State v. Seymour , 2013 Ohio 1936 ( 2013 )

[Cite as State v. Seymour, 2013-Ohio-1936.]
STATE OF OHIO ) IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
)ss: NINTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
COUNTY OF LORAIN )
STATE OF OHIO C.A. No. 12CA010250
Appellee
v. APPEAL FROM JUDGMENT
ENTERED IN THE
IRVING T. SEYMOUR COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
COUNTY OF LORAIN, OHIO
Appellant CASE No. 10CR080872
DECISION AND JOURNAL ENTRY
Dated: May 13, 2013
BELFANCE, Presiding Judge.
{¶1} Defendant-Appellant Irving Seymour appeals from his convictions in the Lorain
County Court of Common Pleas. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm.
I.
{¶2} In July 2010, based upon an incident that occurred on May 14, 2010, Mr.
Seymour was indicted on one count of possession of drugs in violation of R.C. 2925.11(A). The
indictment alleged that the drug involved was “cocaine or a compound, mixture, preparation, or
substance containing cocaine that is crack cocaine and the amount of the drug involved equals or
exceeds one gram but is less than five grams of crack cocaine[,]” thus, causing the offense to be
a fourth-degree felony at the time it was committed. See former R.C. 2925.11(C)(4)(b).
Additionally, Mr. Seymour was charged with one count of possessing drug paraphernalia in
violation of R.C. 2925.14(C)(1).
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{¶3} In June 2012, the matter proceeded to a jury trial, after which the jury found Mr.
Seymour guilty of both offenses. Based upon changes in the applicable law, the trial court
agreed with defense counsel and concluded that, while Mr. Seymour’s violation of R.C.
2925.11(A) would still be classified as a fourth-degree felony, Mr. Seymour could only be
sentenced to the penalties permitted for fifth-degree felonies.1 See 2011 Am.Sub.H.B. No. 86,
2011 Ohio Laws 29 (eliminating the sentencing differences between crack and powder cocaine
and providing that an amount of cocaine less than five grams is a fifth-degree felony). Mr.
Seymour was sentenced to an aggregate term of 11 months in prison. Mr. Seymour has
appealed, raising two assignments of error for our review.
II.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR I
THE GUILTY VERDICT FOR POSSESSION OF CRACK COCAINE IS
AGAINST THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE EVIDENCE IN VIOLATION OF MR.
SEYMOUR’S RIGHTS UNDER THE FIFTH, SIXTH AND FOURTEENTH
AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, AND
ARTICLE I, SECTION 10 OF THE OHIO STATE CONSTITUTION.
{¶4} Mr. Seymour asserts in his first assignment of error that the jury’s finding of guilt
as to the possession of drugs offense is based on insufficient evidence because the evidence did
not establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the substance at issue was crack cocaine. We
disagree.
{¶5} “Whether a conviction is supported by sufficient evidence is a question of law
that this Court reviews de novo.” State v. Williams, 9th Dist. No. 24731, 2009–Ohio–6955, ¶ 18,
citing State v. Thompkins, 78 Ohio St.3d 380, 386 (1997).
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Mr. Seymour has not challenged this determination on appeal, and, thus, this Court
takes no position of the propriety of that conclusion.
3
An appellate court’s function when reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence to
support a criminal conviction is to examine the evidence admitted at trial to
determine whether such evidence, if believed, would convince the average mind
of the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. The relevant inquiry is
whether, after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution,
any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime
proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
State v. Jenks, 61 Ohio St.3d 259 (1991), paragraph two of the syllabus.
{¶6} The jury found Mr. Seymour guilty of violating R.C. 2925.11(A) by possessing
crack cocaine. When Mr. Seymour committed the offense, crack cocaine was defined as “a
compound, mixture, preparation, or substance that is or contains any amount of cocaine that is
analytically identified as the base form of cocaine or that is in a form that resembles rocks or
pebbles generally intended for individual use.” Former R.C. 2925.01(GG). In addition,
cocaine was defined in part as “a cocaine salt, isomer, or derivative, a salt of a cocaine isomer or
derivative, or the base form of cocaine.” Former R.C. 2925.01(X)(1). Thus, it appears that the
legislature intended that, while all crack cocaine would constitute cocaine, only some cocaine
would also constitute crack cocaine. See former R.C. 2925.01(GG), (X).
{¶7} At the time he committed the offense R.C. 2925.11(A) provided that “[n]o person
shall knowingly obtain, possess, or use a controlled substance.” Cocaine is a controlled
substance. See former R.C. 2925.01(A); former R.C. 3719.01(C), (BB); former R.C.
3719.41(A)(4). R.C. 2901.22(B) provides that “[a] person acts knowingly, regardless of his
purpose, when he is aware that his conduct will probably cause a certain result or will probably
be of a certain nature. A person has knowledge of circumstances when he is aware that such
circumstances probably exist.” R.C. 2925.01(K) provides that “‘[p]ossess’ or ‘possession’
means having control over a thing or substance, but may not be inferred solely from mere access
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to the thing or substance through ownership or occupation of the premises upon which the thing
or substance is found.”
{¶8} At the time Mr. Seymour committed the offense, the pertinent statute provided
that, if the amount of the drug involved equaled or exceeded one gram but was less than five
grams of crack cocaine, then the violation was a felony of the fourth degree. See former R.C.
2925.11(C)(4)(b).
{¶9} At trial, Officer Joseph Figula, a patrolman with the Elyria Police Department
testified that on May 14, 2010, he was working the 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. shift. He was in the
area of West and Broad Streets in Elyria when he observed a Mercury Grand Marquis that
matched the description of a car involved in a home invasion earlier in the evening. Officer
Figula began to follow the vehicle and saw it pull into a McDonald’s. He then ran the car’s
license plates and discovered that the plates were expired. Officer Figula informed other nearby
officers of what he had found and asked them to assist him in stopping the vehicle.
{¶10} After the vehicle left the McDonald’s, the officers initiated a traffic stop. The two
officers in the other police car, Officer Constantino and Officer Eichenlaub, approached the
driver’s side and Officer Figula approached the passenger side of the vehicle. Officer Figula was
familiar with Mr. Seymour, who was identified as the front-seat passenger. Officer Figula
testified that when he asked Mr. Seymour to exit the vehicle, Mr. Seymour appeared nervous and
“was fumbling around with his hands, reaching around his pocket areas, his legs, [and] shifting
about his weight * * *.” As Mr. Seymour was exiting the vehicle, Officer Figula observed him
“throw a clear plastic baggie containing a white object to the ground directly in front of him * *
*.” Mr. Seymour then “kick[ed] the baggie partially underneath the door that was opened to the
passenger front.” At that point, Officer Figula handcuffed Mr. Seymour.
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{¶11} Officer Figula recovered the baggie. He testified that it contained “one larger, off
white colored rock that [he] suspected as being crack cocaine [because] [i]t had the feel and
consistency [and] similar appearance to crack cocaine, and based on [his] training and experience
of dealing with * * * crack cocaine * * *.” Officer Figula indicated that he estimated that over
the course of his career he had arrested approximately 100 individuals for possessing crack
cocaine.
{¶12} Officer Figula then field tested the substance and testified that it tested positive
for the presence of cocaine. In addition, the rock was sent to a lab for analysis. The laboratory
report, which was admitted into evidence without objection, stated that the sample, which
weighed 1.89 grams, “revealed Levamisole and Cocaine Base, a schedule II controlled
substance.” Mr. Seymour has not challenged the validity or authenticity of the laboratory report.
{¶13} In light of the evidence presented at trial, we conclude that the State presented
sufficient evidence, if believed, whereby a jury could conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that
the substance Mr. Seymour threw to the ground was crack cocaine. At the time the offense was
committed, R.C. 2925.01(GG) defined crack cocaine as a “substance that is or contains any
amount of cocaine that is analytically identified as the base form of cocaine or that is in a form
that resembles rocks or pebbles generally intended for individual use.” In the instant matter, the
laboratory report indicated that the substance contained “Cocaine Base” and, thus, constituted
cocaine under the statutory definition. See former R.C. 2925.01(X)(1) (defining cocaine as the
base form of cocaine). In addition, we note that there was testimony that the substance was in
rock form and field-tested positive for the presence of cocaine. See former R.C. 2925.01(GG).
Mr. Seymour does not assert that the above was insufficient to establish the substance as cocaine
but instead maintains that it was insufficient to prove that the substance was crack cocaine. We
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see no merit in his arguments. There was testimony that the substance was in rock form and that
the substance contained cocaine in the base form, see former R.C. 2925.01(X)(1), thus, we can
only conclude that the State presented sufficient evidence that the substance was crack cocaine.
See former R.C. 2925.01(GG); see also State v. Bielicki, 11th Dist. No. 2011-T-0087, 2012-
Ohio-2124, ¶ 45-53 (noting that under the statutory definition it only need be established that the
substance contained cocaine and was in rock form); State v. Buck, 9th Dist. No. 22584, 2006-
Ohio-2174, ¶ 19-20. Moreover, Mr. Seymour does not argue that there was insufficient evidence
that the rock substance containing cocaine was generally intended for individual use. See State
v. Wilson, 156 Ohio App.3d 1, 2004-Ohio-144, ¶ 26 (8th Dist.), quoting former R.C.
2925.01(GG) (noting that, when cocaine is in rock or pebble form, the State does not have to
prove that the cocaine found in the sample is in the base form, only that the substance contains
cocaine in a form that looks like “‘individual use’” rocks or pebbles.).
{¶14} Despite Mr. Seymour’s argument to the contrary, the facts of this case are unlike
the facts of State v. Banks, 182 Ohio App.3d 276, 2009-Ohio-1892, (10th Dist.), in which the
Tenth District concluded that the evidence was insufficient to establish the substance was crack
cocaine. See id. at ¶ 15. In Banks, the substance at issue was described as a white, powdery
substance that field-tested positive for cocaine. Id. Moreover, the crime lab analyst in Banks
testified that the substance was cocaine and that he did not conduct a separate test to determine if
the substance was crack cocaine. Id. Mr. Seymour seems to suggest that the reference to a
separate test in Banks means that there must always be evidence that a separate test was
conducted for the presence of crack cocaine and such must be indicated in the lab report.
However, there is nothing in Banks that would suggest such would be true. Banks only states
that the substance was identified as cocaine, id., and, thus, Banks stands for the proposition that
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that information alone is insufficient to establish the substance as crack cocaine. See former R.C.
2925.01(GG), (X). There is nothing in Banks to suggest that, if there had been evidence that the
cocaine was in rock form or was analytically identified as the base form of cocaine, it would
have been insufficient to establish that the substance was crack cocaine. See id. Accordingly,
we conclude that Banks is distinguishable from the instant matter.
{¶15} After reviewing the record, we conclude that the State presented sufficient
evidence, if believed, whereby a reasonable jury could conclude that the substance was crack
cocaine and that Mr. Seymour committed a violation of R.C. 2925.11(A). Accordingly, Mr.
Seymour’s first assignment of error is overruled.
ASSIGNMENT OF ERROR II
THE VERDICTS ARE AGAINST THE MANIFEST WEIGHT OF THE
EVIDENCE IN VIOLATION OF MR. SEYMOUR’S RIGHTS UNDER THE
FIFTH, SIXTH AND FOURTEENTH AMENDMENTS TO THE UNITED
STATES CONSTITUTION, AND ARTICLE I, SECTION 10 OF THE OHIO
STATE CONSTITUTION.
{¶16} Mr. Seymour asserts in his second assignment of error that his convictions are
against the manifest weight of the evidence. Mr. Seymour asserts that his conviction for
possession of crack cocaine is against the manifest weight of the evidence because the evidence
did not establish the substance was crack cocaine. Additionally, Mr. Seymour asserts that both
of his convictions are against the manifest weight of the evidence because there was not credible
evidence that Mr. Seymour knowingly possessed the crack cocaine and the baggie containing it
that were the basis for the charges. We do not agree.
{¶17} In reviewing a challenge to the weight of the evidence, the appellate court
[m]ust review the entire record, weigh the evidence and all reasonable inferences,
consider the credibility of witnesses and determine whether, in resolving conflicts
in the evidence, the trier of fact clearly lost its way and created such a manifest
8
miscarriage of justice that the conviction must be reversed and a new trial
ordered.
State v. Otten, 33 Ohio App.3d 339, 340 (9th Dist.1986).
{¶18} With respect to Mr. Seymour’s assertion that the evidence did not establish that
the substance at issue was crack cocaine, he makes no new or additional argument aside from
that which was already addressed in our sufficiency analysis. Accordingly, we see no merit in
this argument.
{¶19} Mr. Seymour also asserts that Officer Figula’s testimony was not credible, and,
thus, his convictions for possession of crack cocaine and drug paraphernalia are against the
manifest weight of the evidence.
{¶20} This Court has previously recited the elements of possession of drugs. At the
time Mr. Seymour committed the offense, R.C. 2925.14(C)(1) stated that “[n]o person shall
knowingly use, or possess with purpose to use, drug paraphernalia.” Pursuant to R.C.
2925.14(A), “‘drug paraphernalia’ means any equipment, product, or material of any kind that is
used by the offender, intended by the offender for use, or designed for use, in * * * packaging,
repackaging, storing, containing, [or] concealing * * * a controlled substance in violation of this
chapter.”
{¶21} Essentially, Mr. Seymour’s argument is that there was not credible evidence that
the crack cocaine and the baggie containing the crack cocaine, which constituted the basis for
drug paraphernalia charge, belonged to him. Mr. Seymour asserts that because it was dark and
there were multiple people in the car, Officer Figula could have been mistaken when he testified
that he saw Mr. Seymour throw something on the ground. Moreover, Mr. Seymour points out
that the police did not inspect the ground prior to the stop, and, thus, the item could have been on
the ground already.
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{¶22} We cannot say that the jury lost its way in making its credibility determinations.
Officer Figula testified that he was familiar with Mr. Seymour, and, thus, it would be reasonable
for a jury to conclude that Officer Figula would be less likely to be mistaken in identifying Mr.
Seymour as the individual who threw the baggie. Moreover, Officer Figula specifically averred
that, when he asked Mr. Seymour to step out of the car, Officer Figula saw Mr. Seymour throw a
clear baggie containing a white object to the ground and kick it underneath the door. Officer
Figula did not hesitate or equivocate in his testimony. Further, Officer Figula indicated that
there were multiple street lights in the area as well as lights from businesses; he averred that he
could see what happening and indicated that he was only a couple feet from Mr. Seymour at the
time. In addition, Officer Figula testified that, while it had been raining earlier and the pavement
was wet, the bag containing the crack cocaine was not, indicating that the bag ended up there
after the rain had stopped. And while it is true that Officer Constantino testified that he did not
see Mr. Seymour throw any items, that fact is not inconsistent with Officer Figula’s version of
events; Officer Figula testified that he approached the passenger side where Mr. Seymour was,
while the other two officers dealt with the driver and the person in the backseat. Thus, a jury
could reasonably conclude that both Officer Figula’s and Officer Constantino’s testimony were
accurate. We note that Officer Constantino did indicate that he observed that Officer Figula was
“having some kind of problem” with Mr. Seymour. Officer Constantino testified that heard
Officer Figula ask Mr. Seymour what he was doing and then Officer Constantino saw Officer
Figula put Mr. Seymour in handcuffs. The foregoing could reasonably be viewed by the jury as
supporting Officer Figula’s version of events. Accordingly, after a thorough review of the
record, we cannot say that the jury was unreasonable in concluding that Mr. Seymour possessed
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crack cocaine and the baggie containing it. We overrule Mr. Seymour’s second assignment of
error.
III.
{¶23} In light of the foregoing, we overrule Mr. Seymour’s assignments of error and
affirm the judgment of the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas.
Judgment affirmed.
There were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common
Pleas, County of Lorain, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy of
this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.
Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of
judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the
period for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(C). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is
instructed to mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the
mailing in the docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.
Costs taxed to Appellant.
EVE V. BELFANCE
FOR THE COURT
WHITMORE, J.
HENSAL, J.
CONCUR.
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APPEARANCES:
PAUL A. GRIFFIN, Attorney at Law, for Appellant.
DENNIS P. WILL, Prosecuting Attorney, and NATASHA RUIZ GUERRIERI, Assistant
Prosecuting Attorney, for Appellee.