Mitchell v. State
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Cite as 2009 Ark. App. 711
ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS
DIVISION IV
No. CACR09-236
Opinion Delivered
THEOTRICE MITCHELL
APPELLANT
V.
STATE OF ARKANSAS
APPELLEE
October 28, 2009
APPEAL FROM THE PULASKI
COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT, FIRST
DIVISION [CR-2008-1312]
HONORABLE MARION A.
HUMPHREY, JUDGE
AFFIRMED
DAVID M. GLOVER, Judge
Appellant, Theotrice Mitchell, was convicted in a bench trial in Pulaski County
Circuit Court of the offenses of possession of cocaine with intent to deliver, possession of
marijuana with intent to deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, and maintaining a drug
premises. He was sentenced to a total of ten years’ imprisonment, with the recommendation
of boot camp. On appeal, Mitchell argues that the trial court erred in finding that he was in
constructive possession of the contraband seized from the residence located at 1600 Lynette
Drive. This argument is not preserved for appellate review; therefore, we affirm Mitchell’s
convictions.
Rule 33.1(b) of the Arkansas Rules of Criminal Procedure provides that, in a bench
trial, “if a motion for dismissal is to be made, it shall be made at the close of all of the
Cite as 2009 Ark. App. 711
evidence.” Such motion must state the specific grounds for dismissal. Subsection (c) of Rule
33.1 states that failure to challenge the sufficiency of the evidence “at the times and in the
manner required in subsection . . . (b) above will constitute a waiver of any question
pertaining to the sufficiency of the evidence to support . . . the judgment.”
In this case, after Mitchell rested, the trial court asked if there was any rebuttal, and the
State replied in the negative. The trial court then asked if there was anything in closing.
Without interruption, the State proceeded to make its closing arguments, followed by
Mitchell’s closing arguments, which included the argument Mitchell now makes on appeal.
However, in McClina v. State, 354 Ark. 384, 123 S.W.3d 883 (2003), our supreme court held
that Rule 33.1 is strictly construed and interpreted, and that in order to preserve the
sufficiency issue, the appellant is required to make a motion for dismissal at the close of all
evidence before closing arguments. Because Mitchell did not make a motion to dismiss at the
close of all of the evidence, his sufficiency argument is not preserved for appellate review.
Affirmed.
PITTMAN and HART, JJ., agree.
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