Opinion ID: 534912
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Smith's Conviction on Counts 2 and 10

Text: 43 1. Count 2 charged that:On or about January 1, 1985, and continuing until on or about September 11, 1985, in the Northern District of Florida, the defendants Thomas Lee Rush, Eunice Rebecca Smith a/k/a Becque Smith and others knowingly and intentionally did possess with intent to distribute and manufacture 50 kilograms or more of marijuana, a controlled substance, in violation of Section 841 of Title 21 of the United States Code. 44 Ms. Smith contends that there was insufficient evidence to submit to the jury the issue of her guilt under this count of the indictment. 45 At this time, Smith was married to Rush and was living on the property upon which a patch of marijuana was being grown. The lease for the property was in her name from January 1, 1985. She kept house for Rush and his children, some of whom were continually engaged in cultivating the marijuana plants. The crop produced substantially more than 50 kilograms of marijuana. During this time, Smith cooked meals and fed the family and gave pocket money to the younger members of the family who were engaged in growing the marijuana. The marijuana plants were within sight of the trailer in which they lived. 46 We conclude that there can be no doubt that she was in actual possession of the marijuana crop and that the crop was of sufficient quantity that a jury could properly infer that she intended to sell it. A reviewing court must draw all reasonable inferences in favor of the jury's verdict, United States v. Bell, 678 F.2d 547 (5th Cir.1982). We, therefore, conclude that there was sufficient evidence upon which the jury could find Smith guilty beyond any reasonable doubt. 2. Count 10 of the indictment charged: 47 On or about February 10, 1988, in the Northern District of Florida and elsewhere, the defendants, Thomas Lee Rush, Eunice Rebecca Smith, a/k/a Becque Smith, and Richard Raymond Williams knowingly and intentionally did possess with intent to distribute marijuana, a controlled substance, in violation of Section 841 of Title 21 of the United States Code. 48 Here again, Smith contends that there was insufficient evidence to permit the submission of this count to the jury. Proof concerning this count relates to a drug arrest on February 10, 1988. There was either direct evidence or evidence from which the jury could properly infer that on that day, Rush and Smith had driven to the trailer at Cowpen Lake with 108 pounds of marijuana in their car, the place where the federal agent, working under cover, had agreed to trade two kilograms of cocaine and $77,000 in cash for 108 pounds of high grade marijuana. When the undercover agents arrived, Rush and Smith were all out in the front yard with co-defendant Williams. Smith was sweeping the yard and Williams went to the gate to act as a guard and Smith disappeared. Rush and the agents went into the relatively unfurnished trailer. There, agents observed a set of scales and 108 pounds of marijuana on the kitchen table. Rush showed a large revolver, commenting that it was for their protection. At the time the deal was progressing, there was a noise in the adjoining room which Rush said was caused by his wife, Smith. The only firearm that was apparent in the kitchen area was Rush's large revolver. There was no furniture in the adjoining room in which Smith was waiting except a dresser. In addition to this evidence, it is clear that the jury could well have determined that raising and selling marijuana was the family business of Rush and his wife, Becque Smith. The government also contends that the jury could properly infer that Rush had left his handgun with Smith for his protection during the deal. 49 After the deal went down, and the parties were leaving for the purpose of picking up the cash, Rush and Williams were arrested by the agents. Smith was not arrested. 50 We conclude that on the evidence, with all inferences being resolved in favor of the verdict, there was sufficient evidence from which the jury could find Smith guilty of possession of the marijuana with intent to sell beyond a reasonable doubt.