Opinion ID: 1487670
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: Harrison argues she received ineffective assistance of counsel when her attorney failed to make a specific motion for directed-verdict at the close of the State's case and failed to make a directed-verdict motion at the close of all the evidence. The circuit court found that even had trial counsel made effective directed-verdict motions, they would have been denied. We agree. The drugs were found under a car operated by Harrison and in which Vaughn was a passenger. Vaughn had no valid driver's license. The manufacturer-supplied jack and accompanying tools that come with the purchase of the vehicle were behind the seat on the floor and were not fully repacked after use. This court's opinion in Malone v. State, 364 Ark. 256, 261-62, 217 S.W.3d 810, 813 (2005), is controlling: The question before us is whether there was substantial evidence to show that Malone was in constructive possession of the contraband found in the trunk of the car he was driving. To prove constructive possession, the State must establish that the defendant exercised care, control, and management over the contraband. McKenzie, 362 Ark. at 263, 208 S.W.3d at 175. While we have held that constructive possession may be implied when the contraband is in the joint control of the accused and another, joint occupancy of a car, standing alone, is not sufficient to establish possession. Jones v. State, 355 Ark. 630, 634, 144 S.W.3d 254, 256 (2004); Kilpatrick v. State, 322 Ark. 728, 912 S.W.2d 917 (1995). There must be some other factor linking the accused to the contraband. Id. In other words, there must be some evidence that the accused had knowledge of the presence of the contraband in the vehicle. Jones, supra . Other factors to be considered in cases involving vehicles occupied by more than one person are: (1) whether the contraband is in plain view; (2) whether the contraband is found with the accused's personal effects; (3) whether it is found on the same side of the car seat as the accused was sitting or in near proximity to it; (4) whether the accused is the owner of the automobile, or exercises dominion and control over it; and (5) whether the accused acted suspiciously before or during the arrest. McKenzie, supra (citing Mings v. State, 318 Ark. 201, 884 S.W.2d 596 (1994)). In this case, in order to prove constructive possession, the State must show more than the fact that Malone occupied a car in which contraband was discovered. As the driver of the car, Malone exercised dominion and control over it and had keys to the trunk; the odor of marijuana in the trunk was strong, supporting an inference that anyone who opened the trunk would know that the trunk contained contraband. There was evidence supporting an inference that the male clothing found in one of the bags in the trunk was too small for Richardson and could reasonably have been found to belong to Malone. Finally, Officer Wilson testified that Malone, the driver of the car, did not know where he was going other than somewhere in Arkansas, and was nervous and shaking uncontrollably during the traffic stop, even though the stop was for a minor infraction. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the State, as we must, we find that there was sufficient evidence of Malone's knowledge of and control over the contraband to support his conviction. See Dodson [ v. State ], supra [341 Ark. 41, 14 S.W.3d 489 (2000)]. Given the facts proven in this case and the argument offered by Harrison, we cannot say that the circuit court was clearly erroneous in rejecting this claim for relief under Rule 37. All remaining issues raised by Harrison on appeal were not ruled on by the circuit court and cannot be considered on appeal. The failure to obtain a ruling on an issue at the trial court level, including a constitutional issue, precludes review on appeal, and we must decline to address such an issue. Thomas, supra . Harrison does raise other issues on appeal, including an assertion that the circuit court failed to address all the issues she believes were presented in her petition; however, in bringing an appeal, she avails herself of this court's appellate jurisdiction. This means that this court has jurisdiction to review an order or decree of a lower court. Lewellen v. Supreme Court Comm. on Prof'l Conduct, 353 Ark. 641, 110 S.W.3d 263 (2003). Under Amendment 80, this court holds general superintending control over all courts of this state; however, the remedy to compel a circuit court to act is not found under this court's appellate jurisdiction. The issue may not be addressed on appeal. Affirmed.