SECOND DI VI SI ON

BA RNES, P. J.

, BOGGS and RI CKM A N, JJ.

N O T IC E : M otions for r e c ons i de r a tion m us t be

ph y sic a l ly r e ce iv ed i n our c le r k ’s offic e w ithin te n

da y s of the da te of de c is ion to be de e m ed tim e ly file d.

http://w w w .ga a ppe a l s .us /r ule s

A u gust 3, 2016



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A1 6 A1 01 6 . M CNORRILL v . THE STATE.

B A R N E S , Pres i d i n g J ud g e.

A Ri ch m o n d Co u n t y ju ry fo u n d To d deri u s M cNo rri l l g u il t y o f h i j a c k i n g a

m o to r v eh i cl e, p o s s es s i o n o f m ari j u an a wi t h i nt en t to d is t ri bu t e, an d po s s es s i o n o f a

fi rearm du ri n g t he co m

m i s s i on o f a cri m e. On ap p eal fro m th e den i al o f h i s m o t i o n

fo r n ew t ri al

, M cNo rri l l ch al l en g es t he s u ffi ci en cy o f t he ev i d en ce s u p p o rt i n g h i s

co n vi ct i o n s

. McNo rri l l fu rt h er co n t en d s th at h e was d ep ri v ed o f h is co ns t i t u t i o n al

ri gh t t o effect i v e co u n s el b ecau s e h is t ri al co un s el h ad an act u al co n fl i ct o f i n t eres t

an d fai led to ob

ject t o cert ai n ju ry i n s t ru ct io n s

. Fo r t h e reas o n s d i s cu ss ed b el o w, we

affi rm

.

“ Fo l l o wi n g a cri m i n al c o n v i ct io n

, t h e d efen d an t i s n o l on g er p res u m ed

i n n o cen t, an d we v i ew t h e ev i d en ce i n t he l ig h t m o s t fav orab l e t o s u s t ai n t h e v erd i ct .”

An t h on y v. S t a t e

, 3 1 7 Ga. Ap p

. 8 07 (7 3 2 SE2 d 8 45 ) (2 0 1 2). Th e ev id en c e i n t h e

p res en t cas e, v i ewed i n fav o r o f t h e v erd i ct

, was recen tl y s u m m ari zed b y

t h i s Co u rti n W

h al ey v. S ta te

,

_

_ Ga. A p p.

_

_ (7 8 5 SE2 d 6 8 5 ) (2 0 1 6 ), t h e ap p eal o f M cNo rri l l ’ s

co -d efen d an t , M eg u el W h al ey :

[A] ro u n d 1 0 : 3 0 p

. m

. o n J u l y 5

, 2 0 1 0, t h e v i ct i m recei v ed a cal l

fro m h i s fri en d Ch ri s as k i n g i f t h e v i ct im wan ted to h an g o u t

. Th e v i ct i m

d i d n o t k n o w Ch ri s v ery wel l

, 1 b u t ag reed t o p i ck h im u p at a g as s tat i o n

.

Aft er m eet i n g u p wi t h Ch ri s , t h e v ict i m d ro v e t h em

aro u n d u n t i l Ch ri s

as k ed t o s t o p at s o m eo n e’ s ho u s e fo r a few m i n u t e s

. T h e v i ct im d ro ve

Ch ri s t o t h e h o u s e, an d Ch ri s wen t i n s i d e wh i le t h e v i ct i m rem ai n ed i n

h i s car. Aft er Ch ri s ret u rn ed to th e car, t h ey co n t in u ed t o ri d e aro u n d

u n t i l Ch ri s recei v ed a cal l o n h i s c el l p ho n e. Th e v i ct i m p u ll ed hi s car

i n t o an o t h er g as s t at i o n an d let Ch ri s o u t of t h e car so t h at h e co u ld t al k

o n t h e p h o n e p ri v at el y

. Aft er t al k in g o n h i s p h o n e, Ch ri s g o t b ack i n t o

t h e car an d as k ed t he v i ct i m t o d ri v e t o a n earb y el em en t ary sch o o l s o

t h at t h ey co u l d m eet u p wi t h t wo m en wh om Ch ri s i d en ti fi ed as h i s

co u s i n an d h i s fri en d

.

Aft er Ch ri s d irect ed t h e v ict i m t o t h e el em en t ary s ch oo l

, th e

v i ct i m d ro v e i n t o a l o t on t h e s id e o f t h e s ch o ol t o wai t fo r Ch ri s ’ co u s i n

an d fri en d t o ap pro ach t h e car. On ce t h e v i ct i m h ad d ri v en i n to t he l ot

,

h o wev er, Ch ri s as k ed t h e v i ct i m t o t u r n o f f h i s car an d wal k w i t h h i m

b eh i nd t h e s ch o ol t o m eet u p wi t h h is co u s in an d fri en d t h ere. A l t ho u g h

h e “ fel t k i nd o f s u sp i ci o u s ” at t h at p o in t

, t he v i ct i m ag reed t o wal k w i t h

Ch ri s b eh i n d t h e s ch o o l

. Up o n w al k i ng b eh i n d t h e s ch o o l

, t h e v i ct i m

s aw t wo m en

, l at er id en t i fi ed as

. . . [ c o

- d e f en d an t ] W h al ey an d

. . .

1 Th e v i ct i m

d i d n o t k n o w Ch ri s ’ l as t n am e o r wh ere h e l iv ed

.

2M cNo rri l l

, s i t t i n g o n s o m e s t ep s. Ch ri s ap p ro ach ed W h al ey an d

M cNo rri l l

, g av e t h e m a h i g h -fi v e, an d s p o k e wi t h t h em p ri v at el y fo r a

few m i n u tes wh i l e t h e v ict i m s t o o d n earb y

.

Th e v i ct i m t h o u gh t t h ey were g o i n g t o wal k b ack t o h i s c a r

, b u t

W h al ey s u d d en l y ap p ro ach ed t h e v i ct i m an d p o i nt ed a h an d gu n at h i m

.

W h al ey s ai d, “ Y o u k no w wh at t i m e it i s ,” wh i ch t h e v i ct i m u n d ers t o o d

t o m ean t h at h e w as b ei n g ro b b ed

. W h al ey h el d t h e g u n t o t h e vi ct i m ’ s

h ead as h e wen t t h ro u g h t h e v i ct i m ’ s p o ck et s w i t h h i s o t h er h an d

. Ch ri s

b e g a n p ro t es t i n g

, b u t W h al ey t o l d M cNo rri l l t o “ s h u t h i m u p ,” an d

M cNo rri l l p u l l ed o u t a h an d g u n an d p o in t ed i t at Ch ri s. Th e v ict i m lat er

t o l d t h e p o l i ce t h at o n e of t he g u n s was a .2 2 cal i b er weap o n an d th e

o t h er was a .3 8 0 cal i b er b l ack an d s i l v er weap o n

.

W h al ey t o l d t he vi ct i m t o l i e d o wn o n t he g ro un d an d as k ed

M cNo rri l l fo r a ro l l o f d u ct t a p e

. A ft er th e v i ct i m l ay o n t h e g ro u n d

,

W h al ey g o t t h e d u ct t ap e fro m M cNo rri ll an d w rap p ed i t aro u n d th e

v i ct i m ’ s ey es

, m ou th

, an d h an d s

. W h al ey p laced h i s g u n a g a i n s t th e

v i ct i m ’ s h ead an d ag ai n w en t t h ro u g h t h e vi ct im ’ s p o ck et s

, t ak i n g $ 1 2 5

i n cas h

, a cel l ph on e, t h e v i ct i m ’ s k ey s

, an d h i s d ri ver’ s l icen s e. W h al ey

warn ed t h e v i ct i m t hat he an d M cNo rri ll h ad t h e v i ct i m ’ s i d en t i fi cat i o n

an d w o u l d k i ll t he v i ct i m i f h e cal l ed t h e p o l i ce. Befo re ru n n in g fro m th e

s cen e, W h al ey an d M cNo rri ll k ick ed t he v i ct i m i n t h e leg s

, ri b s

, an d

h ead

.

Th e v i ct i m was ab l e to free h im s el f fro m t h e d u ct t ap e i n t im e t o

s ee W h al ey an d M cNo rri l l g et i ns i d e hi s car an d dri v e away fro m th e

3s ch o o l

. 2 Th e vi ct i m t h en w al k ed t o a g as s t at i o n a few m i n u t es away an d

u s ed t h e p h o ne to cal l t h e p o l i ce. A s h eri ff’ s d ep u t y arri v ed at t h e g as

s t at i o n s h o rt l y t h ereaft er, an d t h e v i ct i m t o ld t h e d ep u t y ab o ut w h at h ad

h ap p en ed

, d es cri b ed t h e t wo s u s pect s, an d p ro v i d ed a d es cri p t i o n o f h i s

s t ol en car. Th e d ep u t y rad i o ed t h e in fo rm at i on t o hi s d i s pat ch er, an d

o t h er dep u t i es i n t h e area were t ol d t o b e o n t h e lo o ko u t fo r t h e vi ct i m ’ s

car.

A few m i n u t es l at er, an o t her dep u t y s aw th e v i ct i m ’ s car s t o p p ed

at a red l ig h t at an i n t ers ect i o n

, co n fi rm ed t h at i t m at ch ed th e d es cri p t i o n

o f t h e s t o l en v eh i cl e, an d at t em p t ed t o i n i t i a t e a t raffi c s t o p. W h en th e

d ep u t y act i vat ed t he em erg en cy l i g h t s o n h i s m ark ed p at ro l car, th e

d ri v er o f t h e v i ct i m ’ s car i g n o red t h e l ig h t s an d d ro v e away

, res u lt i ng i n

a p o l i ce ch as e.

A d ep ut y i n a seco n d m ark ed p at ro l car act i v at ed h i s em erg en cy

l i gh ts an d t o o k o v er th e ch as e. As t h e ch as e co n ti nu ed

, W h al ey ju m p ed

o u t o f t h e dri ver’ s s id e d o o r wh il e t h e v i ct i m ’ s car was s t i l l m o v in g an d

ran t o ward s t h e wo o ds

. M cNo rri l l rem ai ned in t h e fro nt p as s en g er s eat

aft er W h al ey ju m

p ed o u t , an d t h e v ict i m ’ s car cras h ed t h ro u gh a fen ce

an d cam e to a st o p ag ai n s t a t ree. Dep u t i es p u rs u ed W h al ey o n fo o t an d

g av e s ev eral v erb al co m

m an d s fo r h i m t o s t op

, b ut he co n t i n ued ru n n i n g

fro m t h em

. On e o f t h e d ep u t ies cau gh t u p wi t h W hal ey an d was ab l e t o

ap p reh en d hi m

. . . .

2 Ch ri s ap p aren t ly

ran o ff s ep arat el y , b u t t h e reco rd i s u n cl ear o n t h i s p o i n t

.

4An o th er dep u t y ap p ro ach ed t h e cras h ed car an d a r r es ted

M cNo rri l l

, w h o w a s s t i l l i n t h e p as s en g er s eat

. Th e d ep u t y search ed

M cNo rri l l an d d i s co v ered t wel v e .2 2 cal i b er b u l l et s i n h i s p ock et . Th e

v i ct i m s u b s eq u en tl y was d ri v en t o t h e s cen e wh ere t h e car ch as e h ad

co n cl u d ed

, an d h e co n fi rm ed t h at W h al ey an d M cNo rri l l were th e

p erp et rat o rs i n a s h o w -u p i d en ti fi cat i o n

.

Dep u t i es s earch ed t h e v i ct i m ’ s car t h at h ad b een t ak en b y W h al ey

an d M cNo rri l l

. M ari

ju an a wei g hi n g a t o t al o f 4

. 5 g r a m s wa s i n p l ai n

v i ew o n t h e p as s en g er s eat an d o n t h e d ri v er’ s s i de fl o orb o ard

. Fro m th e

way t h e m ari

j u an a was p ack ag ed

, i t ap p eared t o b e fo r d is t ri b u t i o n

. T he

v i c t i m l at er t es t i fi ed at t ri al t h at th e m ari ju an a d id n o t b el o n g t o h i m

.

Ad d it i on al l y

, d ep ut i es fo u n d a l o ad ed Hi -Po in t .3 8 0 cal i b er h an d g un o n

t h e d ri v er’ s s eat

, an d th e v i ct i m t es t i fi ed t h at i t was t h e gu n t h at W h al ey

h ad p o i n t ed at h i m

.

Dep u t i es al s o s earch ed b eh in d t h e el em en t ary s ch oo l

, w h ere t h ey

fo u n d an em

pt y ro l l of d u ct t ap e an d a b as eb al l cap t h at b el o n g ed to th e

v i ct i m

. Ho wev er, th e vi ct i m ’ s cel l ph o n e, cas h, an d o t h er p ers o n al i tem s

were n ev er fo u n d

.

W h al ey an d M c N o rri l l w ere j o i n tl y ch arg ed w it h h i jack i n g a

m o t o r v eh i cl e, arm ed ro b b ery

, f al s e i m p ri so n m en t

, po s s es s i o n o f

m ari ju an a wi t h in t en t t o d i s t ri b u t e, an d t wo co u nt s o f p o s s e s s io n o f a

fi rearm du ri n g t h e co m

m i s s i o n o f a cri m e.

. . . W hal ey an d M cN o r r i l l

s u b s eq u en t l y were t ri ed t o g et h er. Th e v ict i m an d res p o n d i n g d ep ut i es

t es t i fi ed to t h e ev en t s as s u m m ari zed ab o v e, an d t he St at e i n t ro d u ced

5an d s h o w e d t o t h e ju ry a v i d eo reco rd in g o f t h e po l ice car ch as e an d

p h o t o g rap h s o f t h e i t em s s ei zed at t h e el em en t ary s ch o o l an d fro m th e

v i ct i m ’ s car. W h al ey an d M cNo rri l l el ect ed n o t t o t es t i fy an d d i d n o t

p res en t an y

d efen s e wi t n es s es

.

Aft er rev i ewi n g al l t h e ev i d en ce, t h e ju ry fo un d b o th W hal ey an d

M cNo rri l l g u i l t y o f h i

jack i n g a m o t o r v eh i cl e, p o s s es s i o n o f m ari ju an a

wi t h i n t en t t o d is t ri b u t e, an d on e co u nt of p o s s es s i o n o f a fi rearm du ri n g

t h e co m m i s s io n o f a cri m e.

. . . Th e ju ry acq ui t t ed W h al ey an d M cNo rri l l

o f arm ed ro b bery

, fal s e im p ri so n m en t

, an d o n e c o un t o f p o s s es s i on o f

a fi rearm d u ri n g t h e co m

m i s s i o n o f a cri m e. . . .

M cNo rri l l fi l ed a m o t i o n fo r n ew t ri al

, as am en d ed

, in wh i ch he ch al l en g ed t h e

s u ffi ci en cy o f th e ev id en ce an d co nt en d ed t h at h i s t ri al co u n s el ren d ered i n effect i v e

as s i s tan ce. Aft er co n du ct i n g an ev i d en t i ary h eari n g

, t h e t ri al co u rt d en i ed t h e m o t i o n.

Th i s ap p eal fo l l o wed

.

1

. M cNo rri l l co n t en d s t h a t t h ere was i n s u ffi ci en t ev i d en ce t o s u p p o rt h i s

co n vi ct i o n o f p os s es si o n o f m ari ju an a w i t h in t en t to d i s tri b ut e. 3 W h i l e h e co n ced es

3 In h i s en u m erat io ns of erro r, M cNo rri l l al s o co n t en d s t h at t h e ev i d en ce was

i n s u ffi ci en t to co n v i ct h i m o f hi jack i n g a m o t o r v eh i cl e. Ho wev er, in t h e a r g u m e n t

s ect i on o f h is b ri ef, McNo rri l l p ro v i d es n o arg um en t o r ci t at i o n s o f au t h o ri t y

ad d res s i n g t h e s uffi ci en cy o f t h e ev i d en ce as to t h e m o t o r v eh i cl e h i jack i n g o ffen s e.

M cNo rri l l t h u s h as ab an d on ed an y ch al l en g e he m ay h av e h ad t o h is m o t o r v eh i cl e

h i jack i ng co n v i ct i o n o n t h e as s ert ed g ro u n d

. See Co u rt o f Ap p eal s Ru l e 2 5 (a) (3 ),

(c) (2 ); Jo n es v. S t a t e

, 2 8 9 G a. Ap p

. 2 1 9

, 2 2 1 (1 ), n

. 1 (6 5 6 SE2 d 5 5 6) (2 0 0 8 ).

6t h at t h ere was ev i den ce t h at h e p o ss es s ed t h e m ari ju an a fo u n d i n th e v ict i m ’ s s t o l en

car, M cNo rri l l m ai n t ai n s t h at t here was i n s u ffi ci en t ev i d en ce sh o w i n g th at h e act ed

wi t h t h e i n ten t t o d is t ri b u t e t h e m ari ju an a. W e d is ag ree.

To p ro v e p o s ses s i o n wi t h i n t en t t o di s t ri b u te, t h e St at e m u s t s h o w

m o re th an m ere po s s es s i on o f a co n t ro l l ed s u b s t an ce. No b ri g h t l i n e ru l e

ex i s ts reg ard i n g t h e am o u n t o r t y p e o f ev i d en ce s uffi ci en t t o s u p p o rt a

co n v i ct i o n fo r p os s es s io n wi t h i n t en t to d i s t ri b u t e, an d w het h er t h e St at e

h as p ro v en an in ten t t o d i s t ri b u t e i s p e c u l i arl y a q u es t i o n o f fact fo r

d et erm i nat i o n b y t h e ju ry

. Fu rt h erm ore, in ad dres s i n g t h e s uffi ci en cy o f

t h e ev id en ce, we are al way s m i n d fu l t h at i t i s n o t o u r ro l e t o wei g h t he

ev i d en ce o r d et erm i n e t h e cred i b i l i t y o f wi t n es s es ; i n s t ea d

, u n d e r th e

s t an dard en u nci at ed i n Ja cks on v. Vi r g in i a

, 4 4 3 U.S. 3 0 7, 3 19 (III) (B)

( 9 9 SCt 2 7 8 1

, 6 1 LEd 2 d 5 6 0 (1 9 7 9 ), we o n l y d et erm in e wh e t h e r a

rat i o n al t ri er o f fact c o u l d h av e fo u n d t h e d efen d an t gu i l t y of th e

ch arg ed o ffen s e b ey o n d a reas o n ab l e d o ub t

.

(Ci t at i o n s an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) F l emi s t er v. S ta t e

, 3 1 7 Ga. A pp

. 7 4 9

, 7 5 2 (1 ),

(7 3 2 SE2 d 8 1 0 ) (2 0 1 2 ). Ad d i t io n al l y

, w h ere, as i n t h e p res en t cas e, t h e co nv i ct i o n at

i s su e i s b as ed so l el y o n ci rcu m s t an t i al ev i d en ce, “ th e p ro v ed fact s s hal l n o t o n l y b e

co n si s t en t wi t h t he hy

p o t h es i s o f g u i l t, b u t s hal l ex cl u d e ev ery o t her reas o n ab l e

Nev ert h el es s

, we hav e rev iewed t h e t ri al reco rd an d co n cl u d e t h at th ere w as su ffi ci en t

ev i d en ce fo r a rat i on al t ri er o f fact t o fi n d M cNo rri l l g u i l t y b ey o n d a reas o n ab l e d o u bt

o f h i jack in g a m o t o r v eh i cl e.

7h y

p o t h es i s s av e t h at o f t he g u i l t o f t h e accu sed ,” an d w h et her t h at St at e h as m et t h i s

b u rd en i s n orm al l y a q u es t i o n fo r t h e ju ry

. (Ci tat i o n an d p u n ct u at i on o m i t t ed .) No b l e

v. S t a t e , 2 2 5 Ga. Ap p . 4 7 0, 4 71 (4 8 4 SE2 d 7 8) (1 99 7 ).

Here, t h e m ari

ju an a fo u n d i n t h e car was p ack ag ed i n ni n e i n d i v i d ual b ag g i es

,

wi t h ei g ht o f t h e b ag g i es co n t ai n ed in a l arg er pl as t i c b ag o n t he d r i v e r ’s s i d e

fl oo rb o ard an d th e n i n t h b ag g i e o n t h e p as s en ger seat

. Th e s heri ff’s in v es t i g at o r

t es t i fi ed t h at

, b as ed o n h i s trai n i n g an d ex p eri en ce, t h e m ari ju an a was p ack ag ed i n a

m an n er co m

m o nl y us ed fo r di s t ri b u t i o n

. 4 Th e ev i d en ce t h at t h e m ari ju an a was

“ p ack ag ed i n a m a n n e r co m m o n l y as s o ci at ed w i t h t h e s al e o r d i s t ri b u ti o n o f s u ch

co n trab an d w o u l d au t h ori ze an y rat i o n al t ri er of fact t o i n f e r t h at [M cNo rri l l ]

p o s s es s ed m ari

ju an a, a co n tro l l ed s u b s t an ce, wi t h i n t en t to d i s tri b ut e.” (Ci t at i o n s an d

p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed .) F

l emi s ter

, 3 1 7 Ga. Ap p

. at 7 52 (1 ). See W i l l i a ms v. S t a t e

, 3 0 3

Ga. A p p

. 2 2 2, 22 4 -2 2 5 (2 ) (6 9 2 SE2 d 8 2 0 ) (2 0 1 0 ); Ma yo v. S t at e

, 2 7 7 Ga. Ap p

. 2 8 2,

4 W h i l e M cNo rri l l arg u es t hat t h e St at e fai l ed t o q u a l i fy t h e s h eri ff’ s

i n v es t i g at o r as an ex p ert

, M cNo rri l l fai l ed t o o bject o n th at g r o u n d at tri al an d

t h erefo re h as wai v ed an y o b ject i o n t o th e i n v es t i g at o r ren d eri n g an o pi n i o n reg ard i n g

t h e m ari ju an a p ack ag i n g. See Bo r i n g v. S ta t e

, 3 0 3 Ga. Ap p

. 5 7 6

, 5 7 9 (1 ) (6 9 4 SE2 d

1 5 7 ) (2 0 1 0 ). Fu rt h erm o re, t h e St at e l ai d a fo un d at i o n fo r t he i n v es ti g at o r’ s o p i n i o n

t es t i m o ny b y el i ci t i n g t es ti m on y ab o ut h i s “ co u p l e h u nd red ” en co u n t ers wi th

m ari ju an a an d i t s d i fferen t fo rm s o f p ack ag in g d u ri n g t h e co u rs e o f h i s career.

82 8 3 (1 ) (a) (6 26 SE2 d 2 4 5 ) (2 0 06 ); Ru t l ed ge v. S t at e

, 2 2 4 Ga. Ap p. 6 6 6

, 6 6 8 (1 ) (4 8 2

SE2 d 40 3 ) ( 1 9 9 7 ); Bo wer s v. S t a t e

, 1 9 5 Ga. A pp

. 5 22

, 5 2 2 (1 ) (3 9 4 SE2 d 1 4 1 )

(1 9 9 0).

M o reo v er, i n ad di t i o n t o t h e p ack ag i n g o f t h e m ari ju an a, t h e ev i d en ce s h o ws

t h at a l o a d ed h an dg u n w as fo u n d o n th e dri v er’ s s eat

, b ul l et s were fo u n d in

M cNo rri l l ’ s p o ck et

, an d t h e v i ct i m t es t ifi ed t h at M cNo rri l l h ad a h an d g u n th at n i g h t

.

Th i s ev id en ce fu rt h er s u p p o rt ed M cNo rri l l’ s co n vi ct io n fo r po s s es s i o n o f m ari ju an a

wi t h i nt en t t o d i s t ri bu t e. See St a t e v. Ja cks o n

, 2 8 7 Ga. 6 46

, 6 5 2 (2 ) (6 9 7 SE2 d 7 5 7 )

(2 0 1 0) (p o i n t i ng ou t t h at i t i s “ n o t u n u s u al ” fo r d ru g d eal ers t o b e a rm ed ); S mi t h v.

S t a t e

, 3 3 5 Ga. Ap p

. 7 4 2

, 7 4 4 (2 ) (7 8 2 SE2 d 8 2 4 ) (2 0 1 6 ) (n ot i n g t h at a “ l o a d e d

h an dg u n wi t h a b u l l et i n t he ch am b er was fo u n d i n t h e fro n t p a s s e n g e r s eat ” in

affi rm in g co n v i ct io n fo r p o s s es s i o n o f d ru gs w i t h i nt en t t o d i s tri b u t e). Co n v ers el y

,

t h ere was n o ev i d en ce t h at M cNo rri l l o r hi s co -d efen d an t were d ru gs u s ers o r were

u n d er t he i n fl u en ce o f d ru g s, an d n o ev i den ce o f an y sm o k i ng d ev i ces

, ro l l i n g p ap ers

,

o r o t h er p arap h ern al i a as s oci at ed wi t h dru g u se fo u n d i n t h e car. Acco rd i n g ly

, u n d er

t h e t o t al i t y o f t h e ev i d en ce, a rat i o n al ju ry co ul d reject t h e al tern at i v e h y p o t h es i s t h at

t h e m ari j u an a was fo r p ers o n al u s e rat her th an d i s t ri b u t i o n

. See Ja cks o n v. S t a t e

, 3 1 4

Ga. Ap p . 2 7 2 , 2 7 6 (1 ) (c) (7 2 4 SE2 d 9 ) (2 0 1 2 ).

9Two c a s e s rel ied u p on b y M cNo rri l l

, Hi cks v. St a te

, 2 9 3 Ga. Ap p. 8 3 0 (6 6 8

SE2 d 4 7 4 ) (2 0 0 8 ); an d Cl a r k v. S t a t e

, 2 4 5 Ga. Ap p

. 2 6 7 (5 37 SE2 d 7 4 2 ) (2 0 0 0 ), d o

n o t req u i re a d ifferen t res u l t . In Hi cks , we co ncl u d ed t h at t h e ev i d en ce p res en t ed at

t r i a l s u p p o rt ed t h e reas o n ab l e al t ern at i ve h y p o t h es i s t h at t h e dru g s fo u nd i n t h e

d efen d an t ’ s car were fo r pers o n al u s e rat h er t h an d is t r i b u t i o n

, wh ere t h e o n l y

ev i d en ce o f i nt en t t o d i st ri b u t e was t h at t h e defen d an t p o s s e s s ed a pi l l b o t t l e

co n tai n i n g an u n i d en t i fi ed n u m b er o f b ro k en -u p p i eces of co cai n e, an d an

i n v es t i g at o r t es t ifi ed t hat s t o ri n g d ru g s i n s u ch a d i s po s ab l e co n t ai n er i n d i cat ed an

i n t en t t o s el l

. 2 9 3 Ga. Ap p

. at 8 3 1 -8 3 3

. W e s peci fi cal l y n o t ed

, h o w e v e r

, t h a t t h ere

was n o ev i d en ce o f weap o n s o r o f “ d ru g p ack ag in g m at eri al s s u ch as b ag gi es i n t h e

v eh icl e.” Id

. a t 8 3 2

. H

i cks t h u s i s m at eri al l y d is t i n g ui s h ab l e i n l i g h t o f t h e l o ad ed

h an dg u n an d i n d i v id ual i zed p ack ag i n g o f t h e m ari j u an a fo u nd i n t he car h ere.

C lark i s li k ewi s e d i st i n g ui s h ab l e. In Cl a r k

, we co n cl u d ed t h at t he ev i den ce was

i n s u ffi ci en t t o p ro v e t h at t h e d ru g s were fo r d i s t r i bu t i o n rat h er t h an pers o n al u s e,

wh ere t h e po li ce d i s co v ered ei g h t b ag s o f an u n i d en t ifi ed am o u n t o f m ari j u an a i n a

v an wi t h fo u r p eo p l e i n si d e of i t p ark ed b eh i n d a res t au ran t i n t he m i d dl e o f t h e n i g h t

.

2 4 5 Ga. Ap p

. at 26 7 -2 6 9

. Th e p as s en g ers i n t h e v an were s i tt i ng on o r n ex t t o s ev eral

o f t h e bag s

. Id

. at 2 6 8. Th e p o l ice al so fo u n d a ci g ar o n t he d as h b o ard o f t h e v an t h at

10h ad b een c u t o p e n wi th t h e t o b acco rem o v ed

, w h i ch a p ol ice o ffi cer tes t ifi ed was

“ co n s i s ten t wi t h peo p l e g et ti n g read y t o rep l ace t h e t o b acco wi t h m ari ju an a, [ to] m ak e

a jo i n t.” Id

. at 2 67

. Gi v en t h e n u m b er o f peo p l e i n t h e v an wh ere t h e m ari ju an a was

fo u n d, t h e u ni d en t ifi ed am o u n t o f m ari ju an a, t h e ab s en ce o f an y g un s or “ d ru g

p ack ag i ng m at eri al s ,” an d t he p res en ce o f t h e ci g ar m ad e i n t o a d ru g s m o k i n g d ev i ce,

Cl a rk cl earl y d i v erg es fact u al l y fro m t h e s i t u at i on h ere. Id . at 2 69

.

As we h av e em

p h as i zed

, “ t h e i nt en t wi t h wh i ch an act i s d o n e i s p ecu l i arl y a

q u e s t i o n o f fact fo r d et erm i n at i o n b y t h e ju ry

. In t en t

, w h i ch i s a m en t al at t i t u d e, i s

c o m m on l y d et ect i b le o n l y i n feren t i al ly

, an d t h e l aw acco m m o d at es th i s .” (Ci t a t i o n

an d p u nct u at io n o m i t t ed .) Ma yo

, 2 7 7 Ga. Ap p

. at 2 8 3 ( 1 ) ( a). Gi v en t h e co m b i n ed

ev i d en ce i n t h is cas e, we co n cl u d e t h at t h e St at e m et i t s b u rd en o f p ro v i n g t h at

M cNo rri l l i n t en d ed to d is t ri b u t e t h e d ru g s

, a n d th e ju ry was au t h o ri zed t o fi n d

M cNo rri l l g ui lt y b ey on d a reas o n ab l e d o u b t o f p o s s es s i o n of m ari ju an a wi t h i n t en t

t o d i s t ri b u t e. Ja cks o n , 4 43 U. S. at 3 1 9 (III) (B). 5

5 M cNo rri l l al s o arg u es t h at b ecau se t he ev i d en ce was i n s uffi ci en t t o co n v i ct

h i m o f po s ses s i o n o f m ari j u an a wi t h i n ten t t o d is t ri bu t e, th e e v i d e n c e l ik ewi s e was

i n s u ffi ci en t t o co n v i ct h i m o f po s s es s i o n o f a fi rearm d u ri n g t h e co m m i s s i o n o f t h at

d ru g -rel at ed cri m e. M cNo rri l l ’ s arg um en t i s wi t h o u t m eri t

, i n l i gh t o f o u r co n cl u s i o n

t h at t h ere was s uffi ci en t ev i d en ce t o co n v i c t h i m o f p o s s es si o n o f m ari ju an a wi th

i n t en t t o d i s t ri b u t e.

112

. M c N o r r il l n ex t co n t en d s t h at h e w as d en i ed h i s co n st i tu t i o n al ri g h t to

effect i v e co un sel b ecau s e h i s t ri al co u n s el h ad an act ual c o n f l i c t o f i n t eres t t h at

ad v ers el y affect ed t h e rep res en t at i o n . Acco rd i n g t o M cNo rri l l , an act u al co n fl i ct o f

i n t e r es t aro s e becau se h i s t ri al at t o rn ey was em p l oy ed i n t he s am e ci rcu i t p u b l i c

d efen d er’ s o ffi ce as t h e at t o rn ey wh o rep res en t ed hi s co -d efen d an t

, an d h e an d h i s co

d efen d an t h ad an t ag o n i s t i c i n t eres t s t hat precl u d ed th em fro m b ei ng rep res en t ed by

at t o rn ey s i n t h e s am e o ffi ce. W e are u n p ers u ad ed

.

As o u r Su p rem e Co urt h as p o i nt ed o u t

, “ [t ] h e p o t en t i al fo r s eri o u s co n fl i ct s o f

i n t eres t [ex i s t s ] w h en o n e lawy er rep res en ts co -d efen d an t s in a cri m i n al p ro ceed i n g.”

To l b er t v. S t a t e

, 2 98 Ga. 1 4 7

, 1 4 8 (2 ) (a) (7 8 0 SE2 d 2 9 8 ) (2 0 15 ), ci t i n g In r e Fo r ma l

Ad vi s o ry Op i n i on 1 0 -1 , 2 9 3 Ga. 3 9 7 , 4 00 (2 ) (7 4 4 SE2 d 7 98 ) (2 0 1 3 ). An d

i f it i s d e t erm i n ed th at a s i n g l e p u b l i c d efen d er i n t h e ci rcu i t pu b l i c

d efen d er’ s offi ce o f a p art i cu l ar ju d i ci al ci rcu i t h as an i m p e r m i s si bl e

co n fl i ct o f i nt eres t co n cern i n g t h e rep res en t at i o n o f co -d efen d an ts

, t h en

t h at co n fl i ct o f i nt eres t i s i m p u t ed t o al l of t h e p u b l i c defen d ers wo rk i n g

i n t h e ci rcu i t p ub l i c d efen d er o ffi ce o f t h at p art i cu l ar ju d ici al ci rcu i t

.

In r e Fo r ma l Ad

vi s or y Op i n i on 1 0 -1

, 2 93 Ga. at 3 9 9 (1 ). See P r yo r v. S ta t e

, 3 3 3 Ga.

Ap p . 4 0 8 , 4 1 0 (2 ) (7 7 6 SE2 d 4 7 4 ) (2 0 1 5 ).

12Bu t “ t h e m ere ‘ p o s s i bi li t y o f co n fl i c t i s i n s u ffi ci en t t o i m p ug n a cri m i n al

co n vi ct i o n .’ ” Lyt l e v

. S t a t e

, 2 9 0 Ga. 1 7 7

, 1 7 8 (2 ) (7 1 8 SE2 d 2 9 6) (2 0 1 1 ), q u o t i n g

Cu yl er v. S u l l i va n

, 44 6 U .S. 3 3 5

, 3 5 0 (IV) (C) (1 0 0 SCt 1 7 0 8

, 6 4 LE2 d 3 3 3 ) (1 9 8 0 ).

Rat h er, “ [t ] o p rev ai l o n a cl ai m t h at a co n fl ict o f i n t eres t wo rk ed a den i al o f t h e

effect i v e as s i s t an ce of co u n sel

, a d efen d an t l i k e [M cNo rri l l ]

– o ne wh o fai l ed to

o b ject t o t h e co n fl i ct at t ri al

– m u s t s h o w t h at ‘ an act u al co nfl i ct o f in t eres t ad v ers el y

affect ed h i s l awy er’ s perfo rm an ce.’ ” (Fo o t n o te o m i t t ed .) To lb er t

, 2 9 8 G a. at 1 4 9 (2 ),

q u o t i n g Cu

yl er , 4 4 6 U.S. at 3 4 8 (IV) (B). See S t a t e v. Ab er n a t h y

, 2 8 9 Ga. 6 0 3 , 6 0 4

(1 ) (7 15 SE2 d 4 8) (2 01 1 ); Pr yo r , 3 3 3 Ga. Ap p . at 4 1 2-4 1 3 (2 ).

[T] h e cri t i cal qu es t io n i s wh et h er t h e co n fl i ct s i g n i fi can t l y affect ed th e

r e p r e s en t a ti o n

, n o t wh et h er i t affect ed t h e o ut co m e of t h e u n d erl y i n g

p r o ceed i n g

s

. T h at is p reci s el y t h e d i fferen ce b et wee n i n effect iv e

as s i s t an ce o f co u n s el cl ai m s g en eral l y

, wh ere p reju d i ce m u s t b e sh o w n

,

an d i n effect i v e as si s t an ce o f co u n s el cl ai m s i n v o l v i n g act u al co nfl i ct s

o f i n t eres t

, w h i c h req u i re o n l y a s h o wi n g o f a s i g n i fi can t effect o n th e

rep res en t at i o n.

(Ci t at i o n o m i t ted ; em

p h as i s i n o ri g i n al

. ) Ab er na t h y

, 2 8 9 Ga. at 6 0 4 -6 05 (1 ). Th u s

,

M cNo rri l l had t o s h o w t h a t t h e s i m u l tan eo u s rep res en t at i o n o f hi m s el f an d h i s co

d efen d an t by t wo l awy ers w o rk i n g i n t h e sam e p u b l i c d efen d er’ s o ffi ce creat ed a

13co n fl i ct o f i n t eres t t h at s i g n ifi can t l y affect ed h i s o wn l awy er’ s p erfo rm an ce. See i d .;

Pr yo r , 3 3 3 Ga. Ap p . at 4 12 -4 1 3 (2 ).

In rev i ewi n g wh et h er M cNo rri l l p ro v ed t h a t h i s t ri al co u ns el was l ab o ri n g

u n d er a co n fl i ct o f i n t eres t t h at ad v ers el y affect ed h i s co un s el ’ s p erfo rm an ce, we o we

n o d eferen ce t o t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s ap p l i cat i on o f t h e l aw t o t h e fact s

. To l b er t , 2 9 8 Ga.

at 1 5 1 (2 ) (a). “ W e owe su b st an t i al d eferen ce, h o wev er, t o t h e way i n wh i ch t h e t ri al

co u rt as s es sed th e cred i b i l i ty o f wi t n es s es an d fo u n d t h e rel ev an t fact s .” Id

. M i n d fu l

o f t h i s s tan d ard o f rev iew, we t u rn t o t h e reco rd i n t h i s cas e.

W h i l e M c N o rri l l an d h i s co -d efen d an t were rep res en t ed b y at t o rn ey s i n t h e

s am e tri al t eam at th e s am e ci rcu i t p u b l i c d efen d er’ s o ffi ce, th ere was n o ev i d en ce o f

an y co m m u n i cat i o n s o r co rro b o rat i o n b et ween t h e at t o rn ey s re g a r d i ng t h i s cas e.

Rat h er, M cNo rri l l ’ s t ri al co u n s el t es t ifi ed at t h e h eari n g o n t h e m o t i o n fo r n ew t ri al

t h at s h e recal led n o s u ch co m m u n i cat i o n s or co rro b o rat i o n wi t h t he o t h er at t o rn ey in

h er offi ce. Fu rt herm ore, t ri al co u n s el t es t i fi ed t h at s h e fel t n o co n st rai n ts i n h er

rep res en t at i o n o f McNo rri l l an d d i d n o t feel t hat t h ere was an y co n fl i ct t h at in h i b i t ed

h er t ri al p erfo rm an ce, an d t here i s n o t h i n g i n th e tri al t ran s cri p t refl ect i n g ot h erwi s e.

Tri al co u ns el al s o t es t i fi ed t hat i f a co nfl i ct h ad ex i s t ed

, s h e wo u l d h av e rev i ewed t h e

i s su e wi t h h er s u perv i s o r, b u t t h ere had b een n o n eed t o d o s o u nd er t h e

14ci rcu m s t an c e s h e r e

. Gi v en t h i s reco rd

, t h e t ri al co u rt was en ti tl ed t o fi n d t h at

M cNo rri l l fai l ed t o s h o w t h at h i s t ri al co u n s el w as l ab o ri n g u n d er an act u al co n fl i ct

o f i nt eres t t h at n eg at i v el y i m p act ed h er p re-t ri al p r e p a r at i o n o r her p erfo rm an ce

d u ri n g t ri al

.

M cNo rri l l n ev ert hel es s arg u es t h at an act u al co n fl ict o f i n t eres t aro s e at o n e

p o i n t b efo re t ri al wh en t h e pro s ecu t o r offered h i m a p l ea co n d i t i o n ed o n M cNo rri l l

t es t i fy i ng ag ai n s t h is co -d efen d an t

, t h ereb y cau s i n g M cNo rri l l an d h i s co -d efen d an t

t o h av e i nt eres t s t h at were an t ag o n i s t i c t o o n e an o t h er. Ho wev er, M cNo rri l l ’ s t ri al

co u ns el t es t i fi ed at t h e new tri al h eari n g t h at s h e fu l l y i n fo rm ed M cNo rri l l o f t h e p l ea

o ffer, t hat s h e t o l d h i m

t h at i t was h i s d eci s i o n wh et h er t o accep t t h e o ffer, an d t h at

“ i t [h ad been ] o f n o acco u n t t o [h er] ” wh et h er M cNo rri l l ch o s e t o tes t i fy ag ai n s t h i s

co -d efen d an t

. Tri al co u n s el al s o t es t ifi ed t h at M cNo rri l l was v ery “ d eferen t i al ” t o h i s

co -d efen d an t an d l o o k ed t o h i s co -d efen d an t “ fo r cu es

. . . i n m ak in g d eci s io n s ab o ut

wh at h e wan ted to d o .” Th e t ri al t ran s cri p t refl ect s t h at wh en t h e p l ea offer was l at er

b ro u gh t u p i n o pen co u rt

, M cNo rri l l reject ed t h e o ffer, s t at i n g

, “ I wo u l d t ak e t h e

o ffer, b u t I d on ’ t wan t t o t es t i fy .” In l i g ht o f t h i s co m bi n ed reco rd ev i d en ce, t h e t ri al

co u rt was en t it l ed t o fi n d t h at an y p o ten t i al co n fl i ct ari s i ng fro m t h e pl ea offer d i d n ot

ad v ers el y affect t h e m an n er in wh i ch t ri al co u n s el h an d l ed th e o ffer o r co n v ey ed i t

15t o M cNo rri l l

, an d t h at M cNo rri l l m ad e h i s own i n d ep en d en t d eci si o n n o t t o accep t

t h e o ffer b ecau s e h e d i d n o t wan t t o t es t i fy at t ri al

.

In s u m

, as t h e t ri al co u rt was au t h o ri zed t o co n cl ud e, M cNo rri l l fai l ed to

es t ab l i s h t h at t h e s i m

ul tan eo u s rep res en t at i on o f h i m sel f an d h is co -d efen d an t b y t wo

p u b l i c d efen d ers i n t h e s am e o ffi ce creat ed an act u al co n fl i ct o f i n t eres t t h at

s i gn i fi can t l y affect ed h i s o wn l awy er’ s p erfo rm an ce b efo r e o r d u ri n g t ri al

. See

Ab er n a t hy

, 2 8 9 Ga. at 6 0 4 -6 0 5 (1 ); Lyt l e

, 2 9 0 Ga. at 1 7 8 -1 7 9 (2 ); Pr yo r

, 3 3 3 Ga.

Ap p

. at 4 1 3 -4 1 4 (2 ); Jo h n s o n v. S t a t e

, 3 2 0 Ga. Ap p

. 1 6 1

, 1 6 5 -1 6 6 (4 ) (7 3 9 SE2 d 4 6 9 )

(2 0 1 3). It fo l l o ws t h at th e t ri al co u rt d i d n o t err wh en i t d e n ied McNo rri l l ’ s m o t i o n

fo r n ew t ri al o n t h i s g ro u n d

.

3

. M cNo rri ll al s o co n t en d s t h at h is t ri al co un s el w as i n effect i v e fo r fai l i n g to

o b ject t o t h e t ri al co u rt ’ s j u ry i n s t ru ct i o n o n p o s s es si o n o f m ari j u a n a w i t h i n t en t to

d i s t ri b u t e. W e d is ag ree.

Co u nt 5 o f t h e i nd i ct m en t ch arg ed M cNo rri l l wi t h vi o l at i n g t h e Geo rg i a

Co n t ro l l ed Su bs t an ces Act

, OCGA § 1 6 -1 3 -3 0 (j), b y p o s ses s i n g m ari ju an a wi t h t h e

i n t en t t o d i s t ri b u t e. In d efi n i n g t h e al l eg ed o ffen s e t o t he ju ry

, t h e t ri al co u rt

i n s t ru ct ed : “ Th e o ffen se ch arg e d i n c o u n t 5 of t h i s i n d i ct m en t i s a v io l at i o n o f t h e

Geo rg i a Co n t ro l l ed Su b st an ces Act

, wh ich pro v i des t h at i t is u n l awfu l fo r an y p ers o n

16t o [a] p o s s es s

, o r h av e u n d er o n e’ s co n t ro l o r [b ] p o s s es s wi t h in t en t t o d i s t ri b u t e an y

q u an ti t y o f m ari

ju an a, wh i ch i s a co n t ro l l ed s ub s tan ce.” Acco rd i n g t o M cNo rri l l

, t h e

t ri al co u rt ’ s i n s tru ct i o n was erro n eo us b ecau s e i t i n cl u d ed a referen ce t o s i m p l e

p o s s es s i o n o f m ari

ju an a as a v i o l at io n o f t h e Geo rg i a Co n tro l led Su b st an ces Act

, an d

t h u s co u ld h av e m i sl ed t h e ju ry i n t o co n vi ct i n g h i m of a d ru g cri m e d i fferen t fro m

t h at ch arg ed i n t h e i n d i ct m en t

. Co n s eq u en t l y

, M cNo rri l l c o n t e n d s t h at h i s t ri al

co u ns el was i n effect iv e fo r fai l i n g t o o b ject t o t h e i n s tru ct i on

.

W h i l e i n s t ru ct i ng t h e ju ry t h at a cri m e can b e co m m i t t e d in a

m an n er d i fferen t fro m t h at ch arg ed in t h e i n d i ct m en t c a n co n s t i t ut e

rev ers i b l e erro r, a rev ers al i s n o t m an dat ed wh ere, as h ere, t h e ch arg e as

a wh o l e l i m i t s t h e j u ry ’ s co n s i d erat i o n t o t h e sp eci fi c m an n er o f

co m m i t t i n g t he cri m e al l eg ed i n t h e i nd i ct m en t.

(Pu n ct u at i on a n d f

o o t n o t e om i t t ed .) Ma ch a d o v. S t a t e

, 3 0 0 Ga. Ap p

. 4 5 9, 4 6 2 (5 )

(6 8 5 SE2 d 4 2 8 ) (2 00 9). See W h eel er v. S t a t e

, 3 2 7 G a. Ap p. 3 1 3

, 3 1 9 (3 ) (7 5 8 SE2 d

8 4 0 ) (2 0 1 4 ). Here, t h e t ri al co u rt read t h e i n di ct m en t to t h e ju ry

, i n st ru ct ed t h e ju ry

t h at t h e St at e h ad t h e b u rd en o f p ro v i n g ev ery m at eri al al l eg at i o n o f t h e i n d i ct m en t

b ey o n d a reas o n ab l e d o u b t

, fu rt h er i n s t ru ct ed t h e ju r y th at it co u l d fi n d M cNo rri l l

g u i l t y i f i t fo u n d b ey o n d a reas o n ab l e d o u b t t hat h e co m m it t ed t h e o ffen s es “ al l eg ed

i n t h e i n d i ct m en t,” an d pro v i ded t h e i n di ct m en t t o t h e ju ry d u ri n g i t s d el i b erat i o n s

.

17Th es e i n s t ru ct i o n s, w hen co n s id ered as a wh o le, cu red an y p o t en t i al erro r i n t h e

t ri al co u rt ’ s i n s t ru ct i o n o n co u n t 5 o f t h e i n d i ct m en t. See Du g ger v. S ta te

, 2 9 7 Ga.

1 2 0 , 1 2 3 (6 ) (7 7 2 SE2 d 6 95 ) (2 0 1 5 ); F a u l ks v. S t a t e , 2 9 6 Ga. 3 8, 3 9 (2 ) (7 6 4 SE2 d

8 4 6 ) (2 01 4 ); W

h eel er

, 3 2 7 G a. Ap p. at 3 1 9 -3 2 0 (3 ); Ma ch a d o

, 3 0 0 G a. Ap p

. at 4 6 2

-

4 6 3 (5 ). Un d er t hes e ci rcu m s t an ces

, M cNo rri ll can n o t s h ow t h at t h e ju ry i ns t ru ct i o n

p reju d i ced h i s cas e, an d t h u s can n o t su cceed o n h i s i n effect iv e as s i s t an ce cl ai m

. See

Go mi l l io n v. S t a t e

, 2 3 6 Ga. A p p

. 1 4

, 1 8 (3 ) (c) (5 1 2 SE2 d 6 4 0 ) (1 9 9 9 ) (“ Fai l u re to

o b ject t o a co u rt ’ s ch arg e[]

. . . i s n o t in effect i v e as s i s t an ce wh ere t h e ap p el l an t d o es

n o t s h o w h o w t h i s p reju d i ced h i s cas e.”) (ci tat i o n an d p u n ct uat i o n o m i t t ed ).

4

. Las tl y

, M cNo rri l l co n t en d s t h at h is t ri al co u n s el was i neffect i v e fo r fai l i n g

t o o b ject t o t h e t r i al co u rt ’ s ju ry i n st ru ct i o n on p o ss es s i o n o f a fi rearm d u ri n g t h e

co m m i s s io n o f a cri m e. Ag ai n, we d i s ag ree.

OCGA § 1 6 -1 1 -1 0 6 (b ) (4 ) p ro v i d es t h at a p ers on co m m i t s a fel on y wh en h e

p o s s es s es a fi rearm o n o r wi t h i n arm ’ s reach o f h i s p ers o n d u ri n g th e co m m i s s i o n o f

cert ai n fel o n y dru g-rel at ed cri m es

. Th e t ri al co u rt i n st ru ct ed t he ju ry o n th e d efi n i t i o n

o f p o ss es s i o n o f a fi rearm d u ri n g t h e co m

m i s s i o n o f a cri m e:

A p ers o n co m

m i t s t h e o ffen s e o f p o s s es s io n o f a fi rear m d u ri n g th e

co m m i s s i o n of a cri m e wh en th e p ers o n has o n o r wi t h i n arm ’ s reach o f

18h i s p ers on a fi rearm d u ri n g th e co m m i s s i o n o f o r an y at t em

p t t o co m m i t

a fel o n y

, wh i ch i s

. . . an y cri m e i n v o l vi n g t h e p o s s es s i on

, o r p o ss es s i o n

wi t h i n t en t t o di st ri b u t e a co n t ro l l ed s u bs t an ce. I ch arg e y ou m ari ju an a

i s a co n tro ll ed s u b s t an ce.

M cNo rri l l arg u es t h a t t h e t r i al co u rt ’ s i n s tru ct i on

, by i n cl ud i n g a referen ce to

p o s s es s i o n o f m ari

ju an a as a po t en t i al pred i cat e fel o ny o ffen s e fo r t h e fi rearm cri m e,

was an in co rrect s t at em en t o f t h e l aw u n d er t h e fact s o f t h i s cas e. He em p h as i zes t h at

p o s s es s i o n o f m ari

j u an a i s o n l y a fel o n y i f t h e a m o u n t o f m ari ju an a p o s s es s ed i s

g reat er t h an o n e o u n ce, OCGA § 1 6 -1 3 -2 (b ), b u t t h e am o u nt o f m ari ju an a fo u n d in

t h e v ict i m ’ s s to l en v eh i cl e was l es s t han t h at a m o u n t

. Co ns eq u en t l y

, M cNo rri l l

arg u es

, hi s m ere po s ses s i on o f m ari ju an a i n t hi s cas e wo u ld n ot h a v e s u pp o rt ed a

co n vi ct i o n o f p o s s es s i o n o f a fi rearm d u ri n g t h e co m m i s si on o f a cri m e, an d h i s t ri al

co u ns el was i n effect iv e fo r fai l i n g t o o b ject t o t h e ju ry

i n s t ru ct i o n o n t h at b as i s

.

Ev en i f McNo rri l l’ s t ri al co u n s el was d efi ci en t fo r fai l in g t o o b j ect t o t h e ju ry

i n s t ru ct i o n

, M cNo rri l l h as fai l ed t o s h o w h o w t h at erro r w as p reju d i ci al

. Th e ju ry

fo u n d M cNo rri l l g u i l t y o f p o s s es s i o n o f m ari j u an a wi t h i n t en t to di s t ri b u te, t h ere was

s u ffi ci en t ev id en ce t o su p po rt th at fel o n y co nv i ct i o n as ex pl ai ned su p ra i n Di v i s i o n

1

, an d it i s u n d i s p u t e d t h at p o s s es s i o n of m ari ju an a wi th in t en t t o d is t ri b u t e co u ld

s erv e as t h e p red i cat e fel o n y o ffen s e fo r M cNo rri l l ’ s co n v i ct i o n o f p o s s es si o n o f a

19fi rearm d u ri ng t h e co m m i ss i o n o f a cri m e u n d er OCGA § 1 6 -1 1 -1 0 6 (b ) (4 ). Hen ce,

“ t h ere i s n o t a reas o n ab l e p ro b ab i li t y t h at

, i f t he t ri al co u rt h ad om i t t ed t he [referen ce

t o s i m p l e p o s s es s i o n o f m ari

j u an a fro m t he i ns t ru ct i o n] at [M cNo rri ll ’ s ] b eh es t , t h e

o u t co m e o f t h e t ri al wo u ld h av e b een m o re fav o rab le t o h i m .” Da u g h tr y v. S t a t e

, 2 9 6

Ga. 8 49

, 8 5 9 (2 ) (g ) (7 70 SE2 d 8 6 2 ) (2 01 5 ). McNo rri l l t h erefo re can n ot s u cceed o n

h i s i n effect i ve as s i s t an ce cl ai m . Id

.

Ju d g men t a f f i r med

. Bo g

gs

, J. co n cu r

s

. Ri ckma n

, J., co n cu r

s i n j u dg men t o n l

y

.

20