Court Opinion

ID: 3205041
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2016-05-19 16:03:35.869046+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:28:34.084607
License: Public Domain

NOTICE: NOT FOR OFFICIAL PUBLICATION.
 UNDER ARIZONA RULE OF THE SUPREME COURT 111(c), THIS DECISION IS NOT PRECEDENTIAL
                 AND MAY BE CITED ONLY AS AUTHORIZED BY RULE.

                                    IN THE
             ARIZONA COURT OF APPEALS
                                DIVISION ONE

                       STATE OF ARIZONA, Appellee,

                                        v.

                      DERRICK COLEMAN, Appellant.

                             No. 1 CA-CR 15-0316
                               FILED 5-19-2016

           Appeal from the Superior Court in Maricopa County
                        No. CR 2013-002197-003
                The Honorable Karen A. Mullins, Judge

                                  AFFIRMED

                                   COUNSEL

Arizona Attorney General’s Office, Phoenix
By Joseph T. Maziarz
Counsel for Appellee

The Poster Law Firm, P.L.L.C., Phoenix
By Rick D. Poster
Counsel for Appellant

Derrick Coleman, Safford
Appellant
                           STATE v. COLEMAN
                           Decision of the Court

                      MEMORANDUM DECISION

Presiding Judge Margaret H. Downie delivered the decision of the Court,
in which Judge Patricia A. Orozco and Judge Maurice Portley joined.

D O W N I E, Judge:

¶1             Derrick Coleman appeals his convictions and sentences for
conspiracy to commit possession of marijuana for sale and possession of
marijuana for sale, class 2 felonies.1 See Ariz. Rev. Stat. (“A.R.S.”)
§§ 13-1003(A), (D), 13-3405(A)(2), (B)(6). Pursuant to Anders v. California,
386 U.S. 738 (1967), and State v. Leon, 104 Ariz. 297 (1969), Coleman’s
counsel has searched the record, found no arguable question of law, and
asked us to review the record for reversible error. See State v. Richardson,
175 Ariz. 336, 339 (App. 1993). Coleman filed a supplemental brief in propria
persona that we have considered. For the following reasons, we affirm.

                FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

¶2            On January 17, 2013, members of the Maricopa County
Sheriff’s Office special investigations division conducted a marijuana
reversal operation in which a confidential informant (“CI”) sold marijuana
to various individuals, including Coleman. The CI arrived at the reversal
operation location and parked her police-issued vehicle, loaded with 200
pounds of marijuana, in the garage. After the garage door was closed, two
men unloaded the marijuana into the home. A short while later, Coleman
and his co-defendant arrived at the residence in a white minivan. The CI
moved her vehicle out of the garage and Coleman pulled in, bringing with
him the money to purchase the marijuana.

¶3             Coleman, his co-defendant, the CI, and others counted the
money, and the CI saw bundles of marijuana being loaded into Coleman’s
van. Detective Fausto, the CI’s “handler,” heard her say over audio
surveillance that “the marijuana was put in the white minivan that was in
the garage.” Soon after the CI left, Coleman and his co-defendant also

1      Coleman was initially indicted on a third count — money laundering
in the second degree, a class 3 felony. However, at the close of the State’s
case, Coleman moved for a directed verdict on all counts, and the court
granted his motion as to the third count.

                                     2
                            STATE v. COLEMAN
                            Decision of the Court

departed, and the case agent, Sergeant Uptain, ordered surveillance
detectives to stop the van. Detective Pearce conducted the traffic stop, and,
as he approached on foot, he noticed “a very strong odor of marijuana
coming from the vehicle.” Detective Iwan was asked to assist with the
traffic stop in progress because Detective Pearce “needed a narcotics dog to
detect if there was marijuana” in Coleman’s van. Within six feet of the van,
Detective Iwan could “smell the odor that [he knew] to be marijuana.”
Nonetheless, he continued his approach, and his dog alerted to the presence
of drugs by scratching the van’s rear passenger door. Detectives proceeded
to search the van and found four bundles of marijuana (totaling 96 pounds)
concealed under clothing in the rear compartment of the van.

¶4            At the location of the traffic stop, Sergeant Uptain read
Coleman his Miranda rights, confirmed Coleman understood them, and
interviewed him. Coleman denied seeing the marijuana in the home he had
just come from, denied knowing how the marijuana ended up in the back
of his van, denied smelling it even though Sergeant Uptain described the
odor as “very strong,” and explained the $42,000 in cash found in his
co-defendant’s purse constituted gambling winnings.

¶5            The jury found Coleman guilty as charged and further found
the offenses were committed with the presence of an accomplice and in
anticipation of pecuniary gain. The superior court sentenced Coleman to
four years’ imprisonment on each count, with the terms to be served
concurrently, and ordered him to pay a $4,000 fine. See A.R.S. §§ 13-701(D)
(aggravating circumstances), 13-3405(D) (fines for marijuana offenses).

                                DISCUSSION

I.     Motion to Suppress

¶6             In his supplemental brief, Coleman raises the following
alleged errors relating to his motion to suppress: the State did not establish
reasonable suspicion sufficient to conduct the stop of his van; the State
failed to establish probable cause sufficient to search his van; Sergeant
Uptain’s testimony included hearsay and inconsistencies; and the State
failed to establish the CI’s reliability.

¶7            We will not reverse the denial of a motion to suppress absent
a clear abuse of discretion. See State v. Guillory, 199 Ariz. 462, 465, ¶ 9 (App.
2001). “In reviewing the denial of a motion to suppress evidence, we
consider only the evidence presented at the suppression hearing, and view
that evidence in the light most favorable to upholding the trial court’s
ruling.” State v. Evans, 235 Ariz. 314, 315, ¶ 2 (App. 2014).

                                       3
                           STATE v. COLEMAN
                           Decision of the Court

¶8             When reviewing a claim that law enforcement lacked
reasonable suspicion to conduct a traffic stop, “we apply a peculiar sort of
de novo review, slightly more circumscribed than usual, because we defer to
the inferences drawn by the trial court and the officers on the scene, not just
the trial court’s factual findings.” Evans, 235 Ariz. at 317, ¶ 8. Reasonable
suspicion represents more than a mere hunch, but “considerably less than
proof of wrongdoing by a preponderance of the evidence.” State v. Teagle,
217 Ariz. 17, 23–24, ¶ 25 (App. 2007). “[T]he articulated factors together
must serve to eliminate a substantial portion of innocent travelers before
the requirement of reasonable suspicion will be satisfied.” Id.

¶9            At the suppression hearing, Sergeant Uptain testified that on
the day of the reversal operation, the CI was given a vehicle containing the
marijuana and was followed by surveillance detectives to the residence
where the operation was conducted. During the operation, information
was transmitted among the officers, including to detectives outside the
surveillance perimeter who were to “conduct traffic stops on vehicles
leaving the residence.”

¶10            Detective Fausto advised officers that the CI indicated buyers
were on their way to the residence, and when they arrived, the CI described
the vehicle as a white Dodge Caravan; surveillance officers confirmed the
van’s arrival and relayed the license plate details. Sergeant Uptain also
received information that the van was loaded with “a portion of the 200
pounds of marijuana.” When the van left the residence, surveillance
detectives followed it and conducted the traffic stop. Based on the evidence
presented at the evidentiary hearing, the detectives clearly had reasonable
suspicion to justify the traffic stop.

¶11            “Probable cause exists where the arresting officers have
reasonably trustworthy information of facts and circumstances which are
sufficient in themselves to lead a reasonable man to believe an offense . . .
has been committed and that the person to be arrested . . . did commit it.”
State v. Richards, 110 Ariz. 290, 291 (1974). Here, in addition to the evidence
discussed supra, two detectives smelled a strong odor of marijuana coming
from Coleman’s van, and a narcotics dog alerted to the presence of
marijuana. See State v. Decker, 119 Ariz. 195, 197 (1978) (odor of marijuana
emanating from vehicle constitutes probable cause to conduct search); see
also State v. Weinstein, 190 Ariz. 306, 310–11 (App. 1997) (narcotics dog’s
alert provides probable cause). Probable cause existed for a warrantless
search of Coleman’s van.

                                      4
                            STATE v. COLEMAN
                            Decision of the Court

¶12           We are also unpersuaded by Coleman’s hearsay assertion. He
has not identified any specific instances of hearsay, but even if he had,
during a suppression hearing, “the court may rely on hearsay and other
evidence, even though that evidence would not be admissible at trial.”
United States v. Raddatz, 447 U.S. 667, 679 (1980).

¶13            Finally, the State was not required to establish the CI’s
reliability during the suppression proceedings. The State was merely
required to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, “the lawfulness in
all respects of the acquisition of all evidence” that the State used at trial. See
Ariz. R. Crim. P. 16.2(b). It did so.

II.    Motion to Sever

¶14            Coleman’s co-defendant moved to sever, arguing the two
defendants would present antagonistic defenses. Coleman joined in the
motion at the August 2014 evidentiary hearing. Coleman’s counsel stated
he would prefer a severance “just to keep it clean and to reduce the
possibility of a mistrial.”

¶15           Joint trials are the general rule, and the denial of a motion to
sever is reviewed for an abuse of discretion. State v. Murray, 184 Ariz. 9, 25
(1995). The “mere presence of hostility between co-defendants, or the
desire of each co-defendant to avoid conviction by placing the blame on the
other does not require severance.” State v. Cruz, 137 Ariz. 541, 544 (1983).

¶16           After hearing argument on the severance motion, the court
found that Coleman and his co-defendant did not have mutually exclusive
defenses because they both intended to deny any wrongdoing. The court
did not find the evidence against one defendant was overwhelming
compared to the other and did not find any potentially harmful rub-off
effect. Based on the record before it, we find no abuse of discretion.

III.   Sufficiency of the Evidence

¶17          Coleman contends the State failed to produce “sufficient
evidence or testimony that pointed to me purchasing marijuana, or that I
had knowledge that marijuana had been placed in my van.” We disagree.

¶18            At trial, the CI testified about Coleman’s presence and
activities at the reversal operation, including bringing money to purchase
the marijuana. Detective Iwan and Sergeant Uptain both testified about the
strong odor of marijuana emanating from Coleman’s van, suggesting his
knowledge of the marijuana’s presence. The State produced substantial

                                        5
                           STATE v. COLEMAN
                           Decision of the Court

evidence — both direct and circumstantial — supporting the guilty
verdicts. See State v. Kuhs, 223 Ariz. 376, 382, ¶ 24 (2010) (appellate court
reviews sufficiency of the evidence by determining whether jury’s findings
are supported by substantial evidence; that is, evidence that is adequate to
support a reasonable person’s conclusion of guilt beyond a reasonable
doubt); see also State v. Henry, 205 Ariz. 229, 232, ¶ 11 (App. 2003)
(substantial evidence may be direct or circumstantial).

IV.    Other Arguments

¶19            Coleman also contends the State “failed to establish or
support the CI’s veracity and therefore the court should have precluded the
State from utilizing statements made by her and allowing her to testify at
trial.” Whether the CI was credible was an issue for the jury to decide, not
this Court on appeal. See State v. Cid, 181 Ariz. 496, 500 (App. 1995) (“The
finder-of-fact, not the appellate court . . . determines the credibility of
witnesses.”).

¶20           As we understand his next argument, Coleman claims the
verdicts were invalid because he and his co-defendant were charged “in
concert with each other,” so the jury could not have found him guilty on
one count and his co-defendant not guilty on the same count. We disagree.
“The test for validity of the verdict is whether it was certain, unqualified
and unambiguous considering the circumstances of the receipt of the
verdict and poll of the jurors relative to their verdict.” State v. Hansen, 237
Ariz. 61, 65–66, ¶ 11 (App. 2015). Before the jury retired to deliberate, the
court instructed it to “consider the charges against each defendant
separately . . . based upon that defendant’s own conduct and from the
evidence which applies to that defendant, as if that defendant were being
tried alone.” The evidence against Coleman and his co-defendant was not
identical.

¶21            Coleman next claims his trial counsel was ineffective, but that
issue that is not properly before us on direct appeal. See State ex rel. Thomas
v. Rayes, 214 Ariz. 411, 415, ¶ 20 (2007) (“[D]efendant may bring ineffective
assistance of counsel claims only in a Rule 32 post-conviction proceeding —
not before trial, at trial, or on direct review.”).

¶22           Coleman also asserts the trial judge was biased against him
and made erroneous rulings. After reviewing the record, we find no
support for the bias allegation. See State v. Ramsey, 211 Ariz. 529, 541, ¶ 38
(App. 2005) (trial judges are presumed to be impartial, and a defendant
must rebut that presumption by a preponderance of the evidence). And we

                                      6
                           STATE v. COLEMAN
                           Decision of the Court

are unable to address Coleman’s contention that the judge “allowed
evidence and testimony to be introduced and weighed that should have
been disallowed” because he has not supported this argument with
citations to the record or legal authority. See State v. Moody, 208 Ariz. 424,
452 n.9, ¶ 101 (2004) (“[B]riefs must present significant arguments,
supported by authority, setting forth an appellant’s position on the issues
raised.”).

¶23           Next, Coleman challenges the denial of his motion to continue
in order to secure new counsel. Whether to grant a continuance is within
the superior court’s discretion; a continuance is proper only upon a
showing of extraordinary circumstances. State v. Sullivan, 130 Ariz. 213, 215
(1981). “The trial judge’s decision will not be disturbed unless there is a
clear abuse of discretion and prejudice results.” Id. Coleman has not
explained how the court abused its discretion other than by asserting “it
was jurisprudently unethicall [sic] to deny [him] reasonable time to
acquire” new counsel. He has also failed to demonstrate the requisite
prejudice. Our review of the record reflects that trial counsel vigorously
represented Coleman both before and at trial.

¶24           Finally, we briefly address other arguments Coleman makes
that are unsupported by the record. First, he claims officers “withheld notes
pertinent to the case, but prejudicial and injurious to their indictment . . .
and the veracity of their CI.” Nothing in the record supports this claim.
Second, Coleman asserts he was not read Miranda rights “preceding
detention.” However, police officers are only required to give Miranda
warnings prior to “custodial interrogation,” State v. Smith, 193 Ariz. 452,
457, ¶ 18 (1999), and Coleman’s recorded interview establishes that
Sergeant Uptain read Miranda rights to Coleman prior to questioning.
Third, Coleman opines he was “subjected to triple jeopardy” because the
State closed and reopened his case several times before trial. Jeopardy,
however, does not attach until a “criminal trial begins.” See Miller v.
Superior Court (Romley), 189 Ariz. 127, 130 (App. 1997).

¶25           In addition to Coleman’s supplemental brief, we have read
and considered the brief submitted by his counsel and have reviewed the
entire record. See Leon, 104 Ariz. at 300. We find no reversible error. All of
the proceedings were conducted in compliance with the Arizona Rules of
Criminal Procedure, and the sentences imposed were within the statutory
range. The superior court awarded Coleman 40 days of presentence
incarceration credit. We discern no error in this calculation, though the
record before us does not clearly reflect the time Coleman spent in custody
before being released on his own recognizance. Coleman was present at all

                                      7
                           STATE v. COLEMAN
                           Decision of the Court

critical phases of the proceedings and was represented by counsel. The jury
was properly impaneled and instructed consistent with the offenses
charged. The record reflects no irregularity in the deliberation process.

                              CONCLUSION

¶26            We affirm Coleman’s convictions and sentences. Counsel’s
obligations pertaining to Coleman’s representation in this appeal have
ended. Counsel need do nothing more than inform Coleman of the status
of the appeal and his future options, unless counsel’s review reveals an
issue appropriate for submission to the Arizona Supreme Court by petition
for review. See State v. Shattuck, 140 Ariz. 582, 584–85 (1984). On the court’s
own motion, Coleman shall have 30 days from the date of this decision to
proceed, if he desires, with an in propria persona motion for reconsideration
or petition for review.

                                    :ama

                                      8