STATE v. MERKHAI

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NOTICE: THIS DECISION DOES NOT CREATE LEGAL PRECEDENT AND MAY NOT BE CITED EXCEPT AS AUTHORIZED BY APPLICABLE RULES. See Ariz. R. Supreme Court 111(c); ARCAP 28(c); Ariz. R. Crim. P. 31.24 DIVISION ONE FILED: 10/10/2013 RUTH A. WILLINGHAM, CLERK BY: mjt IN THE COURT OF APPEALS STATE OF ARIZONA DIVISION ONE STATE OF ARIZONA, ) ) Appellee, ) ) v. ) ) CARLOS OSHAN MERKHAI, ) ) Appellant. ) ) ) __________________________________) 1 CA-CR 13-0017 DEPARTMENT C MEMORANDUM DECISION (Not for Publication Rule 111, Rules of the Arizona Supreme Court) Appeal from the Superior Court in Maricopa County Cause No. CR2012-125811-001 The Honorable John R. Ditsworth, Judge AFFIRMED William G. Montgomery, Maricopa County Attorney By Joseph T. Maziarz, Chief Counsel Criminal Appeals/Capital Litigation Section Attorneys for Appellee Phoenix James J. Haas, Maricopa Public Defender By Christopher V. Johns, Deputy Public Defender Attorneys for Appellant Phoenix O R O Z C O, Judge ¶1 conviction Carlos Oshan for possession Merkhai of (Defendant) marijuana. appeals Defendant s his counsel filed a brief in accordance with Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738 (1967) and State v. Leon, 104 Ariz. 297, 451 P.2d 878 (1969), advising this court that after a search of the entire appellate record, he found no arguable question of law that was not frivolous. Defendant was afforded the opportunity to file a supplemental brief in propria persona, but he has not done so. ¶2 Our obligation in this appeal is to review the entire record for reversible error. State v. Clark, 196 Ariz. 530, 537, ¶ 30, 2 P.3d 89, 96 (App. 1999). Finding no reversible error, we affirm. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY ¶3 Defendant was a passenger in a maroon Cadillac traveling eastbound on Northern near 27th Avenue on the evening of May 16, 2012. At approximately 8:30 p.m., Phoenix Police Officers J. and R. conducted a traffic stop of the Cadillac after discovering suspended. the vehicle s license plate had been Officer J. initiated the stop by activating the patrol car s overhead lights and siren. He then illuminated both of the car s spotlights and directed the beams into the cabin of the Cadillac. ¶4 The Cadillac traveled for approximately half a block and then pulled into a parking lot. Aided by the spotlight, Officer J. testified at trial that Defendant leaned to the left and appeared to lean downwards, towards the center area of the 2 vehicle, in the passenger s compartment. Officer J. further testified he was one hundred percent positive that [Defendant] leaned to the left. ¶5 The officers exited the patrol car and Officer J. made contact with the driver and asked for his driver s license and proof of insurance. The driver was unable to produce either and Officer J. arrested him and secured him in the patrol car. ¶6 After the driver was secured, Defendant was asked to step out of the Cadillac so Officer J. could search the vehicle. Defendant exited the vehicle leaving the front passenger door open, at which point Officer R. noticed a bag of a green leafy substance underneath the armrest located in the middle of the front seat. Officer R. indicated to Officer J. he observed what he believed to be marijuana in the vehicle. ¶7 Officer R. inspected the center console while Officer J. spoke with Defendant. underneath the center He found two baggies of marijuana console within Defendant s reach. Defendant indicated to the officers the marijuana was not his and that the Cadillac belonged to his mother. In addition, he admitted to driving the vehicle earlier in the evening. ¶8 A forensic scientist for the Phoenix Police department analyzed the contents of the two baggies and determined there were 1.8 grams and 27 grams of usable marijuana. ¶9 Defendant was initially charged with a single count of 3 possession of marijuana, a class six felony. The State moved to designate the charge a class one misdemeanor and to proceed as a bench trial pursuant to A.R.S. § 13-604. Defendant waived his right to a jury trial. ¶10 At trial the court found Defendant guilty Possession of Marijuana, a class one misdemeanor. The court articulated various grounds supporting the guilty verdict. court explained because a Defendant family member was a licensee originally Cadillac as a permissive user. of entrusted the him of The vehicle, with the Moreover, the court relied on Officer J. s testimony that he witnessed Defendant, move to the left and down towards the center console where the marijuana was located. Based on the above facts the court concluded the defendant s dominion and control over the marijuana had been established. The trial court sentenced Defendant to one year of supervised probation and ordered him to pay a statutory fine and complete twenty-four hours of community service. DISCUSSION ¶11 When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence, the inquiry is limited to whether substantial evidence exists to support the verdict. P.2d 792, 799 State v. Scott, 177 Ariz. 131, 138, 865 (1993). Substantial evidence is proof that reasonable persons could accept as adequate and sufficient to support a conclusion of defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable 4 doubt. State v. Mathers, 164 Ariz. 64, 67, 796 P.2d 866, 869 (1990). We review the evidence in the light most favorable to sustaining the verdict. State v. Arredondo, 155 Ariz. 314, 316, 746 P.2d 484, 486 (1987). ¶12 Possession of marijuana requires proof that the defendant had knowledge of the drug's presence, that it was in fact marijuana, and the defendant must exercise some control over it. State v. Murphy, 117 Ariz. 57, 61, 570 P.2d 1070, 1074 (1977); see also A.R.S. § 13-105.34 (Supp. 2012) ( Possess means knowingly to have physical possession exercise dominion or control over property. ). or otherwise to It is immaterial whether the defendant has actual or constructive possession of the evidence. State v. Curtis, 114 Ariz. 527, 530, 562 P.2d 407, 410 (1977) (holding constructive possession exists when the defendant exercises some dominion over the drugs or the place where they were found) (internal quotations omitted). ¶13 In this case, a forensic scientist substance found in the Cadillac was marijuana. verified the Defendant was identified at trial as the passenger of the vehicle. He was the licensee of the Cadillac and had been driving earlier in the evening indicating control over the vehicle and its contents. Even though Defendant did not have physical possession of the drugs, he did have constructive possession of the marijuana. He exercised some dominion and control over the drugs based on 5 the location where the drugs were found. In addition, Officer J. witnessed Defendant move down and to the left towards the center console where the drugs were found. ¶14 the Thus, substantial evidence was presented to support trial court s finding that Defendant was guilty of Possession of Marijuana. CONCLUSION ¶15 We have carefully searched the entire appellate record for reversible error and have found none. at 541, ¶ 49, 2 P.3d at 100. conducted in All of the proceedings were compliance with Moreover, Procedure. See Clark, 196 Ariz. the Arizona substantial Rules evidence of Criminal supported the superior court s guilty verdicts. Appellant was present and represented critical by proceedings. counsel at all stages of the At sentencing, Defendant and his attorney were given an opportunity to speak, and the court imposed a legal sentence. ¶16 Counsel s representation in obligations this appeal pertaining have ended. to Appellant s See Shattuck, 140 Ariz. 582, 584, 684 P.2d 154, 156 (1984). State v. Counsel need do nothing more than inform Defendant 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 id. 6 at 585, 684 P.2d at 157. Defendant shall have thirty days from the date of this decision to proceed, if he so desires, with an in propria persona motion for reconsideration or petition for review. ¶17 For the foregoing reasons, Appellant s conviction and sentence is affirmed. /S/ _________________________________ PATRICIA A. OROZCO, Judge CONCURRING: /S/ ___________________________________ RANDALL M. HOWE, Presiding Judge /S/ ___________________________________ SAMUEL A. THUMMA, Judge 7

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