Opinion ID: 2100441
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Whether There Was Sufficient Evidence to Find Defendant Participated in a Conspiracy to Manufacture Methamphetamine.

Text: A. Arguments. Defendant argues the evidence does not establish that he entered into any agreement, plan, or conspiracy to manufacture methamphetamine. Defendant maintains there is no direct evidence that he participated in a conspiracy. Defendant points out that at the trial, Bruce Fuller testified he acted alone in manufacturing the methamphetamine. Additionally, defendant points out no other witnesses testified that defendant took part in securing, delivering, or processing the chemicals used for manufacturing the methamphetamine. Defendant further argues the circumstantial evidence only shows his presence and knowledge as to the manufacturing of the methamphetamine. B. Analysis. Iowa Code section 706.1 provides: A person commits conspiracy with another if, with the intent to promote or facilitate the commission of a crime which is an aggravated misdemeanor or felony, the person does either of the following: a. Agrees with another that they or one or more of them will engage in conduct constituting the crime or an attempt or solicitation to commit the crime. b. Agrees to aid another in the planning or commission of the crime or of an attempt or solicitation to commit the crime. In order to find defendant conspired to manufacture methamphetamine, the State was required to show: (1) the defendant agreed with one or more persons that one or both of them would manufacture or attempt to manufacture methamphetamine, (2) the defendant entered into such an agreement with the intent to promote or facilitate the manufacture of methamphetamine, (3) one of the parties to the agreement committed an overt act to accomplish the manufacturing of methamphetamine, and (4) the alleged coconspirator(s) was not a law enforcement agent or assisting law enforcement when the conspiracy began. State v. Speicher, 625 N.W.2d 738, 741 (Iowa 2001); see also Iowa Code § 706.1(1)-(4). An agreement to form a conspiracy may be described as a concert of free wills, union of the minds of at least two persons, and a mental confederation involving at least two persons. Speicher, 625 N.W.2d at 741-42 (citing State v. Boyer, 342 N.W.2d 497, 499 (Iowa 1984)). The agreement may be proven through circumstantial evidence and inferences drawn from that evidence. State v. Casady, 597 N.W.2d 801, 804-05 (Iowa 1999). Furthermore, [a]n agreement that, because of its purpose or the means contemplated, amounts to a conspiracy need not be formal or express, but may be a tacit understanding; the agreement may be inherent in and inferred from the circumstances, especially declarations, acts, and conduct of the alleged conspirators. Id. at 805 (quoting State v. Mapp, 585 N.W.2d 746, 748 (Iowa 1998)). However, circumstantial evidence that proves mere presence at the scene of the crime or association with those involved in the crime is not sufficient to show an agreement. Speicher, 625 N.W.2d at 742-43. Guided by the foregoing principles, we are convinced that the following circumstances, as shown by the evidence, are sufficient to support a jury's finding that defendant conspired to manufacture methamphetamine: (1) defendant knew methamphetamine was being manufactured in his apartment, (2) he was present when the manufacturing process occurred, (3) he had knowledge of the presence of acid and anhydrous ammonia in his apartment, (4) he admitted to police officers that his addiction had driven him to allow the methamphetamine to be manufactured in his apartment, (5) when Bruce Fuller entered defendant's apartment and asked Does anybody want to get high?, defendant followed him into the bedroom where the manufacturing commenced with the intention of getting high, and (6) defendant's apartment was littered with the necessary ingredients and utensils for manufacturing methamphetamine. [3] Defendant's challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence is rejected.