-17-41(1) (Rev. 2006).
¶21. “In Smith v. State, 881 So. 2d 908 (Miss. Ct. App. 2004), [the] defendant was
convicted after the victim’s father testified that he paid between $3,000 and $4,000 for truck
rims that were later stolen.” Williams v. State, 994 So. 2d 821, 826 (¶14) (Miss. Ct. App.
2008). The defendant appealed and claimed his conviction should be reversed based on
insufficient proof of the value of the rims. Id. This Court stated:
[T]he victim’s father testified that he paid between [$3,000 and $4,000] for the
rims. Although this was not direct testimony of the value of the rims, we find
that it circumstantially provided a basis from which the jury could infer that
the rims were worth at least $250 because of the amount of the purchase price.
While this is not the strongest evidence that could have . . . and should have
been presented, we cannot say that no fair-minded juror could find [the
defendant] guilty on this evidence or that allowing the verdict to stand will
amount to an unconscionable injustice.
Id. (citing Smith, 881 So. 2d at 910-11 (¶11)).
¶22. Lampton testified that the bicycle retails for $6,000 to $6,500. He also testified that
he paid $3,200 for the bicycle. Furthermore, Gallman testified that the bicycle retails for
$7,000. Gallman also testified that he listed the bicycle on Craigslist for $4,000. This issue
is without merit.
2. Sufficiency of the Evidence
¶23. Goldsmith also claims there was insufficient evidence to establish he committed the
crime. Specifically, Goldsmith claims the State failed to establish he was the person driving
the Trailblazer, or that the person driving the Trailblazer was the person who stole the
bicycle.
¶24. “That the only evidence supporting [the] conviction is circumstantial does not mean
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the evidence is insufficient.” Walton v. State, 642 So. 2d 930, 932 (Miss. 1994). “[The
Mississippi Supreme Court has] consistently held that the State may prove a crime solely by
circumstantial evidence.” Id. “[T]he test to be applied is whether ‘a rational fact[-]finder
might reasonably conclude that the evidence excludes every reasonable hypothesis
inconsistent with guilt of the crime charged.’” Presley v. State, 994 So. 2d 191, 194 (¶10)
(Miss. 2008) (quoting Shields v. State, 702 So. 2d 380, 382 (Miss. 1997)). “However, we
must view the evidence in a light most favorable to the verdict.” Id. (citing Jones v. State,
819 So. 2d 558, 561 (¶11) (Miss Ct. App. 2002)).
¶25. “Under Mississippi law, possession of recently stolen property is a circumstance
which may be considered by the jury and from which, in the absence of a reasonable
explanation, the jury may infer guilt.” Seales v. State, 90 So. 3d 37, 42 (¶25) (Miss. 2012)
(quoting Rushing v. State, 461 So. 2d 710, 712 (Miss. 1984)). “[T]he explanation, however,
must both be reasonable and credible.” Presley, 994 So. 2d at 195 (¶20) (quoting Pearson
v. State, 248 Miss. 235, 158 So. 2d 710, 714 (1963)). “If the explanation is not reasonable
and credible, the evidence is sufficient for larceny.” Id. (citing Wilson v. State, 237 Miss.
294, 301, 114 So. 2d 677, 680 (1959)).
¶26. The evidence showed that Goldsmith was in possession of the bicycle the same
morning it was stolen. However, Goldsmith’s explanation as to how he gained possession
is demonstrably false.
¶27. Between 8:40 a.m. and (at the latest) 9:10 a.m., Goldsmith claims he drove the
Trailblazer to the Citgo on Lakeland Drive, where he paid $45 for the bicycle; may or may
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not have waited fifteen to twenty minutes; drove the Trailblazer to the Parkside Inn on
Interstate 55 North; serviced an air conditioner for fifteen to twenty minutes; and then drove
the Trailblazer to the pawn shop on Woodrow Wilson.
¶28. Lampton parked his truck, with the bicycle in the back, at Ergon at 8:15 a.m. Time-
stamped photographs place the Trailblazer in the parking lot at Ergon at 8:40 a.m. It was
estimated that Goldsmith arrived in the Trailblazer at the pawn shop between 9:00 a.m. and
9:10 a.m. According to the pawn receipt, the transaction was completed at 9:20 a.m.
¶29. From these facts, there was sufficient evidence for the jury to find Goldsmith guilty
of grand larceny. This issue is without merit.
II. Sentence
¶30. Goldsmith claims (1) he should have been sentenced under the original indictment,
(2) the State failed to prove his habitual-offender status, and (3) his sentence is
disproportionate to the crime.
A. Indictment
¶31. Goldsmith claims he should have been sentenced under the original indictment.
¶32. The trial court allowed the State to amend Goldsmith’s indictment from Mississippi
Code Annotated section 99-19-81 (Rev. 2015) to section 99-19-83 (Rev. 2015), and ordered
“that the Circuit Clerk attach a copy of the order for amendment to the indictment[.]”
(Emphasis added). Goldsmith claims the amendment was never attached to the indictment,
and therefore, he should have been sentenced under section 99-19-81 and not section 99-19-
83.
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¶33. An amendment to an indictment is reviewed de novo. Lawson v. State, 154 So. 3d
926 (¶12) (Miss. Ct. App. 2015). “Rule 7.09 allows indictments to be amended ‘to charge
the defendant as [a] habitual offender or to elevate the level of the offense where the offense
is one which is subject to enhanced punishment for subsequent offenses and the amendment
is to assert prior offense justifying such enhancement[.]’” Id. (quoting URCCC 7.09). “Such
an amendment is allowed as long as ‘the defendant is afforded a fair opportunity to present
a defense and is not unfairly surprised.’” Id.
¶34. It seems Goldsmith is arguing that he did not have notice of the amendment. But the
motion to amend the indictment was filed November 19, 2013, and the indictment was
amended on the day of Goldsmith’s trial—December 9, 2013. A copy of the order was
placed in the record, and Goldsmith was sentenced on February 26, 2014. This issue is
without merit.
B. Habitual-Offender Status
¶35. Goldsmith claims the State failed to prove his habitual-offender status.
¶36. As discussed, Goldsmith’s indictment was amended to charge him as a habitual
offender under section 99-19-83, which states:
Every person convicted in this state of a felony who shall have been convicted
twice previously of any felony or federal crime upon charges separately
brought and arising out of separate incidents at different times and who shall
have been sentenced to and served separate terms of one (1) year or more,
whether served concurrently or not, in any state and/or federal penal
institution, whether in this state or elsewhere, and where any one (1) of such
felonies shall have been a crime of violence, as defined by Section 97-3-2,
shall be sentenced to life imprisonment, and such sentence shall not be reduced
or suspended nor shall such person be eligible for parole, probation or any
other form of early release from actual physical custody within the Department
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of Corrections.
¶37. To establish Goldsmith’s habitual-offender status, an employee of the Arkansas
Department of Corrections testified that Goldsmith was convicted of aggravated assault—a
felony and a crime of violence4—in 1997. According to the pen pack, which was admitted
into evidence, Goldsmith’s confinement term was sixty months, or five years. And the
witness testified that Goldsmith served more than one year. In addition, an employee of the
Mississippi Department of Corrections testified that Goldsmith was convicted of uttering a
forgery—a felony—in 2007. According to the pen pack, which was also admitted into
evidence, Goldsmith served one year and sixty-four days.
¶38. Goldsmith cites to Floyd v. State, 155 So. 3d 883 (Miss. Ct. App. 2014), for support.
In Floyd, the State produced an order indicating the defendant pleaded guilty to three counts
of “transfer of a controlled substance” on the same day. Id. at 890 (¶19). The record did not
indicate that there were two charges “separately brought and arising out of separate incidents
at different times.” Id. at (¶20). Here, the record indicates Goldsmith’s charges were
“separately brought and arising out of separate incidents.” This issue is without merit.
C. Disproportionate Sentence
¶39. Goldsmith claims his sentence is disproportionate to the crime.
¶40. “[T]he general rule in this state is that a sentence cannot be disturbed on appeal so
long as it does not exceed the maximum term allowed by statute.” Wall v. State, 718 So. 2d
1107, 1114 (¶29) (Miss. 1998) (quoting Hoops v. State, 681 So. 2d 521, 538 (Miss. 1996)).
4
Aggravated assault is a crime of violence within the meaning of the habitual-
offender statute. Davis v. State, 680 So. 2d 848, 851 (Miss. 1996).
11
Furthermore, “as long as the sentence is within the limits of the statute, the imposition of
such sentence is within the sound discretion of the trial court and [the appellate] court will
not reverse it.” Id.
¶41. As discussed, Goldsmith’s sentence conforms to the requirements of the habitual-
offender statute. This issue is without merit.
III. Ineffective Assistance
¶42. Goldsmith claims he received ineffective assistance of counsel. First, he contends that
his trial counsel’s use of drugs and alcohol while representing him constituted ineffective
assistance of counsel. Second, he contends that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing
to object to the trial court’s response to a jury question. Finally, he contends that his trial
counsel was ineffective for failing to object to sentencing errors. Goldsmith also claims his
appellate counsel’s performance was ineffective because counsel failed to argue that
Goldsmith’s trial counsel was ineffective and failed to request the full record on appeal.
¶43. In order to establish ineffective assistance of counsel, Goldsmith must satisfy the two-
pronged test set forth in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 686 (1984), and adopted
by the Mississippi Supreme Court in Stringer v. State, 454 So. 2d 468, 476-77 (Miss. 1984).
Goldsmith must demonstrate: (1) counsel’s performance was deficient and (2) that the
deficiency prejudiced the defense. Braggs v. State, 121 So. 3d 269, 272 (¶9) (Miss. Ct. App.
2013). “The Strickland test is applied with deference to counsel’s performance, considering
the totality of the circumstances to determine whether counsel’s actions were both deficient
and prejudicial.” Id. at 273 (¶11) (citing Conner v. State, 684 So. 2d 608, 610 (Miss. 1996)).
12
¶44. Generally, ineffective-assistance claims are raised during postconviction proceedings.
Archer v. State, 986 So. 2d 951, 955 (¶15) (Miss. 2008). However, a claim of ineffectiveness
may be raised on direct appeal “if such issues are based on facts fully apparent from the
record.” M.R.A.P. 22(b). If the record cannot support a claim of ineffectiveness, then the
appropriate action is to deny relief, preserving the defendant’s right to argue the same issue
through a petition for postconviction relief. Braggs, 121 So. 3d at 272 (¶9).
A. Drugs and Alcohol
¶45. Goldsmith claims that his trial counsel’s use of drugs and alcohol while representing
him constituted ineffective assistance of counsel. The record lacks sufficient evidence to
adequately address Goldsmith’s claim. Therefore, we dismiss this claim so that Goldsmith,
if he so chooses, may raise it in a motion for postconviction relief.
B. Jury Question
¶46. Goldsmith claims his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to the trial
court’s response to the jury. The jury submitted the following question: “What time was the
911 call made by Purvis[?]” And the trial court responded: “You’ve received all the evidence
introduced in the trial.” Because a jury is to make its decision based on the evidence
presented at trial, there was no error. Therefore, counsel was not ineffective. See Moffett v.
State, 156 So. 3d 835, 870 (¶110) (Miss. 2014).
C. Sentencing
¶47. Goldsmith claims his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to sentencing
errors. As discussed, there were no errors. Therefore, counsel was not ineffective. See id.13
D. Appellate Counsel
¶48. Goldsmith also claims that he was, or is, being denied effective assistance of appellate
counsel. He contends that his appellate counsel failed to argue that Goldsmith’s trial counsel
was ineffective and failed to request the complete record on appeal. However, this
assignment of error is premature because Goldsmith’s claim involves representation that is
still ongoing and pending before this Court. See Ratliff v. State, 162 So. 3d 842, 844 (¶3)
(Miss. Ct. App. 2014). Addressing this issue at this stage would be improper because
Goldsmith has yet to suffer the alleged prejudice that he complains of, pending the outcome
of this appeal. See id. Therefore, it is impossible for Goldsmith to satisfy the prejudice
prong set forth in Strickland. See id.IV. Cumulative Error
¶49. Finally, Goldsmith claims that the cumulative effect of all the errors committed during
trial, even if not reversible in themselves, combine to make up reversible error.
¶50. “[E]rrors in the lower court that do not require reversal standing alone may
nonetheless[,] taken cumulatively[,] require reversal.” Conley v. State, 790 So. 2d 773, 807
(¶141) (Miss. 2001) (quoting Jenkins v. State, 607 So. 2d 1171, 1183 (Miss. 1992)).
“However, ‘where there was no reversible error in any part, so there is no reversible error to
the whole.’” Id. (citation omitted). Because we find no error, this issue is without merit.
¶51. THE JUDGMENT OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF RANKIN COUNTY OF
CONVICTION OF GRAND LARCENY AND SENTENCE AS A HABITUAL
OFFENDER OF LIFE IN THE CUSTODY OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT
OF CORRECTIONS WITHOUT ELIGIBILITY FOR PAROLE IS AFFIRMED. ALL
COSTS OF THIS APPEAL ARE ASSESSED TO RANKIN COUNTY.
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IRVING AND GRIFFIS, P.JJ., BARNES, ISHEE, CARLTON, FAIR, JAMES,
WILSON AND GREENLEE, JJ., CONCUR.
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