State v. Holloway , 250 N.C. App. 674 ( 2016 )

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF NORTH CAROLINA
No. COA16-381
Filed: 6 December 2016
Rutherford County, Nos. 13CRS053375, 053378, 053380
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
v.
ANDREW ROBERT HOLLOWAY
Appeal by defendant from judgments entered 18 September 2015 by Judge
Jeffrey P. Hunt in Rutherford County Superior Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals
18 October 2016.
Attorney General Roy Cooper, by Special Deputy Attorney General Scott Stroud,
for the State.
Appellate Defender Glenn Gerding, by Assistant Appellate Defender Michele A.
Goldman, for defendant-appellant.
BRYANT, Judge.
Where the trial court erred in denying defendant’s motions to dismiss all
charges due to the State’s failure to present substantial evidence, and where the trial
court erred in instructing the jury on acting in concert, a theory not supported by the
evidence, we vacate the judgments of the trial court.
On 22 October 2013, Tommy Turner, a police officer with the Forest City Police
Department was on duty and heard a report of a breaking and entering at 305 Hardin
Road. Officer Turner drove to the address, joining Officer James Greene who was
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Opinion of the Court
already on the scene. Officer Greene heard a commotion coming from inside the
residence and announced the police were there and anyone inside was to come out.
After about twenty minutes, Officer Turner, who was stationed at the back of the
house, noticed smoke coming from the back of the house. The fire department was
called, and around the same time, two men left the house through the front door.
Because the officers were responding to a breaking and entering in progress, the two
men, identified as Robert McEntire and defendant Andrew Robert Holloway, were
placed in custody.
Firemen who responded to the call discovered the source of the smoke in the
kitchen to be a quantity of marijuana burning in the oven. The firemen doused the
oven’s contents with water and handed the marijuana to police officers waiting
outside.
Forest City police officers obtained a search warrant for the residence, and in
the kitchen, officers found $4,000.00 in cash, McEntire’s driver’s license, and other
items with McEntire’s name on them, including a vehicle title. In a bedroom, officers
found a gun, gun magazine, digital scales, and a small bag of marijuana. The total
amount of marijuana recovered from the residence weighed 19.86 pounds. Officers
later learned that McEntire lived at the two-bedroom house on 305 Hardin Road,
although the original lessee was one Danielle Taylor. Other than a photograph of
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defendant found in a container in a bedroom, there were no items found in the
residence bearing defendant’s name or otherwise connected to defendant.
On 15 September 2014, defendant was indicted on multiple charges, including
trafficking in marijuana, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana,
maintaining a dwelling house for keeping and selling marijuana, and possession of
drug paraphernalia. On 17 November 2014, defendant was indicted as an habitual
felon.1
On 14 September 2015, defendant’s case was called for trial before the
Honorable Jeffrey P. Hunt, Superior Court Judge presiding. Defendant was also tried
on a charge of possession of a firearm by a felon.
At trial at the close of the State’s evidence, defendant moved to dismiss all of
the charges based on insufficient evidence, arguing that the State’s only evidence
tying defendant to the residence or the items discovered therein was his presence on
the afternoon of 22 October 2013 and the single photograph of him found face down
in a plastic storage container in a bedroom. The State countered that once the
marijuana was burning and smoke was filling the house, “someone inside the
residence is going to know about it. Certainly is going to have the ability to control
1
Defendant was also originally indicted on the following additional charges: trafficking in
cocaine, possession with intent to sell and deliver cocaine, and maintaining a dwelling house for
keeping and selling cocaine. Prior to the start of trial the State took dismissals on all cocaine charges.
Nothing in the record suggests on what basis defendant was originally charged with the cocaine-
related offenses. Other than the warrants and indictments themselves, there is no evidence in the
record that any cocaine was found in the residence at 305 Hardin Road or on defendant’s person.
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its disposition and use at that point.” According to the State, because there was no
evidence of what defendant was doing inside the residence while the officers were
knocking at the door, the jury was entitled to infer that defendant constructively
possessed the drugs, drug paraphernalia, and the firearm, and that he, in concert
with McEntire, kept the dwelling to distribute marijuana. The State also argued that
“the photograph is evidence that [defendant] stays there[,]” and thus it was
reasonable to infer that defendant was at the house “all the time.” The trial court
denied defendant’s motion.
Defendant’s evidence included the testimony of his mother, Serene Holloway,
and McEntire. McEntire had pled guilty to and was serving a sentence for trafficking,
possession with intent to sell and deliver, possession of drug paraphernalia, and
maintaining a dwelling in connection with the 22 October 2013 incident at his
residence. Defendant’s mother and McEntire explained how McEntire came to have
the photograph of defendant. McEntire further testified that defendant was merely
visiting on the day his home was searched and that defendant had arrived shortly
before the police. McEntire also testified that the marijuana, paraphernalia, and
firearm were all his and that defendant did not know about their presence in the
home.
At the close of all the evidence, defendant again moved to dismiss all the
charges based on insufficient evidence. The court denied the motion.
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Without objection, the trial court instructed the jury on the theory of acting in
concert generally as to all of the charges, in addition to instructing on actual and
constructive possession. The jury convicted defendant of all possession-related
charges except the firearm charge, of which he was acquitted. The jury also convicted
defendant of knowingly maintaining a dwelling house, the lesser-included offense of
intentionally keeping or maintaining a dwelling house. In a subsequent proceeding,
the jury found defendant had attained the status of habitual felon. Defendant was
sentenced to 120 days for maintaining a dwelling, 97 to 129 months for trafficking in
marijuana, 38 to 58 months for possession with intent to sell and distribute
marijuana, and 120 days for possession of drug paraphernalia, with all sentences
running consecutively. Defendant gave notice of appeal in open court.
_________________________________________________________
On appeal, defendant contends the trial court erred in denying defendant’s
motion to dismiss for insufficient evidence and, therefore, plainly erred by instructing
the jury that it could convict defendant of acting in concert where there was no
evidence of a common criminal plan. We agree.
Defendant first argues the trial court erred in denying his motion to dismiss
where there was insufficient evidence of possession to prove any of the possessory
offenses charged. Specifically, defendant contends the State erroneously relied on the
theory of constructive possession and acting in concert and presented insufficient
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evidence that defendant maintained a dwelling for the purpose of keeping or selling
a controlled substance.
“This Court reviews the trial court’s denial of a motion to dismiss de novo.”
State v. Smith, 186 N.C. App. 57, 62, 650 S.E.2d 29, 33 (2007) (citation omitted).
“Upon defendant’s motion for dismissal, the question for the Court is whether there
is substantial evidence (1) of each essential element of the offense charged, or of a
lesser offense included therein, and (2) of defendant’s being the perpetrator of such
offense. If so, the motion is properly denied.” State v. Fritsch, 351 N.C. 373, 378, 526
S.E.2d 451, 455 (2000) (quoting State v. Barnes, 334 N.C. 67, 75, 430 S.E.2d 914, 918
(1993)).
The court must also “view the evidence in the light most favorable to the State,
giving the State the benefit of all reasonable inferences that can be drawn from the
evidence.” Id. at 378–79, 526 S.E.2d at 455 (quoting Barnes, 334 N.C. at 75, 430
S.E.2d at 918). Evidence presented by the State need only provide a reasonable
inference of guilt in order for the motion to be denied and the case submitted to the
jury. State v. Shelman, 159 N.C. App. 300, 305, 584 S.E.2d 88, 92 (2003) (citation
omitted). Contradictions and discrepancies in the evidence must be resolved in the
State’s favor, and defendant’s evidence, unless favorable to the State, is not
considered. Id. at 305, 584 S.E.2d at 92–93 (citations omitted). However, “[w]hen the
evidence raises no more than a suspicion of guilt, a motion to dismiss should be
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granted.” State v. Miller, 363 N.C. 96, 99, 678 S.E.2d 592, 594 (2009) (citing State v.
Lee, 348 N.C. 474, 488–89, 501 S.E.2d 334, 343 (1998)).
A. Constructive Possession
Defendant first argues the State failed to present substantial evidence
demonstrating defendant’s constructive possession of marijuana and drug
paraphernalia. We agree.
For possession with intent to sell or deliver marijuana, the State was required
to present substantial evidence of three elements: (1) possession, (2) of a controlled
substance, (3) with the intent to sell or deliver that controlled substance. N.C. Gen.
Stat. § 90-95(a)(1)–(2) (2015).
(1) Any person who . . . possesses in excess of 10 pounds
(avoirdupois) of marijuana shall be guilty of a felony
which felony shall be known as “trafficking in
marijuana” and if the quantity of such substance
involved:
a. Is in excess of 10 pounds, but less than 50 pounds,
such person shall be punished as a Class H felon[.]
Id. § 90-95(h)(1)a.
In order to prevail on a motion to dismiss a possession of drug paraphernalia
charge, the State must provide substantial evidence that (1) defendant possessed
drug paraphernalia, and (2) defendant had “the intent to use [drug paraphernalia] in
connection with controlled substances.” State v. Hedgecoe, 106 N.C. App. 157, 164,
415 S.E.2d 777, 781 (1992). “It is unlawful for any person to knowingly use, or to
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possess with intent to use, drug paraphernalia to . . . store, contain, or conceal a
controlled substance . . . .” N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-113.22(a) (2015). The statute
specifically notes that “[s]cales and balances for weighing or measuring controlled
substances” constitute drug paraphernalia. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-113.21(a)(5) (2015).
The State must prove either “actual or constructive” possession in order to
convict a defendant of possession of marijuana or drug paraphernalia. See State v.
Harvey, 281 N.C. 1, 12, 187 S.E.2d 706, 714 (1972). When a person lacks actual
physical possession, but “nonetheless has the intent and capability to maintain
control over a controlled substance[,]” constructive possession occurs. State v. Givens,
95 N.C. App. 72, 76, 381 S.E.2d 869, 871 (1989) (quoting State v. Baize, 71 N.C. App.
521, 529, 323 S.E.2d 36, 41 (1984)). However, “[w]here possession of the premises is
nonexclusive, constructive possession of the contraband materials may not be
inferred without other incriminating circumstances.” State v. Brown, 310 N.C. 563,
569, 313 S.E.2d 585, 589 (1984) (citation omitted).
“ ‘[C]onstructive possession depends on the totality of the circumstances in
each case,’ so that ‘[n]o single factor controls.’ ” State v. Ferguson, 204 N.C. App. 451,
460, 694 S.E.2d 470, 477 (2010) (alterations in original) (quoting State v. James, 81
N.C. App. 91, 93, 344 S.E.2d 77, 79 (1986)). “Our cases addressing constructive
possession have tended to turn on the specific facts presented.” Miller, 363 N.C. at
99, 678 S.E.2d at 594 (citations omitted). But “two factors frequently considered are
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the defendant’s proximity to the contraband and indicia of the defendant’s control
over the place where the contraband is found.” Id. at 100, 678 S.E.2d at 595.
In Miller, the police found the defendant “in a bedroom of the home where two
of his children lived with their mother.” Id. The defendant was discovered sitting on
the same end of the bed where cocaine was recovered and, upon sliding to the floor,
he was within reach of the cocaine discovered on the floor behind the bedroom door.
Id. The defendant’s birth certificate and state-issued identification were also found
in the same bedroom. Id. The N.C. Supreme Court reasoned that “[e]ven though [the]
defendant did not have exclusive possession of the premises, these incriminating
circumstances permit[ted] a reasonable inference that [the] defendant had the intent
and capability to exercise control and dominion over cocaine in that room.” Id.In Brown, the N.C. Supreme Court found sufficient other incriminating
evidence in a case of constructive possession when cocaine and other drug packaging
paraphernalia were found on a table beside which the defendant was standing when
the officers entered the apartment, the defendant had been observed at the
apartment multiple times, he possessed a key to the apartment, and he had over
$1,700.00 in cash in his pockets. 310 N.C. at 569–70, 313 S.E.2d at 589.
In the instant case, there is no dispute that the marijuana recovered from the
house at 305 Hardin Road was in excess of ten pounds, but less than fifty pounds. See
N.C.G.S. § 90-95(h)(1)a. However, there was no evidence that defendant actually
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possessed the marijuana or drug paraphernalia, and defendant contends there was
also insufficient evidence to show constructive possession of the same.
Here, the only evidence of defendant’s close proximity to drugs was that he was
seen by the police emerging from a house in which drugs were ultimately found
burning in an oven. “The most the State has shown is that defendant had been in an
area where he could have committed the crimes charged.” State v. Minor, 290 N.C.
68, 74–75, 224 S.E.2d 180, 185 (1976) (reversing the trial court’s denial of the
defendant’s motion for nonsuit because there was no evidence linking the defendant
to the marijuana other than the fact that he had been a visitor to an abandoned house
located 100 feet from a marijuana field). Nothing other than mere suspicion provides
a connection between the drugs and defendant.
Unlike the birth certificate and identification found in Miller, the state-issued
driver’s license and other documents found in the residence belonged to McEntire,
not defendant. See 363 N.C. at 100, 678 S.E.2d at 595. Unlike the cash discovered in
Brown, here, the $4,000.00 in cash was not discovered on defendant’s person, but was
discovered in a kitchen drawer. See 310 N.C. at 569, 313 S.E.2d at 589. Unlike the
drugs found within arms’-reach of both defendants in Miller and Brown, here the
marijuana was discovered burning in an oven, and as defendant and McEntire exited
the house before the marijuana was discovered, the State has not and cannot show
where defendant was—defendant’s proximity—in relation to the marijuana in order
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to establish constructive possession. Thus, the State’s only evidence tying defendant
to the residence or items discovered therein was his presence on the afternoon of 22
October 2013 and the single photograph of defendant found face down in a plastic
storage bin located in a bedroom.
The State argues that this Court should follow the reasoning in State v. Moore,
in which this Court upheld the convictions of two codefendants for offenses related to
the growing of marijuana in a field near their home based on the theory of
constructive possession. 79 N.C. App. 666, 669–71, 675–76, 340 S.E.2d 771, 773–75,
777 (1986). However, Moore is easily distinguishable from and inapplicable to the
instant case. For example, in Moore, the fingerprints of both the defendants were
found on items within the house near the marijuana field; defendant Moore “had in
his possession a key that fit the gate and the door to the house[,]” and defendant
“Moore’s truck was present on the premises and contained twine identical to the
twine used to tie the marijuana plants to the stakes and to twine found within the
house.” Id. at 675, 340 S.E.2d at 777–78.
Here, there was no evidence that linked defendant to the house or the contents
therein: (1) no evidence defendant had any possessory interest in the house; (2) no
evidence defendant had a key to the residence; (3) no evidence of defendant’s
fingerprints on any items seized or found in the house; (4) no evidence of any items
belonging to defendant (including the photograph of defendant which belonged to
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McEntire) seized or found in the house; and (5) no evidence of incriminating evidence
on defendant’s person. See id. Therefore, as in Minor, here, there is no evidence
linking defendant to the house at Hardin Drive or the marijuana and drug
paraphernalia found therein other than the fact that defendant had been a visitor to
the house and emerged from the house with the main resident. See 290 N.C. at 75,
224 S.E.2d at 185.
Furthermore, particularly as regards a defendant’s presence and photographs
of a defendant at the scene where drugs are discovered, the dissenting opinion in
Miller offers the following highly instructive example:
In State v. McLaurin, the defendant was convicted of
possession of drug paraphernalia under a constructive
possession theory. 320 N.C. 143, 144, 357 S.E.2d 636, 637
(1987). Law enforcement searched the defendant’s
residence pursuant to a search warrant and found drug
paraphernalia which contained traces of cocaine,
throughout the house. Id. In a crawl space beneath the
dwelling, law enforcement found three marked one
hundred dollar bills that were used in a previous drug
transaction. 320 N.C. at 145, 357 S.E.2d at 637. The
defendant admitted to living in the residence, and
photographs of her were found inside the house along with
her Medicaid card. Id. However, the defendant did not have
exclusive control over the premises, leading this Court to
conclude that “because there was no evidence of other
incriminating circumstances linking her to [the seized
paraphernalia], her control was insufficiently substantial
to support a conclusion of her possession of the seized
paraphernalia.” 320 N.C. at 147, 357 S.E.2d at 638.
363 N.C. at 108, 678 S.E.2d at 600 (Brady, J., dissenting) (emphasis added).
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Unlike in McLaurin, in which there was found to be insufficient substantial
evidence to support a conclusion of constructive possession, even where “[t]he
defendant admitted to living in the residence, and photographs of her were found
inside the house along with her Medicaid card[,]” see id. (Brady, J., dissenting), here,
there are even fewer “incriminating circumstances.” Here, defendant did not live or
admit to living in the house at 305 Hardin Road, no identifying documents of his were
discovered at the house, and the most incriminating circumstance presented by the
State, besides defendant’s presence on the day, is a photograph of defendant found
face down in a plastic storage bin in one of the bedrooms. This is not substantial
evidence because, at most, it “raises no more than a suspicion of guilt[.]” Id. at 99,
678 S.E.2d at 594 (citation omitted). In fact, we are unable to find any other case in
which a charge was allowed to go to the jury based on such a thin suspicion of guilt
and sustain a guilty verdict. As such, defendant’s motion to dismiss all possessory-
related charges should have been granted.
B. Maintaining a Dwelling
Defendant next argues the trial court erred in denying his motion to dismiss
the charge of maintaining a dwelling. We agree.
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person:
...
(7) To knowingly keep or maintain any . . . dwelling house
. . . which is resorted to by persons using controlled
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substances in violation of this Article for the purpose of
using such substances, or which is used for the keeping or
selling of the same in violation of this Article[.]
N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-108(a)(7) (2015).
Whether a person “keep[s] or maintain[s]” a dwelling,
within the meaning of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 90-108(a)(7),
requires the consideration of several factors, none of which
are dispositive. Those factors include: ownership of the
property; occupancy of the property; repairs to the
property; payment of taxes; payment of utility expenses;
payment of repair expenses; and payment of rent.
State v. Bowens, 140 N.C. App. 217, 221–23, 535 S.E.2d 870, 873–74 (2000) (internal
citations omitted) (concluding the trial court erred in denying the defendant’s motion
to dismiss the charge of maintaining a dwelling, but affirming the trial court’s denial
of the defendant’s motion to dismiss the charge of possession with intent to sell or
deliver marijuana). “General Statute 90-108(a)(7) does not require residence, but
permits conviction if a defendant merely keeps or maintains a building for the
purpose of keeping or selling controlled substances.” State v. Alston, 91 N.C. App. 707,
711, 373 S.E.2d 306, 310 (1988).
In Bowens, the “[d]efendant was charged with knowingly and intentionally
maintaining a dwelling used for keeping or selling controlled substances.” 140 N.C.
App. at 221, 535 S.E.2d at 873. The defendant argued on appeal that the State failed
to present substantial evidence that the defendant “maintained the dwelling” at
issue. Id. at 222, 535 S.E.2d at 873. The State’s evidence showed that the defendant
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was seen in and out of the dwelling 8-to-10 times over the
course of 2-to-3 days; nobody else was seen entering the
premises during this 2-to-3 day period of time; men’s
clothing was found in one closet in the dwelling; [and an
officer] testified he believed [the] [d]efendant lived at [the
dwelling] . . . although he offered no basis for that opinion
and had not checked to see who the dwelling was rented to
or who paid the utilities and telephone bills.
Id. at 221–22, 535 S.E.2d at 873.
In concluding the State’s evidence “[did] not constitute substantial evidence”
that the defendant maintained the dwelling in question, this Court noted that “[t]here
[was] no evidence [the] [d]efendant was the owner or the lessee of the dwelling, or
that he had any responsibility for the payment of the utilities or the general upkeep
of the dwelling.” Id. at 222, 535 S.E.2d at 873 (citations omitted). Further, in
reversing the conviction for maintaining a dwelling, this Court noted that
“[t]estimony [the] [d]efendant was present at the dwelling on several occasions and
testimony he lived [there] [could] not alone support a conclusion [the] [d]efendant
kept or maintained the dwelling.” Id. (footnote omitted).
In the instant case, there is even less evidence than there was in Bowens. Here,
there is no evidence that defendant was the owner or the lessee of the dwelling at 305
Hardin Road, nor was there evidence that defendant paid for its utilities or upkeep.
See id. Further, unlike the evidence presented in Bowens, here there was no evidence
that defendant had been seen in or around the dwelling before, nor was their evidence
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that defendant lived there. Accordingly, the trial court erred in denying defendant’s
motion to dismiss the charge of maintaining a dwelling.
C. Acting in Concert
Defendant also contends the State failed to present substantial evidence
demonstrating he was acting in concert with McEntire in the commission of all of the
crimes charged and, as such, the trial court committed plain error by instructing the
jury on this theory of guilt. We agree.
In criminal cases, an issue that was not preserved by
objection noted at trial and that is not deemed preserved
by rule or law without any such action nevertheless may be
made the basis of an issue presented on appeal when the
judicial action questioned is specifically and distinctly
contended to amount to plain error.
N.C. R. App. P. 10(a)(4) (2015). The North Carolina Supreme Court “has elected to
review unpreserved issues for plain error when they involve . . . errors in the judge’s
instructions to the jury . . . .” State v. Gregory, 342 N.C. 580, 584, 467 S.E.2d 28, 31
(1996) (citations omitted). “Under the plain error rule, defendant must convince this
Court not only that there was error, but that absent the error, the jury probably would
have reached a different result.” State v. Jordan, 333 N.C. 431, 440, 426 S.E.2d 692,
697 (1993) (citation omitted).
“To act in concert means to act together, in harmony or in conjunction one with
another pursuant to a common plan or purpose.” State v. Joyner, 297 N.C. 349, 356,
255 S.E.2d 390, 395 (1979) (citation omitted). Under the doctrine of acting in concert,
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the State is not required to prove actual or constructive possession if it can establish
that the defendant was “present at the scene of the crime and the evidence is
sufficient to show he [was] acting together with another who [did] the acts necessary
to constitute the crime pursuant to a common plan or purpose to commit the crime.”
Id. at 357, 255 S.E.2d at 395. “It is not, therefore, necessary for a defendant to do any
particular act constituting at least part of a crime in order to be convicted of that
crime under the concerted action principle . . . .” Id. at 357, 255 S.E.2d 395. However,
there must be evidence of a common plan or purpose shared by the accused with one
other person. See State v. Williams, 299 N.C. 652, 656–57, 263 S.E.2d 774, 777–78
(1980). Where there is “no evidence of joint action other than presence at the scene[,]”
such evidence will not be sufficient for the charge to be submitted to the jury. James,
81 N.C. App. at 97, 344 S.E.2d at 81 (citations omitted). “Mere presence at the scene
of a crime is not itself a crime, absent at least some sharing of criminal intent.” Id. at
97, 344 S.E.2d at 81–82 (citation omitted).
In James, the trial court instructed the jury on both constructive possession
and acting in concert, and the defendant was convicted of possession with intent to
sell and deliver cocaine. Id. at 96–97, 344 S.E.2d at 81–82. In finding the evidence
was insufficient for the charge to be submitted on both theories, this Court reasoned
that, regarding acting in concert, the only evidence connecting the defendant “to the
cocaine was that he was found in the kitchen where the refrigerator containing the
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drugs was located” and he had a gun in his hand, which was not introduced into
evidence, and there was no evidence that it was loaded or usable. Id. at 96, 344 S.E.2d
at 81. This Court held that this evidence “raise[d] no more than a suspicion that [the
defendant] was intentionally involved in the possession of the cocaine.” Id. at 97, 344
S.E.2d at 82.
Here, the State presented no evidence that defendant had a common plan or
purpose to possess marijuana or drug paraphernalia with McEntire. At most, the
State proved defendant and McEntire were acquainted and defendant was present
on 22 October 2013 when the drugs were found. However, “[m]ere presence at the
scene of a crime is not itself a crime,” and the State presented no evidence that
defendant and McEntire shared any “criminal intent.” Id. at 97, 344 S.E.2d at 81–82
(citation omitted).
“[A] trial judge should not give instructions to the jury which are not supported
by the evidence produced at the trial.” State v. Cameron, 284 N.C. 165, 171, 200
S.E.2d 186, 191 (1973) (citations omitted). Thus, the trial court erred in instructing
the jury on the theory of acting in concert.
In conclusion, having determed that the trial court erred in denying
defendant’s motions to dismiss, and in givng an instruction on acting in concert, we
vacate the judgments of the trial court.
VACATED.
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Judges CALABRIA and STEPHENS concur.
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