Opinion ID: 1793265
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: On July 24, 2001, an unidentified caller reported to the Russellville Police Department that two Caucasian males had robbed a boy and fired a weapon at him in the vicinity of Cave Springs Road in Logan County, Kentucky. Law enforcement units from the Kentucky State Police, the Logan County Sheriff's Office, and the Auburn Police Department began searching for the two men. While driving down Gasper River Road, some of the officers passed Appellant's residence and noticed a number of people standing in the yard, all of whom, upon observing the marked police vehicles, immediately ran into the woods behind the residence. While giving chase, the officers noticed two marijuana plants growing in Appellant's back yard and the scent of ammonia emanating from an open window in the residence. Unable to obtain a response to knocks on the door of the residence, the officers sought and obtained a search warrant for the residence and surrounding property. While the officers were awaiting arrival of the search warrant, Appellant emerged from the residence claiming to have been asleep. The officers ordered him to remain outside until after the warrant was executed. One of the persons who had run into the woods, David Harrison, was apprehended but not charged. Six others, C.J. Anderson, Johnnie Finn, Kandi Finn, Andrea Freeman, Jody Cherry, and Matthew Jones, voluntarily returned to the residence and were subsequently arrested. At trial, the Commonwealth played, without objection, [1] a videotape produced by the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) which described and demonstrated how methamphetamine is illegally manufactured by the ephedrine reduction method, sometimes referred to as the Nazi method because the Nazis used the method to manufacture methamphetamine for distribution to Wehrmacht soldiers during World War II. That is the method of manufacturing methamphetamine Appellant allegedly employed. Thus, the videotaped description of that method explains the significance of what was discovered during the search of Appellant's residence and property. According to the videotape's narrator, the primary precursors of methamphetamine are ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, anhydrous ammonia, and sodium metal or lithium. Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are active ingredients in common antihistamine tablets. To separate the ephedrine or pseudoephedrine from the corn starch and cellulose, binding agents used to hold the active ingredients together in tablet form, the tablets are first ground into powder and soaked in denatured alcohol or methanol. The ephedrine or pseudoephedrine dissolves in the alcohol, leaving the binding agents as a kind of sludge, or pill dough, that sinks to the bottom of the container. The alcohol mixture is then funneled through coffee filters into a heat-resistant glass bowl, usually Corningware or Pyrex. The pill dough remains in the coffee filters and is discarded. The glass bowl is then heated until the alcohol evaporates, leaving a pure ephedrine or pseudoephedrine powder. Sodium metal or lithium strips are then mixed into the powder. A wooden or plastic spoon is usually used for mixing because a metal utensil might cause an undesired chemical reaction. Anhydrous ammonia is then funneled into the mixture from, typically, a propane tank through a plastic tube or rubber hose. Application of the anhydrous ammonia to the mixture causes a chemical reaction that converts the ephedrine or pseudoephedrine into base methamphetamine. After the anhydrous ammonia evaporates, water is added to the mixture which reacts with the residual lithium and converts it into sodium hydroxide (lye). Ether is then added to dissolve the base methamphetamine and separate it from the sodium hydroxide. The methamphetamine/ether mixture is then funneled through coffee filters into another glass container, leaving the sodium hydroxide (and some methamphetamine residue) in the filters. The jar containing the methamphetamine/ether mixture is then connected by plastic tubing to a homemade hydrogen chloride gas generator, usually a plastic gasoline container or a container of the type in which ketchup or dishwashing liquid is commercially sold. Sulfuric acid and common salt are mixed in the generator to create hydrogen chloride gas that passes through the tubing into the glass container and causes the methamphetamine to separate from the ether into a powdery form that sinks to the bottom of the container. The liquid ether is then drained off through coffee filters to leave the finished product of methamphetamine. These coffee filters, like the ones used to drain off the sodium hydroxide, will also contain some methamphetamine residue. There was evidence at trial that additional methamphetamine can be obtained by placing the coffee filters containing methamphetamine residue in a glass container and cooking them with hydrogen chloride gas from the generator. Based on the videotape and other evidence introduced at trial, the following chemicals would normally be required to manufacture methamphetamine by the Nazi method: (1) ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, found in common antihistamine tablets; (2) anhydrous ammonia, commonly used in agriculture as a fertilizer and obtained (usually stolen) from farms or farm supply stores where it is kept outside in pressurized tanks; (3) sodium metal or, more commonly, lithium, which can be removed from commercially sold lithium batteries; (4) denatured alcohol, commonly found in commercial products such as Coleman Fuel, or methanol, commonly found in automobile anti-freeze products; (5) ether, commonly found in automobile starting fluid products; (6) sulfuric acid, commonly found in commercial drain-cleaning products; and (7) common salt. The required equipment includes: (1) mixing bowls, including at least one heat-resistant bowl; (2) a device to crush the antihistamine tablets into powder form (the videotaped demonstration used a blender but, presumably, a hammer would suffice); (3) a stirring device, e.g., a wooden or plastic spoon (though the videotape did not rule out the use of other similar devices); (4) glass jars, usually Mason jars; (5) plastic funnels; (6) plastic tubing or rubber hose; (7) filters, usually coffee filters; (8) a storage container for anhydrous ammonia (usually a modified propane tank); (9) if lithium is used instead of the more volatile sodium metal, vise grips or pliers or some similar device to pry open the lithium batteries; and (10) a plastic or glass container for use as a hydrogen chloride generator. The July 24, 2001, search of Appellant's property was conducted by four Kentucky State Police officers. Outside Appellant's residence they found (1) the two marijuana plants; (2) two plastic containers containing pill dough; a burn pile containing (3) several empty punctured Prestone starting fluid cans (the ether is removed by puncturing the bottom of the can), (4) several empty Coleman Fuel cans; (5) two boxes filled with used coffee filters; (6) a glass container containing used coffee filters and three layers of liquid attached by plastic tubing to a sealed ketchup bottle which was cooking the liquid in the glass container, i.e., gas was then passing from the ketchup bottle through the plastic tubing into the glass container causing the liquid contents of the container to bubble; and (7) an altered propane tank fitted with a copper valve that had turned a bluish-green color (often caused by a chemical reaction with anhydrous ammonia) and containing a small amount of liquid that field-tested positive for anhydrous ammonia. After field-testing the contents of the propane tank, the officers disabled the tank from future use by puncturing it with bullet holes. The officers concluded that the ketchup bottle attached to the bubbling glass jar was a hydrogen chloride generator that was cooking the coffee filters in the jar in order to extract the methamphetamine residue remaining from an earlier filtering process. The three layers in the bubbling jar consisted of a powdery substance at the bottom, a salty liquid substance in the middle, and a clear substance at the top. The contents of all three layers subsequently tested positive for methamphetamine. Inside the residence, the officers found (1) a bottle of denatured alcohol on the bar in the living room and (2) an aluminum foil boat, a device commonly used in smoking methamphetamine, in the bedroom. The boat contained burn marks (the methamphetamine is placed on the boat, which is then heated so that the fumes can be inhaled). In the kitchen, the officers found (3) two funnels and (4) a Mason jar, as well as cans of (5) Liquid Fire and (6) Coleman Fuel, and (7) a glass jar in the refrigerator containing ether. They also found what they believed to be (8) a bowl of liquid anhydrous ammonia in the deep freeze. The odor emanating from this bowl was the odor that had first attracted their attention and prompted them to obtain the search warrant. The officers diluted the substance in the bowl and poured it onto the ground without testing it. Following the search, Appellant was arrested and charged with manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of anhydrous ammonia in an unapproved container with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of marijuana. He posted bond and was released. Comparing the chemicals and equipment described on the DEA videotape as being required for the manufacture of methamphetamine with the chemicals and equipment found during the search on July 24, 2001, we conclude that there was insufficient evidence to convict Appellant of manufacturing methamphetamine under KRS 218A. 1432(1)(b) (possessing the chemicals or equipment) because he did not possess all of the chemicals or all of the equipment needed for the manufacture of methamphetamine. Kotila v. Commonwealth, Ky., 114 S.W.3d 226, 237 (2003). Even assuming that the presence of pill dough was circumstantial evidence that he had possessed ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, see Varble v. Commonwealth, Ky., 125 S.W.3d 246, 254 (2004) (possession of empty Sudafed blister packs and empty propane tanks from which anhydrous ammonia odor emanated was circumstantial evidence of the possession of pseudoephedrine and anhydrous ammonia in the recent past), the search team did not find any sodium metal or lithium, chemicals necessary for the manufacture of methamphetamine. They also did not find any mixing bowls, a stirring device, such as a wooden or plastic spoon, or any pliers, vise grips, or similar device necessary to extract lithium from lithium batteries, equipment necessary for the manufacture of methamphetamine. However, the evidence was sufficient to support a conviction under KRS 218A. 1432(1)(a) (actual manufacture). KRS 218A. 1431(1) defines manufacture as the production, preparation, propagation, compounding, conversion, or processing of methamphetamine.... The operation of the homemade generator that was separating the methamphetamine residue from the used coffee filters satisfied the processing aspect of this definition. The evidence was also sufficient to support a conviction of possessing anhydrous ammonia in an unapproved container with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine. Although the liquid anhydrous ammonia found in the freezer was not tested, the contents of the propane tank field-tested positive for anhydrous ammonia and Detective Scotty Ward testified that the charge of possessing anhydrous ammonia in an unapproved container was based on the anhydrous ammonia found in the propane tank, not the contents of the bowl found in the freezer. The trial judge ruled as a matter of law that a propane tank is not an approved container for anhydrous ammonia and that ruling is not challenged on appeal. The fact that a manufacturing process was ongoing at the time of the search and that numerous other chemicals and items of equipment used in the manufacture of methamphetamine were found nearby, created a reasonable inference that Appellant intended to use the anhydrous ammonia to manufacture methamphetamine. Anastasi v. Commonwealth, Ky., 754 S.W.2d 860, 862 (1988) (intent can be inferred from conduct and surrounding circumstances). The evidence was sufficient to support Appellant's conviction of the offense. Commonwealth v. Benham, Ky., 816 S.W.2d 186, 187 (1991).
On August 1, 2001, Jody Cherry, one of the persons arrested on Appellant's property on July 24, 2001, signed a criminal complaint accusing Appellant of twice threatening to kill him. On August 3, 2001, Captain Wallace Whitaker and Deputy Steve Stratton of the Logan County Sheriff's Office proceeded to Appellant's residence to serve him with arrest warrants for terroristic threatening. Upon their arrival, they saw the same altered propane tank that the state police officers had disabled on July 24, 2001. They also detected a strong odor that Stratton believed was ammonia or ether. Based on the presence of this odor and the altered propane tank, the officers obtained a warrant to search Appellant's residence and property. During the search inside the residence, the officers discovered (1) two plastic containers with powder in the bottom that were still smoking, and two empty plastic liquid dishwasher bottles that had been fitted with tubing and that were still emanating gas. Stratton opined that these items had recently been used as homemade generators to separate methamphetamine from ether during the last stage of the manufacturing process. They also found (2) a rubber hose; (3) salt; and (4) a glass jar containing fluid that later tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine; as well as (5) rolling papers; (6) a piece of burnt aluminum foil; (7) a Berez torch that could be used to heat the foil for smoking methamphetamine or to cook the denatured alcohol off of the powdered ephedrine or pseudoephedrine; and (8) pipes and syringes with burn residue. In addition, they found (9) a glass jar containing a liquid substance that was emanating an odor that Stratton identified as the odor of anhydrous ammonia, as opposed to, e.g., diluted (aqueous) household ammonia. He also testified that anhydrous ammonia is a hazardous material and that law enforcement procedures in place at that time prohibited its storage or transport to a laboratory. Because the sheriff's office did not possess equipment to field-test the substance, Stratton diluted it with water and poured it onto the ground. Outside the residence, the officers located a burn pile containing (1) punctured Prestone starting fluid cans and (2) rubber hose. Under the hood of a junked car, they located (3) a bag full of lithium strips. Based on these findings, they charged Appellant with manufacturing methamphetamine, possession of anhydrous ammonia in an unapproved container with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, and possession of drug paraphernalia. The items recovered during the August 3, 2001, search were insufficient to support a conviction of manufacturing methamphetamine under KRS 218A. 1432(1)(b) (possessing the chemicals or equipment). The officers did not find any evidence of the presence of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine, or denatured alcohol (assuming that the empty Prestone starting fluid cans were circumstantial evidence of the recent presence of ether and the remains of the homemade generator was circumstantial evidence of the recent presence of sulfuric acid). Varble, 125 S.W.3d at 254. Thus, Appellant did not possess all of the chemicals necessary to manufacture methamphetamine. Kotila, 114 S.W.3d at 237. Nor was he in possession of all of the equipment necessary to manufacture methamphetamine. Id. Specifically, the officers did not find a blender (or even a hammer), a mixing bowl, a heat-resistant bowl, a funnel, a wooden or plastic spoon, or a pair of pliers or vise grips. However, the evidence was sufficient to support a conviction under KRS 218A. 1432(1)(a) (actual manufacture). In addition to finding a glass jar containing liquid that tested positive for methamphetamine, indicating that methamphetamine had, indeed, been recently manufactured, the officers found glass containers and plastic dishwashing liquid bottles that were still smoking, indicating that the manufacturing process had been taking place almost immediately before the officers entered the residence. The evidence was also sufficient to support Appellant's conviction of possession of anhydrous ammonia in an unapproved container with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine. KRS 250.482(3) applies the proscription in KRS 250.489(1) to anhydrous ammonia in either its compressed or liquefied form but not to aqueous ammonia. Stratton testified that, based on his training and experience, the odor emanating from the liquid in the glass jar found in Appellant's residence was that of anhydrous ammonia, not diluted (aqueous) household ammonia. A nonexpert witness may express an opinion which is rationally based on the perception of the witness and helpful to a determination of a fact in issue. KRE 701. A corollary to this rule is the concept known as the collective facts rule, which permits a lay witness to resort to a conclusion or an opinion to describe an observed phenomenon where there exists no other feasible alternative by which to communicate that observation to the trier of fact. Clifford v. Commonwealth, Ky., 7 S.W.3d 371, 374 (1999). In King v. Ohio Valley Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 212 Ky. 770, 280 S.W. 127 (1926), a witness was allowed to testify that he detected the odor of gasoline at the scene of a fire. Our predecessor court held: The plaintiff contends that those things were conclusions of the witness, and that he should merely have described the odor, and should not have given his conclusion that he could smell gasoline. Technically, perhaps, that should have been done, but the average man would have great difficulty in telling just how coal oil or gasoline smells, though acquainted with their odors, and perhaps the best description the witness could give was to say he knew their odors, and he could smell coal oil, or he could smell gasoline. Id., 280 S.W. at 130. These same principles apply to Stratton's testimony in this case. On a motion for directed verdict, the court must draw all fair and reasonable inferences in favor of the Commonwealth, as questions of credibility and weight of the evidence are matters for the jury. Benham, 816 S.W.2d at 187. A reasonable jury could have believed from Stratton's testimony that the substance in the glass jar found in Appellant's residence on August 3, 2001, was anhydrous ammonia. United States v. Morrison, 207 F.3d 962, 966 (7th Cir.2000) (odor of anhydrous ammonia in residence was sufficient circumstantial evidence that defendant possessed anhydrous ammonia; The evidence of anhydrous ammonia is especially probative because its scent is easily recognizable ... and out of place in a residence.); cf. Varble, 125 S.W.3d at 254 (odor of anhydrous ammonia emanating from two air tanks and evidence that discoloration of brass fittings was likely caused by anhydrous ammonia was circumstantial evidence that the tanks had contained anhydrous ammonia in the recent past). The trial judge ruled as a matter of law that a glass jar is not an approved container for anhydrous ammonia. And, as with the anhydrous ammonia found during the July 24th search, the presence of numerous other chemicals and items of equipment used to manufacture methamphetamine permitted an inference that Appellant possessed the anhydrous ammonia with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine. With respect to the fact that the contents of the glass jar were destroyed without testing, the trial judge gave the jury a missing evidence instruction that permitted the jury to infer that if the evidence were available, it would be favorable to Appellant's case. Collins v. Commonwealth, Ky., 951 S.W.2d 569, 573 (1997).