Opinion ID: 865677
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: whether the evidence was insufficient to

Text: SUSTAIN ROACH’S CONVICTION. ¶38. Roach argues that there was insufficient evidence for establishing his constructive possession of the cocaine and hydromorphone. He argues that, while there is a presumption of possession against the owner of premises where contraband is recovered, that presumption is rebutted when there are no “additional incriminating facts” connecting the defendant to the contraband. Powell v. State, 355 So. 2d 1378, 1379 (Miss. 1978). The rule, as stated in Powell is as follows: The correct rule in this jurisdiction is that one in possession of premises upon which contraband is found is presumed to be in constructive possession of the articles, but the presumption is rebuttable. We have held that where contraband 28 is found upon premises not in the exclusive control and possession of the accused, additional incriminating facts must connect the accused with the contraband. Where the premises upon which contraband is found is not in the exclusive possession of the accused, the accused is entitled to acquittal, absent some competent evidence connecting him with the contraband. Sisk v. State, 290 So. 2d 608 (Miss. 1974). Id. at 1379. ¶39. The State cites several facts from the record establishing exclusive control and possession of the contraband by Roach. No one else was found in the house; Roach’s wife was outside the residence when the officers arrived. Investigator Spooner testified that, in addition to Petrice Roach, three other individuals were standing in the front yard, and that all of these individuals denied possession of the drugs. Roach was found “within arm’s reach” of the bag of crack cocaine found in the couch cushion, and in close proximity to the bag containing cocaine and hydromorphone discovered on the kitchen floor in front of the refrigerator. No one else was found inside the house near the couch where cocaine was found. “[T]here must be sufficient facts to warrant a finding that the defendant was aware of the presence and character of the particular [contraband] and was intentionally and consciously in possession of it.” Williams v. State, 971 So. 2d 581, 587 (Miss. 2007) (quoting Curry v. State, 249 So. 2d 414, 416 (Miss. 1971)). ¶40. Based on the record, we find that the evidence was legally sufficient to establish constructive possession of the contraband by Roach. In the end, we must consider the appropriate criteria concerning the sufficiency of the evidence. On this point, we have stated: Should the facts and inferences considered in a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence “point in favor of the defendant on any element of the offense 29 with sufficient force that reasonable [jurors] could not have found beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant was guilty,” the proper remedy is for the appellate court to reverse and render. Edwards v. State, 469 So. 2d 68, 70 (Miss. 1985) (citing May v. State, 460 So. 2d 778, 781 (Miss. 1984)); see also Dycus v. State, 875 So. 2d 140, 164 (Miss. 2004). However, if a review of the evidence reveals that it is of such quality and weight that, “having in mind the beyond a reasonable doubt burden of proof standard, reasonable fairminded [jurors] in the exercise of impartial judgment might reach different conclusions on every element of the offense,” the evidence will be deemed to have been sufficient. Edwards, 469 So. 2d at 70; see also Gibby v. State, 744 So. 2d 244, 245 (Miss. 1999). Bush v. State, 895 So. 2d 836, 843 (Miss. 2005). ¶41. From the record before us, and in applying the appropriate criteria concerning an attack on the legal sufficiency of the evidence, there was sufficient evidence before the jury to find beyond a reasonable doubt that on the day in question, Roach knowingly, willfully, unlawfully, and feloniously had in his possession cocaine in an amount greater than ten grams but less than thirty grams; and that Roach knowingly, willfully, unlawfully, and feloniously had in his possession hydromorphone in an amount greater than forty dosage units. Accordingly, this argument is without merit.