Opinion ID: 2053567
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Background Facts and Proceedings Concerning Criminal Convictions.

Text: The State charged Arne with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance within a drug-free zone based upon Arne's alleged participation in two controlled drug buys involving Scott McVicker. McVicker worked for the Eagle Grove police department, making drug buys for the police. McVicker testified that on December 2, 1995, he spoke with Arne by phone and arranged to purchase drugs from him. McVicker claimed he made the arrangements at Jake Asvig and Jason Hill's apartment, allegedly with their knowledge. McVicker called Officer Scott Richman after setting up the buy. Officer Richman gave McVicker pre-serialized money with which to make the purchase. McVicker testified that Arne came to his home and sold him a half gram of methamphetamine for $55. A few hours later, pursuant to their agreement, Arne returned and sold McVicker another gram for $125. Upon completion of this buy, McVicker called Officer Richman, who met with McVicker to recover the drugs and remaining serialized money. Arne was arrested and charged with two delivery offenses. His trial counsel filed a notice of alibi witnesses, which the State resisted on the basis that the notice was untimely filed. The trial court sustained the resistance and precluded the testimony of the alibi witnesses. At trial, McVicker testified that he was paid approximately $100 by the police for the buys from Arne. McVicker acknowledged that he had received about $3500 from the police for cooperating in drug buys. He denied ever using drugs himself. Officer Richman testified that he searched McVicker prior to and after the controlled buys. He also testified that he did not take fingerprints from the package containing the drugs, did not recover the serialized money paid to Arne, did not tape record the buy, and did not witness the buy. Arne denied that he sold any drugs to McVicker. Jon Boyd, a former friend of McVicker, testified that McVicker admitted to falsely accusing another man of selling drugs so McVicker would be paid by the police. Boyd also stated that McVicker used methamphetamine. On the other hand, Boyd admitted that McVicker had implicated him in a burglary. Both Asvig and Hill, from whose apartment McVicker allegedly made arrangements for the buy from Arne, testified they did not remember any such occurrence. They did acknowledge, however, that McVicker may have been present on the date of the drug buys. The jury returned guilty verdicts on both counts and the court imposed sentence. Arne appeals, claiming his convictions are not supported by substantial evidence. He also argues that he was denied the effective assistance of counsel because his trial counsel failed to timely file a notice of alibi witnesses, and failed to object to a police officer's opinion testimony concerning McVicker's credibility and trustworthiness.