How to access the above link?
Return to nccourts.org
Return to the Opinions Page
1. Evidence--officer's testimony--constructive possession
The trial court did not abuse its discretion in a cocaine and marijuana case by overruling
defendant's objection to an officer's testimony regarding constructive possession, because: (1)
although the State's question linked the term constructive possession with being in close
proximity to the pertinent goods, the witness never testified that defendant was in constructive
possession of the evidence but instead testified to the underlying facts of defendant's location in
proximity to the drugs; (2) when the assistant district attorney asked the witness more directly if
defendant was in constructive possession of the evidence collected, the trial court ruled the
question was inadmissible based on it being a legal issue for the jury to resolve; and (3) even
assuming arguendo that the trial court erred by allowing the witness's testimony after the State's
question which linked constructive possession with being next to the drugs, defendant failed to
show a reasonable possibility that a different result would have been reached absent the alleged
error.
2. Appeal and Error--preservation of issues--failure to identify issue in assignment of
error
Although defendant contends the trial court erred in a cocaine and marijuana case
by
overruling defendant's objection to an officer's opinion testimony that defendant was guilty
based on constructive possession, this assignment of error is overruled because: (1) the pertinent
assignment of error stated nothing about the challenged testimony being impermissible as
testimony regarding defendant's guilt; and (2) as the underlying assignment of error does not
identify the issue briefed on appeal, it is in violation of N.C. R. App. P. 10(c)(1) and beyond the
scope of appellate review.
3. Appeal and Error-_preservation of issues--failure to assign error on specific basis--
appellate rules violation
Although defendant contends the trial court erred in a cocaine and marijuana case
by
overruling defendant's objection to an officer's testimony that certain evidence constituted a
crack pipe, this assignment of error is dismissed, because: (1) nowhere in defendant's assignment
of error does he assign error on this specific basis; (2) the pertinent assignment of error is broad,
vague, unspecific, and fails to identify the issues on appeal, N.C. R. App. P. 10(c)(1); (3)
defendant's assignment of error asserting that the police officer's testimony otherwise violated
the N.C. Rules of Evidence would allow defense counsel to argue on appeal any and every
violation of those rules, which neither limits the scope of appeal nor adequately puts the other
party on notice of the issues presented; and (4) the Court of Appeals may not review an appeal
that violates the Rules of Appellate Procedure even though such violations neither impede
comprehension of the issues nor frustrate the appellate process.
4. Drugs--possession of cocaine with intent to sell and deliver--possession of
marijuana_-motion to dismiss--sufficiency of evidence
The trial court did not err by denying defendant's motion to dismiss charges of possession
of cocaine with intent to sell and deliver and possession of marijuana at the close of the State's
evidence and at the close of all evidence, because: (1) when controlled substances are found onthe premises under the control of an accused, this fact in and of itself gives rise to an inference of
knowledge and possession which may be sufficient to carry the case to the jury on a charge of
unlawful possession; (2) the State may overcome a motion to dismiss or motion for judgment of
nonsuit by presenting evidence which places the accused within such close juxtaposition to the
narcotic drugs as to justify the jury in concluding that the same were in his possession; (3)
although defendant did not have exclusive possession of the premises, as shown by the fact that
police found rental receipts in the name of defendant and others in another person's name, other
incriminating circumstances existed such as defendant's presence on the premises, the fact that
the receipts existed and were found in a dresser drawer at the time of the search of the premises,
the miscellaneous drug paraphernalia on the premises, and the fact that defendant had $2,609 in
cash on him in small bills at the time of the search; (4) the State presented evidence that
defendant was in close proximity to the controlled substances at the time of the raid in order to
show constructive possession; and (5) the evidence including the state of the premises, the drug
paraphernalia found on the premises, and the large amount of cash on defendant constitute
substantial evidence of the element of defendant's intent to sell and deliver.
5. Drugs_-maintaining dwelling for purposes of unlawfully keeping or selling
controlled substances_-motion to dismiss--sufficiency of evidence--totality of
circumstances
The trial court did not err by denying defendant's motion to dismiss the charge of
maintaining a dwelling for the purposes of unlawfully keeping or selling controlled substances at
the close of the State's evidence and at the close of all evidence, because: (1) under the totality of
circumstances, there was substantial evidence including that police officers found receipts for
rent and utility bills in a dresser drawer of the residence that were addressed to defendant, and
defendant was on the premises at the time police executed the search warrant; and (2) although
the police found receipts in another person's name, when viewed in the light most favorable to
the State, there was sufficient evidence that defendant kept or maintained the premises such that
the trial court did not err in denying defendant's motions to dismiss.
6. Drugs--instruction--acting in concert
The trial court did not err in a possession of cocaine with intent to sell and deliver,
intentionally maintaining a building for the purpose of unlawfully keeping or selling controlled
substances, and possession of marijuana case by giving an instruction on acting in concert,
because the evidence sufficiently established that: (1) the State recovered rent receipts for the
premises, with some of the receipts addressed to defendant and other receipts addressed to
another man; (2) both men were on the premises in the same room and in close proximity to the
drugs at the time of the raid; and (3) officers found defendant with $2,609.00 and the other man
with $200 at the time of the raid.
7. Drugs--instruction--constructive possession
The trial court did not err in a possession of cocaine with intent to sell and deliver,
intentionally maintaining a building for the purpose of unlawfully keeping or selling controlled
substances, and possession of marijuana case by an instruction on constructive possession,
because: (1) the instruction is warranted if the evidence shows defendant, while not having actual
possession, has the intent and capability to maintain and control dominion over the narcotics; and
(2) there was sufficient evidence for the instruction.
8. Drugs--intentionally keeping or maintaining a building for the purpose of
unlawfully keeping or selling controlled substances--failure to instruct on lesser-included offense--misdemeanor keeping and maintaining a dwelling for controlled
substances
The trial court did not err in a prosecution for intentionally maintaining a building for the
purpose of unlawfully keeping or selling controlled substances by denying defendant's motion to
charge the jury on the lesser-included offense of misdemeanor maintaining a dwelling for
controlled substances, because: (1) where the State's evidence is positive as to each element of
the offense charged and there is no contradictory evidence relating to any element, no instruction
on a lesser-included offense is required; and (2) the evidence in the case, including defendant's
receipts relating to the premises, the drug paraphernalia located on the premises, and the large
quantity of cash on defendant's person support an instruction that defendant acted intentionally
and sufficiently established that no instruction on a lesser-included offense was required.
Judge BRYANT concurs in result only.
Judge HUNTER concurring in part and dissenting in part.
Attorney General Roy Cooper, by Assistant Attorney General
Lisa H. Graham, for the State.
Michelle FormyDuval Lynch for defendant-appellant.
CALABRIA, Judge.
Elgin Orlandas Hart (defendant) appeals from jury verdicts
of guilty of possession of cocaine with intent to sell and deliver,
intentionally keeping or maintaining a building for the purpose of
unlawfully keeping or selling controlled substances, and possession
of marijuana. Defendant additionally appeals from his plea of
guilty of attaining habitual felon status. We find no error.
The Kinston Police Department (Kinston P.D.) became involved
with defendant when it served a search warrant at 309 Stoughs Alley
Lane, Kinston, North Carolina. At the time officers served thewarrant, four men, including defendant, were present inside the
premises. The search warrant named only defendant and Dontrieves
Hooker (Hooker), and Kinston P.D. permitted the two remaining men
to leave after no drugs were found on them. Officer Ken Barnes
(Barnes) testified that upon entering the premises he observed:
1) the first room officers entered from the front door was empty;
2) the second room contained a couch, dresser, and a television; 3)
the third room contained a couch, a desk, and a potbelly stove; and
4) a hallway contained stacked wood. Barnes further testified that
the windows were covered with clear plastic and the premises
contained no beds, no refrigerator, no store bought food other than
some leftovers found in the trash, and no toiletries except
deodorant.
A search of the apartment revealed crack cocaine, marijuana,
scales, razor blades, aluminum foil, small red baggies, and a razor
blade with cardboard around the base of it, which Barnes
characterized as a crack pipe. Kinston P.D. also searched both
defendant and Hooker. Defendant had no drugs on his person;
however, police officers found $2,609.00 in currency on him.
Hooker had $200.00 in currency on him. During the investigation,
Barnes also recovered January 2003 utility bills, and in a dresser
drawer, he found a rent receipt for the residence addressed to
defendant. Barnes also recovered rent receipts from February and
March 2003, which were addressed to Hooker.
The State subsequently indicted defendant on possession with
intent to sell and deliver a controlled substance, keeping ormaintaining a dwelling for the use of controlled substances, and
possession of a controlled substance. The State also indicted
defendant on attaining habitual felon status. The Lenoir County
Superior Court heard this matter on 11 May 2005, and a jury found
defendant guilty of all three offenses. Defendant then pled guilty
to attaining the status of a habitual felon, and the trial court
sentenced him to a minimum of 151 months and a maximum of 191
months in the custody of the North Carolina Department of
Correction. Defendant appeals.
[1] Defendant initially argues, [t]he trial court erred in
overruling defendant's objection to the officer's testimony
regarding 'constructive possession,' as such testimony constituted
an opinion as to an ultimate issue for the jury and a legal
conclusion, violated the N.C. Rules of Evidence, and denied
defendant due process and a fair trial. Specifically, defendant
contends that the trial court erred in allowing the following
exchange to occur regarding constructive possession:
Q: Mr. Rogerson asked you if each one of these
items was in the defendant's possession, do
you recall that question?
A: I do recall that question.
Q: He didn't differentiate between actual
possession, like in the pocket or constructive
possession.
Mr. Rogerson: Objection, goes to legal
argument.
Mr. Muskus: Your Honor, it was brought up by
the defendant.
The Court: Go ahead.
Q. It doesn't go to constructive possession
like being next to it?
A. He was next to it, yes.
Defendant argues that the trial court abused its discretion in
allowing this testimony because it was inadmissible since Barnes
testified as to a legal term of art, 'constructive possession[.]'
Under the North Carolina Rules of Evidence, [t]estimony in
the form of an opinion or inference is not objectionable because it
embraces an ultimate issue to be decided by the trier of fact.
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 8C-1, Rule 704 (2005). Rather, our courts draw
a distinction between testimony regarding legal standards or
conclusions and factual premises. See HAJMM Co. v. House of
Raeford Farms, Inc., 328 N.C. 578, 586, 403 S.E.2d 483, 488-89
(1991). While a witness may not testify regarding a legal standard
or conclusion where the standard is a legal term of art that
carries a specific legal meaning not readily apparent, State v.
Ledford, 315 N.C. 599, 617, 340 S.E.2d 309, 321 (1986), opinion
testimony regarding underlying factual premises is permissible.
HAJMM, 328 N.C. at 586, 403 S.E.2d at 488-89. We review the trial
court's determination to the admissibility of testimony under an
abuse of discretion standard. State v. Washington, 141 N.C. App.
354, 362, 540 S.E.2d 338, 395 (2000). An abuse of discretion
occurs when a ruling of the trial court is manifestly unsupported
by reason or is so arbitrary that it could not have been the result
of a reasoned decision. State v. Hennis, 323 N.C. 279, 285, 372
S.E.2d 523, 527 (1988) (citations omitted).
In the case sub judice, during cross-examination of Barnes,
defendant's attorney showed Barnes various pieces of evidence and
repeatedly asked him the question [Defendant] wasn't in possessionof this; was he? Barnes responded no each time he answered the
question. On redirect, the Assistant District Attorney attempted
to establish the possession element of the State's case by having
Barnes clarify defendant's location in relation to the evidence for
purposes of establishing constructive possession. Barnes then
testified that defendant was next to the evidence collected.
Although the State's question linked the term constructive
possession with being in close proximity to the goods, Barnes
never testified that defendant was in constructive possession of
the evidence; rather, he testified to the underlying facts of
defendant's location in proximity to the drugs. Indeed, when the
Assistant District Attorney asked Barnes more directly if defendant
was in constructive possession of the evidence collected, the trial
court ruled the question was inadmissible because constructive
possession is a legal issue for the jury to resolve. Even assuming
arguendo that the trial court erred in allowing the witness's
testimony after the State's question, which linked constructive
possession with being next to the drugs, defendant has failed to
show a reasonable possibility that, had the error in question not
been committed, a different result would have been reached at the
trial[.] N.C. Gen. Stat. § 15A-1443(a) (2005). For the foregoing
reasons, we hold this argument is without merit.
[2] Defendant additionally argues, If this court were to find
that the testimony was admissible as it did not embrace a legal
term of art, the testimony was still inadmissible as to the policeofficer's opinion that defendant was guilty. Defendant's
pertinent assignment of error states:
The trial court erred in overruling
defendant's objection as to the officer's
testimony regarding constructive possession,
as such testimony constituted an opinion as to
an ultimate issue for the jury and a legal
conclusion, violated the N.C. Rules of
Evidence, and denied defendant due process, a
fair trial, and his legal and constitutional
rights.
This assignment of error states nothing about the challenged
testimony being impermissible as testimony regarding defendant's
guilt. Accordingly, the underlying assignment of error does not
identify the issue briefed on appeal and is in violation of N.C. R.
App. P. 10(c)(1) (2006). See May v. Down East Homes of Beulaville,
Inc., 175 N.C. App. 416, 418, 623 S.E.2d 345, 346 (2006) (holding
broad, vague, and unspecific assignments of error do not comport
with the North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure). Because the
assignment of error is a violation of Rule 10, this argument is
beyond the scope of appellate review, and we do not address it.
N.C. R. App. P. 10(a) ([T]he scope of review on appeal is confined
to a consideration of those assignments of error set out in the
record on appeal in accordance with this Rule 10 . . .).
[3] Defendant next argues, The trial court erred in
overruling defendant's objection as to the officer's testimony that
certain evidence constituted a crack pipe, as such testimony
violated the N.C. Rules of Evidence and denied defendant due
process and a fair trial. Defendant's underlying assignment of
error states, The trial court erred in overruling
defendant's objection as to the officer's
testimony that certain evidence constituted a
crack pipe, as such testimony constituted an
opinion as to an ultimate issue for the jury
and a legal conclusion, otherwise violated the
N.C. Rules of Evidence, and denied defendant
due process, a fair trial and his legal and
constitutional rights.
Defendant's argument on appeal is that testimony characterizing the
evidence as a crack pipe was inadmissible under N.C. Gen. Stat. §
8C-1, Rule 701 (2005) because Barnes's opinion was not rationally
based on the perception of the witness. Nowhere in defendant's
assignment of error does he assign error on this specific basis;
rather, he states generally that the challenged testimony
otherwise violated the N.C. Rules of Evidence. Accordingly, this
assignment of error is broad, vague, and unspecific, and it fails
to identify the issues on appeal. See N.C. R. App. P. 10(c)(1);
May, supra. Therefore, we do not address this argument because it
is beyond the scope of appellate review. See N.C. R. App. P.
10(a).
The dissent argues our holding that the aforementioned
assignment of error fails to comply with N.C. R. App. P. 10(c)(1)
would require appellants to include every detail of their planned
argument in the assignment of error for fear of dismissal. To the
contrary, appellants need only comply with the Rule as written.
Appellants must state plainly, concisely[,] and without
argumentation the legal basis upon which error is assigned. N.C.
R. App. P. 10(c)(1) (emphasis added). The purpose of assignments
of error is to limit the scope of the appeal, N.C. R. App. P.10(a), and to put the other party on notice of the issues to be
presented. Broderick v. Broderick, 175 N.C. App 501, 502-03, 623
S.E.2d 806, 807 (2006). Defendant's assignment of error asserting
that the police officer's testimony otherwise violated the N.C.
Rules of Evidence would allow defense counsel to argue on appeal
any and every violation of the North Carolina Rules of Evidence.
Thus, the assignment of error neither limits the scope of appeal
nor adequately puts the other party on notice of the issues
presented. Accordingly, rather than being readily distinguishable
as the dissent asserts, Beulaville is directly on point.
The dissent further asserts that we should exercise discretion
under N.C. R. App. P. 2 (2006) to address defendant's assignment of
error, provided that we do not create an appeal for an appellant.
The dissent also asserts that
dismissal of defendant's argument for such
technical rules violations, when defendant's
assignment of error and brief are sufficient
to direct the attention of this Court and the
State to the issue on appeal, would require
mandatory dismissal of all cases where a minor
violation of our appellate rules have
occurred, even those which neither impede the
work of the Court nor disadvantage the
appellant.
Our Supreme Court has repeatedly held, The North Carolina Rules of
Appellate Procedure are mandatory and failure to follow these rules
will subject an appeal to dismissal. See, e.g., Viar v. N.C.
Dep't of Transp., 359 N.C. 400, 401, 610 S.E.2d 360, 360 (2005)
(citations and internal quotations omitted). Moreover, our Supreme
Court recently reversed per curiam Munn v. N.C. State Univ., 173
N.C. App. 144, 617 S.E.2d 335 (2005) for the reasons stated inJudge Jackson's dissenting opinion. Munn v. North Carolina State
University, 360 N.C. 353, 354, 626 S.E.2d 270, 271 (2006). In her
opinion, Judge Jackson cited State v. Buchanan, 170 N.C. App. 692,
695, 613 S.E.2d 356, 357 (2005) for the proposition, Our Supreme
Court has stated that this Court may not review an appeal that
violates the Rules of Appellate Procedure even though such
violations neither impede our comprehension of the issues nor
frustrate the appellate process. (Emphasis added). Thus, by
reversing for the reasons stated in Judge Jackson's dissent, our
Supreme Court has directly spoken on this issue.
It is elementary that this Court is bound by holdings of the
Supreme Court, Rogerson v. Fitzpatrick, 121 N.C. App. 728, 732,
468 S.E.2d 447, 450 (1996), and it is a well-established rule of
appellate law that [w]here a panel of the Court of Appeals has
decided the same issue, albeit in a different case, a subsequent
panel of the same court is bound by that precedent, unless it has
been overturned by a higher court. In the Matter of Appeal from
Civil Penalty Assessed for Violations of Sedimentation Pollution
Control Act, 324 N.C. 373, 384, 379 S.E.2d 30, 37 (1989). The
dissent's approach contradicts our Supreme Court's holdings in Viar
and Munn as well as this Court's holding in Buchanan, and thus I
respectfully contend this approach is improper.
[4] Defendant also argues, The trial court erred in denying
the defendant's motion to dismiss all charges at the close of the
State's evidence, and at the close of all evidence, inasmuch as the
evidence was insufficient to support convictions for each of thecharges, thereby denying defendant due process and a fair trial.
Upon reviewing a trial court's denial of a motion to dismiss, we
view the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, giving
the State the benefit of all reasonable inferences. State v.
Benson, 331 N.C. 537, 544, 417 S.E.2d 756, 761 (1992). We then
consider de novo
whether there is substantial evidence (1) of
each essential element of the offense charged,
or of a lesser offense included therein, and
(2) of defendant's being the perpetrator of
such offense. If so, the motion is properly
denied. If the evidence is sufficient only to
raise a suspicion or conjecture as to either
the commission of the offense or the identity
of the defendant as the perpetrator of it, the
motion should be allowed.
State v. Scott, 356 N.C. 591, 595, 573 S.E.2d 866, 868 (2002)
(citations omitted).
Defendant argues that the trial court erred in denying his
motion to dismiss as to the charges of felonious possession of
cocaine with intent to sell and deliver as well as misdemeanor
possession of marijuana because the State failed to present
sufficient evidence of possession. North Carolina General Statutes
§ 90-95(a)(1) (2005) states, . . . it is unlawful for any person:
[t]o manufacture, sell or deliver, or possess with intent to
manufacture, sell or deliver, a controlled substance. Id. This
Court has held, pursuant to this statute, the State must prove two
elements in order to convict a defendant of felonious possession of
cocaine with intent to sell or deliver: 1) knowing possession of
[cocaine] and 2) possession with intent to sell or deliver it.
State v. Thobourne, 59 N.C. App. 584, 590, 297 S.E.2d 774, 778-79(1982). In order to convict a defendant under N.C. Gen. Stat. §
90-95(a)(3) (2005), the State must show possession of a controlled
substance. Id. Marijuana is a controlled substance under N.C.
Gen. Stat. § 90-94 (2005).
Defendant specifically argues that the trial court erred in
failing to grant his motion to dismiss because it is
uncontroverted that defendant did not have actual possession of a
controlled substance[,] [and] [t]here was no substantial evidence
of constructive possession. In order to show constructive
possession, the State must establish that defendant had the power
and intent to control disposition of the controlled substances.
See State v. Harvey, 281 N.C. 1, 12, 187 S.E.2d 706, 714 (1972).
Our Supreme Court has held, Where such materials are found on the
premises under the control of an accused, this fact, in and of
itself, gives rise to an inference of knowledge and possession
which may be sufficient to carry the case to the jury on a charge
of unlawful possession. Id. Moreover, it is unnecessary to
establish that an accused has exclusive control of the premises
where paraphernalia are found, but 'where possession . . . is
nonexclusive, constructive possession . . . may not be inferred
without other incriminating circumstances. State v. McLaurin, 320
N.C. 143, 146, 357 S.E.2d 636, 638 (1987) (citations omitted).
The State may overcome a motion to dismiss or motion for judgment
as of nonsuit by presenting evidence which places the accused
'within such close juxtaposition to the narcotic drugs as tojustify the jury in concluding that the same was in his
possession.' Harvey, 281 N.C. at 12-13, 187 S.E.2d at 714.
In the case sub judice, the State presented evidence that
officers found a rent receipt and a utility receipt for the
premises from January 2003 with defendant's name on it, which goes
to the issue of defendant's control of the premises. Although
defendant did not have exclusive possession of the premises, as
shown in that the State also found receipts in the name of Hooker,
other incriminating circumstances existed such as defendant's
presence on the premises, the fact that the receipts existed and
were found in a dresser drawer at the time of the search of the
premises, the miscellaneous drug paraphernalia on the premises, and
the fact that defendant had $2,609.00 in cash on him in
denominations of fives, tens, and twenties at the time of the
search. Moreover, the State presented additional evidence that
defendant was in close proximity to the controlled substances at
the time of the raid. This evidence constitutes substantial
evidence of constructive possession such that the trial court did
not err in denying defendant's motion to dismiss. See State v.
Alston, 91 N.C. App. 707, 711, 373 S.E.2d 306, 310 (1988).
Accordingly, this assignment of error is overruled.
Defendant further argues, [s]hould this court find that there
was substantial evidence of constructive possession, there was no
substantial evidence of an intent to sell and deliver the
cocaine[.] The evidence including the state of the premises, the
drug paraphernalia found on the premises, and the large amount ofcash on defendant constitute substantial evidence of the element of
defendant's intent to sell and deliver. Thus, we hold that this
argument is without merit.
[5] Defendant also argues that substantial evidence did not
support the elements of maintaining a dwelling for the purposes of
unlawfully keeping or selling controlled substances. Pursuant to
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-108(a)(7) (2005), it is unlawful:
To knowingly keep or maintain any . . .
dwelling house . . . which is resorted to by
persons using controlled substances in
violation of this Article for the purpose of
using such substances, or which is used for
the keeping or selling of the same in
violation of this Article[.]
North Carolina General Statutes § 90-108(b) further provides:
Any person who violates this section shall be
guilty of Class 1 misdemeanor. Provided, that
if the criminal pleading alleges that the
violation was committed intentionally, and
upon trial it is specifically found that the
violation was committed intentionally, such
violations shall be a Class I felony.
In order to establish the greater offense with which the State
charged defendant, the State must show defendant: (1)
intentionally kept or maintained; (2) a premises; (3) for the
purpose of keeping or selling controlled substances. Id. See also
State v. Frazier, 142 N.C. App. 361, 365, 542 S.E.2d 682, 686
(2001). Defendant specifically argues that the State has failed to
show he ke[pt] or maintained the premises. This Court has held,
Whether a person keep[s] or maintain[s] a
place, within the meaning of N.C. Gen. Stat. §
90-108(a)(7), requires consideration of
several factors, none of which are
dispositive. . . . Those factors include:
occupancy of the property; payment of rent;possession over a duration of time; possession
of a key used to enter or exit the property;
and payment of utility or repair expenses.
Frazier, 142 N.C. App. at 365, 542 S.E.2d at 686 (citations
omitted). We look to the totality of circumstances in determining
whether a premises is maintained for the purposes of keeping or
selling controlled substances. State v. Mitchell, 336 N.C. 22, 34,
442 S.E.2d 24, 30 (1994). Under the totality of circumstances
test, we hold that on these facts there was substantial evidence
that defendant kept or maintained the premises. As stated supra,
police officers found receipts for rent and utility bills in a
dresser drawer of the residence that were addressed to defendant,
and defendant was on the premises at the time police executed the
search warrant. Although the police also found receipts in
Hooker's name, when viewed in the light most favorable to the
State, there is sufficient evidence that defendant kept or
maintained the premises such that the trial court did not err in
denying defendant's motions to dismiss. Thus, this assignment of
error is overruled.
[6] Defendant's next arguments relate to whether the evidence
supported the trial court's instructions to the jury on acting in
concert and constructive possession. This Court has held, A trial
court must give a requested instruction if it is a correct
statement of the law and is supported by the evidence. State v.
Haywood, 144 N.C. App. 223, 234, 550 S.E.2d 38, 45 (2001) (emphasis
added). Before the court can instruct the jury on the doctrine of
acting in concert, the State must present evidence tending to showtwo factors: (1) that defendant was present at the scene of the
crime, and (2) that he acted together with another who did acts
necessary to constitute the crime pursuant to a common plan or
purpose to commit the crime. State v. Robinson, 83 N.C. App. 146,
148, 349 S.E.2d 317, 319 (1986). The evidence presented
established that: (1) the State recovered rent receipts for the
premises, with some of the receipts addressed to defendant and
other receipts addressed to Hoover; (2) both men were on the
premises in the same room and in close proximity to the drugs at
the time of the raid; and (3) officers found Hoover with $200.00
and defendant with $2,609.00 at the time of the raid. We hold
these facts sufficiently support the trial court's instruction on
acting in concert.
[7] An instruction on constructive possession is warranted if
the evidence shows the defendant, while not having actual
possession, . . .. has the intent and capability to maintain control
and dominion over the narcotics. State v. Butler, 356 N.C. 141,
146, 567 S.E.2d 137, 140 (2002) (internal quotations omitted). For
the reasons stated supra in relation to defendant's argument that
the trial court erred in denying his motion to dismiss because the
State failed to show possession, we hold that there was sufficient
evidence to support the trial court's instruction on constructive
possession. Accordingly, defendant's argument is without merit.
[8] Defendant's final argument on appeal addresses the issue
of whether the trial court erred in overruling defendant's motion
to charge the jury on the lesser included offense of misdemeanorkeeping and maintaining a dwelling for controlled substances. Our
Supreme Court has held, An instruction on a lesser-included
offense must be given only if the evidence would permit the jury
rationally to find defendant guilty of the lesser offense and to
acquit him of the greater. State v. Millsaps, 356 N.C. 556, 561,
572 S.E.2d 767, 771 (2002). The trial court should consider
whether there is the presence, or absence, of any evidence in the
record which might convince a rational trier of fact to convict the
defendant of a less grievous offense. State v. Wright, 304 N.C.
349, 351, 283 S.E.2d 502, 503 (1981). Where the State's evidence
is positive as to each element of the offense charged and there is
no contradictory evidence relating to any element, no instruction
on a lesser included offense is required. Millsaps, 356 N.C. at
562, 572 S.E.2d at 772 (citations omitted).
As stated supra, if a person knowingly keeps or maintains a
dwelling house for the purposes of unlawfully keeping or selling
controlled substances, he or she is guilty of a misdemeanor. See
N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 90-108(a),(b). However, if a person
intentionally participates in the same conduct, he or she is guilty
of a Class I felony. See N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-108(b). Knowingly
means a person is aware of a high probability of a given activity's
existence, State v. Bright, 78 N.C. App. 239, 243, 337 S.E.2d 87,
89 (1985), whereas [a] person acts intentionally if [he or she]
desires to cause the consequences of [his or her] act or that [he
or she] believes the consequences are substantially certain to
result. Id. The evidence in this case, including defendant'sreceipts relating to the premises, the drug paraphernalia located
on the premises, and the large quantity of cash on defendant's
person support an instruction that defendant acted intentionally
and sufficiently establish that no instruction on a lesser included
offense was required.
No error.
Judge BRYANT concurs in the result only.
Judge HUNTER concurs in part and dissents in part with a
separate opinion.
HUNTER, Judge, concurring in part and dissenting in part.
I disagree with the majority's decision that one of
defendant's arguments must be dismissed for appellate rules
violations. Accordingly, I respectfully dissent from that portion
of the opinion dismissing defendant's arguments relating to the
admission of the testimony by the officer regarding the crack
pipe.
The majority holds that defendant's fourth assignment of error
is beyond the scope of appellate review under North Carolina
Appellate Rule 10 because the assignment of error is purportedly
broad, vague, and unspecific, and . . . fails to identify the
issues on appeal. However, [a]n assignment of error is
sufficient if it directs the attention of the appellate court to
the particular error about which the question is made, with clear
and specific record or transcript references. N.C.R. App. P.
10(c)(1). Defendant's underlying assignment of error states:
The trial court erred in overruling
defendant's objection as to the officer's
testimony that certain evidence constituted a
crack pipe, as such testimony constituted an
opinion as to an ultimate issue for the jury
and a legal conclusion, otherwise violated the
N.C. Rules of Evidence, and denied defendant
due process, a fair trial and his legal and
constitutional rights.
Defendant's assignment of error is followed by an appropriate
transcript reference. The heading of defendant's argument in his
brief reads as follows: The trial court erred in overruling
defendant's objection as to the officer's testimony that certain
evidence constituted a 'crack pipe', as such testimony violated the
N.C. Rules of Evidence, and denied defendant due process and a fair
trial. This heading is followed by proper references to the
corresponding assignment of error and to the record. Defendant
then argues in his brief that the testimony by the officer
characterizing the evidence as a crack pipe was inadmissible
opinion testimony pursuant to Rule 701 of the North Carolina Rules
of Evidence. The majority concludes, however, that defendant's
assignment of error is so broad as to evade appellate review. I do
not agree.
Defendant's assignment of error adequately preserves his
argument on appeal. The majority's position to the contrary would
require appellants to include every detail of their planned
argument in the assignment of error for fear of dismissal. The
case cited by the majority in support of its position, May v. Down
East Homes of Beulaville, Inc., 175 N.C. App. 416, 623 S.E.2d 345(2006), is readily distinguishable from the instant case. There,
the appellant assigned error on the grounds that the trial court's
ruling was 'contrary to caselaw of this jurisdiction.' Id. at
418, 623 S.E.2d at 346. The May Court noted that such an
assignment was 'designed to allow counsel to argue anything and
everything they desire in their brief on appeal. This
assignment--like a hoopskirt--covers everything and touches
nothing.' Id. (citations omitted). This Court has dismissed
similar assignments of error where the assignment has failed to
state a legal basis upon which the error is based. See, e.g.,
Broderick v. Broderick, 175 N.C. App. 601, 502-03, 623 S.E.2d 806,
807 (2006) (dismissing assignment of error which stated simply
'Plaintiff-Appellant assigns as error the following: Entry of the
Order for Modification of Alimony filed October 7, 2004[,]' with
no legal basis given for purported error); Krantz v. Owens, 168
N.C. App. 384, 388, 607 S.E.2d 337, 341 (2005) (no legal basis
stated in assignment of error).
In contrast to the assignments of error raised by the
appellants in May, Broderick, and Krantz, the assignment of error
raised by defendant in the present case states a defined legal
basis for error. Defendant properly assigned error to and argues
that admission of the officer's testimony was inadmissible opinion
testimony under the North Carolina Rules of Evidence. Defendant's
failure to specifically reference Rule 701 should not subject his
argument to dismissal. This Court has determined that where
assignments of error are technically deficient, but whereunderstanding of the legal issues is not impeded, such assignments
of error will be addressed on the merits. See, e.g., Nelson v.
Hartford Underwriters Ins. Co., 177 N.C. App. ___, ___, 630 S.E.2d
221, 228 (2006) ([h]ere, although plaintiffs' assignment of error
concerning the motion to dismiss is deficient, its deficiency
nevertheless does not prevent our review of the factual and legal
conclusions made by the October 2004 order).
In other cases where assignments of error have been deemed too
broad, this Court has exercised its discretion under Rule 2 and
addressed the argument on its merits. See, e.g., Youse v. Duke
Energy Corp., 171 N.C. App. 187, 191-92, 614 S.E.2d 396, 400 (2005)
(electing to review the plaintiff's appeal despite finding that the
plaintiff had committed numerous rules violations, as the Court was
able to determine the issues in the case on appeal and defendant
was put on sufficient notice of the issues on appeal as evidenced
by the filing of a brief that thoroughly responded to plaintiff's
arguments on appeal); Wetchin v. Ocean Side Corp., 167 N.C. App.
756, 758-59, 606 S.E.2d 407, 409 (2005) (stating that, [d]espite
this defect, we choose to exercise our discretion under Rule 2 of
the Rules of Appellate Procedure and address plaintiffs' appeal on
the merits). Rule 2 of the North Carolina Rules of Appellate
Procedure allows this Court to review an appeal, despite rules
violations. N.C.R. App. P. 2; see Bald Head v. Village of Bald
Head, 175 N.C. App. 543, 545-46, 624 S.E.2d 406, 408 (2006). As
noted in State v. Johnston,
[Rule 2] expresses an obvious residual power
possessed by any authoritative rule-makingbody to suspend or vary operation of its
published rules in specific cases where this
is necessary to accomplish a fundamental
purpose of the rules . . . [and] may be drawn
upon by either appellate court where the
justice of doing so or the injustice of
failing to do so is made clear to the court.
Johnston, 173 N.C. App. 334, 339, 618 S.E.2d 807, 810 (2005)
(quoting N.C.R. App. P. 2, Commentary (1977)). As has been
previously noted by this Court, however, our Supreme Court in Viar
admonished this Court not to use Rule 2 to 'create an appeal for
an appellant[.]' Davis v. Columbus Cty. Schools, 175 N.C. App.
95, 98, 622 S.E.2d 671, 674 (2005) (quoting Viar, 359 N.C. 400,
402, 610 S.E.2d 360, 361, rehearing denied, 359 N.C. 643, 617
S.E.2d 662 (2005)). Viar specifically noted that the underlying
majority opinion in that case illustrated the need for consistent
application of the appellate rules as it addressed an issue not
raised or argued by the appellant, leaving the appellee without
notice of the basis upon which an appellate court might rule.
Viar, 359 N.C. at 402, 610 S.E.2d at 361.
In cases where the use of Rule 2 does not create an appeal
for an appellant[,] however, this Court has continued to use the
discretionary power vested within the Rule. See Bald Head, 175
N.C. App. at 545, 624 S.E.2d at 408 (holding that because
plaintiffs submitted their notice of errata before oral argument,
and because we need not 'create an appeal' for appellants, we
choose to review the appeal pursuant to our discretion under Rule
2); Coley v. State, 173 N.C. App. 481, 483, 620 S.E.2d 25, 27
(2005) (holding that the decision not to dismiss the present casefor minor rules violations does not lead us to 'create an appeal
for an appellant' or to examine any issues not raised by the
appellant).
Much like in Bald Head and Coley, review of defendant's
argument, despite any technical rules violations, would not create
an appeal or examine an issue not raised by defendant. Rather,
dismissal of defendant's argument for such technical rules
violations, when defendant's assignment of error and brief are
sufficient to direct the attention of this Court and the State to
the issue on appeal, would require mandatory dismissal of all cases
where a minor violation of our appellate rules has occurred, even
those which neither impede the work of the Court nor disadvantage
the appellant. To require the automatic dismissal of all cases for
hyper-technicalities was surely not the intention of our Supreme
Court in its decision in Viar, for to read the holding otherwise
would eviscerate this Court's ability to use Rule 2 to prevent
manifest injustice to a party, or to expedite decision in the
public interest[.] N.C.R. App. P. 2.
Defendant's present assignment of error adequately preserves
his argument on appeal. Any deficiency in the assignment of error
does not impede appellate review or deprive the opposing party of
notice. The State has fully responded to the merits of defendant's
argument in its brief on appeal. Notably, the State never argued
that defendant failed to preserve this issue for appellate review.
This Court could moreover exercise its discretion under Rule 2 and
address defendant's argument on its merits. I would hold thatdefendant's argument relating to the admission of testimony by the
officer regarding the crack pipe was properly preserved, and I
would address the argument on its merits. Alternatively, I would
exercise this Court's discretion pursuant to Rule 2 and elect to
entertain defendant's argument.
*** Converted from WordPerfect ***