Opinion ID: 853814
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: How Does the Case Law Fit Henderson?

Text: From this abundance of case law that involves constructive possession in a vehicle in which other people are present or have been present, we derive a few general conclusions applicable to today's task. While mere presence in a vehicle with multiple riders and multiple weapons is not sufficient, a driver who has a gun at his feet in plain view may be convicted of carrying the gun. Klopfenstein, 439 N.E.2d at 1184. For reasons that seem easier to grasp, a driver who had access to and control of the car for several days may be deemed to carry the weapons in the car, even though the car had earlier been used by a friend. Woods, 471 N.E.2d 691. When a car has multiple passengers, each with a gun at his feet, and no one has a license for any of them, a jury can find them all guilty of carrying. Hoffman, 520 N.E.2d 436. Just a step away analytically, when a car has multiple passengers, a gun near a backseat passenger and no permit, the jury can infer possession by that passenger, especially when the testimony indicates that the passenger tried to hide the weapon. Person, 661 N.E.2d 587. A passenger in the front seat, without more, is not deemed to possess a gun located on the floor behind the driver. Cole, 588 N.E.2d 1316. And a passenger is not deemed to carry a gun located in the trunk. Walker, 631 N.E.2d 1.