Walter Havvard v. State of Indiana (mem. dec.) ( 2015 )

MEMORANDUM DECISION
Pursuant to Ind. Appellate Rule 65(D),
this Memorandum Decision shall not be
regarded as precedent or cited before any Dec 15 2015, 5:39 am
court except for the purpose of establishing
the defense of res judicata, collateral
estoppel, or the law of the case.
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
Lisa M. Johnson Gregory F. Zoeller
Brownsburg, Indiana Attorney General of Indiana
George P. Sherman
Deputy Attorney General
Indianapolis, Indiana
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS OF INDIANA
Walter Havvard, December 15, 2015
Appellant-Defendant, Court of Appeals Case No.
49A02-1503-CR-127
v. Appeal from the Marion County
Superior Court
State of Indiana, The Honorable Shatrese M.
Appellee-Plaintiff. Flowers, Judge
The Honorable Peggy R. Hart,
Commissioner
Trial Court Cause No.
49G20-1006-FA-048517
Pyle, Judge.
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[1] Walter Havvard (“Havvard”) appeals his conviction, after a jury trial, for
dealing in cocaine as a Class A felony.1 Havvard argues that there was
insufficient evidence proving that he constructively possessed cocaine. In
addition, he claims that the search warrant in his case was invalid and that the
trial court committed fundamental error in allowing certain testimony.
Concluding that sufficient evidence supported his conviction, that he failed to
preserve his challenge to the search warrant for appeal, and that no
fundamental error occurred, we affirm Havvard’s conviction.
[2] We affirm.
Issues
1. Whether sufficient evidence supports Havvard’s conviction.
2. Whether Havvard preserved his challenge to the search warrant for
appeal.
3. Whether the trial court erred in admitting certain evidence.
Facts
[3] On June 18, 2010, narcotics detectives with the Indianapolis Metropolitan
Police Department served a search warrant at 427 West Bernard Street. A
court issued the search warrant on June 17 after detectives had conducted two
controlled buys at the house within the prior week. Havvard was the only
person in the house when the officers served the warrant. Detective James
1
IND. CODE § 35-48-4-1(a)(2). We note that effective July 1, 2014, the legislature enacted a new dealing in
cocaine statute and that Class A felony dealing in cocaine, in this instance, is now a Level 2 felony. Because
Havvard committed his crimes in 2010, we will apply the statute in effect at that time.
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Fiscus (“Detective Fiscus”) read Havvard a copy of the search warrant and
advised him of his Miranda rights.
[4] Detectives searched the kitchen and found two plastic baggies on a shelf in a
cabinet. One of the baggies contained 7.6922 grams of cocaine, and the other
contained 4.4152 grams of cocaine. Another baggie in the kitchen contained
.3941 grams of cocaine. In a cabinet next to the kitchen sink, detectives located
two Pyrex measuring cups containing cocaine residue. Havvard’s fingerprint
was found on the measuring cups. The detectives also found over 400 grams of
marijuana, an assault rifle, digital scales, and approximately $200 in cash.
[5] On June 23, 2010, the State charged Havvard with Class A felony dealing in
cocaine, Class A felony possession of cocaine, Class C felony possession of
cocaine and a firearm, Class B felony unlawful possession of a firearm by a
serious violent felon, Class D felony dealing in marijuana, and Class D felony
possession of marijuana. On June 7, 2011, the State alleged that Havvard was
an habitual offender. On November 6, 2013, Havvard filed a motion to
suppress, which the trial court denied on November 14, 2013.
[6] On February 11, 2014, the State added a charge of Class A felony conspiracy to
commit dealing in cocaine and amended the possession of cocaine charge to a
Class C felony. Havvard’s first trial was held on May 20-21, 2014 and resulted
in a mistrial because the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict. Havvard’s
second trial was held on November 18-19, 2014.
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[7] During the second trial, Detective Ryan Clark (“Detective Clark”), testified as
an expert witness and explained to the jury how the evidence recovered at 427
Bernard was indicative of someone dealing drugs. In addition, Detective Fiscus
testified that after reading the search warrant and being advised of his Miranda
rights, Havvard stated that he did not want to talk to the detective and that, “He
didn’t live there.” (Tr. 425). Havvard did not object to either detectives’
testimony. The jury convicted Havvard as charged.
[8] At sentencing, the State dismissed all of the charges except for the dealing in
cocaine charge and the habitual offender enhancement. The trial court entered
judgment of conviction on the dealing charge and sentenced Havvard to thirty
(30) years executed. The trial court also enhanced Havvard’s sentence for
dealing cocaine by an additional thirty (30) years for being an habitual offender,
for an aggregate sentence of sixty (60) years executed. Havvard now appeals.
Decision
[9] Havvard appeals his conviction for dealing in cocaine as a Class A felony. On
appeal, he claims that: (1) there was insufficient evidence to establish that he
constructively possessed the cocaine found in the house; (2) the search warrant
was invalid; and (3) the trial court erred in admitting certain evidence. We
address each of his arguments in turn.
1. Sufficiency of the Evidence
[10] Havvard argues that insufficient evidence supports his conviction for dealing in
cocaine.
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When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence to support a
conviction, appellate courts must consider only the probative
evidence and reasonable inferences supporting the verdict. It is
the fact-finder’s role, not that of appellate courts, to assess
witness credibility and weigh the evidence to determine whether
it is sufficient to support a conviction. To preserve this structure,
when appellate courts are confronted with conflicting evidence,
they must consider it most favorably to the [jury’s verdict].
Appellate courts affirm the conviction unless no reasonable fact-
finder could find the elements of the crime proven beyond a
reasonable doubt. It is therefore not necessary that the evidence
overcome every reasonable hypothesis of innocence. The
evidence is sufficient if an inference may reasonably be drawn
from it to support the verdict.
Drane v. State, 867 N.E.2d 144, 146-47 (Ind. 2007) (internal quotation
marks and citations omitted) (emphasis in original).
[11] To convict Havvard as charged, the State was required to prove that he
knowingly possessed cocaine in an amount greater than three (3) grams with
the intent to deliver said cocaine. I.C. § 35-48-4-1(a)(2); (App. 10). Havvard
was not in actual possession of the cocaine found in the house. Thus, the State
was required to prove that Havvard constructively possessed the cocaine.
Evidence of constructive possession is sufficient where the State proves that the
defendant had the intent and capability to maintain dominion and control over
the contraband. Hardister v. State, 849 N.E.2d 563, 573 (Ind. 2006).
[12] The intent element of constructive possession is shown if the State demonstrates
the defendant’s knowledge of the presence of the contraband. Goliday v. State,
708 N.E.2d 4, 6 (Ind. 1999). A defendant’s knowledge may be inferred from
either the exclusive dominion and control over the premise containing the
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contraband, or if the control is non-exclusive, evidence of additional
circumstances pointing to the defendant’s knowledge of the presence of
contraband. Id. These additional circumstances may include: (1) incriminating
statements by the defendant; (2) attempted flight or furtive gestures; (3) a drug
manufacturing setting; (4) proximity of the defendant to the drugs; (5) drugs in
plain view; and (6) location of the drugs in close proximity to items owned by
the defendant. Hardister, 849 N.E.2d at 574. The capability element of
constructive possession is met when the State shows that the defendant is able
to reduce the controlled substance to the defendant’s personal possession.
Goliday, 708 N.E.2d at 6.
[13] Here, the baggies containing cocaine, the Pyrex measuring cup containing
cocaine residue, and the digital scale support a reasonable inference that the
house was a drug manufacturing setting. In addition, Havvard was the only
person in the house, and his fingerprint was on one of the measuring cups.
Thus, there is a reasonable inference that he knew the cocaine was present in
the house and had the intent possess it. Accordingly, sufficient evidence
supports Havvard’s constructive possession of the cocaine, and in turn, his
dealing in cocaine conviction.
2. Search Warrant
[14] Next, Havvard argues that the search warrant used in his case was invalid
because the affidavit supporting the warrant did not establish probable cause to
search the house. However, Havvard did not preserve this argument for appeal.
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[15] When dealing with evidence alleged to have been illegally seized, a
contemporaneous objection at the time the evidence is introduced at trial is
required to preserve the issue for appeal, regardless of whether a motion to
suppress was filed. Brown v. State, 929 N.E.2d 204, 207 (Ind. 2010). The
purpose of this rule is to allow the trial judge to consider the issue in light of any
fresh developments and also to correct errors. Jackson v. State, 735 N.E.2d 1146,
1152 (Ind. 2000). Here, Havvard did not object when the search warrant or any
other evidence was introduced at trial. Rather, he affirmatively stated that he
had no objection. Accordingly, Havvard waived his ability to challenge the
search warrant on appeal. See, e.g., Brown, 929 N.E.2d at 207 (holding that the
defendant was not allowed to challenge admissibility of evidence on appeal
where he affirmatively stated he had no objection to evidence offered at trial).
3. Admissibility of Evidence
[16] Finally, Havvard asserts that the trial court erred by allowing Detective Clark’s
improper opinion testimony and allowing Detective Fiscus to use his post-
Miranda silence against him. Generally, a trial court’s ruling on the
admissibility of evidence is reviewed for an abuse of discretion. Hope v. State,
903 N.E.2d 977, 991 (Ind. Ct. App. 2009), trans. denied. We will reverse a trial
court’s decision only if it is clearly against the logic and effect of the facts and
circumstances of the case. Id. Even if the decision was an abuse of discretion,
we will not reverse if the admission of evidence constituted harmless error. Id.[17] We note that Havvard did not object when any of the challenged testimony was
offered. Failure to object to evidence at trial results in waiver of the issue for
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appellate review unless admitting the evidence constituted fundamental error.
Southward v. State, 957 N.E.2d 975, 978 (Ind. Ct. App. 2011). The fundamental
error doctrine is exceedingly narrow. Id. “Fundamental error is an error that
makes a fair trial impossible or constitutes clearly blatant violations of basic and
elementary principles of due process presenting an undeniable and substantial
potential for harm.” Clark v. State, 915 N.E.2d 126, 130 (Ind. 2009).
[18] Regarding the improper opinion testimony, Havvard claims that Detective
Clark offered an opinion regarding Havvard’s guilt. Indiana Evidence Rule
704(b) provides that “[w]itnesses may not testify to opinions concerning intent,
guilt, or innocence in a criminal case; the truth or falsity of allegations; whether
a witness has testified truthfully; or legal conclusions.” However, we have
stated:
a police officer or law enforcement official who is offered and
qualified as an expert in the area of drugs, drug trade, drug
trafficking, etc., may offer testimony as to whether particular
facts tend to be more or less consistent with dealing in drugs.
However, the expert may not make conclusions as to whether the
defendant is a dealer or whether the defendant had the intent to
deal or deliver. . . . In essence, the expert may comment on the
facts of the case, but must refrain from making any conclusions
as to the defendant’s intent, guilt, or innocence.
Scisney v. State, 690 N.E.2d 342, 346 (Ind. Ct. App. 1997), aff’d in relevant part,
701 N.E.2d 847 (Ind. 1998).
[19] Here, Detective Clark did what precedent allows him to do. That is, he
commented on the facts of the case and stated that those facts were consistent
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with trafficking cocaine and marijuana. Cf. Williams v. State, 48S05–1507–CR–
424, 2015 WL 6447736 at 3–4 (Ind. Oct. 26, 2015) (holding that detective’s
testimony was inadmissible where he stated that, “there’s zero doubt in my
mind that that was a transaction for cocaine”). Because Detective Clark made
no specific statements declaring Havvard’s guilt, no error, let alone
fundamental error, occurred. See, e.g., id.[20] Lastly, Havvard claims that the trial court allowed Detective Fiscus to use his
post-Miranda silence for impeachment purposes or as substantive evidence,
violating Doyle v. Ohio, 426 U.S. 610, 96 S.Ct. 2240 (1976). In Doyle, the United
States Supreme Court held that using a defendant’s post-arrest, post-Miranda
silence to impeach an exculpatory story told for the first time at trial violates
that defendant’s due process rights. Id. Doyle “rests on ‘the fundamental
unfairness of implicitly assuring a suspect that his silence will not be used
against him and then using his silence to impeach an explanation subsequently
offered at trial.’” Wainwright v. Greenfield, 474 U.S. 284, 291, 106 S.Ct. 634, 638
(1986) (quoting South Dakota v. Neville, 459 U.S. 553, 565, 103 S.Ct. 916, 923
(1983)).
[21] Again, we find no error, let alone fundamental error, occurred. Here, Detective
Fiscus testified that he read Havvard his Miranda rights, that Havvard told him
that he did not want to talk to the detective, and that he did not live in the
house. While Havvard claims that even mentioning his post-Miranda silence is
error, we have held that “a jury’s knowledge that a defendant initially remained
silent is not a problem when that knowledge is not used to subvert the defense
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in Doyle fashion.” Mendenhall v. State, 963 N.E.2d 553, 565 (Ind. Ct. App.
2012), trans. denied.
[22] To subvert Havvard’s defense in a Doyle fashion, the State would have had to
use his silence to impeach an explanation offered by Havvard at trial. See
Wainwright, 474 U.S. 291. However, Havvard did not testify at trial, and he
does not call our attention to any defense offered that the State impeached with
his silence. Accordingly, no Doyle violation occurred, and we affirm Havvard’s
conviction.
Affirmed.
Vaidik, C.J., and Robb, J., concur.
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