Opinion ID: 1740932
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: should boches have been granted a directed verdict or a circumstantial evidence instruction on the question of the charge of intent to sell, transfer or distribute marijuana?

Text: Boches asserts that the mere quantity of marijuana seized was insufficient proof of his intent to sell, transfer or distribute the contraband, absent other evidence of drug paraphernelia commonly associated with drug trafficking. Bryant v. State, 427 So.2d 131 (Miss. 1983). We cannot help but note that 348 pounds of marijuana is far more than a reasonable person would buy for personal consumption. Under the authority of Williams v. State, 445 So.2d 798 (Miss. 1984), we conclude that where intent alone is sought to be proved by circumstantial evidence, no instruction on circumstantial evidence is necessary. See also, 23A C.J.S. Criminal Law, § 1250 (1961). Proof of felonious intent is always by circumstantial evidence unless the accused confesses. Hollingsworth v. State, 392 So.2d 515, 517-18 (Miss. 1981). The question posed by this appeal is whether mere quantity alone is sufficient proof that the accused possessed the requisite intent necessary to support a conviction of intent to transfer, distribute or sell. In Bryant, supra, we held that it was not. In succeeding cases we have looked for additional incriminating evidence indicating some type of involvement in drug trade. Coyne v. State, 484 So.2d 1018, 1022 (Miss. 1986); Breckenridge v. State, 472 So.2d 373, 375 (Miss. 1985). In Keys however, we held that possession of a large quantity of a controlled substance which by size was far more than a person might reasonably hold for exclusive personal use, sufficiently established an intent to sell. We are of the opinion that the Keys reasoning is sound and that possession of 348 pounds of marijuana sufficiently establishes that Boches intended to sell, transfer or distribute the marijuana. We further hold that constructive possession of a quantity of marijuana of this size sufficient to establish intent to sell also constitutes direct evidence so that a circumstantial instruction is not required. There is no merit to this assignment of error.