Opinion ID: 2124147
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: Nature of Evidence

Text: Thompson argues that because the forensic chemist for the State was unable to ascribe either weight or size to the substances submitted to him for testing, the State failed to prove the corpus delicti of the crime. In so doing, he relies on two cases. In the first, State v. George, 228 Neb. 774, 424 N.W.2d 350 (1988), the defendant was convicted of disturbing the peace following an altercation in a bar. Several people were arrested. The only testimony offered against the defendant was that of the bartender, who said that her peace was disturbed. However, she conceded that the defendant interfered with her peace and quiet because he did not order a drink and was not a regular customer. She did not know who started the fight, but knew that the other three patrons of the bar who were also cited never threw a punch. In the trial held for the other patrons, the bartender stated that those three did not disturb her peace and quiet because they were regular customers who bought drinks. The court failed to find the corpus delicti proved beyond a reasonable doubt. In the other, State v. Rich, 222 Neb. 394, 383 N.W.2d 801 (1986), the defendant was convicted of larceny. A store owner believed she saw the defendant place a box of pudding in his pants pocket and leave the store without paying. She testified that before the defendant left the store, she saw a bulge in his pants which appeared to have the shape of a box of pudding. The store owner called the police, who confronted the defendant and searched him but did not find the box. The evidence was held insufficient to find guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. However, the statutes under which Thompson was convicted do not require a minimum amount of cocaine for conviction of a Class IV felony. A person knowingly or intentionally possessing [cocaine] shall be guilty of a Class IV felony. § 28-416(3). Indeed, we previously resolved this issue against Thompson. The cases State v. Fletcher, 221 Neb. 562, 378 N.W.2d 859 (1985); State v. Jennings, 195 Neb. 434, 238 N.W.2d 477 (1976); State v. Brown, 195 Neb. 321, 237 N.W.2d 861 (1976); and State v. McElroy, 189 Neb. 376, 202 N.W.2d 752 (1972), all stand for the proposition that unless a statute specifically provides otherwise, it matters not how much of a controlled substance one possesses; under such a circumstance, the quantity possessed is not an essential element of the crime. Thus, as there is proof that the substances on Thompson's person were cocaine, it is immaterial that it may have been infinitesimal. Brief for appellant at 6. Thus, the corpus delicti was proved.