State of Tennessee v. Byron Lebron Roshell ( 2009 )

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT NASHVILLE
Assigned on Briefs August 20, 2008
STATE OF TENNESSEE v. BYRON LEBRON ROSHELL
Direct Appeal from the Criminal Court for Davidson County
No. 2007-A-577 Cheryl Blackburn, Judge
No. M2007-02358-CCA-R3-CD - Filed April 2, 2009
Defendant-Appellant, Byron Lebron Roshell, appeals his conviction by a Davidson County jury of
the sale of less than .5 grams of cocaine, a Class C felony. See T.C.A. § 39-17-417 (2006). He
argues that (1) the trial court erred in admitting a former co-defendant’s testimony that he had bought
drugs from Roshell in the past and (2) the evidence was insufficient to support his conviction. We
affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Criminal Court Affirmed
CAMILLE R. MCMULLEN , J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which JAMES CURWOOD WITT ,
JR., J., joined. JOSEPH M. TIPTON , P.J., filed a dissenting opinion.
James P. McNamara and Jeffrey A. DeVasher (on appeal), and Kevin McGee (at trial), Nashville,
Tennessee, for the appellant, Byron Lebron Roshell.
Robert E. Cooper, Jr., Attorney General and Reporter; Elizabeth B. Marney, Assistant Attorney
General; Victor S. Johnson, III, District Attorney General; and Matthew Pietsch, Assistant District
Attorney General, for the appellee, State of Tennessee.
OPINION
On December 6, 2006, Roshell was arrested in a “buy-bust” drug operation conducted by the
Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. On July 18, 2007, a jury found Roshell guilty of the sale
of less than .5 grams of cocaine. On September 12, 2007, the trial court sentenced Roshell to nine
years as a Range II, multiple offender. On October 12, 2007, Roshell filed his timely notice of
appeal.
Trial. Because Roshell challenges the sufficiency of the evidence supporting his conviction,
a brief summary of the five witnesses called by the State at trial is necessary. The defense did not
offer any proof at trial.
The first witness at trial, Detective Michael Fisher, testified that he was assigned to the East
Crime Suppression Unit, “a street level vice unit,” that “address[es] the street level narcotics,
prostitution, and gambling . . . .” He explained that a “buy bust” operation “target[s] street level drug
dealers” in areas known to have a large number of drug sales. Generally, the vice unit uses either an
undercover officer or a confidential informant to buy the drugs. Detective Fisher described how the
vice unit prepared for a typical “buy-bust” operation:
Prior to hitting the street [to conduct the operation] we’ll wire the [officer or
confidential informant] that’s going to do the buy with an audio-listening device so
we can monitor their conversations on the street, which is chiefly for safety purposes.
If something were to go wrong, we could hear the conversation like if they were
getting robbed. Then we take [the] money and photocopy it. That’s the money that
will be used to purchase narcotics so that when an exchange goes down for narcotics
and the buyer gives the money over to the seller, when we move in to take the parties
involved into custody, we can trace who received the money for the narcotic sale. So
that’s where the previously photocopied buy money comes into play.
In this case, the vice unit used a confidential informant who was paid to purchase drugs. The audio
from the confidential informant’s microphone was not recorded due to the difficulty in “the logistics”
and the police department policy not to record audio for small scale drug sales.
Detective Fisher photocopied the buy money for the sale, put the wire on the confidential
informant, and searched the confidential informant to confirm that he did not possess any other
money or contraband before sending him out to make the drug purchase. He searched the
informant’s waistband, where the wire was placed, and “all the pockets, around the ankle of the sock,
not inside the shoe, any pockets in the shirt, upper body, [and the] torso . . . .” Detective Fisher did
not strip search the informant, but did remove his shirt to place the wire.
Detective Fisher only observed parts of the “buy-bust” operation and did not witness the
actual drug exchange between the informant and Roshell. Detective Fisher dropped the confidential
informant off in the designated area and visually monitored the confidential informant until one of
the other detectives knew the informant’s position. He said that the detectives in the operation took
turns observing the confidential informant and that they had four audio transmitters between six
detectives. Once the confidential informant purchased the drugs, Detective Fisher said that he “went
through the motions” of arresting him to “throw off the other parties involved.” When he took the
confidential informant into custody, he “retrieved the purchased amount of crack cocaine, which was
approximately point two grams, which is [the] average for a twenty dollar transaction.” Detective
Fisher field tested the drugs and then gave the drugs to Detective Morton.
On cross-examination, Detective Fisher admitted neither the twenty dollar bill that he gave
to the confidential informant nor the photocopy of the buy money was preserved as evidence. The
confidential informant was paid approximately $40 per drug buy and had received approximately
$2000 for nearly thirty successful drug buys between May of 2006 and December of 2006. The
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informant was compensated according to a pay scale based on the amount of drugs recovered and
did not get paid for failed attempts at drug buys. Finally, the confidential informant in this case
completed five drug buys the day Roshell was arrested.
Detective Fisher stated that the confidential informant who assisted in Roshell’s case was
arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia on January 3, 2007, less than a month after the
confidential informant assisted in Roshell’s arrest, but a member of the vice squad helped the
informant get this charge expunged in April of 2007. Detective Fisher stated that the vice unit
decided not to use this particular individual as a confidential informant for a while after they learned
that he had relapsed.
The confidential informant in this case testified that he assisted in the “buy-bust” operation
conducted by the police on December 6, 2006, that resulted in Roshell’s arrest. He walked down
Shelby Avenue and encountered Pierre Martin, an old acquaintance with whom he had previously
used drugs. He asked Martin where he could buy some “dope,” meaning crack cocaine, and Martin
said he knew who to call. Martin borrowed the confidential informant’s cell phone and called
Roshell for the drugs. The confidential informant said that he and Martin met Roshell at a
convenience store at South Sixth Street and Shelby Avenue. The confidential informant agreed to
split the cocaine with Martin since he told the informant where to find it. As the informant and
Martin headed to the store to meet Roshell, they had a discussion about who was actually going to
buy the drugs. The informant had initially given Martin the twenty dollar bill supplied by the police,
but he convinced Martin to allow him to buy the drugs, and Martin handed the money back to him
prior to the sale. When Roshell arrived, he asked who had the money, and the confidential informant
gave him the twenty dollar bill. Roshell then gave him the drugs from his pocket. Roshell began
to walk away when the police “swarmed in on [them].” After Roshell was arrested, the informant
gave the cocaine to Detective Fisher. The confidential informant identified Roshell in the courtroom
as the individual who sold him the drugs. Although the informant was paid to buy drugs in these
“buy-bust” operations, he was not paid to testify. The confidential informant said that this was his
first time to testify for the State.
The confidential informant admitted that he had to be convincing to drug dealers during the
“buy-bust” operations, or he would not get paid by the police. If additional drugs or weapons were
found on the drug dealer or if the arrest led to more people being arrested, then he would be paid
more money. He confirmed that he was paid $40 for the operation involving Roshell, and that he
had been involved in five “buy-bust” operations the day that Roshell was arrested. He admitted to
the January 3, 2007 arrest for possessing drug paraphernalia and to using crack cocaine at that time.
The confidential informant said that he asked the vice unit if he could “work it off,” and his
paraphernalia charge was retired. He also admitted that he falsified a temporary license tag in 1997.
Pierre Martin, Roshell’s former co-defendant, testified that he had been in jail on this case
for the last seven and a half months. He pled guilty the day of his testimony in Roshell’s trial to
facilitation of the sale of under .5 grams of cocaine and received a sentence of four years’ probation.
Martin did not receive his offer of probation from the State until after the jury had been chosen in
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his and Roshell’s joint trial. Martin acknowledged that he had multiple felony convictions of theft
and burglary as well as misdemeanor convictions of theft. He also admitted that he had a drug
problem, although he had never been convicted of selling drugs. Martin said that he knew Roshell
“from the street, and . . . from doing time with him,” and he knew the confidential informant because
they grew up together and used drugs together. Martin’s testimony largely corroborated that of the
confidential informant’s. In addition, Martin knew Roshell was “in the business of selling drugs”
because he had “dealt with him before.”
Detective Darryl Morton, a member of the East Crime Suppression Unit of the Metropolitan
Nashville Police Department, testified that he was also involved in the “buy-bust” operation on
December 6, 2006, that resulted in Roshell’s arrest. Detective Morton stated that he observed the
confidential informant greet Martin and could tell from what he heard on the wire that they knew
each other. Detective Morton also heard Martin tell the confidential informant that he did not have
any drugs but that he knew where they could get some. He then observed Martin borrow the
informant’s cell phone. Detective Morton said that he heard Martin tell the informant that they had
to walk to the store at Sixth Street and Shelby Avenue. He observed them walking towards the store,
but he lost sight of the confidential informant and Martin for a few seconds when he had to drive
around the block so that he could observe them at the store. He saw the informant and Martin
talking and then saw Roshell come from around the store from the direction of the James Cayce
projects. Detective Morton identified Roshell in the courtroom.
Detective Morton stated that Roshell turned to the confidential informant and said, “[H]ere
it is.” Then Roshell turned at an angle where he could not see Roshell’s and the confidential
informant’s hands touch. Detective Morton then observed the informant giving the take-down signal
and watched Roshell walk into the store. As the other officers were arresting Martin and the
confidential informant, Detective Morton said he followed Roshell into the store, where he had
already purchased a bottle of water with the twenty dollar bill he received from the drug transaction.
He arrested Roshell and recovered the twenty dollar bill from the cashier. Detective Morton said he
compared the serial numbers on the bill to the photocopy of the twenty dollar bill that was given to
the confidential informant, and they matched. He then recovered the cocaine involved in the
operation from Detective Fisher and field tested it. Detective Morton stated that the substance tested
positive for cocaine at the scene and that he then turned it into the property room and filled out a lab
sheet so that the substance could be sent to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for testing.
Detective Morton acknowledged that a general order of the police department regarding
confidential informants required officers to have “continued surveillance of the [confidential
informant] to[,] from[,] and during the transaction or meeting.” He admitted that he violated this
general order when he lost sight of the confidential informant and Martin while he drove to the store
to witness the drug sale. He said that when they searched Roshell they did not find a large sum of
money, a cell phone, digital scales, other drugs, or weapons. The vice unit did not photograph or
video-tape the transaction, and they did not record the audio from the wire. Detective Morton also
did not attempt to obtain the video surveillance tapes from the store where the transaction took place.
Finally, Detective Morton failed to preserve the buy money used in this transaction as well as to
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subpoena the confidential informant’s cell phone records to prove that Martin called Roshell’s
number on December 6.
Brian Angolia, a drug chemist with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, was admitted as
an expert in the field of forensic chemistry and confirmed that the evidence submitted in this case
contained cocaine base and weighed .2 grams.
Roshell did not testify, and the defense did not offer any proof at trial.
I. Tennessee Rule of Evidence 404(b). Roshell argues that the trial court erred by
admitting evidence under Rule 404(b) without making a clear and convincing determination, by
admitting the evidence that did not meet the test for contextual background evidence, and by giving
jury instructions that were inconsistent to its Rule 404(b) ruling and that heightened the risk that the
jury would misuse the evidence of Roshell’s prior drug sales. In response, the State argues that the
trial court substantially complied with the requirements of Rule 404(b). In addition, the State
contends that the trial court cured any alleged deficiency regarding the procedural requirements of
Rule 404(b) during the motion for a new trial when it acknowledged that it should have considered
the level of proof associated with the prior bad act and concluded that it had found clear and
convincing proof that Roshell sold drugs to Martin in the past.
Rule 404(b) states:
(b) Other Crimes, Wrongs, or Acts. Evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts is not
admissible to prove the character of a person in order to show action in conformity
with the character trait. It may, however, be admissible for other purposes. The
conditions which must be satisfied before allowing such evidence are:
(1) The court upon request must hold a hearing outside the jury's presence;
(2) The court must determine that a material issue exists other than conduct
conforming with a character trait and must upon request state on the record the
material issue, the ruling, and the reasons for admitting the evidence;
(3) The court must find proof of the other crime, wrong, or act to be clear and
convincing; and
(4) The court must exclude the evidence if its probative value is outweighed by the
danger of unfair prejudice.
Assuming a trial court substantially complies with the requirements of Rule 404(b), we will
review the trial court’s determination for an abuse of discretion. See State v. DuBose, 953 S.W.2d
649, 652 (Tenn. 1997). However, if a trial court fails to substantially comply with the requirements
of the rule, then the trial court’s decision is not entitled to deference by the reviewing court. DuBose,
953 S.W.2d at 652.
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“Rule 404 was patterned in great measure on State v. Parton, 694 S.W.2d 299 (Tenn. 1985),
wherein our supreme court ruled that evidence of other crimes is generally inadmissible.” State v.
McCary, 119 S.W.3d 226, 243 (Tenn. Crim. App. 2003). Rule 404 “establish[es] that character
evidence cannot be used to prove that a person has a propensity to commit a crime.” Tenn. R. Evid.
404(b); State v. Adkisson, 899 S.W.2d 626, 645 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1994). Trial courts should take
a “restrictive approach [to] 404(b) . . . because ‘other act’ evidence carries a significant potential for
unfairly influencing a jury.” Neil P. Cohen et al., Tennessee Law of Evidence § 4.04[8][e] (4th ed.
2000). The more similar the conduct or act to the crime for which the defendant is on trial, the
greater the potential for a prejudicial result. McCary, 119 S.W.3d at 243 (citing State v. Bordis, 905
S.W.2d 214, 232 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1995)). Other crimes, wrongs or acts are admissible under Rule
404(b) when relevant to an issue other than the defendant’s character, such as intent, motive,
identity, common scheme or plan, or absence of mistake. Id.
Prior to trial, Roshell’s attorney requested an instruction for the casual exchange of drugs
under Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-17-418 (2006), which states that a casual exchange of
a controlled substance obtained without a valid prescription is a Class A misdemeanor. During
Martin’s testimony, the State indicated to the trial court that it wanted to ask Martin whether he had
bought drugs from Roshell on previous occasions to refute the defense’s argument that the
transaction was nothing more than a casual exchange. The trial court conducted a hearing outside
the presence of the jury to determine the admissibility of Roshell’s prior drug sales under Rule
404(b) of the Tennessee Rules of Evidence.
During this jury-out hearing pursuant to Rule 404(b), Martin testified that he knew to
contact Roshell because he had purchased drugs from Roshell in the past. Martin acknowledged
that Roshell was “in the business of selling drugs” and that Martin had bought drugs from Roshell
at least a dozen times. During cross-examination by defense counsel, Martin said, “I can’t give you
dates and times. . . . I’ve dealt with Roshell quite a bit.” Martin stated that most of the times that
he bought drugs from Roshell, there were no witnesses.
When the trial court asked the State why it wanted to admit evidence that Martin had bought
drugs from Roshell many times in the past, the following exchange occurred:
THE STATE: The reason [we are asking for this evidence to be admitted] is
because the defense is asking for an instruction on casual
exchange. And one of the things that I have to prove is that
this was a sale that was done with design. In order to do that,
that’s why the past experience with Byron Roshell [is
relevant] and that’s why that call was for sale and not casual
exchange.
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THE COURT : [Defense Counsel]?
DEFENSE COUNSEL: First of all, that’s pretty late notice on the 404B. Secondly,
the State has to prove by clear an[d] convincing evidence that
this actually took place. And when we don’t even know
which dates these alleged sales took place on and where, how
am I supposed to offer up any evidence to rebut this blanket
statement that Mr. Roshell sold to him many times in the
past[?] Third, this is complete propensity evidence. That’s
all it’s being offered for. [The Prosecutor] has already put on
proof to show that this was done with design by saying that
Mr. Martin called up Mr. Roshell and said, hey, I need to buy
drugs, I need $20 worth of drugs, and Mr. Roshell came down
and supplied that drug. That’s the elements of a sale.
This issue of casual exchange has nothing to do with whether
or not he sold to him before in the past. That’s simply
propensity, and there’s nothing here in this description to say
that – I mean, this is absurd for him to say that he intended to
sell rather than intended to do a casual exchange. Intent is not
even an element of this crime. I think the prejudicial impact
is obvious and horrific in this case.
THE COURT : All right. Well, with regard to the notice obviously Mr.
Martin just pled guilty this morning, so the State would be
hard-put to give notice of that. But now we’re taking up out
of the 404B as to whether or not there were other crimes, acts,
or wrongs. And it would be offered for some purpose other
than propensity, and I have to hold a hearing outside the jury’s
presence, which we’re doing. And I have to determine there
is a material issue that exists other than the conduct
conforming with the character trait being proposed, that is,
that he sells drugs. The issue at this trial, it would appear
coming through all the witnesses, is that the informant is
lying, that this didn’t happen, that, you know, there’s no
documentation of any of this. Mr. Martin is testifying that he
called the defendant . . . from a [cell phone] . . . that [the
confidential informant] gave him and he happened to call Mr.
Roshell. I think there is a material issue other than . . .
propensity, and that would be the relationship of the parties of
why he would call him. It’s just not out of the blue. He knew
who to call.
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I’m going to instruct the jury that they’re to consider it only
as sort of a complete story of the crime and the relationship of
the parties. And they’re not to consider it for any other
reason. Now, obviously you’ll be allowed to cross-examine
him about that issue. I’m going to allow you to ask that
question.
DEFENSE COUNSEL: Your Honor, may I ask why you believe -- which date are we
talking about in terms of a prior sale? This blanket --
THE COURT : That he has dealt with him in the past. [Defense Counsel], you
do[n’t] have to --
DEFENSE COUNSEL: A blanket allegation is impossible for me to confront,
especially when I’m hearing about it --
THE COURT : [Defense Counsel], listen to me. Listen to me. If somebody
comes in here and testifies -- not in this case -- but that their
spouse has beaten them on many occasions, they don’t have
to give you dates and times for that either. You know, it’s a
relationship of the parties. These people are doing business
together; okay? He says he does it on -- you can cross-
examine him about all that, but that doesn’t keep it from
coming in. He can’t tell you when he did it or that sort of
thing but . . . [ellipsis in transcript]
DEFENSE COUNSEL: What is -- I’m not sure I understand Your Honor’s ruling
about why this is just -- to say they had done business
together --
THE COURT : It’s several things. It’s a complete story of this crime. It is
the relationship of the parties, why he out of the blue
happened to call your client. He knows him. He’s dealt with
him. He’s done business with him to call to come over there.
I’m going to instruct the jury they can only consider it for that
reason and that reason alone.
....
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A. Failure to Make a Clear and Convincing Determination. Roshell contends that the
trial court improperly admitted evidence under Rule 404(b) without finding proof of the prior act
to be clear and convincing.
We must initially determine whether the trial court substantially complied with the
requirements of Rule 404(b). The record shows that the trial court correctly held a 404(b) hearing
outside the jury’s presence. The trial court also determined that a material issue existed other than
conduct conforming to a character trait and stated the material issue, its ruling, and its reasoning
for the ruling on the record. Here, during the jury-out hearing, the trial court stated that the material
issue was “the complete story of the crime” and the “relationship of the parties.” Further, during
this hearing, the trial court ruled that the evidence was admissible to rebut the allegations by defense
counsel that “the informant is lying, that this didn’t happen, that . . . there’s no documentation of
any of this” and that “[Martin just] happened to call Mr. Roshell.” The trial court also found that
the fact that Martin called Roshell for the drugs was significant because “[Martin] knew who to
call.” The trial court explained, “[Martin has] dealt with [Roshell]. He’s done business with
[Roshell] to call [him] to come over there. I’m going to instruct the jury they can only consider it
for that reason and that reason alone.”
Although the trial court stated that “there is a material issue other than . . . propensity, and
that would be the relationship of the parties . . . why [Martin] would call [Roshell],” we note that
it failed to make an explicit finding that the probative value of Roshell’s prior drug sales
outweighed the danger of unfair prejudice. In addition, the trial court failed to determine whether
Roshell’s prior drug sales were proven by clear and convincing evidence. We acknowledge that
Martin testified, without challenge by Roshell, that he knew “[Roshell] from the street” and “from
doing time with him.” We also acknowledge, as argued by the State, that the trial court admitted
at Roshell’s sentencing hearing that it “should have” made this determination and explained, “I
found clear and convincing evidence . . . of the relationship of the parties in terms of that [the
evidence] could come in for a limited purpose. I instructed the Jury accordingly. . . . I thought it
was relevant, allowed it in, and thought the prejudice was . . . overcome by the probative value.”
Regardless of these facts, the trial court still had an obligation to determine whether the prior act
was proven by clear and convincing evidence. Given the trial court’s failure to make a clear and
convincing evidentiary determination and its failure to weigh the probative value of this evidence
against the unfair prejudicial effect, we conclude that the trial court did not substantially comply
with the procedural requirements of Rule 404(b). Compare State v. Albert Eugene Pleasant, No.
M1998-00653-CCA-R3-CD, 2001 WL 741932, at *7-8 (Tenn. Crim. App., Nashville, July 3, 2001)
(stating that the trial court did not substantially comply with Rule 404(b) requirements when it did
not make a clear and convincing evidence determination or weigh the probative value of the
evidence against the unfair prejudicial effect), with State v. Ray Anthony Nelson, No. 03C01-9706-
CR-00197, 1998 WL 694971, at *8-9 (Tenn. Crim. App., Knoxville, Sept. 9, 1998) (stating that the
trial court substantially complied with Rule 404(b) when it met all the requirements of the rule
except the need to make a clear and convincing evidence determination) and Dubose, 953 S.W.2d
at 652 (stating that the trial court did not substantially comply with Rule 404(b) when the trial court
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failed to state the prior acts’ relevance to a material issue on the record and failed to determine that
the probative value of the evidence outweighed the unfair prejudicial effect). Therefore, we must
review this issue without deference to the trial court’s finding and conclusion.
We must now independently determine whether we would admit Roshell’s prior drug sales
based “on the evidence presented at the jury[-]out hearing.” See Dubose, 953 S.W.2d at 653.
During the Rule 404(b) jury-out hearing, Martin testified that he knew Roshell would have drugs
to sell because “[he’d] done deals with him before.” Martin acknowledged that Roshell “was in the
business of selling drugs” and that he had bought drugs from Roshell “at least a dozen” times. On
cross examination by defense counsel, Martin stated that although he could not give “dates and
times,” he said, “I dealt with [Roshell] on a daily basis if you really want to know.” He also stated
that “most of the time” there were no witnesses to the drug deals between Roshell and him.
Given the evidence presented at the jury-out hearing, we do not conclude that the trial court
erred in admitting the evidence of Roshell’s prior drug sales. The fact that Martin had purchased
drugs from Roshell innumerable times in the past explained why Martin called Roshell when the
confidential informant told him he needed some cocaine. It also explained Roshell’s motive and
intent in selling the drugs to the confidential informant on December 6, 2006. See McClean v.
State, 527 S.W.2d 76, 83 (Tenn. 1975)(evidence of pharmacist’s prior illegal sale of controlled
substance to informer admitted to establish continuing relationship and intent to commit crime).
Further, as the State argued, the introduction of Roshell’s prior drug sales refuted defense counsel’s
allegations that Roshell was only guilty of a casual exchange of drugs. We conclude that the
evidence of Roshell’s prior drug sales was proven by clear and convincing evidence. In addition,
for the reasons we have previously stated, we conclude that the probative value of Roshell’s prior
acts outweighed any unfair prejudice. Therefore, the trial court acted within its discretion in
admitting evidence of Roshell’s prior drug sales.
B. Whether the Prior Bad Acts were Contextual Background Evidence. Roshell argues
that the evidence of his prior bad acts does not meet the test for admissibility of “contextual
background” evidence as stated in State v. Gilliland, 22 S.W.3d 266, 272 (Tenn. 2000). He also
contends that the evidence of his prior drug sales was irrelevant and could only be considered by
a jury as propensity evidence. In Gilliland, the Tennessee Supreme Court set forth a test for the
admissibility of evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts that is relevant only for providing
contextual background:
[W]hen the state seeks to offer evidence of other crimes, wrongs, or acts that is
relevant only to provide a contextual background for the case, the state must
establish, and the trial court must find, that (1) the absence of the evidence would
create a chronological or conceptual void in the state’s presentation of its case; (2)
the void created by the absence of the evidence would likely result in significant jury
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confusion as to the material issues or evidence in the case; and (3) the probative
value of the evidence is not outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice.
Id. The language of the aforementioned test is specifically restricted to “evidence of other crimes,
wrongs, or acts that is relevant only to provide a contextual background for the case[.]” Id. (emphasis
added); see State v. Leach, 148 S.W.3d 42, 58 (Tenn. 2004).
Here, the State did not offer the evidence of Roshell’s prior drug sales as contextual
background evidence. In this case, defense counsel intimated that the drug transaction either did not
take place or that the confidential informant and Martin were lying about Roshell’s selling the drugs.
As we have already concluded in the previous section, the evidence of Roshell’s prior drug dealing
was relevant to prove his intent and motive in the instant case and was necessary to refute the
allegation that Roshell was guilty of a casual exchange of drugs rather than a sale. Therefore,
because the evidence of Roshell’s prior drug sales was relevant for reasons other than to provide a
contextual background (i.e., motive, intent, and to refute a casual exchange of drugs), we conclude
that the test in Gilliland is inapplicable.
C. Whether the Jury Instructions Heightened the Risk that the Jury would Misuse the
Prior Bad Acts Evidence. Roshell contends that the trial court erred because it “instructed the jury
inconsistently with its own ruling during the 404(b) hearing.” He also argues that because the
evidence of his prior drug sales was merely propensity evidence, the trial court’s decision to instruct
the jury on motive and intent increased the risk that the jury would misuse the prior act evidence.
At the conclusion of the 404(b) hearing, the trial court ruled, “I’m going to instruct the jury
that they’re to consider [the evidence of Roshell’s prior drug sales] only as sort of a complete story
of the crime and the relationship of the parties. And they’re not to consider it for any other reason.”
After admitting Martin’s testimony that Roshell was “in the business of selling drugs,” the Court
gave the following instruction to the jury:
Ladies and gentlemen, you have heard that the defendant may have been
involved in other criminal behavior other than that for which he is now on trial. You
may not consider such evidence to prove his disposition to commit such a crime as
that on trial. You may only consider it for the limited purpose as stated. That is,
whether or not this is a complete story of the crime, that is, such evidence may be
considered by you whether the prior behavior and the present alleged crime are
logically related or connected or are necessary for a complete account thereof or to
show motive. That is, such evidence may be considered by you if it tends to show
a motive of the defendant for the commission of the offense presently charged or his
intent. That is, such evidence may be considered by you if it tends to establish that
the defendant actually intended to commit the crime for which he is presently
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charged. Such evidence of the other crimes, if considered by you for any purpose,
must not be considered for any other purpose than I have just stated.
After the close of proof, the trial court gave the following jury instruction regarding Rule 404(b) of
the Tennessee Rules of Evidence:
If from the testimony you find that a witness has been convicted of a crime
or has been involved in criminal behavior, you may only consider such testimony for
its effect, if any, upon the witness’ credibility.
If from the proof you find that the defendant has engaged in criminal behavior
other than that for which he is on trial, you may not consider such evidence of prior
behavior to prove his disposition to commit such a crime as that on trial.
This evidence may only be considered by you for the limited purpose of
determining whether it provides:
(a) the complete story of the crime; that is, such evidence may be
considered by you where the prior criminal behavior and the present
alleged crime are logically related or connected or is necessary to
prove the one charged or the prior behavior is necessary for a
complete account thereof.
(b) motive; that is, such evidence may be considered by you if it tends to
show a motive of this defendant for the commission of the offense
presently charged.
(c) the defendant’s intent; that is, such evidence may be considered by
you if it tends to establish that the defendant actually intended to
commit the crime with which he is presently charged.
Such evidence of other criminal behavior, if considered by you for any
purpose, must not be considered for any purpose other than that specifically stated
....
As an initial matter, because Roshell did not object to the trial court’s jury instructions on
this issue at trial and did not include this argument in his motion for a new trial, we conclude that
he failed to preserve this issue for appeal. See Tenn. R. App. P. 3(e) (providing that the defendant’s
failure to raise an issue of error, other than sufficiency of the evidence or sentencing, in a motion for
a new trial waives that issue for purposes of appellate review); Tenn. R. App. P. 36(a) (stating that
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relief on appeal is generally not available where a party is “responsible for an error” or has “failed
to take whatever action was reasonably available to prevent or nullify the harmful effect of any
error”). Despite Roshell’s waiver of this issue for appellate review, we fail to see how the trial
court’s ruling in the 404(b) hearing was not consistent with its two instructions to the jury on this
issue. In reaching this decision, we note that the Tennessee Supreme Court has determined that
“[e]vidence proving motive necessarily serves the purpose of completing the story of the crime.”
Leach, 148 S.W.3d at 58; see also State v. Robert Hood, No. W2004-01678-CCA-R3-DD, 2005 WL
2219691, at *22 (Tenn. Crim. App., Jackson, Sept. 13, 2005) (“Motive is a relevant circumstantial
fact that refers to why a defendant did what he did.”). In addition, we recognize that the trial court’s
assertion that the evidence was relevant to the “relationship of the parties” could easily be interpreted
to mean that the evidence was relevant to Roshell’s intent and motive because of his relationship
with Martin. We have already concluded that the evidence of Roshell’s prior drug sales was relevant
to prove his intent and motive and was necessary to refute the allegation that Roshell was guilty of
a casual exchange of drugs. In light of this conclusion, the trial court’s instructions that the evidence
could be considered for the limited purpose of motive, intent, or providing the complete story of the
crime were proper.
Roshell’s second argument regarding the instructions heightening the risk that the jury would
misuse the evidence is unavailing as well. The trial court’s instructions made it clear that the jury
was not to consider the fact that Roshell was “in the business of selling drugs” as propensity
evidence. In order to determine whether a jury instruction is proper, this court must consider the jury
charges in their entirety. Otis v. Cambridge Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 850 S.W.2d 439, 446 (Tenn. 1992).
Here, both instructions explained, “[Y]ou may not consider such evidence of prior behavior to prove
his disposition to commit such a crime as that on trial. . . .” We must presume that the jury followed
the trial court’s two instructions regarding this evidence. See State v. Williams, 977 S.W.2d 101,
106 (Tenn. 1998). Roshell is not entitled to relief on this issue.
II. Sufficiency of the Evidence. Roshell contends that the evidence presented against him
at trial was insufficient to convince any rational trier of fact that he was guilty of the sale of cocaine
beyond a reasonable doubt. He also argues that the evidence, at most, could only convict him of
casual exchange of a controlled substance under Tennessee Code Annotated section 39-17-418
(2006) because the evidence established that “the transaction in question was spontaneous, happened
without design, involved a very small amount of drugs[,] and did not result in any pecuniary gain for
the defendant.” He further argues that the confidential informant and Martin failed to offer credible
evidence against him that would support his conviction. The State responds that the evidence was
more than sufficient to find Roshell guilty of the sale of cocaine beyond a reasonable doubt. It also
argues that the jury heard defense counsel’s attacks on the confidential informant’s and Martin’s
credibility and chose to credit their testimony.
The State, on appeal, is entitled to the strongest legitimate view of the evidence and all
reasonable interferences which may be drawn from that evidence. State v. Bland, 958 S.W.2d 651,
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659 (Tenn. 1997). When a defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence, this Court must
consider “whether, after reviewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution, any
rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable
doubt.” Jackson v. Virginia, 442 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S. Ct. 2781, 2789 (1979). Similarly, Rule 13(e)
of the Tennessee Rules of Appellate Procedure states, “Findings of guilt in criminal actions whether
by the trial court or jury shall be set aside if the evidence is insufficient to support a finding by the
trier of fact of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.” The requirement that guilt be found beyond
reasonable doubt is applicable in a case where there is direct evidence, circumstantial evidence, or
a combination of the two. State v. Matthews, 805 S.W.2d 776, 779 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1990) (citing
State v. Brown, 551 S.W.2d 329, 331 (Tenn. 1977), and Farmer v. State, 343 S.W.2d 895, 897
(Tenn. 1961)). The trier of fact must evaluate the credibility of the witnesses, determine the weight
given to witnesses’ testimony, and must reconcile all conflicts in the evidence. State v. Odom, 923
S.W.2d 18, 23 (Tenn. 1996). When reviewing issues regarding the sufficiency of the evidence, this
Court shall not “reweigh or reevaluate the evidence.” State v. Philpott, 882 S.W.2d 394, 398 (Tenn.
Crim. App. 1994) (citing State v. Cabbage, 571 S.W.2d 832, 836 (Tenn. 1978), superseded by statute
on other grounds as stated in State v. Barone, 852 S.W.2d 216, 218 (Tenn. 1993)). This court has
often stated that “[a] guilty verdict by the jury, approved by the trial judge, accredits the testimony
of the witnesses for the State and resolves all conflicts in favor of the theory of the State.” State v.
Bland, 958 S.W.2d 651, 659 (Tenn. 1997) (citation omitted). A guilty verdict also “removes the
presumption of innocence and replaces it with a presumption of guilt, and the defendant has the
burden of illustrating why the evidence is insufficient to support the jury’s verdict.” Id. (citation
omitted).
In order to convict a defendant of the sale of less than .5 grams of cocaine under Tennessee
Code Annotated section 39-17-417 (2006), the State must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the
defendant knowingly sold less than .5 grams of cocaine. T.C.A. § 39-17-417(a)(3), (c)(2)(A) (2006).
In preparation for the “buy-bust” operation, Detective Fisher searched the confidential informant to
ensure that the informant did not possess any other money or drugs. He photographed the buy
money, gave it to the informant to buy the drugs, and wired the informant to monitor the transaction
by audio. He dropped the informant in the area where the transaction occurred. The confidential
informant encountered Martin, someone with whom the informant had previously used drugs, and
asked where he could get some drugs. Martin testified that he called Roshell for the drugs because
he had purchased drugs from him before and because Roshell was in the business of selling drugs.
Martin and the confidential informant testified that the confidential informant gave Roshell the
money for the drugs, and in exchange, Roshell handed the cocaine to the informant. Detective
Morton testified that he observed the “buy-bust” operation involving Roshell visually and through
audio equipment, but he was unable to see the hand-to-hand exchange of drugs for money because
Roshell blocked his line of vision. Detective Morton also stated that he recovered the buy money
from the store’s cashier just seconds after Roshell had purchased a bottle of water, compared the
serial numbers, and confirmed that it matched the buy money. It was uncontested at trial that the
substance Roshell gave to the informant contained cocaine base and weighed .2 grams. The jury in
Roshell’s case chose to credit Martin’s and the informant’s testimony that Roshell sold the drugs to
the confidential informant during this transaction. Roshell’s appearance following the cell phone
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call, his role in the drug transaction, and his proximity to the buy money following the transaction
are sufficient facts upon which a reasonable jury could have found him guilty. Therefore, we
conclude the evidence is sufficient to sustain Roshell’s conviction.
Conclusion. We conclude that the trial court acted within its discretion in admitting
evidence of Roshell’s prior drug sales and properly instructed the jury. We further conclude the
evidence was sufficient for a jury to find Roshell guilty of sale of cocaine beyond a reasonable doubt.
Accordingly, the judgments of the trial court are affirmed.
___________________________________
CAMILLE R. McMULLEN, JUDGE
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