Title: State v. Harvey

State: north-carolina

Issuer: North Carolina Supreme Court

Document:

187 S.E.2d 706 (1972) 281 N.C. 1 STATE of North Carolina v. Jesse HARVEY, Jr. No. 51. Supreme Court of North Carolina. April 12, 1972. *710 Atty. Gen. Robert Morgan, Chief Deputy Atty. Gen. Harry W. McGalliard, Ann Reed, and Henry E. Poole, Associate Attys. Gen., for the State. Paul & Keenan, by James E. Keenan, Durham, for defendant. BRANCH, Justice. Defendant contends that the trial judge erred in denying his motion to suppress the evidence seized from defendant's premises. Defendant first argues that there was no probable cause shown to the magistrate for issuance of the warrant. The Fourth Amendment requirement that no warrant shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the persons or things to be seized, applies to arrest warrants as well as to search warrants. The judicial officer issuing such warrant must be supplied with sufficient information to support an independent judgment that there is probable cause for issuing the arrest warrant. Giordenello v. United States, 357 U.S. 480, 78 S. Ct. 1245, 2 L. Ed. 2d 1503. The same probable cause standards under the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments apply to both federal and state warrants. G.S. § 15-27; State v. Vestal, 278 N.C. 561, 180 S.E.2d 755; Ker v. California, 374 U.S. 23, 83 S. Ct. 1623, 10 L. Ed. 2d 726; Mapp v. Ohio, 367 U.S. 643, 81 S. Ct. 1684, 6 L. Ed. 2d 1081. This Court dealt with determination of probable cause relating to issuance of search warrants in the case of State v. Vestal, supra, and there stated: More specifically considering arrest warrants, the courts hold that information received from a reliable informant is sufficient to support a conclusion that probable cause for arrest exists. Draper v. United States, 358 U.S. 307, 79 S. Ct. 329, 3 L. Ed. 2d 327; Ker v. California, supra; McCray v. Illinois, 386 U.S. 300, 87 S. Ct. 1056, 18 L. Ed. 2d 62. In support of his contention, defendant relies heavily upon the case of Whiteley v. Warden of Wyoming Penitentiary, 401 U.S. 560, 91 S. Ct. 1031, 28 L. Ed. 2d 306. There, the officer's complaint upon which the warrant for arrest was issued stated: The Court there, in holding that the judicial officer was not supplied with sufficient information to support an independent judgment that probable cause existed, in part said: The complaint for arrest upon which the warrant was issued in the case before us for decision avers: ". . . that at and in the County named above and on or about the 23 day of January, 1971, the defendant named above did unlawfully, wilfully and feloniously sell to SBI Agent, E. H. Cross, Jr., a narcotic drug in violation of the Uniform Narcotic Drug Act. The drug in question consisted of sixteen (16) bindles of heroin." The present case, unlike Whiteley, shows ample basis for issuance of the arrest warrant upon information from a credible source. This Court has held that a police officer making the affidavit for issuance of a warrant may do so in reliance upon information reported to him by other officers in the performance of their duties. State v. Vestal, supra; State v. Banks, 250 N.C. 728, 110 S.E.2d 322. Here, SBI Agent Caddy relied upon information received through SBI Agent Cross while in the performance of his duties. The evidence that Agent Cross purchased heroin from the accused furnished sufficient evidence that probable cause for defendant's arrest existed. The very relation shown to exist between SBI Agent Cross and the affiant (SBI Agent Caddy) was sufficient evidence of circumstances upon which the affiant could conclude that the information furnished to the magistrate was credible and reliable. We must consider the fact that the warrant executed by Deputy Sheriff *712 Respass was mistakenly issued for defendant. 5 Am.Jur.2d, Arrest, § 4, p. 699, states: In the case of Hill v. California, 401 U.S. 797, 91 S. Ct. 1106, 28 L. Ed. 2d 484, the police had probable cause to believe that Hill had been implicated in a robbery and that the fruits of the crime were located in his apartment. They proceeded to his apartment, and when they arrived they found the door open and a man answering his description in the apartment. They thereupon arrested the occupant of the apartment despite his protestations that he was not Hill. They then proceeded to search the apartment. Sustaining the arrest as valid and holding the search legal as incident to the arrest, the Court stated: We recognize that the facts in Hill differ from those in this case, in that in Hill the person arrested was not the accused against whom the evidence was offered. However, we think that the controlling principles of sufficient probability and reasonableness are applicable and controlling in both cases. Here, the officer, as he was required to do, executed the warrant, valid on its face. The warrant was issued by a magistrate, in compliance with his duty, upon a complaint which furnished him probable cause to believe that the crime charged had been committed by defendant. The arrest was a valid arrest. Defendant further supports his motion to suppress with the argument that Deputy Sheriff Respass illegally entered his home to make the arrest. G.S. § 15-44 provides: Defendant argues that the officer's failure to knock, disclose his identity, his authority, and his mission brings the facts of this case within the holdings of State v. Sparrow, 276 N.C. 499, 173 S.E.2d 897, and State v. Covington, 273 N.C. 690, 161 S.E.2d 140. In State v. Sparrow, supra, it is stated: *713 The Court considered the same question in State v. Covington, supra. There police officers, without a search warrant, forcibly entered a motel room and arrested the defendant. The officers had grounds reasonably to believe that he had committed a felony, but had not first demanded and been denied admittance. The Court, holding the entry to be unlawful and articles seized as a result of the unlawful entry to be inadmissible in evidence, stated: It is of interest to note that in his voir dire testimony defendant Harvey stated that the officer made no entry into the house prior to the arrest. The State's evidence showed that Deputy Sheriff Respass "twice called out" in lieu of knocking, before opening the door. Defendant had observed his uniform and was aware of his official status. The officer knew that defendant had observed him and was therefore justified in proceeding to open the door. Under the circumstances of this case there was sufficient compliance with the rationale of Sparrow and Covington, to the effect that entrance must be demanded and denied before a police officer can proceed to forcibly enter a dwelling for the purpose of making an arrest. We hold that Deputy Sheriff Respass legally entered defendant's premises. Defendant further contends that the marijuana was obtained by an illegal search and seizure. The constitutional guaranty against unreasonable searches and seizures does not apply where a search is not necessary, and where the contraband subject matter is fully disclosed and open to the eye and the hand. State v. Virgil, 276 N.C. 217, 172 S.E.2d 28; State v. Colson, 274 N.C. 295, 163 S.E.2d 376; State v. Giles, 254 N.C. 499, 119 S.E.2d 394. Deputy Sheriff Respass testified: Obviously, the seizure of the marijuana seed comes squarely within the "plain view" doctrine set out in State v. Virgil, supra. Nor do we think there was a general exploratory search or unreasonable search when the officer saw marijuana inside a plastic jar which he had picked up to use as a container for the seized marijuana seed. Officer Respass was legally on the premises, and no search was required to discover the contraband material. There was sufficient evidence to support the trial judge's findings, and the findings in turn support his conclusions of law and ruling. We hold that the court properly overruled the motion to suppress. Defendant assigns as error the trial court's denial of his motion to dismiss. He argues that the State failed to offer substantial evidence that he was in possession of the marijuana. An accused's possession of narcotics may be actual or constructive. He has possession of the contraband material within the meaning of the law when he has both the power and intent to control its disposition or use. 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. Also, 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 to justify the jury in concluding that the same was in his possession." State v. Allen, 279 N.C. 406, 183 S.E.2d 680; State v. Fuqua, 234 N.C. 168, 66 S.E.2d 667; Hunt v. State, 158 Tex.Cr.R. 618, 258 S.W.2d 320; People v. Galloway, 28 Ill. 2d 355, 192 N.E.2d 370. In this case the State's evidence placed defendant within three or four feet of the marijuana within his home. No one else was in the room. This evidence supports a reasonable inference that the marijuana was in defendant's possession. The trial judge correctly overruled defendant's motion to dismiss. Defendant contends that the court erred in failing to instruct the jury that it could return a verdict of misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Under the law as it existed at the time of defendant's trial he would have been guilty of a misdemeanor had he possessed only one gram, or less, of marijuana. G.S. § 90-88; G.S. § 90-111. In the case of State v. Riera, 276 N.C. 361, 172 S.E.2d 535, it is stated: Equally well recognized as the rule that the court is not required to submit to the jury the question of defendant's guilt of a lesser degree of the crime charged in the indictment when the State's evidence is positive as to each and every element of the crime charged and there is no conflicting evidence relating to any element of the charged crime. State v. Flippin, N.C., 186 S.E.2d 917; State v. Smith, 268 N.C. 167, 150 S.E.2d 194; State v. Jones, 249 N.C. 134, 105 S.E.2d 513; State v. Hicks, 241 N.C. 156, 84 S.E.2d 545. All the evidence in this case relating to quantity of marijuana shows that defendant possessed more than one gram of the contraband material. Defendant tried unsuccessfully by cross examination to elicit evidence showing a lesser amount. Thus, there was no error in the failure of the trial judge to submit and charge on the lesser offense of misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Finally, we consider defendant's contention that he is entitled to be resentenced *715 under the more lenient penalties for possession of marijuana prescribed by the North Carolina Controlled Substances Act effective 1 January 1972. The 1971 General Assembly enacted the North Carolina Controlled Substances Act. We quote pertinent portions of the Act. The possession of marijuana by an unlicensed person remains a crime under the Controlled Substances Act. However, the provisions of this Act reduce the mere possession of marijuana in any amount to a misdemeanor, punishable, on first offense, by imprisonment of not more than six months or a fine of not more than $500. *716 Under this act possession of more than five grams of marijuana creates a presumption that the possession is for the purpose of distribution in violation of G.S. § 90-95(a) (1). There is a line of cases in North Carolina which hold that when there is an express and unqualified repeal of a statute after a crime has been committedbut before final judgment (even after conviction)no punishment can be imposed under the provisions of the repealed statute. A judgment is not final as long as the case is pending. State v. McCluney, 280 N.C. 404, 185 S.E.2d 870; State v. Bryant, 280 N.C. 407, 185 S.E.2d 854; State v. Spencer, 276 N.C. 535, 173 S.E.2d 765; State v. Pardon, 272 N.C. 72, 157 S.E.2d 698; State v. Williams, 97 N.C. 455, 2 S.E. 55. We note that none of the statutes considered in the above cited cases had a savings clause directed to violations committed prior to the repeal, or to prosecutions pending at the time of the repeal. Thus, the pendency of this case on appeal poses the question of whether the defendant is subject to the felony punishment pursuant to the act under which he was convicted and sentenced, or whether he is subject to lesser punishment under the Controlled Substances Act. The case of State v. Perkins, 141 N.C. 797, 53 S.E. 735, considered the effect of a statutory change in punishment before final judgment in a criminal trial. There, defendant appealed from convictions of possession of liquor for sale without a license and unlawful sale of liquor, pursuant to Ch. 434 of the Laws of 1903. The offenses were allegedly committed in 1904, and in 1905, prior to defendant's trial, the General Assembly increased the penalty for the two offenses. On appeal, defendant contended that the legislative change in penalty repealed the 1903 act and barred the prosecution against him. The Court, in holding that there was no repeal of the 1903 act by the enactment of the later statute, set forth the above stated rule followed in McCluney, Bryant, Spencer, Pardon and Williams, and further said: In Perkins this Court quoted with approval from Pegram's case, (Com. v. *717 Pegram) 1 Leigh (Va.) 569 (28 Va. 569) as follows: In State v. Putney, 61 N.C. 543, the defendant was convicted of larceny of a mule. After the time of the alleged larceny, but before trial, the Legislature increased the punishment for violation of the statute. The defendant made a motion in arrest of judgment on the ground that passage of the statute increasing the penalty repealed the statute under which he was convicted. The Court entered an order allowing the motion, and the State appealed. The Court, finding error in the entry of the order, stated: State v. Williams, 192 La. 713, 189 So. 112, reflects the rule recognized in many states. There defendant was charged with the statutory felony of injuring a person by operating an automobile while intoxicated. Defendant was arrested and released on bond, and before his trial the statute under which he was indicted was repealed. The repealing act contained a proviso which stated: "This act shall in no way affect pending prosecutions in the courts of this state." The Court held that defendant could be prosecuted under the old law even though indictment had not been returned against him until after the effective date of the repealing act. The Court, in so holding, defined the word "prosecution" as follows: "A prosecution consists of the series of proceedings had in the bringing of an accused person to justice, from the time when the formal accusation is made, by the filing of an affidavit or a bill of indictment or information in the criminal court, until the proceedings are terminated." Accord: State v. Bowles, 70 Kan. 821, 79 P. 726; State v. District Court, 19 N.D. 819, 124 N.W. 417; Sigsbee v. State, 43 Fla. 524, 30 So. 816; State v. Shushan, 206 La. 415, 19 So. 2d 185. Although we do not consider the above quoted definition of "prosecution" as determinative of the question here considered, we do think it is a correct definition and is consistent with the legislative intent expressed in the Controlled Substances Act. In 50 Am.Jur., Statutes, § 572 at p. 571, we find the following: This Court has consistently re-affirmed the cardinal rule of statutory interpretation as stated in State v. Spencer, supra: In seeking to discover and give effect to the legislative intent, an act must be considered as a whole, and none of its provisions shall be deemed useless or redundant if they can reasonably be considered as adding something to the act which is in harmony with its purpose. In re Watson, 273 N.C. 629, 161 S.E.2d 1; Jones v. Board of Education, 185 N.C. 303, 117 S.E. 37. The same criminal offenses exist under the Controlled Substances Act as existed under the former Articles 5 and 5A of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes. The provisions for punishment under the new act are different from those contained in the former act. Thus, if the saving clauses contained in G.S. § 90-113.7 do not save the punishment provisions of the former act, they are useless and redundant. The North Carolina Controlled Substances Act does not contain an express repealing clause. On the contrary, the statute expressly provides that prosecutions for violation of law occurring prior to its effective date shall not be affected. The statute further provides that its provisions "shall be applicable to violations of law,. . . which occur following January 1, 1972." (Emphasis ours) It is perfectly apparent that the general assembly intended that the provisions of the Controlled Substances Act be prospective and effective as of 1 January 1972. Thus, the pre-existing law as to prosecution and punishment as set forth in Articles 5 and 5A, Chapter 90 of the General Statutes as written prior to 1 January 1972, remains in full force and effect as to offenses committed prior to 1 January 1972. We have carefully examined this entire record and find no prejudicial error. The decision of the Court of Appeals is Affirmed.