Court Opinion

ID: 9768393
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 06:00:58.011832+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:30:40.427677
License: Public Domain

James R. Cooper, Judge, dissenting. I dissent because I find that the evidence is insufficient to support the appellant’s convictions. I concede that there was contraband in the residence in question and I concede that the appellant was a joint occupant of the premises. However, this will not sustain his conviction. In order to establish constructive possession, the State had to show, in addition to joint occupancy of the premises, some additional factor linking the appellant to the contraband. Cerda v. State, 303 Ark. 241, 795 S.W.2d 358 (1990). Under these circumstances, the State had to prove that the appellant exercised care, control, and management over the contraband and that he knew the matter possessed was contraband. Embry v. State, 302 Ark. 608, 792 S.W.2d 318 (1990). Control and knowledge can be inferred from the circumstances, such as the proximity of the contraband to the accused, the fact that it is in plain view, the ownership of the property where the contraband is found, and the display of suspicious behavior before and during arrest. See Nichols v. State, 306 Ark. 417, 815 S.W. 2d 382 (1991); Plotts v. State, 297 Ark. 66, 759 S.W.2d 793 (1988). Although the evidence supports the conclusion that the appellant was a joint occupant of the premises, there are no additional factors linking him to the contraband. The appellant stated that he was aware of the drug activity; however, mere knowledge is not enough. It was not shown that the appellant had a superior or equal right to the control of the house or the activities going on therein. There is no evidence connecting the appellant to any of the bedrooms in which contraband was found. The contraband was not found on the appellant’s person nor in his immediate proximity. There was a matchbox found on the window sill of the porch where the appellant was standing along with several other men when the police arrived; however, it was not shown to contain any controlled substance. Moreover, the appellant did not exhibit any suspicious behavior, attempt to flee, or make any effort to dispose of any incriminating material. The majority opinion correctly states the law but refuses to follow it. The facts recited by the majority in support of its decision show only that contraband was found in the house and that the appellant stayed there. The evidence does not indicate any additional factors linking the appellant to the contraband. Substantial evidence means that the jury could have reached its conclusion without having to resort to speculation or conjecture. Osborne v. State, 278 Ark. 45, 643 S.W.2d 251 (1982). In the case at bar, only by speculation and conjecture could the jury have found that the appellant possessed the controlled substances and drug paraphernalia found in the house. I also find the evidence insufficient to support the appellant’s conviction on the charge of maintaining a drug premises. There is no evidence indicating that the appellant was the lessee, paid the rent or utilities, or took part in the maintenance or upkeep of the residence. There is no evidence that he had any authority or right to control his brother’s residence while he was Staying there. The majority opinion merely states that it finds the evidence sufficient without stating any facts to support that conclusion, and if the evidence mentioned to support the other convictions is thought to be sufficient to support this conviction too, then I strongly disagree. I respectfully dissent.