Case Title: State v. McKinney

Citation: 108 Ariz. 436, 501 P.2d 378

Docket Number: 

State: arizona

Court: Arizona Supreme Court

Date: 1972-09-28T00:00:00Z

Document:
108 Ariz. 436 (1972) 501 P.2d 378 The STATE of Arizona, Appellee, v. John Randolph McKINNEY, Appellant. No. 2252. Supreme Court of Arizona, In Division. September 28, 1972. *437 Gary K. Nelson, Atty. Gen., by Frank Sagarino and Albert M. Coury, Asst. Attys. Gen., Phoenix, for appellee. Mehrens & Pearce, by Craig B. Mehrens, Phoenix, for appellant. CAMERON, Vice Chief Justice. This is an appeal from jury verdicts and judgments of guilty to the crimes of offering to sell marijuana (§ 36-1002.07 A.R.S.) and possession of marijuana (§ 36-1002.05 A.R.S.). Defendant received concurrent sentences of 7 years to life for offering to sell and 7 to 10 years for possession of marijuana. Defendant also appeals from the denial of his motion for a new trial. The defendant raises several questions on appeal, but we feel it necessary to answer only one question: Did the uncontradicted testimony show entrapment as a matter of law? The facts necessary for a determination of this matter are as follows. On 11 August 1969 Federal Narcotics Agent Arthur J. Fluhr received a telephone call from a government informant, who put the defendant on the phone. As a result of their conversation, a meeting took place the next day at the Smuggler's Inn, a Phoenix, Arizona, restaurant, at which Agent Fluhr, Agent Jordon (also a Federal Narcotics Agent), the informant, and the defendant were present. Shortly after the conversation was begun, Agent Fluhr, who was acting the role of a New York supplier, asked the informant to leave. After the informant left, the two narcotics agents negotiated *438 with the defendant for the sale of 240 kilos of marijuana to take place later that afternoon. However, that sale never took place as the defendant failed to appear on the afternoon of the 12th. On the morning of 14 August 1969 Agent Fluhr received another phone call from the same informant who again put defendant on the phone. Defendant apologized for failing to appear on the 12th, explaining that some of his marijuana had been stolen. Defendant offered to sell Agent Fluhr 47 kilos which he said was all he had left. Agent Fluhr, after stating he was not accustomed to buying such small amounts, agreed to buy the 47 kilos that afternoon. At about two o'clock on the afternoon of 14 August 1969 defendant McKinney, driving the informant's car, met the agents in the parking lot of the Park Central Shopping Center. Defendant opened up the trunk of the informant's car, and then went around to the passenger's side of the agents' car and asked Agent Fluhr for the money. Agent Fluhr told the defendant to get inside the car, and, once the defendant was inside the car, Agent Fluhr arrested him. Although the arrest was made by agents of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, the matter was filed in the State court for trial. Trial commenced in the Maricopa County Superior Court on 8 September 1970. At the preliminary hearing the defendant attempted unsuccessfully to obtain the name of the informant. Prior to trial defendant's counsel moved the court to require the prosecution to disclose the identity of the informant as a material witness to defendant's case. This motion was denied. The identity of the informant eventually became known during trial, but his whereabouts was not discovered by defendant's attorney until the trial was completed. At the trial defendant took the stand in his own defense and related a story of entrapment. It was defendant's version that the informant had been a seller or dealer in narcotics, that he had asked defendant to make the particular sale with which we are concerned here, that the informant made all the initial contacts with the government agents, and that the informant actually supplied the marijuana to be sold on the 14th of August. These facts were not directly contradicted at trial. Concerning the automobile defendant was driving the Federal Narcotics Agent testified as follows: After the close of the evidence, counsel for defendant moved for a directed verdict of acquittal on the basis of entrapment. This motion was denied. An instruction was given, however, on the issue of entrapment. The jury returned verdicts of guilty for both possession and offer to sell marijuana. Defense counsel moved for a new trial and for motion in arrest of judgment supported by two affidavits which stated in part as follows: And: The State did not controvert the affidavits nor file opposing memoranda. The defendant also moved for a continuance "in order to obtain the presence of Mr. Marcum as a witness" which was also denied. A defendant who wishes to avail himself of a defense of entrapment must admit the substantial elements of the crime and one who denies knowledge of the crime may not raise the defense of entrapment. United States v. Mehciz, 437 F.2d 145 (9th Cir.1971); Munroe v. United States, 424 F.2d 243 (10th Cir.1970). In order to have a valid claim of entrapment, "there has to exist activity by the State in the nature of an inducement to commit a crime which the accused would not have otherwise committed, although providing the mere opportunity to commit the offense is not sufficient. State v. Duplain, 102 Ariz. 100, 425 P.2d 570. The criminal conduct must be the product of the creative activity of law enforcement officials, State v. Rabon, 100 Ariz. 344, 414 P.2d 726." State v. Boccelli, 105 Ariz. 495, 497, 467 P.2d 740, 742 (1970). See also State v. Martin, 106 Ariz. 227, 474 P.2d 818 (1970). In cases wherein narcotics are supplied by the state, the courts are in agreement that the state is providing more than the opportunity to commit the offense, they are also providing the very means for the commission of the crime. The Supreme Court of Illinois stated: And our court has stated: The fact that Marcum was the informant was material to defendant's case. If he was not the informant defendant's claim of entrapment had no merit. However, if he was the informant then the issue of entrapment was a valid one for the defendant. We agree with the general principle of law that the one seeking the identity of an informant has the burden of showing why he needs that information: Also, in the case of a possible entrapment defense, the defendant is placed in a very weak position in trying to bring that fact to the court and jury. The evidence concerning the entrapment are peculiarly within the knowledge of the State. For these reasons, it is generally held that entrapment is an affirmative defense, but once the issue is raised by the defendant the State has the burden of proof. United States v. Brown, 421 F.2d 1283 (9th Cir.1970). We agree with the Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit: We also agree with the reasoning as set forth by the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York: Whenever the evidence is sufficient to support a valid instruction for entrapment it must be given, State v. Rabon, 100 Ariz. 344, 414 P.2d 726 (1966), State v. Martin, 106 Ariz. 227, 474 P.2d 818 (1970), but where the evidence raises a substantial and reasonable defense of entrapment and the State does nothing to rebut or contradict the defense, entrapment as a matter of law is established. Boccelli, supra. In the instant case, not only did the State fail to rebut the defense of entrapment once it was substantially raised, but the inference is strong that by refusing to reveal the name of the informant until trial and by not making him available for examination at trial, the State has knowingly prevented defendant from further presenting his defense. The defendant having admitted the substantial elements of the crime and having raised a substantial defense of entrapment, we do not feel it amiss to require the State to rebut that defense. We believe that under the uncontroverted facts herein that the defendant has shown entrapment as a matter of law and it was error for the trial court not to direct a verdict for the defendant at the close of testimony. Judgment reversed and the trial court is directed to enter a verdict of acquittal. STRUCKMEYER, J., concurs. HOLOHAN, J., specially concurs.