Court Opinion

ID: 9400160
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-06-07 16:06:28.595123+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:19:42.484660
License: Public Domain

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF IOWA

                                    No. 22-0174
                                Filed June 7, 2023

IN THE INTEREST OF D.L.,
Minor Child,

D.L., Minor Child,
       Appellant.
________________________________________________________________

      Appeal from the Iowa District Court for Scott County, Phillip J. Tabor, District

Associate Judge.

      D.L. appeals the adjudication order following disposition in a delinquency

proceeding. AFFIRMED.

      Jean Capdevila, Davenport, for appellant child.

      Brenna Bird, Attorney General, and Mary A. Triick, Assistant Attorney

General, for appellee State.

      Considered by Schumacher, P.J., and Chicchelly and Buller, JJ. Tabor, J.,

takes no part.
                                             2

SCHUMACHER, Presiding Judge.

         D.L. appeals the adjudication following the entry of a dispositional order in

delinquency proceedings based on a finding she aided and abetted in possession

of stolen property. We conclude there is sufficient evidence in the record to support

a finding that D.L. committed a delinquent act that would be considered aiding and

abetting in theft by possession of stolen property if she had been an adult. We

affirm the decision of the district court.

         I.     Background Facts & Proceedings

         This appeal centers on evidence of D.L.’s knowledge that a vehicle in which

she was located during the early morning hours of July 23, 2021, was stolen. The

following evidence was presented at the adjudication hearing. On July 20, 2021,

Wei Yang reported to the Davenport Police Department that his silver-gray 2019

Volkswagen Tiguan had been taken from his garage.1 At the adjudication hearing,

Lt. Kevin Smull testified concerning the drivers of stolen vehicles:

                Actually, their driving mannerisms help them actually stand
         out. Individuals that we are seeing stealing cars in Davenport and
         the Quad City area are normally under—or consistently under 18
         years of age—juveniles—they drive at high rates of speed and
         recklessly. The identification of the car, the make, the model, the
         plate number is huge, but they actually have—over the past several
         months they have taken the license plates off, but usually if we don’t
         have that, the driving mannerisms is usually what indicates the
         vehicle is stolen.

         On July 23, around 3:00 a.m., Lt. Smull saw a vehicle matching the

description of the stolen vehicle being driven “at a high rate of speed” in Davenport.

Lt. Smull further testified that once the officers spotted the stolen vehicle, the

1   The State does not allege that D.L. was the person who stole the vehicle.
                                           3

vehicle began “leap-frogging” through Davenport. Because of this, it took several

officers to keep up with the vehicle. Lt. Smull and several other police officers

followed the vehicle with their lights and sirens on “because of the—the speeds it

was traveling.” The vehicle stopped near some gas pumps. Officers confirmed

the vehicle was the stolen Tiguan and blocked in the vehicle with their patrol cars.

Lt. Smull stated, “[T]he vehicle tried to take off and literally ran into one of our

squad cars head-on.” There was damage to the squad car and the Tiguan. There

were four juveniles in the vehicle, including D.L., who was a back seat passenger,

and K.C., who was in the driver’s seat. The officers surrounded the vehicle; officers

had their service weapons drawn.          All four juveniles were removed from the

vehicle.

       The Tiguan was towed to an impound lot. Sunny Yang, Yang’s daughter,

went to the impound lot, where she identified the vehicle owned by her father. She

testified, “It had, like—the view mirror were [sic] gone, and there’s damage from

the front light and there’s, like, trash everywhere in the car. And there was also,

like, holes on the ceiling of the car. I mean—yeah, the roof of the car.” She stated

that after the vehicle was stolen, there were garbage bags, grocery bags, and food

and beverage items in the vehicle that were not there before. Lt. Smull also

testified the interior of the car was “[m]essy, like it was trashed.”

       Following the State’s evidence, counsel for the child requested a directed

verdict, asserting the State failed to prove the facts as alleged and there was no

proof of the element of knowledge. The State responded that D.L. “took part in the

theft of this vehicle by aiding in the continued theft of this vehicle.” The court

denied the motion for directed verdict.
                                          4

       D.L., who was fifteen years old at the time of the incident, testified she did

not know anything about the vehicle being stolen. She stated that on July 22, she

was with a friend, who was K.C.’s girlfriend, at her uncle’s house. D.L. and K.C.

exchanged text messages arranging for him to pick them up. When K.C. arrived,

he was driving the Volkswagen Tiguan.          D.L. stated she had not met K.C.

previously and did not suspect anything about the vehicle because “he has a job

and he is 17 years old.” She testified, “I knew he had a job so I didn’t question

whose—if it was stolen or not.”

       D.L. testified K.C. was driving normally when she got into the vehicle. D.L.

also testified:

       So we were going to go get tacos and we were going to Davenport
       to pick up some of the girl’s clothes—he was taking her to go get
       clothes so that she could come back to my uncle’s house and stay
       the night. So I ended up falling asleep in the car, and I’m not sure
       how long—whatever—from the time he picked me up to the time of
       the incident is how long we were in the car, but since I was asleep I
       was not aware of anything that was going on between about an hour
       after—or after we picked her up.

D.L. stated she did not wake up until she felt the car crash. She testified she was

asleep while the vehicle was being driven at a fast speed and through the lights

and sirens of the police cars following the Tiguan.

       In the adjudication order, the court stated:

       From the description of the operation of the vehicle by Lt. Smull, the
       Court finds the child’s testimony to be not credible, and does not
       believe the child was asleep during the operation of the vehicle prior
       to her being taken into custody. The Court finds that the child was
       aware that the vehicle was stolen due to the way it was operated and
       due to the appearance of the interior of the vehicle, that being that it
       was “trashed” and that the child was riding in the vehicle several
       hours prior to being taken into custody.

D.L. was adjudicated to be a delinquent child for first-degree theft.
                                          5

       The court denied the child’s motion for a new trial. The order of disposition

placed the child on probation. D.L. now appeals.

       II.    Standard of Review

       “Juvenile delinquency proceedings are ‘special proceedings that provide an

alternative to the criminal prosecution of children where the best interest of the

child is the objective.’” In re T.H., 913 N.W.2d 578, 582 (Iowa 2018) (quoting In re

M.L., 868 N.W.2d 456, 460 (Iowa Ct. App. 2015)). We review juvenile delinquency

proceedings de novo. In re A.K., 825 N.W.2d 46, 49 (Iowa 2013). While we give

weight to the district court’s fact findings, we are not bound by these findings. In

re W.B., 641 N.W.2d 543, 545 (Iowa 2001). “We presume the child to be innocent

of the charges, and the court cannot find that the child engaged in the delinquent

conduct unless the State can prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the child

engaged in such behavior.” In re J.A.L., 694 N.W.2d 748, 751 (Iowa 2005).

       III.   Discussion

       In responding to D.L.’s motion for directed verdict, the State asserted it was

operating under a theory that D.L. “took part in the theft of this vehicle by aiding in

the continued theft of this vehicle.” Also, in closing arguments the State asserted

D.L. “took part in the theft of this vehicle by aiding in the continuance of the theft

by taking a joyride in it with her friends on the evening of the 22nd, morning hours

of the 23rd.” The State further noted the discrepancies in D.L.’s version of events,

with an exhibit reflecting that she was picked up by K.C. nearly twenty-four hours

before the crash, and her testimony that she was in the vehicle from the evening

of July 22 to the early morning hours of July 23.
                                          6

       In essence, the State claimed D.L. committed the delinquent act of aiding

and abetting in theft by possession of stolen property. See Iowa Code §§ 703.1,

714.1(4) (2021). Theft by possession of stolen property occurs when a person

“[e]xercises control over stolen property, knowing such property to have been

stolen, or having reasonable cause to believe that such property has been stolen,

unless the person’s purpose is to promptly restore it to the owner or to deliver it to

an appropriate public officer.” Iowa Code § 714.1(4).

       Joint possession of recently stolen property may give rise to an inference of

guilt. State v. Kittelson, 164 N.W.2d 157, 164 (Iowa 1969). “[I]f the stolen property

was in the joint possession of the defendant and others for the use and benefit of

the defendant and the others, then the presumption of possession arises.” State

v. Sweetman, 263 N.W. 518, 519 (Iowa 1935); see also State v. Bige, 198 N.W.

510, 513 (Iowa 1924).

       “To sustain a conviction on the theory of aiding and abetting, the record

must contain substantial evidence the accused assented to or lent countenance

and approval to the criminal act either by active participation or by some manner

encouraging it prior to or at the time of its commission.” State v. West Vangen,

975 N.W.2d 344, 350 (Iowa 2022). Mere presence at the time of the commission

of an offense is not sufficient to show aiding and abetting. State v. Mabbitt, 135

N.W.2d 525, 528 (Iowa 1965).         “Proof may be supplied directly or through

‘circumstantial evidence including presence, companionship and conduct before

and after the offense is committed.’” State v. Brimmer, 983 N.W.2d 247, 257 (Iowa

2022) (citation omitted).
                                          7

       “[A] defendant’s participation as an aiding an[d] abetting accomplice may

be proved by circumstantial evidence. Such evidence may be equal in value to,

and sometimes more reliable than, direct evidence.” State v. Barnes, 204 N.W.2d

827, 828 (Iowa 1972) (citation omitted).           “[F]actors in combination with

circumstantial evidence such as ‘presence, companionship, and conduct before

and after the offense is committed’ may be enough from which to infer a

defendant’s participation in the crime.” Wilker v. Wilker, 630 N.W.2d 590, 597

(Iowa 2001) (citation omitted) (emphasis added).

       The knowledge element of aiding and abetting “requires the abettor to be

aware of the underlying offense ‘at the time of or before its commission.’” Brimmer,

983 N.W.2d at 257 (citation omitted). “Knowledge or intent is usually inferred from

the circumstances.” State v. Horrell, 151 N.W.2d 526, 529 (Iowa 1967). The

evidence must be “more than suspicion, or speculation, or conjecture.” Kittelson,

164 N.W.2d at 162.

       D.L. does not contest that the vehicle was stolen or that the vehicle was in

the possession of herself and the three other juveniles. D.L. claims there is

insufficient evidence in the record to show she had knowledge the vehicle was

stolen.2 She asserts that she was just a back seat passenger in the vehicle. She

also contends out that the State did not present evidence she “assented to or lent

countenance and approval to the criminal act either by active participation or by

2 D.L. also raises a claim in reference to intent as an element of theft under
section 714.1(1), but the State’s claims in this case relate to theft by possession of
stolen property under section 714.1(4), not theft by taking the property of another
under section 714.1(1).       We do not address her argument concerning
section 714.1(1).
                                         8

some manner encouraging it prior to or at the time of its commission.” See West

Vangen, 975 N.W.2d at 350.

       We will examine some previous cases discussing aiding and abetting the

possession of stolen property. In Mabbitt, a friend of the defendant asked if he

wanted some food and the defendant agreed. 135 N.W.2d at 529. The defendant

drove the friend to a restaurant, not knowing if the restaurant was open or not, and

the friend returned with some steaks and soup, which he shared with the

defendant. Id. The defendant stated he was unaware the items had been stolen

from the restaurant. Id. The jury was instructed on aiding and abetting, as well as

possession of stolen property. Id. The court stated, “The recent possession of

personal property taken from a building feloniously broken and entered is an

evidential fact and unless the evidence in relation to that possession and the

explanation thereof creates a reasonable doubt of defendant’s guilt, a jury is

justified in returning a verdict of guilty.” Id. The court found there was sufficient

evidence to show the defendant aided and abetted in the possession of stolen

property. Id.

       In Horrell, the defendant and a friend were planning to drive to Texas

together. 151 N.W.2d at 530. The vehicle was stopped by officers shortly after

leaving a service station and three tires taken from the station were found in the

back seat. Id. The defendant initially gave officers a false name. Id. He denied

any knowledge of the tires. Id. The court stated:

              Much more than mere association, suspicion, speculation and
       conjecture appears here. These men associated in a travel
       enterprise, were constantly together during the time the tires were
       taken, and would both profit from the taking. While it is possible that
       a mere stranger to the car owner, a hitchhiker or a guest, would not
                                            9

        know of the plan to steal the tires or in any way encourage that theft,
        under these circumstances we think the jury could find both
        participation and aid by defendant and that much more than mere
        presence at the scene of the larceny appears here.

Id. at 531.

        In the case In re C.G.L., there was evidence C.G.L. called a friend and

insisted they go for a drive together. No. 09-1707, 2010 WL 2598324, at *1 (Iowa

Ct. App. June 30, 2010). While they were gone, someone stole the friend’s

PlayStation 3. Id. An employee at GameStop identified a photograph of C.G.L. as

one of the people who sold him a PlayStation 3 that day. Id. We found there was

sufficient evidence to show C.G.L. “aided and abetted the commission of the

burglary in this case and jointly committed the theft by possession of stolen

property.” Id. at *2. We determined C.G.L. was “an active and knowing participant”

in the possession of stolen property. Id.

        In In re C.B., C.B. was one of three people in a vehicle officers believed was

stolen. No. 20-1499, 2021 WL 2134986, at *1 (Iowa Ct. App. May 26, 2021).

When officers followed the vehicle, “[s]uddenly, three young men abandoned the

vehicle and began to flee on foot.” Id. An officer believed the young men were

trying to hide or “evade” law enforcement. Id. “There were many personal effects

in the car, which the owner confirmed were not his.” Id. We found:

        Here, the vehicle was missing for several weeks, and many personal
        effects of the juveniles were in the car. Further, C.B. and the other
        juveniles hid and attempted to avoid the police. These factors lend
        to an inference that C.B. was aware the vehicle was stolen. Thus,
        we agree with the juvenile court that the evidence demonstrates C.B.
        knew he, and the other juveniles, were in possession of a stolen
        vehicle.

Id. at *2.
                                         10

       In these cases, the defendant and the person in possession of the stolen

property were known to each other. See id, (noting the juveniles had been using

the vehicle for several weeks); C.G.L., 2010 WL 2598324, at *1 (finding the juvenile

and another went together to sell the stolen property); Horrell, 151 N.W.2d at 531

(finding the defendant and his friend agreed to travel together to Texas); Mabbitt,

135 N.W.2d at 529 (noting the defendant and his friend split the stolen property).

In Horrell, the Iowa Supreme Court found this association made it more likely there

was “both participation and aid by defendant,” rather than mere presence at the

scene of the offense. 151 N.W.2d at 531.

       The Iowa Supreme Court has also found that evidence a person was riding

as a passenger in a recently stolen automobile may be insufficient to show the

person was in possession of the car. Kittelson, 164 N.W.2d at 163 (citing People

v. Abrams, 196 N.E.2d 801, 802 (Ill. 1935)); see also Horrell, 151 N.W.2d at 531

(noting the defendant’s circumstances would be different if he was “a mere

stranger to the car owner, a hitchhiker or a guest”).

       The evidence of acquaintance between D.L. and K.C. is found in their text

messages, starting at 2:04 a.m. on July 22, 2021:

              K.C.: On my way!
              D.L.: Wait
              K.C.: I’m finna grab sb
              D.L.: Who
              K.C.: Same person I’m right here On my way
              D.L.: I said hold on n**** Ian there yet I’m finna be On my way
       back
              K.C.: Match us
              D.L.: Bro Wya
              K.C.: Leaving the d now
              D.L.: Lhh [Emojis]
              K.C.: I gotta change rq
              D.L.: Mmhm
                                          11

              K.C.: Mhm nun I do I’ll be On my way! In 10
              D.L.: Yep
              K.C.: Cut it out
              D.L.: Same place
              K.C.: Finna come grab u
              D.L.: Okay
              K.C.: Be ready I’m On my way I’ll be there in like 5 mins
              D.L.: Okay
              K.C.: Outside
              D.L.: Here I come
              K.C.: Ight
              D.L.: I’m tryna find my shoes

       D.L. stated, “I was with [K.C.’s] girlfriend, so originally [K.C.] was texting my

phone for his girlfriend.”    She also stated that K.C. asked her through text

messages if he could pick her up, as well as his girlfriend. On our de novo review,

we find the text messages show a level of acquaintance between D.L. and K.C.

       And D.L. was present while the vehicle was driven at a high rate of speed.

In addition, she was in the vehicle while it was trashed, with a broken mirror and

the inside having garbage, food, and beverages that was attributable to the

juveniles in the vehicle. Furthermore, there were holes in the ceiling or roof of the

vehicle. The court found “the child was aware that the vehicle was stolen due to

the way it was operated and due to the appearance of the interior of the vehicle,

that being that it was ‘trashed.’” We agree that based on this evidence that D.L.

had knowledge the vehicle was stolen.

       The court found D.L. was not credible in her testimony that she was asleep

while in the vehicle and so was unaware of the circumstances that tended to show

the vehicle was stolen. We give weight to the court’s findings concerning the

credibility of witnesses, although we are not bound by the court’s findings. See

C.B., 2021 WL 2134986, at *2. We agree that D.L.’s statements she was sleeping
                                         12

while the vehicle was driven at a high rate of speed, and while it was being followed

by officers with their overhead lights and sirens on are not credible.

       We conclude there is sufficient evidence in the record to support a finding

that D.L. committed a delinquent act that would be considered aiding and abetting

in theft by possession of stolen property if she had been an adult by having

knowledge the vehicle was stolen or having reasonable belief to belief to believe

the vehicle was stolen. We affirm the decision of the district court.

       AFFIRMED.