TIMOTHY SHEMWELL V. COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
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RENDERED : AUGUST 27, 2009
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A P LLAN
TIMOTHY SHEMWELL
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ON APPEAL FROM OHIO CIRCUIT COURT
HONORABLE RONNIE C . DORTCH, JUDGE
NO. 04-CR-00039
COMMONWEALTH OF KENTUCKY
APPELLEE
OPINION OF THE COURT BY JUSTICE VENTERS
AFFIRMING
Appellant, Timothy Shemwell, was convicted by an Ohio Circuit Court
jury of manufacturing methamphetamine under KRS 218A.1432 1432(1)(a),
possession of anhydrous ammonia in an unapproved container with the intent
to manufacture methamphetamine, possession of a methamphetamine
precursor, possession of marijuana, less than eight ounces, and possession of
drug paraphernalia . For these crimes, Appellant received consecutive
sentences totaling forty-five years' imprisonment . Appellant now appeals to
this Court as a matter of right . Ky. Const. ยง 110.
Appellant asserts five arguments on appeal: 1) that his convictions for
manufacturing methamphetamine and possession of a methamphetamine
precursor violated double jeopardy; 2) that his convictions for manufacturing
methamphetamine and possession of anhydrous ammonia in an unapproved
container with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine violated double
jeopardy; 3) that he was substantially prejudiced and denied due process by
the admission of evidence indicating he owned a sawed-off shotgun ; 4) that he
was substantially prejudiced and denied due process by the admission of
testimony that he had been suspected of drug activity for years; and 5) that the
trial court erred by not declaring a mistrial and severing the trial after his codefendant was questioned about her prior drug use. For the reasons set forth
herein, we affirm Appellant's conviction and sentence.
On February 25, 2004, the Ohio County Sheriff's Department responded
to a domestic dispute call at Appellant's residence . Upon arriving there,
Deputy Danny Kessinger found Appellant, Appellant's ex-wife Betty Shemwell,
Appellant's friend Reva Roeder, and Roeder's son . Deputy Kessinger also found
evidence of a suspected methamphetamine lab. After getting permission from
Appellant, a thorough search of the property ensued. In Appellant's garage,
lithium batteries, batteries with lithium strips removed, and two small
canisters containing hemostats and suspected marijuana seeds were found.
Inside a shed, the police discovered a five-gallon bucket containing lithium
strips and a pink powder which later tests revealed to contain ephedrine or
pseudoephedrine . Directly outside the shed, starter fluid cans with holes in
the bottom were found . On a tractor, a wooden spoon with methamphetamine
residue was located. Also scattered around Appellant's property were a
blender, scales, plastic baggie corners, a two-quart container containing
ammonia, a two-quart container containing a two-layered substance consisting
of liquid on the top and a sludge of pseudoephedrine on the bottom, two cans
of fuel in a trash can, two containers of salt, drain cleaner, tubing, and a
propane tank containing ammonia . Inside Appellant's house, police discovered
nine empty Sudafed packets inside a coat pocket and inside Reva Roeder's
purse, a wet coffee filter with methamphetamine residue . Based in large part
on the evidence collected, Appellant was indicted and ultimately found guilty of
the above listed crimes in a joint trial with Reva Roeder.
I . APPELLANT'S CONVICTIONS FOR MANUFACTURING METHAMPHETAMINE
AND POSSESSION OF A METHAMPHETAMINE PRECURSOR DO NOT
VIOLATE DOUBLE JEOPARDY
Appellant first argues that his conviction for manufacturing
methamphetamine under KRS 218A . 1432(1)(a) and possession of a
methamphetamine precursor under KRS 218A.1437(1) violate double jeopardy.
The Double Jeopardy Clause of the Fifth Amendment of the United States
Constitution prohibits multiple punishments for the same criminal act or
transaction . Appellant argues that the two crimes constitute "a continuing
course of conduct" and was "uninterrupted by legal process," thus violating our
statutory rule on double jeopardy, KRS 505 .020(1) . Further, Appellant
questions whether each crime "requires proof of an additional fact which the
other does not" violating the rule laid out in Blockburger v. United States, 284
U.S . 299, 304 (1932) ; See also Commonwealth v. Burge , 947 S .W.2d 805, 809-
811 (Ky . 1996) .
To be convicted under KRS 218A. 1432(1)(a), manufacturing
methamphetamine, it must be proven that the defendant "knowingly and
unlawfully . . . manufacture[d] methamphetamine ." The corresponding jury
instruction for the manufacturing methamphetamine charge in this case was :
You will find [Appellant] guilty of Manufacturing Methamphetamine
under this instruction, if and only if, you believe from the evidence
beyond a reasonable doubt that in Ohio County on or about
February 25, 2004, and before the finding of the Indictment herein,
he knowingly and unlawfully manufactured methamphetamine.
To be convicted under KRS 218A.1437(1), possession of a methamphetamine
precursor, it must be proven that the defendant "knowingly and unlawfully
possesse[d] a drug product or combination of drug products containing
ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or phenylpropanolamine, or their salts, insomers,
or salts or isomers, with the intent to use the drug product or combination of
drug products as a precursor to manufacturing methamphetamine or other
controlled substance ." The corresponding jury instruction for the possession of
a methamphetamine precursor charge was :
You will find [Appellant] guilty of Unlawful Possession of a
Methamphetamine Precursor under this instruction, if and only if,
you believe from the evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that in
Ohio County on or about February 25, 2004, and before the
findings of the Indictment herein, he knowingly and unlawfully
possessed ephedrine or pseudoephedrine with the intent to use the
substance as a precursor to manufacturing methamphetamine or
other controlled substance .
A review of the statutes and jury instructions for these crimes show that
double jeopardy was not violated . Each statute clearly requires that to be
guilty, the defendant must have committed separate and distinct acts, each
completed at different times. To be guilty under KRS 218A .14321432(1)(a), one
must have "actually manufactured some quantity of methamphetamine ."
Bealy v. Commonwealth , 125 S .W.3d 196, 212 (Ky. 2004) . To be guilty under
KRS 218A.1437(1), one must have the precursor necessary to produce
methamphetamine and the intent to use it to produce methamphetamine in the
future . Thus, the unique element between the two offenses is whether the
defendant has manufactured methamphetamine in the past, or whether he has
the materials and intent to produce it in the future. KRS 218A .1432 1432(1)(a) and
KRS 218A.1437(1) do not violate the Blockburger rule or KRS 505.020(1) .
Further, the jury instructions did not violate the principles laid out in
Beat , 125 S .W.3d at 212 . In Beaty, we held that a conviction for possession of
methamphetamine, KRS 218A.1415, and manufacturing methamphetamine
violated double jeopardy due to the manner in which the jury instructions were
drafted. Id . at 213. The problem in Beaty was that the jury instruction for
possession of methamphetamine did not clearly state that it was based upon
different methamphetamine than that which the defendant manufactured . Id.
Thus, we held that the convictions potentially came from the same criminal act
or transaction, and double jeopardy was violated . Id. In this case, the jury
instructions adequately reflected the difference in the crimes . The instruction
on the manufacturing methamphetamine charge indicated that Appellant had
already committed this crime . The instruction on the possession of a
manufacturing precursor indicated that he possessed the precursor with the
intent to manufacture methamphetamine in the future . There was adequate
evidence presented to support both instructions. Appellant's right to be free
from double jeopardy was not violated.
II. APPELLANT'S CONVICTIONS FOR MANUFACTURING
METHAMPHETAMINE AND POSSESSION OF ANHYDROUS AMMONIA DO NOT
VIOLATE DOUBLE JEOPARDY
Appellant next argues that his convictions for manufacturing
methamphetamine under KRS 218A.1432 1432(1)(a) and possession of anhydrous
ammonia in an unapproved container with the intent to manufacture
methamphetamine under KRS 250.489(1) violate double jeopardy. Appellant's
main argument is that the crime of possession of anhydrous ammonia in an
unapproved container constitutes "a continuing course of conduct" in tandem
with the crime of manufacturing methamphetamine. Again we will analyze
these two statutes using the Blockburgrer test and KRS 505.020.
KRS 250 .489(1) states that "[I)t shall be unlawful for any person to
knowingly possess anhydrous ammonia in any container other than an
approved container." KRS 250.991(2) sets forth the penalty for violating KRS
250.489(1) :
Any person who knowingly possesses anhydrous ammonia in a
container other than an approved container . . . is guilty of a Class
D felony unless it is proven that the person violated KRS 250 .489
with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine in violation of
KRS 218A .1432, in which case it is a Class B felony for the first
offense and a Class A felony for each subsequent offense.
The jury instruction for this charge required that the jury find that Appellant
"knowingly had in his possession a quantity of anhydrous ammonia" and that
"the anhydrous ammonia was in a container other than an approved
container." The instruction further required that the jury find that "[Appellant]
was in possession of anhydrous ammonia with the intent of manufacturing
methamphetamine ."
Upon review, it is clear that there is no double jeopardy violation . KRS
250 .489 prohibits possession of anhydrous ammonia in an unapproved
container. KRS 218A.1432 makes no mention of anhydrous ammonia or what
constitutes a proper container for it. Thus, on its face there is proof of an
element required for KRS 250 .489 that is not required for KRS 218A.1432 .
Further, while manufacturing methamphetamine requires that the defendant
acted in the past, proving that the defendant possessed the anhydrous
ammonia in an unapproved container with the intent to manufacture
methamphetamine in the future requires proving how the defendant is going to
act. Thus, the two crimes do not constitute a "continuing course of conduct"
and do not violate double jeopardy. The Blockburger test and KRS 505 .020 are
not violated .
Appellant also briefly argues that we should review KRS 250.991 and
KRS 218A .1432 to determine if the statutes are ambiguous . Appellant argues
that since KRS 250 .991, the penalty provision for KRS 250 .489, makes
reference to being "in violation of KRS 218A .1432" there is an ambiguity.
However, KRS 250.991 clearly states that one must
intend
to be "in violation of
KRS 218A.1432 ." The language is clear and there is no ambiguity.
III . INTRODUCTION OF EVIDENCE REGARDING A SAWED-OFF SHOTGUN
FOUND IN APPELLANT'S HOUSE WAS HARMLESS ERROR
Appellant next argues that the introduction into evidence of information
regarding a sawed-off shotgun found at his residence was irrelevant and
constitutes reversible error . The first mention of the sawed-off shotgun was
during the direct testimony of Detective Greg Clark. Detective Clark mentioned
that a sawed-off shotgun was found during the police search of Appellant's
property. The shotgun was again brought up during the Commonwealth's
cross-examination of Appellant . The prosecutor asked Appellant if his house
was searched by the police . Appellant testified that he knew certain items were
seized from his living room, but was uncertain if his entire house was
searched . The prosecutor then showed Appellant a picture of the sawed-off
shotgun. The prosecutor asked Appellant about the picture causing his
counsel to object to the questioning. The trial judge inquired how the
prosecutor's question would be relevant. The prosecutor responded that since
Appellant testified that he was unsure if his house was searched, the picture
would rebut that testimony. The trial judge gave the prosecutor a chance to
make the questioning relevant, but instructed the prosecutor to "tie it up
quickly." The prosecutor then asked Appellant several questions regarding the
sawed-off shotgun. Appellant ultimately admitted to owning the weapon .
Since Appellant's counsel objected to the line of questioning, we will review this
alleged error under our harmless error standard .
In this matter, the introduction of the evidence regarding the sawed-off
shotgun was error. Appellant's ownership of the sawed-off shotgun is
irrelevant to the drug related crimes for which he was charged . See Major v .
Commonwealth , 177 S.W.3d 700, 710 (Ky. 2005) ("weapons which have no
relationship to the crime are inadmissible") . Further, we reject the
Commonwealth's assertion that the introduction of the shotgun evidence was
necessary to rebut Appellant's testimony that he was unsure if the police
searched his house. Whether Appellant believed or knew his entire house was
searched was irrelevant and here was a collateral matter not subject to
impeachment. See Commonwealth v . Jackson, 281 S .W.2d 891, 894 (Ky.
1955) (holding that generally a witness may not be impeached with a matter
which is irrelevant and collateral to the crimes of which he is charged)
(overruled on other grounds by Jett v. Commonwealth, 436 S.W .2d 788 (Ky.
1969)) . Additionally, the introduction of the sawed-off shotgun violated KRE
404(b) since the evidence is irrelevant but prejudicial to Appellant.
However, while the introduction of the sawed-off shotgun evidence was
error, it was harmless . The testimony regarding the sawed-off shotgun from
Detective Clark and Appellant was brief. The testimony only lasted for a few
minutes in a trial which lasted for four days. Further, the evidence of
Appellant's guilt regarding the drug crimes was sufficient and convincing . We
cannot say that this error "substantially swayed" the judgment . See Winstead
v. Commonwealth, 283 S .W .3d 678, 689 (Ky. 2009) .
IV. TESTIMONY THAT APPELLANT HAD BEEN SUSPECTED OF DRUG
ACTIVITY FOR YEARS WAS RESPONSIVE TO QUESTIONING
Appellant next argues that he was substantially prejudiced and denied
due process because of Detective Clark's testimony that the police suspected
him of selling drugs for many years. Appellant's counsel asked Detective Clark
on cross-examination, "Mr. Clark, you testified that you were looking for
evidence of drug activity based on what . . . Deputy Kessinger had told you on
the phone?" After Detective Clark answered in the affirmative, Appellant's
counsel asked "Can you tell us exactly what he told you on the phone?"
Detective Clark answered, "I can't say the exact words . I think due to his
actions, throwing stuff into the semi-trailer like he's trying to get rid of
evidence. [Appellant] has been on our, we've been looking at [Appellant] for a
few years now as far as drug activity ." Appellant's counsel did not object to
Detective Clark's answer.
A minute or two later, Appellant's counsel asked Detective Clark about
his decision not to arrest several people found on Appellant's property, "You
accepted [Appellant's] word that they were good and law-abiding people even
though you suspected that [Appellant] was making methamphetamine and
you'd been watching him for years or whatever?" A few minutes after that
question, Appellant's counsel again focused on the fact that Appellant was
suspected of manufacturing drugs by asking, "Has Betty Shemwell ever called
you and told you that you'll find a meth lab on [Appellant's] property?"
Generally "[o]ne who asks questions which call for an answer has waived
any objection to the answer if it is responsive ." Estep v. Commonwealth , 663
S .W.2d 213, 216 (Ky. 1984) . By repeatedly asking Detective Clark questions
which mentioned or involved the police's suspicions about Appellant
manufacturing drugs, Appellant waived any potential claim of error arising
from the testimony. Further, Detective Clark's testimony answering these
questions was responsive. It appears as though Appellant's questions
regarding the prior suspicions were part of a greater trial strategy to prove he
was set-up - either by the police or his ex-wife, Betty Shemwell . Thus,
Appellant waived any right to object to the testimony regarding the suspicions
about his prior drug manufacturing .
V. NO MISTRIAL OR SEVERANCE WAS WARRANTED
Appellant finally argues that the trial judge erred by refusing to grant a
severance or mistrial after the prosecutor questioned co-defendant Reva Roeder
about her knowledge of methamphetamine . During cross-examination, the
prosecutor asked Roeder if she had ever seen methamphetamine. Roeder
claimed that she had not. Roeder also testified that she did not know how
coffee filters - like the one found in her purse -- were used in connection with
manufacturing methamphetamine . Upon hearing this testimony, the trial
judge held a bench conference where he instructed Roeder's counsel to make
sure she did not commit perjury on the stand. The trial judge believed she
might be committing perjury since she failed a drug test while out on bail.
During the bench conference, Appellant's counsel expressed concern that the
prosecutor may ask Roeder if she was a "professional meth addict ." The trial
judge, however, believed that the prosecutor could ask Roeder if she was
familiar with methamphetamine to show her intent to possess or manufacture
it .
During the re-cross examination of Roeder, the prosecutor asked if she
had met Detective Payton prior to the charges in this incident being filed . She
admitted that she met him at her house . Before the prosecutor could ask why
Roeder had met Detective Payton, her counsel requested a bench conference .
Roeder's counsel objected to the line of questioning because it dealt with her
prior bad acts. The prosecutor noted, however, that during Detective Payton's
visit to Roeder's house he found methamphetamine . Thus, this line of
questioning was pertinent to show Roeder had committed perjury. The trial
judge, referring to KRE 608(b), believed that specific instances of Roeder's
misconduct could be admitted to test the veracity of her testimony.
At this point, Appellant's counsel argued that this line of questioning
would "poison the well" against him. Appellant moved for a severance arguing
that Roeder's testimony was "grossly prejudicial." The trial judge denied the
request. Upon the prosecutor asking Roeder if any illegal drugs were found by
Detective Payton, she denied it . She also denied that any plastic baggies with
white powder had been found . At the close of Roeder's case, Appellant's
counsel moved for a mistrial. The trial judge denied the motion without stating
any grounds.
The decision to grant a mistrial is within the sound discretion of the trial
court and such a ruling will not be disturbed absent an abuse of discretion .
Bray v. Commonwealth , 177 S.W .3d 741, 752 (Ky. 2005) . "A mistrial is an
extreme remedy and should be resorted to only when there appears in the
record a manifest necessity for such an action or an urgent or real necessity."
Id. Appellant argues that the trial judge abused his discretion in not declaring
a mistrial because he failed to see the prejudice the prosecutor's questions and
Roeder's testimony caused Appellant under KRE 403. However, Roeder's
testimony at trial was that she was unfamiliar with methamphetamine and
that she did not know if it was found in her house. Thus, Appellant could not
have been prejudiced due to Roeder's testimony since she denied ever seeing
methamphetamine . Further, Appellant does not show how the prosecutor's
relevant questioning of Roeder had any impact on his particular case.
Appellant argues that the questions the prosecutor asked Roeder caused the
jury to find him guilty by association. However, Appellant fails to present any
evidence that this occurred. The evidence against Appellant was substantial,
and the prosecutor's questioning of Roeder was not out of line . Thus, we
cannot find that the trial judge abused his discretion in denying Appellant's
motion for a mistrial .
Further, RCr 9 .16 states that a severance must be requested before the
jury being sworn . This was not done and Appellant waived this issue.
Additionally, Appellant has not shown that the joint trial prejudiced him .
Thus, for the foregoing reasons, the judgment and sentence of the Ohio
Circuit Court is affirmed .
All sitting. All concur.
COUNSEL FOR APPELLANT:
Emily Holt Rhorer
Department of Public Advocacy
100 Fair Oaks Lane
Suite 302
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
COUNSEL FOR APPELLEE:
Jack Conway
Attorney Genteral
Jeffrey Allan Cross
Criminal Appellate Division
Office of the Attorney General
1024 Capital Center Drive
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
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