Opinion ID: 2007185
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: insufficiency of evidence to sustain ennis' conviction of delivering controlled substances

Text: At Ennis' trial, René and Kevin Ostberg testified that Ennis supplied them with the marijuana and hashish which they ultimately sold to special agent Paul Bazzano on September 2, 9, 23, and 28, 1981. Subsequent thereto, Ennis was charged with and convicted of delivering controlled substances, hashish and marijuana, to René and Kevin Ostberg on the aforementioned dates. Ennis was not charged with delivering marijuana or hashish to special agent Buzzano. Ennis contends that the evidence introduced by the State was insufficient to sustain his convictions of delivering marijuana and hashish to René and Kevin Ostberg on the dates in question. His argument in this respect is twofold. First, he argues that René and Kevin Ostberg were accomplices of Ennis; and, second, that the evidence adduced at trial was insufficient to corroborate their testimony as accomplices. To adjudicate this issue, we must first ascertain whether or not Kevin and René Ostberg were accomplices of Ennis. The test to determine whether or not one is an accomplice of a defendant on trial is ... whether or not he could be indicted and punished for the crime for which the defendant is charged. State v. Dwyer, 172 N.W.2d 591, 596 (N.D.1969); State v. Noel, 66 N.D. 676, 680, 268 N.W. 654, 656 (1936). In the case at bar, René and Kevin Ostberg could be charged with delivering marijuana and hashish to special agent Buzzano. However, common sense dictates that they could not be charged, as Ennis was, with delivering controlled substances to René and Kevin Ostberg. Hence, Ennis' assertion fails. Ennis also contends that the evidence introduced by the State was insufficient to identify the substances delivered as marijuana or hashish. [5] The record is replete with conflicting expert-witness testimony concerning identification of the substances. The State's expert witness, Aaron Rash, Supervisor of the Crime Laboratory Division of the State Laboratories Department, testified that he performed four laboratory tests upon the samples in question: microscopic identification; Duquenois-Levine; thin layer chromatography; and infrared spectroanalysis. According to Rash, each of these tests indicated that the substances were marijuana or hashish. The defense attempted to undermine Rash's testimony by emphasizing that Rash has limited botanical training; and, therefore, he was not qualified to make a conclusive microscopic identification when numerous plants have the same characteristics as the plant Cannabis from which marijuana is derived. In addition, the defendant's expert witness, Dr. Fullerton, testified that the Duquenois-Levine test is nonspecific and inaccurate because numerous plants contain the chemical resorcinol which triggers a positive reaction in the test. Dr. Fullerton also stated that the four spectra charts used in the infrared spectroanalysis were neither internally consistent nor consistent with the reference spectra. The crux of Dr. Fullerton's testimony was that, based on the State Laboratory's analysis, it is impossible to positively identify the substances as marijuana or hashish. However, on cross-examination, Dr. Fullerton admitted that he was not stating nor could he state that the substances analyzed were not marijuana or hashish. We are reluctant to reverse the factual findings of a trial court with regard to disputed questions of fact. State v. Olmstead, 246 N.W.2d 888, 890 (N.D.1976), cert. denied, 436 U.S. 918, 98 S.Ct. 2264, 56 L.Ed.2d 759 (1978). We will not substitute our judgment for that of the trial court if the trial judge's factual determinations are supported by substantial evidence. Olmstead, supra, 246 N.W.2d at 890; State v. Champagne, 198 N.W.2d 218, 226 (N.D. 1972); State v. Larson, 61 N.W.2d 274, 275 (N.D.1953). Determining whether or not the substances in question were marijuana or hashish was the exclusive function of the trier of fact, the trial judge. The defense presented strong contradictory evidence, all of which was directed toward proving that Aaron Rash was inept and that the tests performed in the State Laboratory were both inadequate and inconclusive. Defense counsel, however, did not offer evidence of independent tests performed by an expert in which the substances were shown to not be marijuana or hashish. Where the trial court heard the experts testify, observed their demeanor, and judged their credibility, and where there is substantial competent evidence to support the court's factual determination, we conclude that the defendant failed to leave us ... with a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been committed. Olmstead, supra, 246 N.W.2d at 890. That is the situation in this case as to the existence of the controlled substance.