Title: State v. Thompson

State: arizona

Issuer: Arizona Supreme Court

Document:

110 Ariz. 165 (1973) 516 P.2d 42 The STATE of Arizona, Appellee, v. Neal E. THOMPSON, Appellant. No. 2631. Supreme Court of Arizona, In Division. November 20, 1973. *166 Gary K. Nelson, Atty. Gen. by Frank Sagarino and Grove M. Callison, Phoenix, Asst. Attys. Gen., and Richard M. Davis, Special Counsel, Tucson, for appellee. Evans & Storrs, P.C. by Randall L. Evans, Phoenix, for appellant. CAMERON, Vice Chief Justice. This is an appeal from jury verdicts and judgments of guilt to three counts of sale of narcotic drugs (heroin), § 36-1002.02 A.R.S., together with concurrent sentences of not less than fifteen years nor more than life imprisonment on each count. We are asked to answer the following questions on appeal: The facts necessary for a determination of this matter on appeal are as follows. Robert Dale Jackson, a known user of narcotics who admittedly supported his habit by committing crimes of burglary, was prevailed upon by the Phoenix City Police to act as a purchaser of heroin in the West Buckeye area of Phoenix, Arizona. Jackson's automobile was fitted with some boxes in the back seat in which a member of the Phoenix Police Department hid. A microphone was placed in the automobile and Jackson's conversations were recorded on tape. In his capacity as a purchaser for the City of Phoenix, Robert Dale Jackson allegedly made four purchases of heroin from the defendant Neal E. Thompson during the month of May 1972. Based on this information, the police arrested the defendant charging him with four counts of sale of narcotic drugs. At the trial the defendant took the stand and testified in his own behalf. His defense was that he had merely been holding the heroin as collateral for money Jackson owed him and gave the heroin to Jackson whenever Jackson made payments on the loan. The defendant Thompson testified: The jury evidently did not believe the defense interposed by the defendant and found him guilty on three counts of sale of narcotic drugs. After a hearing in mitigation, the trial court imposed a sentence of fifteen years to life on all three counts to run concurrently. From the verdicts, judgments, and sentences the defendant appeals. UNRESPONSIVE STATEMENTS OF STATE'S WITNESSES Defendant contends that several statements made by officers were prejudicial to the defendant as being unfair innuendos and inferences that defendant was "a vicious and dangerous person involved in numerous heroin dealings and thefts." The defendant cites as an example the testimony of Officer Tyron: *168 And: And on cross-examination by defendant's attorney: And on further cross-examination: And: From the beginning of the trial defendant's attorney attempted to show and did show that Jackson was a drug addict who committed burglaries to support his habit and that he was given preferred and preferential treatment in return for making the buys in the instant case. While some of the answers appear to be unresponsive, viewing the testimony as a whole, they were, nevertheless, responsive to the full range of the facts and issues in the case. Against the allegation by the defense that the police were allowing Jackson to remain at large and continue his criminal activities, the police should be allowed to show why they did in fact allow Jackson to remain free. Also it is noted the most damaging *169 answers were made in response to defendant's questions on cross-examination. We have stated: MISCONDUCT OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY One of defendant's witnesses was called to testify as to the character of the State's star witness Jackson. On cross-examination by the county attorney the following took place: The defense then moved for a mistrial because it appeared that in fact Mr. Arney had never been convicted of a felony in Arizona. The attorney for the State responded, "According to my associate, the proof is on the way over now, a certified copy of a court record." The motion to strike was denied. At the post-trial motions the county attorney stated: While it is improper to ask a witness if he has a prior felony conviction unless the person asking the question is prepared to prove it after a negative answer, *170 State v. Stago, 82 Ariz. 285, 312 P.2d 160 (1957), under the facts in the instant case we find no lack of good faith on the part of the attorney for the State or prejudice to the defendant. If the witness had been impeached by the one felony conviction he readily admitted, we cannot say that the denial of the alleged Arizona conviction was not also believed by the jury. We find no prejudicial error. COUNTY ATTORNEY'S CROSS-EXAMINATION ABOUT PRIOR MISCONDUCT NOT AMOUNTING TO A FELONY The defendant made a motion in limine to restrict the county attorney from inquiring into specific acts of prior misconduct or bad acts of the defendant not amounting to a felony. The court first denied the motion in limine, but later ruled that admission of these acts was not permissible. Concerning the arrangement of holding Jackson's heroin as collateral, the county attorney asked the defendant as follows: The county attorney also asked defendant concerning terms and words used by drug users and dealers, to which the defendant expressed a general ignorance. For example: While it is true that prior bad acts not amounting to a felony may not be used to prejudice a defendant in a particular trial, this does not apply to acts which possess independent relevancy for some purpose as to the crime for which the accused is on trial. State v. Ballesteros, 100 Ariz. 262, 143 P.2d 739 (1966). A defendant who elects to take the stand on his own behalf may be cross-examined as any other witness, § 13-163 A.R.S., and a party is allowed great latitude in cross-examination. State v. Young, 109 Ariz. 221, 508 P.2d 51 (1973). In the instant case the defendant's credibility was being tested as to his knowledge of the drug trade against *171 his testimony that he knew little or nothing of the drug trade and was merely holding the heroin for collateral. Our Court of Appeals has stated: WAS THE SENTENCE EXCESSIVE? At the aggravation and mitigation hearing, the probation report recommended that the defendant be sentenced to five to fifteen years. Judge Coulter stated: We have stated: Judgments affirmed. STRUCKMEYER and LOCKWOOD, JJ., concur.