Court Opinion

ID: 4076731
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-09-30 18:21:52.73127+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:11:25.478151
License: Public Domain

AFFIRMED; Opinion Filed August 11, 2015.

                                                             In The
                                        Court of Appeals
                                 Fifth District of Texas at Dallas
                                                   No. 05-14-00833-CR
                                                   No. 05-14-00834–CR

                                      MALCOLM MCCLENON, Appellant
                                                   V.
                                       THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

                             On Appeal from the 363rd Judicial District Court
                                          Dallas County, Texas
                           Trial Court Cause Nos. F12-54585-W & F12-54586-W

                                       MEMORANDUM OPINION
                                    Before Justices Fillmore, Myers, and Evans
                                            Opinion by Justice Myers
          Appellant Malcolm McClendon was indicted for intentionally and knowingly possessing

marijuana in an amount of fifty pounds or less but more than five pounds.1 The State alleged

appellant used or exhibited a deadly weapon in the commission of the offense. Appellant also

was indicted for the unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.2 Appellant pleaded not guilty to

the charges and pleaded not true to the deadly weapon allegation. The jury found appellant

guilty as charged, made an affirmative deadly weapon finding, and assessed punishment at

fifteen years’ imprisonment in the marijuana case and ten years in the firearm case. The trial

court ordered the sentences to be served concurrently. In three issues, appellant argues the

   1
       Cause number 05-14-00833-CR; trial court cause number F12-54585-W.
   2
       Cause number 05-14-00834-CR; trial court cause number F12-54586-W.
evidence is insufficient to support the convictions for possession of marijuana and possession of

a firearm by a felon, and that he used or exhibited a deadly weapon during the commission of the

possession of marijuana offense. We affirm.

                                           DISCUSSION

       Possession of Marijuana

       In his first issue, appellant contends the evidence is insufficient to support the conviction

in 05–14–00833–CR for possession of marijuana in the amount of fifty pounds or less but more

than five pounds. He argues that he was not in close proximity to the drugs, nor is there

evidence the drugs were found in plain view while appellant was in the home, and that he did not

have exclusive custody and control of the house where the drugs were found. Appellant also

argues the other factors do not link him to the contraband.

       In reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, we view all the evidence in the light most

favorable to the verdict and determine whether any rational trier of fact could have found the

essential elements of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307,

313 (1979); Brooks v. State, 323 S.W.3d 893, 899 (Tex. Crim. App. 2010). We assume the fact

finder resolved conflicts in testimony, weighed the evidence, and drew reasonable inferences in a

manner that supports the verdict. Clayton v. State, 235 S.W.3d 772, 778 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007).

We also defer to the trier of fact’s determination of witness credibility and the weight to be given

their testimony. Brooks, 323 S.W.3d at 899.

       To establish unlawful possession of a controlled substance, the State must prove that

appellant exercised control, management, or care of the substance, and that he knew the matter

possessed was contraband. See Poindexter v. State, 153 S.W.3d 402, 405 (Tex. Crim. App.

2005). The evidence may be either direct or circumstantial, but must show appellant’s

connection to the drugs was more than just fortuitous. See Evans v. State, 202 S.W.3d 158, 161–

                                                –2–
62 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006). Although appellant’s mere presence where drugs are found, without

more, is insufficient to establish possession, appellant’s proximity to the drugs combined with

other evidence can prove possession beyond a reasonable doubt. See id. at 162.

       A nonexclusive list of factors that can be sufficient either singly or in combination, to

establish possession of contraband include: (1) presence when search is conducted; (2) whether

the contraband is in plain view; (3) proximity to and the accessibility of the contraband, (4) the

accused being under the influence of narcotics when arrested; (5) possession of other contraband

or narcotics when arrested; (6) incriminating statements made by the accused when arrested; (7)

an attempt to flee; (8) furtive gestures; (9) an odor of contraband; (10) the presence of other

contraband or drug paraphernalia; (11) whether the accused owned or had the right to possess the

place where the drugs were found; (12) whether the place where the drugs were found was

enclosed; (13) possession of a large amount of cash; (14) conduct indicating a consciousness of

guilt; (15) the quantity of the contraband; and (16) whether the accused was the driver of the

automobile in which the contraband was found. See Evans, 202 S.W.3d at 162 n.12; McQuarters

v. State, 58 S.W.3d 250, 259 (Tex. App.––Fort Worth 2001, pet. ref’d). The number of factors

linking a defendant to contraband is not as important as the logical force they create to support

an inference of knowing possession of contraband. Taylor v. State, 106 S.W.3d 827, 831 (Tex.

App.––Dallas 2003, no pet.).

       The evidence in this case shows that at around 11:30 a.m. on April 17, 2012, Dallas

Police Officer Daniel Foster and several other officers conducted a “knock-and-talk”

investigation at a duplex house located at 310 Cumberland Street, Dallas, Texas. The officers

were part of a narcotics team and their investigation was in response to a “drug complaint” the

department had received. After Officer Foster knocked on the door, appellant opened the door

“fairly quickly,” exited, and closed it behind him. He was talking on a cell phone. The officers

                                               –3–
could smell the odor of marijuana coming from inside the house. In response to Officer Foster’s

questions, appellant said he lived at the location. After appellant stepped outside and shut the

door, another officer told Officer Foster he had seen someone run up and lock the door behind

appellant. That officer, Chris Wagner, testified that he had looked through the window into the

living room after appellant stepped outside and saw a man wearing a white t-shirt run to the front

door and lock it, grab a small bag from the floor area, and then run to the rear of the residence.

The bag was later recovered during the search and marijuana was found inside.

       When Detective Foster asked appellant whether there were any other people living in the

house, appellant admitted there were other people in the house. Appellant knocked on the front

door––he discovered it had been locked behind him––and two other people came out onto the

porch area. Appellant told Officer Foster he had been renting the house, living there for the last

two or two and a half weeks, and that he was working on the house for the “manager,” who lived

next door. Appellant told the officers the other two individuals, Dominique Sharper and Michael

Kelly, were just visiting him. Appellant admitted they had been smoking marijuana but denied

there were any other drugs in the house.

       Officer Foster asked appellant for consent to search the house. Appellant replied that he

would prefer they ask the “manager” for consent to search because he owned the property;

appellant was just renting the apartment from him. Another officer knocked on the door but they

were unable to make contact with anyone at the next door unit; it appeared to be vacant. Officer

Foster testified that after he informed appellant there was probable cause to believe there were

drugs inside the house and that the officers could obtain a search warrant, appellant consented to

letting the officers search the house.

       Upon commencing the search, the first thing officers found was ten bags of marijuana

shoved under a staircase that was under construction at the rear of the house. Officer Wagner

                                               –4–
testified that someone walking down the stairs would not see the bags of marijuana, but they

would be able to see them if they were going up the stairs. Officer Wagner also discovered a

“cutout” with a shelf in the wall of the dining room. The shelf was loose. When he picked up

the shelf, Officer Wagner found a hidden compartment containing more marijuana and a gun.

The gun was ready to fire. Officer Wagner testified that a person walking through the room

would not know the hidden compartment was there. Officer Wagner also testified that they

found a scale containing marijuana residue and a large number of empty bags that could have

been used to break the marijuana down to sell it on the street. In the living room, officers found

a container inscribed with the phrase, “A friend with weed is a friend indeed,” and a Tupperware

container with the word “kush” on it. Another officer, Rebecca Barrios, testified that she found

mail with appellant’s name on it. The mail, which was found on a coffee table, was addressed to

appellant at an address on Abrams Road, Dallas, Texas, and was dated December 1, 2011.

Officers found a Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Parole Division, “electronic monitoring

program/daily curfew schedule” that contained appellant’s printed name, TDCJ number, and the

same Abrams Road address.         The schedule stated it was valid from May 12, 2011 until

completed successfully. Officers also found a red cell phone and a black cell phone.

       A total of $975 in various denominations of currency was found during the search: 35

$20 bills (totaling $700), 15 $10 bills ($150), 15 $5 bills ($75), 40 $1 ($40), and 40 quarters

($10). Officer Barrios testified that the large number of $20 bills was consistent with someone

dealing drugs on a $20-a-gram level. Additionally, Michael Kelly, appellant’s cousin, testified

that appellant’s financial situation was precarious:

       Q. [PROSECUTOR:] Did he seem to be getting by? What was his financial
       situation?

       A. Really, there was no financial situation.

       Q. What do you mean?

                                                –5–
       A. He really didn’t have money. Didn’t have money. You know, what he had is
       what people would help him out. I never known him to have since then no more
       than 30 or $40. To him, it was like he had money.

       Q. 30 or $40 was a lot to him?

       A. Not a lot of money, but he looked at it was enough for him to get by that day
       and probably until the next day. “I got money, 30 or $40,” you know.

       I’m, “Yeah, okay. You got money.”

       Q. He was kind of one of those guys that lived day to day?

       A. Yeah.

       Officers found a total of 5.85 pounds, or 2653.56 grams, of marijuana during their search

of the home according to Lauren Woolridge, a drug chemist with the Southwestern Institute of

Forensic Sciences. Officer Wagner testified that the marijuana was a high-grade variety known

as “kush,” “hydro,” or “popcorn weed,” and that it is more expensive, stronger, and more

pungent than “regular” marijuana.       He testified that such a large amount of a high-grade

marijuana would have given off a distinct odor. Given the strong smell, he believed someone

living in the home would have been aware of the marijuana. Officer Wagner also testified that

the house was “[p]retty small.” Woolridge agreed that, at $20 a gram, the estimated value of the

marijuana found in the house would have been $53,071.20.

       Detective Timothy Falk, a narcotics detective with the Dallas Police Department, testified

that he obtained a search warrant for the two cell phones seized from the residence. He found

text messages on both phones that seemed indicative of drug transactions. On the red phone,

there were pictures of money and a gun similar to the one seized in this case. Detective Falk

testified, however, that there were no text messages or photos on either phone that could be

connected to appellant.

       The evidence showed appellant was present when the search was conducted. A portion

of the 5.85 pounds of marijuana recovered from the property was stashed beneath an unfinished

                                               –6–
stairway at the back of the house. Officer Foster testified that the bags of marijuana would have

been visible to someone going up the stairs. More marijuana and the gun were found in a hidden

compartment in the dining room. Officer Foster testified the house was “pretty small,” and the

marijuana was hidden in such a way as to be accessible only to one who exercised control over

the house. Appellant admitted to law enforcement officers, and he testified at trial, that he was

smoking marijuana on April 17, 2012, when the officers arrived. Officer Foster testified that

individuals will sometimes attempt to minimize their guilt by admitting to the possession of

smaller amounts of drugs while denying any knowledge of larger quantities of drugs found at a

location. Officer Foster also testified that, when he knocked on the door, appellant opened the

door, walked onto the porch, and quickly shut the door behind him. Another officer observed an

individual locking the door behind appellant and then picking up a bag and carrying it to the rear

of the house. The bag was recovered during the search and marijuana was found inside. Officer

Foster testified that he could smell the odor of marijuana emanating from the house. The

evidence showed the marijuana found at the property was of a high-grade quality and that it gave

off a strong, pungent odor that would have been difficult for the occupants of the house to

ignore. Officers also found a large number of baggies and a scale, and two containers were

found in the living room with inscriptions indicating they had been used for marijuana. The

evidence found in the house suggested the marijuana was being broken down, packaged, and

sold out of the house. Appellant told the officers he lived at the location and that the other two

individuals who were with him were just visiting. He said he was renting the house from the

“manager” that lived next door, but when officers knocked on the door to the next-door unit, it

appeared to be unoccupied. A total of $975 in various denominations of U.S. currency was

found during the search. Appellant, however, was unemployed at the time of his arrest, and

when appellant’s cousin, Kelly, was asked about appellant’s financial situation, he responded, in

                                               –7–
part, that “there was no financial situation” and that appellant “really didn’t have money.” Other

evidence showed that the large number of $20 bills found by officers (totaling $700 out of the

$975 recovered) was consistent with someone dealing drugs on a $20-a-gram level. Viewing the

evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict, we conclude the evidence in this case is

sufficient to link appellant to the marijuana. We overrule appellant’s first issue.

           Possession of a Firearm by a Felon

           In his second issue, appellant contends the evidence is insufficient to support the

conviction for possession of a firearm by a felon.

           The indictment in 05–14–00834–CR alleged that on or about April 17, 2012, appellant

intentionally and knowingly possessed a firearm, to wit: a handgun, and that the possession was

before the fifth anniversary of his release from parole for a prior felony conviction. See TEX.

PENAL CODE ANN. § 46.04(a)(1).3                              “Possession’ means actual care, custody, control, or

management.” Id. § 1.07(a)(39). As in cases involving the possession of a controlled substance,

when an individual is charged with the unlawful possession of a firearm, the State must prove the

accused (1) exercised care, custody, control, or management over the firearm, and (2) knew the

object was a firearm. See Evans, 202 S.W.3d at 161; Poindexter, 153 S.W.3d at 405. If the

accused is not in exclusive possession of the area where the contraband or firearm is found, the

evidence must link the accused to the contraband or weapon. Evans, 202 S.W.3d at 162;

Poindexter, 153 S.W.3d at 406.                           Regardless of whether the evidence used is direct or

circumstantial, the State must establish that the accused’s connection with the firearm was more

than just fortuitous. Evans, 202 S.W.3d at 161. As we noted earlier, mere presence at the

location where the contraband is found is insufficient, by itself, to establish actual care, custody,

     3
       Appellant stipulated to the underlying felony at the beginning of trial, so the only issue before us is whether the evidence is sufficient to
support the possession element.

                                                                       –8–
or control of the contraband. Id. at 162. But when combined with other links, either direct or

circumstantial, presence or proximity may be sufficient to establish that element beyond a

reasonable doubt. See id. There is no set formula to determine what links are sufficient and the

number of links is not as important as the “logical force” or degree to which the factors, alone or

in combination, tend to link the accused to the weapon. Id. Factors that may establish the link

include (1) whether the contraband or weapon was in plain view or found on the accused; (2) the

accused’s proximity and accessibility to the weapon or contraband; (3) whether the accused

owned or controlled the place where the contraband or weapon was found; (4) whether the

accused made any incriminating statements; (5) whether the accused tried to flee; and (6)

whether the accused made furtive gestures. Id. at 162 n.12; Poindexter, 153 S.W.3d at 409–12.

       The jury in this case could have reasonably concluded appellant’s connection to the

firearm was more than fortuitous. The firearm was found, along with some of the marijuana, in a

hidden compartment in the dining room. Officer Wagner testified that a person walking through

the dining room would not have known about the hidden compartment. Appellant testified that

because the house was being remodeled and only one room was furnished, he was essentially

living in one room while he stayed there. Appellant told the officers that while he lived at the

310 Cumberland Street address, the other two individuals were just visiting. Although the gun

and some of the marijuana were found in the hidden shelf compartment, Officer Foster testified

that the marijuana seized from the house was a high-grade quality and had a strong, pungent odor

that would have been apparent to anyone in the house. Appellant, in fact, expressed familiarity

with the type and quality of the “kush” marijuana seized in this case, stating on cross-

examination that he was familiar with it because he was a “pothead.” Kelly testified that, about a

week before the arrest, he went to the house and saw a firearm in the back of the house where the

remodeling work was being done. The gun “was sitting on the counter” and “was out in the

                                               –9–
open.” At the time he saw the firearm, the owner of the house, “Mr. D,” was at the house and he

and appellant were outside talking. Kelly had gone into the house looking for the bathroom and

went in the wrong direction. He testified that after he saw the gun he went outside and told

appellant and Mr. D, “Hey, somebody needs to go put that up.” After reviewing the evidence in

the light most favorable to the verdict, we conclude the evidence is sufficient for a rational jury

to find beyond a reasonable doubt that appellant exercised care, custody, control, or management

of the firearm. The jury was not required to believe appellant’s testimony that he had no idea to

whom the handgun belonged. See Evans, 202 S.W.3d at 166. Accordingly, the evidence is

sufficient to support the jury’s verdict. We overrule appellant’s second issue.

       Use or Exhibition of a Deadly Weapon

       In his third issue, appellant argues the evidence is insufficient to support the finding in

05–14–00833–CR that he used or exhibited a deadly weapon during the commission of the

possession of marijuana offense.

       Article 42.12, section 3g(a)(2) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure permits the entry

of a deadly weapon finding when it is shown that a defendant used or exhibited a deadly weapon,

or he was a party to the offense and knew that a deadly weapon would be used or exhibited. See

TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 42.12, § 3g(a)(2). In the context of a deadly weapon finding,

the term “use” means any employment of a deadly weapon, even simple possession, if that

possession facilitates the associated felony. Coleman v. State, 145 S.W.3d 649, 652 (Tex. Crim.

App. 2004); Patterson v. State, 769 S.W.2d 938, 941 (Tex. Crim. App. 1989). However, the

term “exhibit” requires a weapon to be consciously shown, displayed or presented to be viewed.

Coleman, 145 S.W.3d at 652; Patterson, 769 S.W.2d at 941.

       When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence to support a deadly weapon finding, the

issue is whether the weapon was found to have facilitated the defendant’s possession and

                                               –10–
intended distribution of the drugs. See Coleman, 145 S.W.3d at 655. The defendant’s proximity

to the gun at the time of the search is not dispositive. Id. at 654. Likewise, ownership is not

necessary to establish that a defendant used a deadly weapon in violation of article 42.12, section

3g. Smith v. State, 176 S.W.3d 907, 919 (Tex. App.––Dallas 2005, pet. ref’d). The focus is on

the proximity of the guns to the drugs, not the proximity of the guns to the defendant. See

Coleman, 145 S.W.3d at 654–55; see also Moreno v. State, 978 S.W.2d 285, 289 (Tex. App.––

Fort Worth 1998, no pet.) (defendant “used” weapons found in container lying beside concealed

cocaine to facilitate his possession of narcotics with intent to distribute). We must determine

whether the cumulative effect of the factors could have allowed a rational jury to determine that

the defendant used the weapons to protect the drugs and the proceeds therefrom. Coleman, 145
S.W.3d at 655. If we determine the State failed to show a defendant used a deadly weapon in the

commission of an offense, we may delete the deadly weapon finding. See Drichas v. State, 175
S.W.3d 795, 798 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006).

       Officer Foster testified that they found the handgun hidden along with a quantity of the

marijuana in the shelf compartment. A handgun is a deadly weapon per se. TEX. PENAL CODE

ANN. § 1.07(a)(17)(A). Evidence showed that the handgun, which had been reported stolen out

of College Station, was loaded; it had eight rounds in the clip and one in the chamber. The gun

was ready to be fired. As Officer Wagner noted, “All you have to do is pull the trigger.” Other

evidence showed it is very common for people selling drugs to be armed in order to protect their

drug supply. A rational trier of fact could have found that appellant “used” the weapon to

facilitate his possession and intended distribution of the narcotics. See Coleman, 145 S.W.3d at

655. Therefore, the evidence in this case is sufficient for the jury to have concluded appellant

used or exhibited a deadly weapon during the commission of the possession of marijuana

offense. We overrule appellant’s third issue.

                                                –11–
      We affirm the trial court’s judgment.

                                                     / Lana Myers/
                                                     LANA MYERS
                                                     JUSTICE

Do Not Publish
TEX. R. APP. P. 47
140833F.U05

                                              –12–
                              Court of Appeals
                       Fifth District of Texas at Dallas
                                      JUDGMENT

MALCOLM MCCLENON, Appellant                        On Appeal from the 363rd Judicial District
                                                   Court, Dallas County, Texas
No. 05-14-00833-CR        V.                       Trial Court Cause No. F12-54585-W.
                                                   Opinion delivered by Justice Myers. Justices
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee                       Fillmore and Evans participating.

       Based on the Court’s opinion of this date, the judgment of the trial court is AFFIRMED.

Judgment entered this 11th day of August, 2015.

                                            –13–
                              Court of Appeals
                       Fifth District of Texas at Dallas
                                      JUDGMENT

MALCOLM MCCLENON, Appellant                        On Appeal from the 363rd Judicial District
                                                   Court, Dallas County, Texas
No. 05-14-00834-CR        V.                       Trial Court Cause No. F12-54586-W.
                                                   Opinion delivered by Justice Myers. Justices
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee                       Fillmore and Evans participating.

       Based on the Court’s opinion of this date, the judgment of the trial court is AFFIRMED.

Judgment entered this 11th day of August, 2015.

                                            –14–