Devon Adams v. State of Mississippi
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IN THE COURT OF APPEALS 12/3/96
OF THE
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
NO. 94-KA-00246 COA
DEVON ADAMS
APPELLANT
v.
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI
APPELLEE
THIS OPINION IS NOT DESIGNATED FOR PUBLICATION AND
MAY NOT BE CITED, PURSUANT TO M.R.A.P. 35-B
TRIAL JUDGE: HON. HENRY ROSS
COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED: CHOCTAW COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT:
KEVIN RAY NULL
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE:
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
BY: WAYNE SNUGGS
DEWITT T. ALLRED III
DISTRICT ATTORNEY: DOUG EVANS
NATURE OF THE CASE: CRIMINAL/SALE OF COCAINE
TRIAL COURT DISPOSITION: SALE OF COCAINE: SENTENCED TO SERVE A TERM OF
40 YRS IN THE MDOC, PAY A FINE OF $1,000.00 AND $425.00 LAB FEE TO THE NORTH
MISSISSIPPI CRIME LAB
BEFORE THOMAS, P.J., DIAZ, AND SOUTHWICK, JJ.
THOMAS, P.J., FOR THE COURT:
SUMMARY
Devon Adams appeals his conviction of the sale of cocaine, raising the following issues as error:
I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FAILING TO SUSTAIN ADAMS’ MOTION TO
DISMISS FOR LACK OF A SPEEDY TRIAL.
II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED BY RESTRICTING THE CROSS-EXAMINATION OF
STIRLING GATES.
III. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN REFUSING TO GRANT THE LESSER-INCLUDED
INSTRUCTION OF POSSESSION OF COCAINE.
Finding no error, we affirm.
FACTS
On July 1, 1992 Choctaw County officers and members of the North Central Narcotics Task Force
attempted to purchase crack cocaine from Adams. Stirling Gates, a confidential informer with the
task force, approached Adams in Barbara’s Beauty Salon in Choctaw County. Gates asked Adams if
he could purchase cocaine from Adams. Gates told Adams that he needed the crack cocaine for a
relative of his who was coming into town later that evening. Adams agreed to the purchase but said
that Gates would have to wait until Adams finished work.
Gates and Kary Ellington, an undercover officer, met Adams at the salon after work. Adams stated
that he would need transportation to obtain the cocaine, so Gates told Adams that Dennis Gladney,
who was also a confidential informant, would take Adams wherever he needed to go. Gates and
Ellington left to pick up Gladney and returned to the salon, where they left Gladney in his own car.
Gladney took Adams to meet Gates and Ellington at a roadside park in Choctaw County. At this
time, Gates introduced Ellington as a relative who wanted the crack cocaine. Gates then asked
Adams if he would be able to provide the cocaine. Adams replied that he could, but he would need
the money first. Gates gave Adams $100.00, and Adams and Gladney then drove to Ethel,
Mississippi, to buy the cocaine.
About two hours later, Gates and Ellington met Adams and Gladney at the beauty salon. Ellington
approached the passenger side of the vehicle driven by Gladney, and Adams gave Ellington the
cocaine he had purchased. This transaction took place approximately 400 feet from Ackerman
Elementary School.
ANALYSIS
I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FAILING TO GRANT ADAMS’
MOTION TO DISMISS FOR LACK OF A SPEEDY TRIAL.
The police arrested Adams on August 19, 1992. On February 15, 1993, the next term of court,
Adams was reindicted after the State discovered that the violation occurred within 1,500 feet of a
school. Adams had also been indicted for a similar crime which occurred on July 2, 1992. Because
both indictments could not be tried in the same term of court, the State decided to proceed with the
July 2 offense and continue the instant case until the next term of court. Adams made no objection to
the continuance. Adams was convicted of the July 2 offense and incarcerated.
The instant case was scheduled to proceed in August of 1993; however Adams decided to change
attorneys. His new attorney, Kevin Null, filed a motion for a continuance, and the case was again
continued until the next term of court in February 1994. On February 14, 1994, Adams’ attorney filed
a motion to dismiss for lack of speedy trial. The motion was denied. The trial took place on February
28, 1994. Adams now claims that the lower court erred in failing to dismiss the case for lack of a
speedy trial.
The right to a speedy trial attaches at the time of a formal indictment, or information, or where there
is restraint imposed by an arrest. Handley v. State, 574 So. 2d 671, 674 (Miss. 1990); Lightsey v.
State, 493 So. 2d 375, 378 (Miss. 1986). Adams’ right to a speedy trial attached at the time of the
indictment, August of 1992.
In order to determine whether Adams’ right to a speedy trial was violated, we must utilize the
balancing test in Barker v. Wingo, 407 U.S. 514, 530 (1972). The Barker case set out four factors
that a court must consider in making a speedy trial analysis: (1) the length of the delay, (2) the reason
for the delay, (3) the defendant’s assertion of his right, and (4) prejudice to the defendant. Id.; see
also Jaco v. State, 574 So. 2d 625, 630 (Miss. 1990).
1. The Length of the Delay
In Mississippi, a delay of eight months or longer is presumptively prejudicial. Smith v. State, 550 So.
2d 406, 408 (Miss. 1989) (citations omitted). The delay between Adams’ arrest and trial was
presumptively prejudicial since it was over eighteen months long. Accordingly, we must examine the
other Barker factors.
2. The Reasons for the Delay
As the trial court recognized in overruling the motion to dismiss, the case was not tried during the
August 1992 term since the indictment was returned during that term. Additionally, Adams made no
motion to be tried during the August 1992 term. Since the State found new evidence against Adams,
the State decided to reindict him during the next term of court in February, 1993. At this time,
Adams was also under indictment for an additional similar charge. Because both cases could not be
tried in the same term of court, the instant case was set for trial during the next term of court, August
of 1993. Adams then asked for a continuance until February of 1994.
Adams claims that the reindictment was a deliberate attempt to delay the trial. A deliberate attempt to
delay the trial for tactical advantage is weighed heavily against the State. However, more neutral
reasons such as negligence or overcrowded courts are not weighed as heavily against the State. See,
e.g., Barker, 407 U.S. at 531; State v. Magnusen, 646 So. 2d 1275, 1281-82 (Miss. 1994). Here, the
State’s subsequent discovery of the proximity of the sale to the school was merely a negligent
oversight and should not be weighed heavily against the State. Adams v. State, 583 So. 2d 165, 169
(Miss. 1991). Further, six months of the delay is attributable to Adams, since he requested the final
continuance. Wiley v. State, 582 So. 2d 1008, 1011-12 (Miss. 1991); Handley v. State, 574 So. 2d
671, 674 (Miss. 1990).
The trial court found that the delay had been the result of Adams’ own conduct and for good cause.
If the trial court’s finding of fact that the delay was the result of good cause is supported by
substantial credible evidence, this Court will not disturb that ruling on appeal. Folk v. State, 576 So.
2d 1243, 1247 (Miss. 1991). "A finding of good cause is a finding of ultimate fact." Id. Since there
was substantial evidence supporting this finding, we will not second guess the trial court. Since the
bulk of the delay was caused by neutral reasons, this factor weighs only slightly in favor of Adams.
3. The Defendant’s Assertion of his Right
Adams did not file a motion for speedy trial until January 1, 1994, during the delay caused by his
requested continuance. Furthermore, the motion for a speedy trial was filed right before the term of
court during which the case was scheduled to be tried. Adams had no right to an immediate trial at
the very moment at which he suddenly decided that he wanted it--during the delay caused by his
requested continuance. Adams v. State, 583 So. 2d 165, 169 (Miss. 1991). At the time he filed his
motion, there was no way to try the case any more quickly than it was set because the court was not
in term. Adams filed a motion to dismiss in February, less than one month before trial. A motion to
dismiss for violation of the right to a speedy trial is not equivalent to a demand for a speedy trial.
Perry v. State, 637 So. 2d 871, 876 (Miss. 1994); Adams, 583 So. 2d at 170. Because of the time
and manner in which he asserted his right to speedy trial, we must weigh this factor against Adams.
4. Prejudice to the Defendant
Adams must show some prejudice in order to prove a constitutional speedy trial violation.
Magnusen, 646 So. 2d at 1284. Prejudice encompasses interference with a defendant’s liberty and
actual prejudice in defending his case. Id. During the majority of the delay, Adams was incarcerated
on another conviction, and therefore, he was not deprived of his liberty as a result of the State’s
failure to bring him to trial sooner. Further, Adams has failed to show any prejudice in defending his
case. Since there was only a presumptive showing of prejudice, this factor weighs heavily in favor of
the State. Id.
After balancing the Barker factors, this Court finds that Adams’ right to a speedy trial was not
violated.
II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN RESTRICTING CROSS-EXAMINATION
OF STIRLING GATES.
Stirling Gates, a confidential informant, was asked on cross-examination, "You testified that you had
worked for four years as an undercover informant for the Task Force. How did you become involved
with the Task Force?" The State objected, arguing that the reason Gates became involved with the
Task Force was irrelevant to Adams’ trial on the cocaine charge.
Outside of the jury’s presence, the defense proffered the information he wished to elicit from Gates,
which consisted of a charge of embezzlement for which Gates had never been convicted. The defense
argued that Gates became involved with the task force because his previous employer had told Gates
that he would drop the embezzlement charge if Gates would become a confidential informant. The
defense asserted that this testimony was admissible under Mississippi Rule of Evidence 608(b) for
purposes of attacking Gates’ credibility. In other words, the theft was a specific instance of conduct
other than a conviction which was probative of Gates’ untruthfulness. After hearing both arguments,
the trial court ruled that the prejudicial effect of the evidence would outweigh any probative value.
Under Rule 608(b), the trial court has the discretionary authority to permit cross-examination as to a
witness’ specific acts of misconduct if the misconduct bears upon the witness’ character for
truthfulness. M.R.E. 608(b); Brent v. State, 632 So. 2d 936, 944 (Miss. 1994). "Admission of
evidence of past conduct poses special hazards and danger, and should only be admitted when it is
necessary to do so to ‘ascertain the truth,’ and unfair prejudice is not imposed, especially upon the
accused." Brent, 632 So. 2d at 945.
The trial court found that the evidence of past misconduct was inadmissible since it was so remote in
time and totally irrelevant to the instant case. Since the trial court acted entirely within his discretion
under Rule 608(b), we refuse to disturb his ruling on the matter.
III. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN FAILING TO GRANT
ADAMS’ REQUEST FOR A LESSER- INCLUDED OFFENSE
INSTRUCTION OF POSSESSION OF COCAINE.
Adams argues that the trial court erred in refusing to allow him to present a lesser included offense to
the jury, namely possession of cocaine. In Griffin v. State, 533 So. 2d 444, 447 (Miss. 1988)
(citations omitted), our supreme court stated:
A lesser-included offense instruction should only be granted if there is an
evidentiary basis therefor in the record. The test has been fleshed out in Harper
v. State, 478 So. 2d 1017 (Miss. 1985):
[A] lesser included offense instruction should be granted unless the trial
judge--and ultimately this Court--can say, taking the evidence in the light
most favorable to the accused, and considering all reasonable favorable
inferences which may be drawn in favor of the accused from the evidence,
that no reasonable jury could find the defendant guilty of the lesser
included offense (and conversely not guilty of at least one essential
element of the principal charge).
Further,
To have been entitled to a lesser included offense instruction, it was incumbent upon [the
Appellant] to point to some evidence in the record from which a jury could, other than by
mere surmise, find him not guilty of the crime with which he was charged and at the same
time find him guilty of a lesser included offense.
Toliver v. State, 600 So. 2d 186, 192 (Miss. 1992).
There was no evidentiary basis to support a lesser-included instruction, and the trial court was
correct in denying it. Adams testified repeatedly that he never had the cocaine in his possession;
however, he did testify that he was involved in getting the buyer and seller together. He even
admitted taking money from Gates for finding the seller. If the jury had chosen to believe Adams’
testimony and disregard the testimony presented by the State, then it could not have found that
Adams was guilty of the lesser offense of possession while at the same time finding that he was not
guilty of the offense of transfer. Even if the jury chose to believe Adams’ testimony, the jury could
only have found that he was an accessory before the fact, and therefore, a principle to the sale of
cocaine. We find that this issue has no merit.
THE JUDGMENT OF THE CHOCTAW COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT OF CONVICTION
OF SALE OF COCAINE WITHIN 1500 FEET OF A SCHOOL BUILDING AND
SENTENCE TO FORTY YEARS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE MISSISSIPPI
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND FINE OF $1,000.00 IS AFFIRMED. SENTENCE
IMPOSED IN THIS CAUSE SHALL RUN CONCURRENTLY TO SENTENCE IMPOSED
IN CAUSE NO. 2087 AND CONSECUTIVELY TO ANY SENTENCE PREVIOUSLY
IMPOSED. ALL COSTS ARE ASSESSED TO CHOCTAW COUNTY.
FRAISER, C.J., BRIDGES, P.J., BARBER, COLEMAN, DIAZ, KING, McMILLIN, PAYNE,
AND SOUTHWICK, JJ., CONCUR.
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