Opinion ID: 1148671
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: count ii: conspiracy with intent to distribute

Text: Thomas also challenges the sufficiency of the evidence in the conviction of conspiracy with the intent to distribute cocaine. The crime of conspiracy is complete when two or more persons combine and agree to accomplish an unlawful purpose or to accomplish a lawful purpose unlawfully, which does not have to be an overt act in pursuance thereof. Miss. Code Ann. § 97-1-1 (Supp. 1990); Clayton v. State, 582 So.2d 1019 (Miss. 1991); Taylor v. State, 536 So.2d 1326, 1328 (Miss. 1988). The agreement need not be formal or express, but may be inferred from the circumstances, particularly from declarations, acts and conduct of the alleged conspirators. Clayton 582 So.2d at 1022; Nixon v. State, 533 So.2d 1078, 1092 (Miss. 1987). The only evidence of an agreement by the occupants of the apartment to distribute cocaine were the statements Gladney heard just before he entered the apartment: the unidentified female voice saying, Pass me the pipe; the unidentified male voice saying, We've got to get this stuff sold  I need the money; and finally the unidentified male response, There's plenty more where that came from. Cocaine and other contraband  such as the crack pipe, guns, plastic baggies and $2,310 cash  were found in the apartment. Clayton 582 So.2d at 1022; McCray v. State, 486 So.2d 1247, 1251-52 (Miss. 1986); McDonald v. State, 454 So.2d 488, 491-95 (Miss. 1984). All of this does little to prove Thomas himself was engaged in a conspiracy to distribute cocaine. And, his cry of alarm at seeing Gladney would have been voiced whether he was on the premises as a guest or a joint venturer. The small packet of cocaine found on his person clearly proved possession; that much, but no more. From this evidence, only surmise exists of a criminal conspiracy. We accordingly reverse and render Thomas' conviction of conspiracy with intent to distribute cocaine. COUNT I: AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED AND REMANDED IN PART FOR PROCEEDINGS CONSISTENT WITH THIS OPINION. COUNT II: REVERSED AND RENDERED. ROY NOBLE LEE, C.J., DAN M. LEE, P.J., and PRATHER, ROBERTSON, SULLIVAN, BANKS and McRAE, JJ., concur. PITTMAN, J., dissents without written opinion.