Anthony Crutcher v. State of Mississippi
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IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
NO. 2009-KA-01819-COA
ANTHONY CRUTCHER
APPELLANT
v.
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
DATE OF JUDGMENT:
TRIAL JUDGE:
COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED:
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT:
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLEE:
DISTRICT ATTORNEY:
NATURE OF THE CASE:
TRIAL COURT DISPOSITION:
DISPOSITION:
MOTION FOR REHEARING FILED:
MANDATE ISSUED:
APPELLEE
11/05/2009
HON. ROBERT P. CHAMBERLIN
DESOTO COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
GEORGE T. HOLMES
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
BY: STEPHANIE BRELAND WOOD
JOHN W. CHAMPION
CRIMINAL - FELONY
CONVICTED OF SALE OF A
CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AND
SENTENCED TO SIXTY YEARS IN THE
CUSTODY OF THE MISSISSIPPI
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AS A
HABITUAL AND SUBSEQUENT
OFFENDER WITHOUT ELIGIBILITY FOR
PAROLE OR PROBATION
AFFIRMED - 04/12/2011
BEFORE GRIFFIS, P.J., MYERS AND CARLTON, JJ.
CARLTON, J., FOR THE COURT:
¶1.
A jury in the DeSoto County Circuit Court convicted Anthony Crutcher of selling
cocaine. The trial court sentenced Crutcher to sixty years in the custody of the Mississippi
Department of Corrections (MDOC). Aggrieved, Crutcher appeals raising the following
issues for this Court’s review: whether (1) the trial court erred in denying Crutcher’s request
for a mistrial during voir dire; (2) the trial court erred in finding that a sufficient evidentiary
foundation existed for the videotape of the drug sale to be admitted into evidence; (3) the trial
court erred in finding that the State established a proper chain of custody allowing the
cocaine to be admitted into evidence; and (4) Crutcher’s sentence is proper. Finding no error,
we affirm.
FACTS
¶2.
A grand jury indicted Crutcher as a Mississippi Code Annotated section 99-19-81
(Rev. 2007) habitual offender and as a subsequent offender pursuant to Mississippi Code
Annotated section 41-29-147 (Rev. 2009) on two counts of the sale of a controlled substance,
cocaine. A trial commenced on September 14, 2009, in the Circuit Court of DeSoto County.1
At the trial, Lieutenant Jeremy Degan, the supervisor of the Special Investigations Division,2
testified that on June 20, 2007, he and some other agents from the Metro were performing
controlled drug transactions on the eastern side of DeSoto County. Lieutenant Degan and
the other agents used two confidential informants, Robert Smith and Donna Washington, to
aid in the operations. Lieutenant Degan testified that he placed an audio listening device and
an audio/video recording device on Smith’s person and that a secondary concealed video
recording device was placed inside the vehicle that Smith and Washington were using in the
controlled operations. Smith testified at trial that on June 20, 2007, he, at the direction of the
1
Crutcher was only tried on count two in the trial that commenced on September 14,
2009, as count one, which charged Crutcher with selling cocaine to Smith and/or Washington
on or about May 24, 2007, for eighty dollars, was remanded to the file.
2
The Special Investigations Division was previously known as the DeSoto County
Metro Narcotics Unit (Metro).
2
Metro, traveled to Molly Wells’s, a/k/a Jennie Walls’s, residence with the intention of
purchasing cocaine from her. Smith further testified that Molly was not home when he
arrived, so he decided to leave her house. Smith then testified that as he was starting back
to his vehicle, Crutcher pulled into the residence. Smith testified that he purchased two rocks
of cocaine from Crutcher for forty dollars.
¶3.
At the conclusion of the trial, the jury found Crutcher guilty of selling cocaine. The
trial court then sentenced Crutcher to sixty years in the custody of the MDOC as a habitual
and subsequent offender. Aggrieved, Crutcher appeals.
DISCUSSION
I. MOTION FOR MISTRIAL
¶4.
During voir dire, a prospective juror asked the prosecutor the following question,
which elicited the allegedly prejudicial response:
JUROR:
You said the Prosecution is the only one that’s going to
have witnesses.
PROSECUTOR:
The defense is never required to put on any witnesses.
That’s going to be up to the Defendant. I have the
burden of proof. I have to prove something to you.
Okay? It’s up to the Defense if they want to put on
witnesses or offer testimony –
Crutcher objected to the State’s response to the juror’s question and moved for a mistrial,
which the trial court subsequently denied. On appeal, Crutcher argues that the State, when
conducting voir dire, improperly commented on his right to remain silent and not to testify.
The State argues in response that the comments in no way implied that Crutcher’s choice not
to testify was improper or indicated that Crutcher was guilty. The State further contends that
3
the trial court gave, without objection, an instruction which was very similar to the alleged
prejudicial response made by the prosecutor.
¶5.
The standard of review utilized by this Court when reviewing a denial of a motion for
a mistrial is abuse of discretion. Tate v. State, 20 So. 3d 623, 629 (¶13) (Miss. 2009) (citing
Dora v. State, 986 So. 2d 917, 921 (¶8) (Miss. 2008)). “The trial court must declare a
mistrial when there is an error in the proceedings resulting in substantial and irreparable
prejudice to the defendant’s case.” Gilbert v. State, 48 So. 3d 516, 521 (¶20) (Miss. 2010)
(quoting Gossett v. State, 660 So. 2d 1285, 1290 (Miss. 1995)). In determining whether a
mistrial is warranted, the trial court possesses considerable discretion since the trial judge is
in the best position to measure the prejudicial effect. Id. (citing Roundtree v. State, 568 So.
2d 1173, 1178 (Miss. 1990)).
¶6.
A defendant’s right to remain silent is a federal and state constitutional requirement.
Alexander v. State, 610 So. 2d 320, 339 (Miss. 1992). “In all criminal prosecutions the
accused shall . . . not be compelled to give evidence against himself.” Id. (citing Miss. Const.
art. 3 § 2[6]). “No person . . . shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against
himself.” Id. (citing U.S. Const. amend. V). The Mississippi Supreme Court has held that
any reference to a defendant’s failure to testify, implying that such failure is improper or
indicating that the defendant is guilty, is improper. Dora, 986 So. 2d at 923 (¶11) (citing
Wright v. State, 958 So. 2d 158, 161 (¶7) (Miss. 2007)). The Mississippi Supreme Court
further elaborated on the reference to the defendant’s failure to testify by stating the
following:
The [S]tate is entitled to comment on the lack of any defense, and such
4
comment will not be construed as a reference to the defendant's failure to
testify by innuendo and insinuation. Shook v. State, 552 So. 2d 841, 851
(Miss. 1989) (emphasis added). The question is whether the prosecutor's
statement can be construed as commenting upon the failure of the defendant
to take the stand. Ladner v. State, 584 So. 2d 743, 754 (Miss. 1991).
Wright, 958 So. 2d at 161 (emphasis added). This approach effectively
prevents “the protective shield of the Fifth Amendment” from being
“converted into a sword that cuts back on the area of legitimate comment by
the prosecutor on the weaknesses in the defense case.” Robinson, 485 U.S.
[25,] 32, 108 S. Ct. 864 [(1988)] (quoting United States v. Hasting, 461 U.S.
499, 515, 103 S. Ct. 1974, 1984, 76 L. Ed. 2d 96, 110 (1983) (Stevens, J.,
concurring) (citation omitted)).
“[P]rosecutorial comment must be examined in context[.]” Robinson, 485 U.S.
at 33, 108 S. Ct. 864. “When the statement is not an outright violation, this
Court will review the facts on a case-by-case basis.” Wright, 958 So. 2d at 166
[(¶24)] (citing Logan v. State, 773 So. 2d 338, 348 [(¶38)](Miss. 2000)).
Furthermore, “not every comment regarding the lack of any defense is
automatically deemed to point toward the defense's failure to testify.” Id.
(citing Jimpson v. State, 532 So. 2d 985, 991 (Miss. 1988)).
Dora, 986 So. 2d at 923 (¶¶11-12). If a question arises as to the prosecution's comment on
the defendant's failure to testify, each case must be considered on an individual basis on the
facts of that particular case. De La Beckwith v. State, 707 So. 2d 547, 584 (¶148) (Miss.
1997) (citations omitted). Even if an error occurs, such comment is deemed harmless beyond
a reasonable doubt where the evidence of guilt is “so overwhelming that the jury would have
returned a guilty verdict in spite of the prosecutor’s comment.” Id. (citing Lee v. State, 435
So. 2d 674, 678 (Miss. 1983); Conway v. State, 397 So. 2d 1095, 1100 (Miss. 1980)). The
Mississippi Supreme Court explained that this is especially true in cases that do not involve
the defendant facing the death penalty. Id.
¶7.
Crutcher relies on Hines v. State, 339 So. 2d 56, 57 (Miss. 1976) to support his
argument. In Hines, the prosecutor asked the venire panel, “Do each of you realize that the
5
defendant has the right not to testify in this case? You are not to draw any inference as to
guilt or innocence of the defendant whether he does or does not take the stand.” Id. The
defense objected and moved for a mistrial, which was subsequently overruled by the trial
court. Id. On appeal, the Mississippi Supreme Court reversed, finding that the prosecutor’s
remarks coupled with the defendant’s decision not to testify were tantamount to an improper
statement on the failure to testify by the defendant. Id. Hines, however, is distinguishable
from this case both factually and legally. In the present case, the prosecutor discussed the
defendant’s option of putting on evidence and testimony, while the prosecutor in Hines
expressly spoke to the defendant’s right not to testify. In addition, the Court in Hines relied
on Mississippi statutory authority which has since been repealed.3
¶8.
In the case at hand, this Court finds no abuse of discretion on the part of the trial court
in denying Crutcher’s motion for a mistrial. In denying Crutcher’s motion, the trial court
stated the following outside the presence of the jury:
First and foremost, Mr. Jubera’s [the prosecutor] statements - - first of all,
obviously they were correct statements of the law. The [d]efendant does not
have to call witnesses and that’s their decision, some form of that statement.
I will note also that statement is very close to one of the standard Court’s jury
instructions that is given that says the defendant does not have to put on any
evidence at all as to their innocence, so to speak. The instruction will speak
3
In Hines, it becomes evident that the Court relied on Mississippi Code Annotated
section 13-1-9 (1972) in making its decision to reverse and remand the case when the Court
stated the following: “In any event the prosecutor’s remarks, coupled with the defendant’s
subsequent decision not to testify is tantamount to a comment on the defendant’s failure to
testify and is therefore in violation of section 13-1-9.” Hines, 339 So. 2d at 57. Mississippi
Code Annotated section 13-1-9 (1972) provides that: “The accused shall be a competent
witness for himself in any prosecution for crime against him. The failure of the accused, in
any case, to testify shall not however operate to his prejudice or be commented on by
counsel.” Id. (citing Miss. Code Ann. § 13-1-9). The Legislature repealed section 13-1-9
in 1991. See Wright, 958 So. 2d at 164 (¶19).
6
for itself, but does not have to put on any evidence on the topic of their guilt
or innocence. Mr. Jubera’s statement I feel does not reference a failure of Mr.
Crutcher to testify or call witnesses. I will note that many, many times the
defense lawyer goes over that with the jury panel; but that’s a strategic
decision. I will note that Mr. Jones made the strategic decision not to go over
that in this case. So I don’t feel like that it meets the criteria that would require
a mistrial. As indicated, as to any admonishment of the jury, they will get that
by the jury instruction which indicates that Mr. Crutcher does not have to put
on any evidence at all upon the subject.
¶9.
This Court recognizes the limited standard of review that applies when reviewing a
trial court’s denial of a motion for a mistrial. In the case at hand, we recognize that the
prosecutor simply remarked that the “defense is never required to put on any witnesses” and
did not speak to Crutcher’s failure to testify nor his right to remain silent. Therefore, we find
no abuse in discretion in the trial court’s denial of the motion and hold that this issue is
without merit.
II. EVIDENTIARY FOUNDATION
¶10.
In Crutcher’s second assignment of error, he argues that the trial court erred in
allowing the videotape of the drug sale into evidence, arguing that the State failed to lay a
sufficient evidentiary foundation for the evidence in accordance with Mississippi Rule of
Evidence 901(b)(1). Specifically, Crutcher argues that the State did not put on evidence that
the recording equipment was operating correctly and that there was no showing, through a
person with knowledge, that the video recording displayed an accurate representation of the
drug buy. In response, the State asserts that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in
allowing the videotape of the drug sale into evidence, as the videotape was properly
authenticated by the two police officers who testified at trial that authenticated the videotape.
¶11.
This Court employs an abuse-of-discretion standard of review when reviewing for the
7
admission or exclusion of evidence. Newell v. State, 49 So. 3d 66, 71 (¶9) (Miss. 2010)
(citing Mingo v. State, 944 So. 2d 18, 28 (¶24) (Miss. 2006)). The supreme court has
previously stated that “[w]e will not reverse the trial court's evidentiary ruling unless the
error adversely affects a substantial right of a party.” Id. See M.R.E. 103(a).
¶12.
Prior to its admission into evidence, a document or photograph must be authenticated.
Conway v. State, 915 So. 2d 521, 526 (¶18) (Miss. Ct. App. 2005) (citing M.R.E. 901)).
“The same standards used in determining the admissibility of photographs are applicable to
the admission of videotapes.” Griffin v. State, 918 So. 2d 882, 884 (¶9) (Miss. Ct. App.
2006) (citing Seals v. State, 869 So. 2d 429, 433 (¶13) (Miss. Ct. App. 2004)). Mississippi
Rule of Evidence 901 speaks to the authentication requirements for admission of evidence.
Rule 901 provides the following in pertinent part:
(a) The requirement of authentication or identification as a condition precedent
to admissibility is satisfied by evidence sufficient to support a finding that the
matter in question is what its proponent claims.
(b) By way of illustration only, and not by way of limitation, the following are
examples of authentication or identification conforming with the requirements
of this rule:
(1) Testimony of Witness With Knowledge. Testimony that a matter is
what it is claimed to be.
This Court has previously held that in order for a videotape to be entered into evidence
through a witness, it must be authenticated “by someone who can testify that the events on
the tape accurately depict the transaction as it occurred on the day in question.” Conway, 915
So. 2d at 526 (¶19) (citing Seals, 869 So. 2d at 433 (¶13)).
¶13.
In the present case, the State presented the testimony of Lieutenant Degan and Agent
8
Danny Wilkey to authenticate the videotape of the drug transaction that occurred on June 20,
2007. In response to the State’s questions during direct examination, Lieutenant Degan
testified as follows:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Were you employed or on duty on June 20, 2007?
Yes, sir.
What were your duties on that day?
We were performing controlled drug transactions on the eastern side of
the county.
Did you employ a confidential informant in that?
We did.
Who was that confidential informant?
Robert Smith and his wife, Donna Washington.
What was your role in that investigation?
I was a cover unit and just assisting the case agents with preparing for
the transactions.
In preparing for the transactions, what if anything did you do?
After the informants were searched, I placed upon Mr. Smith an audio
listening device as well as an audio/video recording device.
Was there another - - aside from the one that you just talked about, was
there another audio/video device used?
Yes, sir. We used a secondary concealed device inside the vehicle, a
concealed video device, a concealed video recording device.
Did those audio/video devices successfully capture audio and video?
Yes, sir.
Once the audio and video is successfully captured, what’s the procedure
for maintaining that audio and video?
The device is taken back to the office. It’s connected to a desk top
computer. There is a specialized program that we use with the device
that prevents us from editing the video. We transfer the data from the
device to the computer, and from there we put it on some form of
hardware, i.e., CD.
Did you have an opportunity to review a CD or DVD in this case?
I did.
I’m handing you an item now. Do you recognize that?
I do.
What do you recognize it to be?
This is the video, disk, DVD disk that has the video from our case
number DC-07-0110 from June 20, 2007.
Did you have an opportunity to review it prior to this case?
I did.
9
Q:
A:
Is it a fair and accurate representation?
Yes, it is.
Agent Wilkey testified to the following during direct examination by the State:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
Q:
A:
What steps do you take to protect – when using a confidential
informant, what steps do you take to protect the integrity of your
investigation?
For one thing you do is you try to gauge the person and make sure they
have some type of reliability. You set up times for them to call you and
make sure their responsible enough to call you when you tell them to.
Before you go do a buy, you make sure you search them and their
person to make sure they don’t have any guns or knives or any drugs on
them at the time. Also, we place an audio transmitting device on their
person, which all that does is anything that’s in close range around
them, it transits with that audio system, and we can listen to it here. So
at all times we have some type of audio surveillance. We know what’s
going on. We know what he’s saying and the bad guy is saying. So if
you were to have any distress code or anything like that that he needs
help or she needs help, that we might be able to come in and intervene.
Is there a log kept of a transaction?
Yes.
Was a log kept in this instance?
Yes, sir.
What information is on that log?
It’s called a purchase of evidence sheet. It’s basically [a] chronological
log of times of when we searched the informant or informants, when we
searched their vehicle, when money was issued to them, who placed a
wire on them, what time they arrived at the location, when they met the
suspect, what time they bought the illicit drug from the suspect and so
on.
The procedures that you just testified about, were they followed in this
case?
Yes, sir. They were.
And did you participate in an investigation on June 20th of 2007?
Yes, sir. I did.
Briefly explain to us what you did in the course of that investigation?
We met with the informants – well, I guess their name is used now –
Robert Smith and Donna Washington at what’s called an undisclosed
prebuy location. It’s just a place out in the field so we wouldn’t have
to meet them at the office that’s secluded and can’t see easily from the
road. Once we’ve met with them, Officer Cassada, that y’all met
earlier this morning, searched Mr. Smith and the female Donna
10
Washington was searched by Agent Cody, who’s currently in Japan
living the good life right now. And then Mr. Cassada searched the
vehicle, and in all the searches, nothing was found, no contraband, no
weapons. No illicit drugs.
Lieutenant Degan placed the audio transmitting device that I was
talking about on Mr. Cassada who just got off the stand, and
Commander Lamfear wired the vehicle, placed the Peter in the vehicle,
which helps the audio signal get out a little bit further, kind of like a
radio antenna, so we could be further back to listen. And once we did
that and performed the search of the vehicle, we turned the audio and
video equipment on, and then the informants left that location towards
where they were going to meet the suspect at, and we followed along
behind them.
....
Q:
You testified about the recording devices. Did you have an opportunity
to review what was recorded?
Yes, sir.
A:
....
(Videotape was played for the jury).
Q:
Agent Wilkey, are you familiar with this?
A:
Yes, sir.
Q:
Where is this location at?
A:
It’s 7108 Center Hill Road in Olive Branch, Mississippi.
Q:
What county?
A:
De[S]oto County, sir.
....
(Videotape was played for the jury)
Q:
Agent Wilkey, what camera was that taken from? Generally speaking,
where was it located?
A:
It was located on the driver’s side door facing out the passenger’s side
door. The reason why we placed one there is, you know, with some
deals, a lot of people will come up to the passenger side window and
just do the transaction there. That’s why the camera was at the
passenger’s side.
Q:
Is there a second video?
A:
Yes, sir. He had a video concealed on his person, which the next video
showed a different view on that transaction.
(Videotape was played for the jury)
Q:
Agent Wilkey, are you familiar with this location?
A:
Yes.
Q:
Where is it, sir?
A:
7108 Center Hill Road in De[S]oto County, Mississippi.
Q:
Is that the same location that you previously identified?
11
A:
Yes, sir.
(Videotape was played for the jury)
Q:
Agent Wilkey, were all policies and procedures followed in this case?
A:
Yes, sir. They were.
Q:
Has there been any, to your knowledge, tampering with the evidence?
A:
No, sir.
During cross-examination of Agent Wilkey by the Defense, the following exchange
occurred:
Q:
A:
¶14.
Now, when this - - you weren’t at the scene of this alleged crime, were
you?
No, sir. I wasn’t on that property address with them when it happened,
but I was within audio - - I could hear the transaction over the body
wire, sir.
Upon a review of the record, we find that Lieutenant Degan and Agent Wilkey were
proper witnesses to present testimony to authenticate the videotape that depicted the drug
sale. See Conway, 915 So. 2d at 526 (¶¶18-19). While we acknowledge that Lieutenant
Degan and Agent Wilkey were not at the actual property address while the drug transaction
was occurring, we find that the record reflects that the officers’ testimonies satisfied the
authentication requirements of Rule 901(b)(1). We note that Lieutenant Degan and Agent
Wilkey testified to the following: their officers placed the audio/video recording devices on
Smith’s person, as well as the vehicle employed by Smith during the operation; they were
familiar with the scene; and they listened by audio device to the drug transaction as it
occurred. The record also reflects that Lieutenant Degan established a proper chain of
custody for the videotape through his testimony, thereby allowing the videotape to be
admitted into evidence. This Court, therefore, finds that the videotape was sufficiently
authenticated “by someone who [testified] that the events on the tape accurately depict[ed]
12
the transaction as it occurred on the day in question.” Conway, 915 So. 2d at 526 (¶19). As
such, we hold that the trial court’s decision to allow the videotape into evidence was not an
abuse of discretion. This issue lacks merit.
III. CHAIN OF CUSTODY
¶15.
In his third assignment of error, Crutcher argues that the chain of custody for the
cocaine was insufficient; thus, the trial court should have excluded the evidence. The State
responds that the chain of custody was established and that Crutcher failed to show that any
indication of tampering or substitution of evidence existed.
¶16.
When reviewing a trial court’s admission of evidence, this Court applies an abuse-of-
discretion standard of review. Shumaker v. State, 956 So. 2d 1078, 1084 (¶13) (Miss. Ct.
App. 2007) (citing Smith v. State, 839 So. 2d 489, 496 (¶17) (Miss. 2003)). We stated:
Trial court decisions in matters regarding the chain of custody of evidence will
not be disturbed absent a finding of abuse. Anderson v. State, 904 So. 2d 973,
979 (¶19) (Miss. 2004). The “test for the continuous possession [I.e., ‘chain of
custody’] of evidence is whether or not there is any indication or reasonable
inference of probable tampering with the evidence or substitution of the
evidence.” Id. (quoting Gibson v. State, 503 So. 2d 230, 234 (Miss. 1987)).
“‘In such matters, the presumption of regularity supports the official acts of
public officers,’ and, thus, the burden to produce evidence of a broken chain
of custody is on the defendant.” Id. (quoting Nix v. State, 276 So. 2d 652, 653
(Miss. 1973)).
Id.
¶17.
After reviewing the present case, we find that the record reflects that Crutcher raised
no evidence or reasonable inference to support the assertion that the cocaine was tampered
with or that a substitution of the evidence occurred. Therefore, Crutcher failed to meet his
burden of proof to establish a break in the chain of custody to overcome the presumption of
13
regularity. See Anderson, 904 So. 2d at 979 (¶19). At trial, Lieutenant Degan and Agent
Wilkey both testified to the chain of custody for the drug evidence. Lieutenant Degan
testified that after he and the other officers placed audio/video devices on Smith’s person and
in the vehicle used by Smith in the operation, Smith and Washington departed and returned
shortly thereafter. Lieutenant Degan further testified that he received an amount of base
cocaine from Smith upon their return and placed it in a plastic bag until it was transported
to the office, where it was placed in a heat-sealed bag and labeled. Lieutenant Degan also
identified the cocaine at trial as the base cocaine given to him by Smith on June 20, 2007.
Lieutenant Degan then testified to the procedures employed by the Metro when possessing
and storing evidence. Lieutenant Degan testified that the standard procedures 4 were followed
in this case and that the evidence was not tampered with to his knowledge. Agent Wilkey
also testified that all policies and procedures relating to the preservation of evidence were
followed in the present case and that the evidence to his knowledge was not tampered with.
¶18.
Crutcher argues that the Metro’s purchase of evidence form incorrectly states the date
of the drug sale as May 24, 2007, causing a contradiction with the testimony from both
officers as to when the drug sale actually occurred. The record reveals, however, that Agent
Wilkey explained this discrepancy during redirect examination by the State by testifying to
the following:
Q:
A:
Q:
Can you explain that date, please?
Yes, sir. That was a typographical error on my part.
Does that change any of the – review it, take a look at it and make sure.
4
Lieutenant Degan testified that the standard procedure was that upon return to the
office, the evidence goes into a temporary secure vault and is later transported to the
Mississippi Crime Laboratory.
14
A:
Does that change any of the substance of that?
No, sir. The date is wrong, but the case number and the times and the
notes of who did what at what times coincide with that case number.
So the date is wrong. It should be June 20th, 2007.
Furthermore, this Court notes that Crutcher was also indicted on May 24, 2007, in Count I
of the indictment for selling cocaine. We have held that “proof is not necessarily defective
just because a technical problem with one of the links in the chain is shown”; therefore, we
find this issue is without merit. Robinson v. State, 733 So. 2d 333, 336 (¶6) (Miss. Ct. App.
1998); see Cockerham v. State, 752 So. 2d 431, 434 (¶9) (Miss. Ct. App. 1999) (finding
“[p]roof regarding the chain of custody is not necessarily defective just because a technical
problem with one of the links exists”).
¶19.
Crutcher also argues that a proper chain of custody was not established because the
cocaine was not entered into a secure vault until a week after the drug sale. We find this
argument to be unsupported by the evidence in the record. Agent Wilkey summarized the
chain of custody of the cocaine, providing insight as to why the cocaine was not placed in
a “secure vault” until June 27, 2007, by testifying to the following:
The reason - - these forms are a little difficult, and I wish I could blow it up for
you. It lists the suspect, correct, and then it’s got the date and the time that the
evidence went to the next person below it. So here it says suspect, June 20,
2007, at 16:49, 4:49, and it went to at that time the informant, who’s the
informant. And then it went from the informant at this time and date to
Lieutenant Degan. From Lieutenant Degan this time and date to the vault.
And then from the vault, on the 27th this time and date it went to myself,
Agent Wilkey, because I took it down to the [c]rime [l]ab. And I gave it to
Ms. Colleen Lester. Agent Wilkey, this time and date, to Colleen Lester.
Now, Colleen Lester didn’t give it to nobody else [sic] so there is no time and
date by her name. The next person is Jacqueline Johnson who Agent Leslie
retrieved the dope from when he went down to pick it up at a later date on the
24th of 2007, which they tested it on July 19th, 2007, but we didn’t go down
there and pick it up until the 24th of July, 2007.
15
¶20.
After reviewing the record under the limited abuse-of-discretion standard of review,
we find that sufficient evidence as to the chain of custody was presented at trial to allow the
jury to make the determination that the State maintained proper custody of the evidence at
issue. We also recognize that Crutcher failed to meet his burden in proving a break in the
chain of custody as required by Mississippi law to overcome the presumption of regularity.
See Anderson, 904 So. 2d at 979 (¶19). Accordingly, we find no abuse of discretion in the
trial court’s decision to admit the cocaine into evidence, as a proper chain of custody existed.
This issue is without merit.
IV. CRUTCHER’S SENTENCE
¶21.
In Crutcher’s final assignment of error, he argues that his prior convictions failed to
meet the requirements of a section 99-19-81 habitual offender and that his sentence was
unconstitutionally disproportionate. The State responds that Crutcher’s sentence was valid
and legal. The State further argues that Crutcher is procedurally barred from arguing that the
habitual-offender requirements were not met, as he did not raise this issue before the trial
court. The State also asserts that Crutcher’s sentence was not unconstitutional, as it was
within the statutory guidelines and at the court’s discretion. See Hoops v. State, 681 So. 2d
521, 537-38 (Miss. 1996) (citing Reynolds v. State, 585 So. 2d 753, 756 (Miss. 1991)).
A. Habitual-Offender Status
¶22.
The trial court sentenced Crutcher to sixty years in the custody of the MDOC as a
habitual offender pursuant to section 99-19-81 and as a subsequent offender pursuant to
16
section 41-29-147. Crutcher argues that his prior convictions 5 do not meet the requirements
of the habitual-offender statute. However, we find that Crutcher failed to raise the issue
regarding his sentence at the sentencing phase; therefore, he is procedurally barred from
raising it on appeal. See Heidelberg v. State, 45 So. 3d 730, 732 (¶6) (Miss. Ct. App. 2010)
(finding “[w]hen an accused fails to object to the habitual[-]offender issue during the
sentencing phase, he is procedurally barred to do so the first time on appeal”).
¶23.
Notwithstanding the procedural bar, we shall address these assertions. Crutcher’s
prior convictions are: (1) Cause No. 94-10135 in the Criminal Court of Shelby County,
Tennessee, unlawful possession of marijuana with intent to sell, sentenced to one year in the
workhouse, and (2) Cause No. 94-04728 in the Criminal Court of Shelby County, Tennessee,
sale of cocaine, sentenced to three years in the workhouse.
¶24.
Crutcher argues that his prior convictions fail to satisfy the requirements of section
99-19-81, which provides:
Every person convicted in this state of a felony who shall have been convicted
twice previously of any felony or federal crime upon charges separately
brought and arising out of separate incidents at different times and who shall
have been sentenced to separate terms of one (1) year or more in any state
and/or federal penal institution, whether in this state or elsewhere, shall be
sentenced to the maximum term of imprisonment prescribed for such felony,
and such sentence shall not be reduced or suspended nor shall such person be
eligible for parole or probation.
“[A]n individual is not required to have actually served any prison time in order to be
sentenced as a habitual offender,” and time served in a workhouse sufficiently satisfies the
5
Crutcher argues that under his prior convictions, he was not ever sentenced to a state
or federal penal institution as required by our habitual-offender statute, as he served time
only in the county workhouse.
17
statutory requirements of section 99-19-81. Byrne v. State, 30 So. 3d 1264, 1265 (¶4) (Miss.
Ct. App. 2010) (quoting Davis v. State, 5 So. 3d 435, 441 (¶14) (Miss. Ct. App. 2008)).6 See
also Wilhite v. State, 791 So. 2d 231, 247 (¶46) (Miss. Ct. App. 2000) (finding no error in
the trial court’s ruling that a workhouse qualifies as a state penal institution). Therefore, we
find that each of Crutcher’s prior felony convictions satisfy the statutory requirement of
serving time in a penal institution. In accordance with Byrne and Wilhite, we find that
Crutcher’s prior felony convictions met the habitual-offender requirements of section 99-1981. Thus, this issue is without merit.
B. Unconstitutional Sentence
¶25.
Crutcher argues that his sentence is unconstitutional because it is too severe and
clearly disproportionate to the offense. Crutcher asserts that the enhanced sentence of sixty
years, imposed for committing repeated drug offenses, constitutes a life sentence. In
response, the State asserts that Crutcher’s sentence is within the statutory guidelines and,
thus, is not unconstitutionally severe.
¶26.
Mississippi follows the general rule that “a sentence should not be disturbed on appeal
so long as it does not exceed the maximum allowed by statute.” Davis v. State, 817 So. 2d
593, 597 (¶14) (Miss. Ct. App. 2002) (citing Fleming v. State, 604 So. 2d 280, 302 (Miss.
6
In Byrne, Byrne, like Crutcher, argued that he did not meet the habitual-offender
requirements of section 99-19-81 because his prior felony convictions were not served in a
Tennessee Department of Corrections facility, but in a workhouse. Byrne, 30 So. 3d at 1265
(¶4). Relying on the holding in Davis, this Court held that Byrne met the habitual-offender
statutory requirements regardless of where or how Byrne had served his prior sentences. Id.
The Court went on to explain that Byrne had previously been convicted of two felonies for
which he was sentenced to terms of one year or more in a state and/or federal penal
institution. Id.
18
1992)). The sentencing of an offender falls within the discretion of the trial judge. Id. at
(¶15) (citing Hoops, 681 So. 2d at 537). This Court has held that:
A sentence that is “grossly disproportionate” to the crime committed is subject
to attack on Eighth Amendment grounds applying the proportionality test from
Solem v. Helm, 463 U.S. 277, 290-91, 103 S. Ct. 3001, 77 L. Ed. 2d 637
(1983); but see Harmelin v. Michigan, 501 U.S. 957, 965, 111 S. Ct. 2680, 115
L. Ed. 2d 836 (1991) (the Solem test should only apply when a comparison of
the crime to the sentence leads to an inference of gross disproportionality).
Cummings v. State, 29 So. 3d 859, 861 (¶4) (Miss. Ct. App. 2010).
¶27.
The trial court sentenced Crutcher to serve a term of sixty years in the custody of the
MDOC as a section 99-19-81 habitual offender and a section 41-29-147 subsequent offender.
Crutcher’s sentence complies with section 41-29-147, which provides:
Except as otherwise provided in Section 41-29-142, any person convicted of
a second or subsequent offense under this article may be imprisoned for a term
up to twice the term otherwise authorized, fined an amount up to twice that
otherwise authorized, or both.
For purposes of this section, an offense is considered a second or subsequent
offense, if, prior to his conviction of the offense, the offender has at any time
been convicted under this article or under any statute of the United States or
of any state relating to narcotic drugs, marihuana, depressant, stimulant or
hallucinogenic drugs.
Crutcher’s sentence also is in compliance with section 99-19-81. We have held on numerous
occasions that “[s]entences under the habitual-offender statute do not constitute cruel and
unusual punishment.” Cummings, 29 So. 3d at 861 (¶5) (citing Huntley v. State, 534 So. 2d
572, 575 (Miss. 1988); Jackson v. State, 483 So. 2d 1353, 1355 (Miss. 1986); Baker v. State,
394 So. 2d 1376, 1378-79 (Miss. 1981)).
¶28.
The indictment charging Crutcher as a habitual offender and subsequent offender
listed two prior convictions of the unlawful possession of marijuana with intent to sell and
19
of the sale of cocaine. In addition, in the present case, the jury convicted Crutcher of the sale
of a controlled substance, cocaine. In light of the gravity of Crutcher’s current drug offense
and his prior drug offenses, the sixty-year sentence imposed on Crutcher by the trial court
does not give inference of gross disproportionality. In accordance with Cummings, where
the Court found that Cummings’s sentence did not give rise to the inference of gross
disproportionality; thus, there was no need for a proportionality test, we will not proceed with
an Eighth-Amendment analysis. See Cummings, 29 So. 3d at 861 (¶6). We will note,
however, that the trial court in the present case did conduct a proportionality analysis and,
after doing so, found Crutcher’s sentence to be proportionate. As such, this issue lacks merit.
¶29. THE JUDGMENT OF THE DESOTO COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT OF
CONVICTION OF SALE OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AND SENTENCE OF
SIXTY YEARS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF
CORRECTIONS AS A HABITUAL AND SUBSEQUENT OFFENDER WITHOUT
ELIGIBILITY FOR PAROLE OR PROBATION IS AFFIRMED. ALL COSTS OF
THIS APPEAL ARE ASSESSED TO DESOTO COUNTY.
LEE, C.J., IRVING AND GRIFFIS, P.JJ., MYERS, ISHEE, ROBERTS AND
MAXWELL, JJ., CONCUR. BARNES, J., CONCURS IN RESULT ONLY
WITHOUT SEPARATE WRITTEN OPINION.
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