Opinion ID: 2510597
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Issue Two Justin Miller's Statements in the Circuit Court

Text: [¶14] Miller asserts that reversible error occurred when the prosecutor elicited testimony from Justin Miller and Deputy Whitmore concerning Justin's statement in circuit court that he had obtained the methamphetamine underlying his guilty plea from Miller. Miller also faults the prosecutor for referencing Justin's circuit court statement in his opening statement and closing arguments. He claims that such amounted to the improper admission into evidence of a prior consistent statement before there was an attack on Miller's credibility, in violation of W.R.E. 801(d)(1)(B). [¶15] Because Miller did not object at trial to the evidence challenged on appeal, we apply our plain error standard of review to his claim. Plain error exists when (1) the record clearly reflects the alleged error; (2) the party claiming the error demonstrates a violation of a clear and unequivocal rule of law; and (3) the party proves that the violation adversely affected a substantial right resulting in material prejudice. Brown v. State, 2005 WY 37, ¶ 8, 109 P.3d 52, 55 (Wyo. 2005); Blakeman v. State, 2004 WY 139, ¶ 18, 100 P.3d 1229, 1234 (Wyo. 2004); Fortner v. State, 932 P.2d 1283, 1286 (Wyo. 1997). To establish material prejudice, Miller must show a reasonable possibility that he would have received a more favorable verdict in the absence of the error. Humphrey v. State, 962 P.2d 866, 870 (Wyo. 1998). [¶16] The first prong of the plain error test is met because the record clearly reflects the testimony and the prosecutor's comments alleged as error. After careful review of the record, we seriously doubt that the second prong of the plain error test is met. However, we need not determine if the tenets of W.R.E. 801(d)(1)(B) were transgressed because we find that Miller has failed to establish material prejudice. [¶17] At trial, Justin testified that Miller supplied him with methamphetamine and provided details about the deliveries with which Miller was charged. Justin's claim that Miller had supplied him with methamphetamine was corroborated by Deputy Whitmore. According to Deputy Whitmore, Justin stated during an interview that he had obtained the drug from Miller on multiple occasions. Additionally, the State's evidence detailed the drug-related items recovered during a search of Miller's residence, most of which were found in Miller's bedroom. Those items included packets of methamphetamine, packaging materials, a heat-sealing device, a scale and a mortar, both of which contained methamphetamine residue. The State presented the jury with ample evidence from which it could convict Miller of delivery of methamphetamine on the dates charged. We do not think under the facts of this case that the challenged testimony had a substantial impact on the verdict of the jury. [¶18] Nor do we believe that the prosecutor's comments at issue on appeal had any effect on the jury's determination of Miller's guilt. The challenged comments were not extensive. The district court instructed the jury that the prosecutor's statements were not evidence to be considered in evaluating Miller's guilt or innocence on the charged offenses. We presume the jury followed the court's instruction. Brown, ¶ 24, 109 P.3d at 58. [¶19] A careful review of the record leads us to conclude that no reasonable possibility exists that the jury's verdict would have been different in the absence of the challenged testimony and the prosecutor's comments. Because plain error has not been established, we reject Miller's complaint on this issue.