Lloyd Anthony Thompson v. Commonwealth of Virginia

COURT OF APPEALS OF VIRGINIA
Present: Judges Frank, Beales and Powell
Argued at Richmond, Virginia
LLOYD ANTHONY THOMPSON
MEMORANDUM OPINION * BY
v. Record No. 2427-09-2 JUDGE ROBERT P. FRANK
OCTOBER 26, 2010
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
FROM THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE CITY OF RICHMOND
Margaret P. Spencer, Judge
Catherine French, Supervising Assistant Public Defender (Office of
the Public Defender, on briefs), for appellant.
Jennifer C. Williamson, Assistant Attorney General (Kenneth T.
Cuccinelli, II, Attorney General, on brief), for appellee.
Lloyd Anthony Thompson, appellant, was convicted, in a bench trial, of robbery, in
violation of Code § 18.2-58, carjacking, in violation of Code § 18.2-58.1, abduction, in violation of
Code § 18.2-48, and three counts of use of a firearm in the commission of those felonies, in
violation of Code § 18.2-53.1. On appeal, appellant asserts the trial court erred in: 1) denying his
motion for a continuance; 2) admitting testimony that appellant was identified by the victim from a
photographic lineup; and 3) revoking a portion of a previously suspended sentence, based on the
subject offenses. For the reasons stated, we affirm.
BACKGROUND
At midnight on December 4, 2008, victim got out of his car in a well-lit parking lot of his
apartment complex. Appellant, who was standing five to ten feet from victim, pointed a gun at
victim and ordered him to get back into his car. Victim immediately recognized appellant from
*
Pursuant to Code § 17.1-413, this opinion is not designated for publication.
previous encounters, not more than several months earlier. Victim asked, “haven’t I seen you
before . . . ?” Victim recognized appellant’s face, which was illuminated by the parking lot lights.
While in the car, appellant robbed victim of his wallet and its contents. Appellant asked if
victim had money in any bank, then forced victim at gunpoint to drive to several area banks.
Ultimately, appellant robbed victim of cash withdrawn from victim’s ATM. While appellant
admonished victim not to look at him, victim again had an opportunity to view appellant’s face
when appellant let victim out of the vehicle. Throughout the forty-five-minute to one-hour ordeal,
appellant continued to brandish his gun at victim.
At trial, victim testified he had twice previously interacted with appellant within the last
several months. On two other occasions, while victim did not see appellant’s face, he did recognize
appellant’s voice as the same voice he heard during the instant offenses. At trial, victim identified
appellant as the perpetrator based on his facial features, his voice, height, and build.
During his investigation, Detective Thomas O’Dell of the Richmond Police Department
compiled a photo lineup. O’Dell showed victim the lineup, and victim identified appellant as the
perpetrator. Because the identity of the perpetrator was the sole issue before the fact finder at trial,
admissibility of this evidence is an issue on appeal.
Appellant presented alibi witnesses placing appellant at a different location at the time of
these offenses. Appellant denied any involvement in these offenses.
Prior to trial, the trial court entered a consent discovery order requiring the Commonwealth
to provide defense counsel with “[a]ny designated books, papers, documents, tangible objects,
buildings or places, or copies or portions thereof, that are within the possession, custody, or control
of the Commonwealth, upon a showing that the items sought may be material to the preparation for
the defense and that the request is reasonable.” Such materials must be produced “no later than ten
days before trial.” The Commonwealth timely responded to the discovery order. However, after
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5:00 p.m. on the eve of trial, appellant’s counsel learned for the first time of the existence of the
photo lineup prepared by Detective O’Dell. Counsel immediately went to the Commonwealth’s
attorney’s office to inspect the file, including the photo array.
At trial the following day, appellant’s counsel asked for a continuance based on his late
discovery of the photo identification. He premised his motion on the following: The identify of the
perpetrator is the key issue in the trial; counsel has not had time to review that evidence with his
client; late disclosure has prejudiced appellant by not affording counsel adequate time to formulate a
strategy to deal with eyewitness identification because the photo identification “significantly
bolsters” the Commonwealth’s evidence; and existence of the lineup interferes with appellant’s
ability to enter into a meaningful plea negotiation.
The Commonwealth opposed the motion. The trial court denied the motion for a
continuance but excluded the photo lineup sheet from evidence. However, the trial court did allow
testimony that victim viewed the photo spread and identified appellant as the perpetrator. The trial
court explained that the testimony regarding the photo identification “may have little or no weight
since the court will never see [the lineup]” and noted that the photo lineup merely established the
basis for the arrest.
At trial, when the prosecutor asked Detective O’Dell if victim identified anyone in the photo
spread, appellant again objected based on the discovery violation. In overruling that objection, the
trial court indicated “it’s not being offered to show identity, but to show that he is actually the
person who is seated next to you who is Lloyd Thompson.”
ANALYSIS
Appellant contends the trial court abused its discretion in not granting a continuance, thus,
violating his right to a fair trial and due process. His motion for the continuance is premised on his
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late discovery of the photo array. Inextricably related to this issue is appellant’s contention that the
trial court erred in allowing testimony that he was identified as the perpetrator from a photo spread. 1
“[A]n accused has a constitutional right ‘to call for evidence in his favor,’ Va. Const. art.
I, § 8, which includes the right to prepare for trial by procuring both testimonial and
documentary evidence.” Gilchrist v. Commonwealth, 227 Va. 540, 545, 317 S.E.2d 784, 787
(1984) (citation omitted). “In order to prepare for trial, an accused and his counsel must have
sufficient time to investigate the case and to evaluate the evidence that is procured.” Id. at 546,
317 S.E.2d at 787. When a court has no reason to believe that a motion for a continuance is
spurious, it should seriously consider whether a failure to grant the continuance may “imperil the
just determination of the cause.” Myers v. Trice, 86 Va. 835, 842, 11 S.E. 428, 430 (1890). As
the Supreme Court said in Smith v. Commonwealth, 155 Va. 1111, 1117, 156 S.E. 577, 579
(1931), “[a]n ideal system of laws would be one in which speedy justice is administered, but
justice and not speed should be its paramount purpose.”
Whether to grant or deny a continuance rests within the
“sound discretion” of the trial court. Ortiz v. Commonwealth, 276
Va. 705, 722, 667 S.E.2d 751, 762 (2008) (quoting Haugen v.
Shenandoah Valley Dep’t of Soc. Servs., 274 Va. 27, 34, 645
S.E.2d 261, 265 (2007)). An appellate court can reverse only if the
trial court committed an “abuse of discretion” and thereby caused
“resulting prejudice.” Id. This “two-pronged” test, Lebedun v.
Commonwealth, 27 Va. App. 697, 712, 501 S.E.2d 427, 434
(1998), has long been the standard under Virginia practice.
1
The Commonwealth counters that both of these arguments are waived due to appellant’s
failure to make these specific arguments to the trial court pursuant to Rule 5A:18. The purpose
of Rule 5A:18 is “to ensure that the trial court and opposing party are given the opportunity to
intelligently address, examine, and resolve issues in the trial court, thus avoiding unnecessary
appeals.” Andrews v. Commonwealth, 37 Va. App. 479, 493, 559 S.E.2d 401, 408 (2002).
Counsel informed the court that appellant should have been “apprised of [the photo array] before
trial in a meaningful way for several different reasons[,]” including, but not limited to, counsel’s
ability to formulate a strategy to deal with this eyewitness identification. Thus, our review of the
record convinces us that appellant made the appropriate arguments to the trial court and we will
address them as they are presented to us on appeal.
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Satisfying both prongs of the test is “essential to reversal.”
Butler v. Commonwealth, 264 Va. 614, 621, 570 S.E.2d 813, 817
(2002) (citations omitted). “The absence of one renders
inconsequential the presence of the other.” Bolden [v.
Commonwealth], 49 Va. App. [285,] 290, 640 S.E.2d [527,] 529
[(2007)]. “We cannot reverse if a defendant ‘has shown no
prejudice resulting from what he claims was an abuse of
discretion’ in granting or denying a continuance motion.” Id.
(quoting Quintana v. Commonwealth, 224 Va. 127, 135, 295
S.E.2d 643, 646 (1982)). Prejudice, moreover, “may not be
presumed; it must appear from the record.” Id. (quoting Lowery v.
Commonwealth, 9 Va. App. 304, 307, 387 S.E.2d 508, 510
(1990)).
Cooper v. Commonwealth, 54 Va. App. 558, 565-66, 680 S.E.2d 361, 364-65 (2009).
Appellant contends the failure to grant a continuance because of the untimely revelation
of the photo spread prevented him from: calling evidence in his favor; properly preparing for
trial; strategizing how best to address this evidence; discussing a possible plea agreement;
investigating and evaluating this new evidence; and exploring the circumstances surrounding the
creation of the photo spread, allowing him to challenge victim’s identification of appellant in the
photo spread for use in cross-examination and impeachment of the victim’s identification.
Appellant concludes he was prejudiced by the trial court’s ruling.
Appellant cites Gilchrist, 227 Va. 540, 317 S.E.2d 784, to support his position that he
was denied his right to prepare for trial and to call for evidence in his favor. However, Gilchrist
is readily distinguishable on its facts. Gilchrist was charged with capital murder. In violation of
a discovery order, the Commonwealth failed to timely provide the accused with a final autopsy
report, toxicology and ballistic reports, autopsy photographs, and gunpowder residue test results.
Id. at 544, 317 S.E.2d at 786. The Supreme Court of Virginia found the trial court erred in not
granting a continuance. Id. at 547, 317 S.E.2d at 788. In this factual context, the Court
concluded Gilchrist was denied a fair and impartial trial because substantial evidence was not
timely given to the accused, thus preventing him from properly preparing for trial. Id.
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Appellant also relies on Lomax v. Commonwealth, 228 Va. 168, 319 S.E.2d 763 (1984),
to support his argument. In Lomax, the accused was charged with murder and claimed he killed
the deceased in self-defense. Id. at 171, 319 S.E.2d at 765. The Commonwealth did not produce
a toxicology report containing a list of drugs found in the victim’s blood until the day of trial. Id.
at 171, 319 S.E.2d at 764. Counsel argued he needed a continuance to obtain an expert opinion
on whether the drugs would have made the victim more aggressive. Id. at 171, 319 S.E.2d at
765. The trial court denied the continuance motion. Id. The Supreme Court held that the trial
court abused its discretion in not granting a continuance since the toxicology report was central
to Lomax’s defense in the case. Id. at 173, 319 S.E.2d at 766. We find the facts in Lomax differ
greatly from those in the instant case.
Before we can evaluate whether the failure to grant a continuance prejudiced appellant,
we first must address the nature and implications of the admissibility of the photo spread. The
continuance issue is inextricably bound to whether the trial court erred in allowing Detective
O’Dell to testify that the victim identified appellant in the photo spread as the perpetrator.
When a trial court admits relevant and material evidence at trial which was not disclosed
as required by a discovery order, there is no reversible error in the absence of a showing of
prejudice to the defendant. Davis v. Commonwealth, 230 Va. 201, 204-05, 335 S.E.2d 375,
377-78 (1985).
Assuming without deciding the Commonwealth violated the discovery order, we
conclude appellant was not prejudiced either by the denial of the continuance or in the trial
court’s limited consideration of Detective O’Dell’s testimony concerning the photo spread
identification.
“‘The admissibility of evidence is within the broad discretion of the trial court, and [its
ruling thereon] will not be disturbed on appeal in the absence of an abuse of discretion.’” Jones
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v. Commonwealth, 38 Va. App. 231, 236, 563 S.E.2d 364, 366 (2002) (quoting Blain v.
Commonwealth, 7 Va. App. 10, 16, 371 S.E.2d 838, 842 (1988)). For the following reasons, we
conclude the trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting Detective O’Dell’s testimony
concerning the photo spread and identification of appellant in the photo spread.
The record clearly demonstrates that appellant was not prejudiced by the trial court’s
rulings. It must be remembered the trial court explained on two occasions that the photo
identification testimony carried insignificant evidentiary value. First, during the pretrial motion
for the continuance, the trial court noted that the detective’s testimony concerning the victim’s
identification of appellant in the spread “may have little or no weight since the court will never
see [the photo spread].” Again during the trial, in overruling counsel’s objection to the
identification testimony, the court indicated, “it’s not being offered to show identity, but to show
he is actually the person who is seated next to [counsel] who is Lloyd Thompson.”
The Commonwealth argues that even if failure to provide appellant with the photo spread
violated the discovery order, that piece of evidence was excluded by the trial court. Therefore,
the Commonwealth concludes, appellant cannot complain of the lack of disclosure. We find this
argument to ignore the fact that the detective’s testimony was based on the photo spread, even
though it was not admitted into evidence.
Under Code § 19.2-265.4, in the case of a discovery violation, “the court may order the
Commonwealth to permit the discovery or inspection, grant a continuance, or prohibit the
Commonwealth from introducing evidence not disclosed, or the court may enter such other order
as it deems just under the circumstances.” “The relief to be granted following the late disclosure
of evidence is within the trial court’s discretion. Absent a showing that the late disclosure
prejudiced the defense, it is not an abuse of discretion for the trial court to refuse to exclude the
challenged evidence.” Knight v. Commonwealth, 18 Va. App. 207, 212, 443 S.E.2d 165, 168
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(1994). Here, as a sanction for non-disclosure, the trial court did not allow the introduction of
the photo spread, nor did it consider the derivative identification as substantive evidence of the
identity of the perpetrator. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in formulating the relief
granted.
The photo array, by itself, has no evidentiary value. It is simply a series of unidentified
photographs. Only when a witness identifies a photograph as that of the perpetrator does it gain
evidentiary worth. It cannot be disputed that even though the photo spread was not in evidence,
O’Dell’s identification testimony was based solely on the photo spread. It is apparent the trial
court understood this and indicated it would give that identification little or no weight. The trial
court unequivocally stated it did not accept the challenged testimony to prove the identity of the
perpetrator.
Thus, from the trial court’s own words we can conclude that the challenged testimony
had no impact on the identification of the perpetrator.
Prejudice cannot be shown where, as here, “the trial judge
was the trier of fact and, upon learning of the undisclosed
information,” rules unequivocally that the impeachment evidence
“would have had no impact” on the factfinding underlying the
defendant’s conviction. Correll v. Commonwealth, 232 Va. 454,
466, 352 S.E.2d 352, 359 (1987). When a trial judge, sitting as
“both trier of fact and arbiter of law,” finds the [discovery]
evidence inconsequential, there can be “no logical possibility” that
its earlier disclosure “would have altered the outcome of the case.”
Stroik v. State, 671 A.2d 1335, 1340 (Del. 1996). Under such
circumstances, we need not hypothesize how a reasonable jury
would likely have reacted to the new information. We know with
certitude, from the factfinder himself, that the outcome of the
proceeding would not have been different had the evidence been
disclosed earlier.
Deville v. Commonwealth, 47 Va. App. 754, 757, 627 S.E.2d 530, 532 (2006).
Appellant’s entire appeal presupposes the photo spread played a significant role in the
trial court’s finding of guilt. However, the trial court indicated it was not even a factor. The
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testimony did not establish the identity of the perpetrator; it simply provided a basis for the
arrest.
Therefore, there was nothing further for appellant to investigate, prepare for trial, produce
additional evidence, determine the propriety of the photo spread, or formulate a strategy on how
best to deal with that evidence. Simply put, there could be no prejudice because victim’s
identification of appellant in the photo spread was not admitted to identify the perpetrator nor did
it have any impact on the trial court’s finding that appellant did in fact commit the subject
crimes.
Since we find no prejudice, we conclude the trial court did not err in not granting a
continuance nor in admitting the testimony concerning the photo spread identification.
Lastly, appellant contends the trial court erred in revoking his previously suspended
sentence. A trial court “may revoke the suspension of sentence for any cause the court deems
sufficient that occurred at any time within the probation period, or within the period of
suspension fixed by the court.” Code § 19.2-306(A). In revocation appeals, the trial court’s
“‘findings of fact and judgment will not be reversed unless there is a clear showing of abuse of
discretion.’” Keselica v. Commonwealth, 34 Va. App. 31, 35, 537 S.E.2d 611, 613 (2000)
(quoting Davis v. Commonwealth, 12 Va. App. 81, 86, 402 S.E.2d 684, 687 (1991)).
Here, the trial court revoked appellant’s suspended sentence because he was found guilty
of the robbery, abduction, carjacking, and use of a firearm during each of these felonies. Having
affirmed appellant’s convictions, appellant has failed to demonstrate that the trial court abused its
discretion in revoking the suspended sentence.
For the foregoing reasons, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
Affirmed.
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