Court Opinion

ID: 9709562
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 03:51:07.908501+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:22:50.129525
License: Public Domain

CONOVER, Judge.
Plaintiff-Appellant the State of Indiana (State) appeals the acquittal of Defendant-Appellant Neis Eric Vorm (Vorm).
We affirm.
The sole issue the State presents for our review is whether the presence of cocaine metabolites in a defendant’s urine constitutes sufficient evidence to support a conviction for possession of cocaine.
In April, 1990, Vorm was charged with possession of cocaine after testing positive in a random urine sample taken under the supervision of Daniel Cory, his Work Release Supervisor. The State presented the affirmative test results showing the presence of cocaine metabolites in Vorm’s urine. After presentation of the State’s case in chief, Vorm made a motion for judgment on the evidence alleging the State failed to prove he knowingly *110and intentionally possessed cocaine. The trial court granted Yorm’s motion, finding the evidence insufficient to establish a pri-ma facie case for submission to the jury. Vorm was then acquitted. The State now seeks appellate review on a reserved question of law pursuant to IND.CODE 35-38-4-2(4).1
The State contends the trial court erred in finding the evidence insufficient. The State maintains the presence of metabolized cocaine yields the reasonable inference Vorm possessed cocaine voluntarily and knowingly. The State further contends possession of a controlled substance may be shown by circumstantial evidence of exclusive control of a premises wherein controlled substances are found, thus Vorm’s exclusive control over his body and the items ingested supports the inference he knowingly and intentionally possessed and ingested cocaine. The State further posits “[fft is even more reasonable for a jury to conclude a defendant is aware of a controlled substance he is carrying within his own body.” (Appellant’s brief, p. 9). Thus, the State contends the trial court erroneously granted judgment on the evidence. We disagree.
A judgment on the evidence is proper in a criminal proceeding only where there is a total absence of some essential element or where the evidence is without conflict and susceptible only to an inference in favor of the defendant. State v. Goodrich (1987), Ind., 504 N.E.2d 1023, 1024. In order to avoid a directed verdict during a trial by jury, the State need only present a prima facie case against the defendant. Pinkston v. State (1982), Ind., 436 N.E.2d 306, 309. If the evidence is sufficient to support a guilty verdict, it is proper for the trial court to deny a defendant’s motion for directed verdict. Harris v. State (1981), Ind.App., 416 N.E.2d 902, 905.
IC 35-48-4-6(a), the statute under which Vorm was charged, defines possession of cocaine as follows:
A person who, without a valid prescription or order of a practitioner acting in the course of his professional practice, knowingly or intentionally possesses cocaine (pure or adulterated) or a narcotic drug (pure or adulterated) classified in schedule I or II commits possession of cocaine or a narcotic drug, a class D felony ...
Although we have not previously addressed the precise question at hand, whether the presence of cocaine metabolites in urine is prima facie evidence of possession of cocaine, our Third District, J. Garrard, stated in Smith v. State (1974), 161 Ind.App. 636, 316 N.E.2d 841, 842, reh. denied:
Also, although we find no Indiana decisions specifically on point, it has been held that evidence showing a person has a prohibited drug within his system is circumstantial evidence tending to show he was in possession of the drug prior to taking it. (Citation omitted).
Thus, the presence of metabolites in urine may be viewed as circumstantial evidence of possession of cocaine. However, our review centers on whether this circumstantial evidence, alone, constitutes prima facie evidence of possession of cocaine. We reject both the State’s contention the mere presence is prima facie evidence of prior possession and its contention presence in a person’s bodily systems amounts to a knowledgeable possession of the substance.
In reaching this decision, we find case law from other jurisdictions instructive. Other jurisdictions have concluded the mere presence of a controlled substance in a blood or urine specimen is circumstantial evidence of prior possession. However, this evidence is not enough, without additional corroborating evidence, to prove pri- or possession beyond a reasonable doubt. See State v. Lewis (1986), Minn.App., 394 *111N.W.2d 212, 217, rev. denied (Evidence of controlled substance in urine specimen does not establish possession nor is it sufficient circumstantial evidence to prove prior possession beyond a reasonable doubt absent probative corroborating evidence of actual physical possession.); State v. Flinchpaugh (1983), 232 Kan. 831, 659 P.2d 208, 212 (Presence of drug in a person’s blood is circumstantial evidence of prior possession of the drug but is insufficient to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Absence of proof of knowledgeable possession of the drug is the key.); Franklin v. State (1969), 8 Md.App. 134, 258 A.2d 767, 769 (Affirmed conviction based on incriminating statements made to a hospital physician as well as medical findings the defendant did have an overdose of heroin. The court found evidence a person has a prohibited narcotic drug in his system, while not per se constituting possession or control, is circumstantial evidence he was in possession and/or control of the drug prior to taking it.); State v. Yanez (1976), App., 89 N.M. 397, 553 P.2d 252, 253 (Court affirmed conviction of possession of morphine finding presence of morphine in urine, as an item of circumstantial evidence, together with other evidence, was substantial evidence of possession.).
Furthermore, in concluding presence in a person’s system does not amount to possession of a controlled substance, the Lewis court reasoned:
... The usual and ordinary meaning of the term “possession” does not include substances injected into the body and assimilated into the system. _ After a controlled substance is within a person’s system the power to exercise dominion and control necessary to establish possession no longer exists_ (Footnote omitted).
Lewis, supra, at 217. We agree with this reasoning.
We find the mere presence of cocaine metabolites in a blood or urine sample, without additional evidence, does not constitute prima facie evidence of knowing and voluntary possession of cocaine. The absence of evidence showing Vorm knowingly or intentionally possessed cocaine mandated Vorm’s acquittal.
Affirmed.
CHEZEM, J., concurs in result.
SULLIVAN, J., concurs with separate opinion.

. When a defendant has been acquitted and the State appeals a reserved question of law, only questions of law are considered by this Court. Though these questions are sometimes moot, our courts frequently permit such appeals as a way of furnishing guidance to trial courts in future cases. State v. Goodrich (1987), Ind., 504 N.E.2d 1023, 1024.