Opinion ID: 1946015
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 12

Heading: the trial court erred in allowing a constructive possession instruction.

Text: Appellants contend that they were denied a fair trial and due process of law because the state was granted Instruction S-9. Instruction S-9 reads as follows: To constitute a possession there must be sufficient facts to warrant a finding that defendants were aware of the presence of the particular substance and was intentionally and consciously in possession of it. It need not be actual physical possession; constructive possession may be shown by establishing that the substance involved was subject to the defendants' domain or control. Mississippi has followed the general rule that where contraband is found on the premises of which the defendant is in possession and control, an inference can be drawn that the contraband is within the possession of the owner of the premises. Powell v. State, 355 So.2d 1378 (Miss. 1978); Martin v. State, 413 So.2d 730 (Miss. 1982). In Wood v. State, 322 So.2d 462 (Miss. 1975), we approved an identical instruction to S-9 where amphetamines were found in the defendant's apartment and the jury found that he was in constructive possession of the narcotic. The record in this case establishes that the appellants lived in the trailer and that it was within their dominion and control. Whether the contraband found in the appellants' trailer belonged to the appellants was a question of fact for the jury to determine. When we consider all the facts in a light most favorable to the state, together with reasonable inferences therefrom, we cannot say that this verdict was against the overwhelming weight of the evidence. We find no error in the trial court granting the state instruction S-9. We have considered the appellants' other assignments of error, and find that they are without merit. For the reasons stated, the judgment of the lower court is affirmed, in all respects except for Count IV of the indictment which we reverse and render as to both defendants. AFFIRMED. PATTERSON, C.J., WALKER and ROY NOBLE LEE, P.JJ., and HAWKINS, DAN M. LEE, PRATHER, ROBERTSON and SULLIVAN, JJ., concur.