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F-2006-113

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Marlin Virgil Brown, Jr. v The State of Oklahoma

F-2006-113

Filed: Mar. 28, 2007

Not for publication

Prevailing Party: The State Of Oklahoma

Summary

Marlin Virgil Brown, Jr. appealed his conviction for trafficking in illegal drugs and related charges. His conviction and sentence included life imprisonment without the possibility of parole and fines totaling $77,000. Judge Chapel wrote the opinion, while Judge Lumpkin dissented on one of the charges. In this case, Marlin was found driving a car and led police on a chase. During the pursuit, he discarded a bag that contained crack cocaine and ecstasy. He faced charges for drug trafficking, possession with intent to distribute, and eluding a police officer. The court denied Brown’s requests for a trial delay to prepare, as he had already been in custody for a long time. The court agreed with the route taken but found that one of the charges, possession of MDMA with intent to distribute, should be dismissed. This was because having both drugs in one bag was seen as one single act rather than two separate offenses. Overall, his convictions for trafficking and eluding were upheld.

Decision

The Judgments and Sentences of the District Court in Counts I and III are AFFIRMED. The Judgment and Sentence of the District Court in Count II is REVERSED with instructions to DISMISS. Pursuant to Rule 3.15, Rules of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, Title 22, Ch. 18, App. (2007), the MANDATE is ORDERED issued upon the delivery and filing of this decision.

Issues

  • Was there an error in denying Brown's request for a continuance to prepare for trial after he asserted his right to represent himself?
  • Did the trial court err in refusing to give a lesser included offense instruction for possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute?
  • Did Brown's convictions for trafficking in crack cocaine and possession of MDMA with intent to distribute violate Oklahoma's statutory prohibition against multiple punishment for a single act?
  • Was the evidence sufficient to support the conviction for possession of MDMA with intent to distribute?
  • Did the trial court err in removing prospective juror Denman for cause?
  • Should the trial court have denied continuances granted at the State's request because the State failed to file a written motion for continuance?
  • Is Oklahoma's drug trafficking statute unconstitutional for creating a presumption of intent to distribute drugs based on possession of a certain quantity?
  • Is the sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for drug trafficking unconstitutionally cruel and unusual?
  • Should Brown have been allowed to present mitigating evidence to the jury in the sentencing stage of trial?
  • Did the trial court err in refusing Brown's requested instruction defining "beyond a reasonable doubt"?
  • Is Brown's sentence excessive given the statutory mandates?

Findings

  • the trial court did not err in denying the continuance request
  • the trial court did not err in refusing to give a lesser included offense instruction
  • the conviction for Count III must be reversed with instructions to dismiss
  • the evidence was sufficient to support the conviction in Count II
  • the trial court did not err in removing juror Denman for cause
  • the trial court did not abuse its discretion in granting continuances at the State's request
  • the court rejected the claim of unconstitutionality for the drug trafficking statute
  • the court upheld the life sentence as not being cruel and unusual
  • the court maintained there is no right to present mitigating evidence in a non-capital case
  • the trial court did not err in refusing Brown's requested instruction on "beyond a reasonable doubt"
  • the court found no legal basis to modify Brown's sentences

F-2006-113

Mar. 28, 2007

Marlin Virgil Brown, Jr.

Appellant

v

The State of Oklahoma

Appellee

SUMMARY OPINION

MICHAEL S. RICHIE CHAPEL, JUDGE:

Marlin Virgil Brown, Jr., was tried by jury and convicted of Count I, trafficking in illegal drugs (crack cocaine) in violation of 63 O.S.Supp.2002, § 2-415; Count II, Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute (MDMA) in violation of 63 O.S.Supp.2003, § 2-401; and Count III, Eluding a Police Officer in violation of 21 O.S.2001, § 540, all after former conviction of two or more felonies, in the District Court of Tulsa County, Case No. CF-2004-231. In accordance with the jury’s recommendation the Honorable P. Thomas Thornbrugh sentenced Brown to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole and a $50,000 fine (Count I); twenty-five (25) years imprisonment and a $25,000 fine (Count II); and a $2000 fine (Count III). Brown appeals from these convictions and sentences.

On January 14, 2004, at approximately 11:00 p.m., Brown was driving a green Mitsubishi SUV in Tulsa. Officer Yelton saw him weaving in and out of traffic. When Officer Yelton activated his emergency lights, Brown sped up and led police on a chase through North Tulsa neighborhoods. At one intersection, Brown slowed and opened the driver’s door. Officer Yelton and Officer Henderson saw Brown drop a baggie on the ground before turning a corner. Officer Yelton continued the chase and eventually caught Brown. Officer Henderson stopped and picked up the baggie, which appeared to be full of crack cocaine. Brown’s girlfriend was also in his car; at the station Brown told Yelton that the cocaine was his and she did not know about it. When the baggie of cocaine was fully opened at the police laboratory, 25 tablets of methlenedioxy methamphetamine (MDMA or ecstasy) were within the ball of cocaine. The crack cocaine in the baggie weighed 16.5 grams. Another 1.89 grams of crack cocaine was found under the driver’s seat in the Mitsubishi.

In Proposition I Brown claims the trial court erred in refusing to grant him a continuance after he asserted his right to represent himself at trial. Trial counsel, Mr. Goodman, had represented Brown since at least September 10, 2004. Although Brown’s preliminary hearing was continued on that date so he could retain private counsel, when the preliminary hearing was held on October 22, 2004, he was still represented by Goodman. The case was subsequently continued so Brown could find private counsel, but Goodman remained his attorney throughout the remainder of the proceedings. During August, 2005, Brown filed a bar grievance against Goodman. After investigation, the grievance was found to have no merit, and on December 5, 2005, the trial court denied Goodman’s subsequent motion to withdraw.

On January 5, 2006, Goodman presented Brown’s request for a continuance so he could get mental health therapy and better prepare himself for trial. The continuance was denied. While several times in the proceedings leading up to trial, Brown indicated he would like another public defender, he never asked to represent himself. Trial was set for January 10, 2006. That morning, Brown asked the court to reconsider his request for continuance for mental health therapy. That was denied. Goodman then told the court that Brown had asked to fire him and have a different lawyer. That request was denied. At that point, Brown asked to represent himself. The trial court questioned Brown thoroughly about this desire. Brown stated that he wanted sufficient counsel but, when told Goodman would remain his counsel, stated that he wanted to represent himself. The trial court meticulously explained the consequences of that decision, determined that Brown understood them, and granted his request. The court appointed Goodman standby counsel. After competently conducting a day of voir dire, Brown asked that Goodman be reappointed. Goodman finished voir dire and continued as trial counsel without further objection by Brown.

After the trial court granted his request to appear pro se, Brown asked for a trial continuance to prepare himself. This was denied. Brown claims this decision was error. A decision to grant or deny a continuance is within the trial court’s discretion. The trial court noted that the case was two years old and Brown had been in custody longer than anyone on the docket. The trial court explicitly found that, although Brown claimed not to understand what was happening and claimed he was not competent to proceed that day, Brown understood the proceedings and was feigning incompetence in order to delay the trial. The record supports this conclusion. Brown relies on Lewis v. State, an unpublished opinion in which this Court found a defendant should have received a continuance in order to prepare for trial. The two cases are not comparable. In Lewis, for months the defendant had filed several motions asking to go pro se, and requests for subpoenas, all of which were disregarded by the trial court until four days before trial. Lewis wanted to pursue a different trial strategy than that contemplated by his former attorney, who had not subpoenaed documents or witnesses Lewis wished to use. This Court held that, under those unusual circumstances, the trial court should have continued the case to allow Lewis to obtain witnesses. Here, Brown never asked to represent himself until just before jury selection, when it was clear the case would go to trial that day. Although he asked for a continuance to mentally prepare, Brown has never indicated what, if any, witnesses he would have called.

Brown was charged in Count I with trafficking in crack cocaine. He asked for a lesser included offense instruction on possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute. He argues in Proposition II that the trial court erred in refusing to give this instruction. Brown admits this Court has held that possession with intent to distribute is not a lesser included offense of trafficking. He argues that we should reconsider this decision based on Shrum v. State, which adopted the evidence test to determine lesser-included offenses. A trial court should instruct on any lesser included offense supported by the evidence. Even assuming that in some trafficking cases, evidence might support an instruction for possession with intent to distribute, the evidence here did not support such an instruction. The offense of trafficking requires proof of possession of five or more grams of cocaine base (crack cocaine). Evidence showed Brown possessed over 16.9 grams of crack cocaine. Given these facts, there is no reasonable dispute over the amount of cocaine which could justify an instruction for possession with intent to distribute. The trial court did not err in refusing to give the instruction, and this proposition is denied.

Brown was convicted in Count I of trafficking in crack cocaine, and in Count III of possession of MDMA with intent to distribute. The 25 MDMA pills were packaged within a ball of crack cocaine, contained in a single baggie. In Proposition IV Brown claims these convictions violate Oklahoma’s statutory prohibition against multiple punishment for a single act. This Court has recently reaffirmed the principle that possession of two distinct types of drug in a single container is a single act, constituting a single offense, and violates Section 11. The State argues that no prohibitions against multiple punishment are violated because Count III, possession with intent, has an intent element which Count I, trafficking, lacks. This argument is correct as to any claim of double jeopardy, which turns on differences in statutory elements. However, an analysis under Section 11 requires more than a mere application of the elements test. That statute complements the prohibition against double jeopardy, by prohibiting multiple prosecution for crimes which truly arise out of one act. Brown’s possession of these drugs violated two separate statutes: he had enough crack cocaine to warrant a trafficking charge, while he was five pills short of the amount required for a trafficking conviction for MDMA. However, both drugs were mixed in the same container. Under these circumstances, Brown’s possession of both drugs constituted a single act. His conviction for Count III, possession of MDMA with intent to distribute, must be reversed with instructions to dismiss.

In Proposition III Brown argues that the evidence is insufficient to support his conviction for MDMA with intent to distribute. Given our resolution of Proposition IV, this proposition is moot. In Proposition V Brown claims the trial court erred in removing prospective juror Denman for cause. A trial court may excuse for bias any juror who, in the court’s discretion, has a state of mind which would prevent the juror from trying the case impartially. Brown was represented by the office of the Tulsa County Public Defender. Denman was, at the time of trial, an intern with the public defender’s office. He had appeared in court with Brown’s counsel on another case. Denman testified that he could keep an open mind and would not suffer repercussions at work if he found for the State. However, the trial court ruled that he would not allow a district attorney, public defender, or any employee who actually handled legal matters to sit on the jury. The trial court implied that, based on its examination, Denman would be biased in favor of his employer. A licensed attorney engaged in the practice of law may not sit on a jury. While Denman was not a licensed attorney, he participated in the practice of law as an employee of the office defending Brown, and had worked with Brown’s attorney. Given these facts, the trial court’s decision was not an abuse of discretion. This proposition is denied.

This case was delayed several times before and after the preliminary hearing. The preliminary hearing set for September 24, 2004, was continued at the State’s request to October 15, 2004, and continued again at the State’s request because a witness was out of town. The record indicates both continuances were granted over Brown’s objection. Brown complains in Proposition VI that neither of these continuances should have been granted because the State failed to file a written motion for continuance either time. Generally speaking, a magistrate has discretion to grant the State a continuance at preliminary hearing. According to statute, a motion for continuance on account of the absence of evidence may be made only upon affidavit. This provision has been interpreted to require a written motion and affidavit for any request for continuance. However, whether or not the statute was complied with, Brown must show he was prejudiced by any grant or denial of continuance. He fails to show prejudice. In addition to the two dates above, this case was continued several times, for a variety of reasons, without written motions or affidavits. Brown’s preliminary hearing was first set for February 13, 2004. It was continued at Brown’s request so he could hire private counsel. On March 10, 2004, although he was represented by the public defender’s office, Brown made the same request and the case was continued again. The preliminary hearing set for April 4, 2004, was continued at the State’s request because the lab report was not finished. The preliminary hearing set for May 21, 2004, was not held because Brown failed to appear, although private counsel was present. A bench warrant was issued and Brown was arrested in August, 2004. At the preliminary hearing set for September 10, 2004, Brown was represented by the public defender but asked for a continuance to hire private counsel. The continuance was granted. After the September 24 and October 15 continuances, to which Brown objected, the preliminary hearing was held and he was bound over on October 28, 2004. Subsequently, the State filed a new Information, including the charge of possession of MDMA with intent to distribute. Brown was represented by attorney Goodman of the public defender’s office at this time. Before he was arraigned on that charge, the case was continued at least once at Brown’s request for attorney efforts. There are four written motions for continuance in the original record. On May 2, 2005, Brown, through counsel, requested a continuance from a May trial date. That continuance was granted over the State’s objection, and trial was set for October 17, 2005. On October 14, 2005, the State filed a motion for continuance, as neither Officer Yelton nor Officer Henderson were available for the October 17 trial date. On October 17, the trial court heard argument on Goodman’s motion to withdraw as counsel. The trial court denied that motion, set the trial for December 5, 2005, and held the State’s motion for continuance was moot. Brown filed a written request for continuance on December 1. The record does not show whether this request was granted, but the trial was eventually continued to January 9, 2006. The record does not show Brown objected to this continuance. Brown filed a request for continuance on January 5, 2006, citing a request for mental health therapy, which was denied. Brown completely fails to show how he was prejudiced by a preliminary hearing delay of, at most, a month, at the State’s request. The entire history of the case suggests that most of the continuances were at the request of, or caused by Brown, and most were not supported by written motions. In the first eight months of the case, Brown asked for and received two continuances of preliminary hearing, and failed to appear a third time, causing a delay of four months. The magistrate did not abuse his discretion in granting the continuances, Brown shows no prejudice from the State’s failure to follow the statutory requirements for written affidavits, and this proposition is denied.

In Proposition VII Brown claims that Oklahoma’s drug trafficking statute is unconstitutional because it creates a presumption of an intent to distribute drugs based on possession of a certain quantity. Although Brown fails to acknowledge it, this Court has rejected this claim. We will not reconsider those decisions here. This proposition is denied.

Brown argues in Proposition VIII that his sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, for drug trafficking, is unconstitutionally cruel and unusual. Brown admits this Court has rejected this claim, and we will not reconsider these cases. The minimum required amount for trafficking in crack cocaine is five grams. Brown had over sixteen grams. He was charged with five former felony convictions, four for drug offenses. This proposition is denied.

Brown claims in Proposition IX that he should have been allowed to present mitigating evidence to his jury in the sentencing stage of trial. Brown admits that this Court has held there is no right to present mitigating evidence to the jury in a non-capital case. We will not reconsider this issue. This proposition is denied.

In Proposition X, Brown argues that the trial court erred in refusing his requested instruction defining beyond a reasonable doubt. Brown admits this Court has repeatedly held that the jury should not be given such an instruction. He argues that this Court should reconsider this issue based on our recent decision, in Easlick v. State, to use the same standard of review for both direct and circumstantial evidence. Brown argues that Easlick was based in part on a United States Supreme Court case which noted that a unified standard of review was appropriate where the jury was properly instructed on the standard for reasonable doubt. However, the Court considered and rejected this argument in deciding Easlick. This proposition is denied.

In Proposition XI Brown claims that his sentence is excessive. Brown concedes that his sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility for parole is mandated by statute. The trial court ran Brown’s sentence of imprisonment for possession of MDMA with intent to distribute consecutively to his life without parole sentence. The decision whether to run sentences consecutively or concurrently is within the trial court’s discretion. Brown suggests that this Court should modify the sentences to run concurrently. He suggests this would be in the interests of justice without making a specific argument on those grounds. After reviewing the entire record, there is no legal basis for this Court to modify Brown’s sentences. This proposition should be denied.

Decision

The Judgments and Sentences of the District Court in Counts I and III are AFFIRMED. The Judgment and Sentence of the District Court in Count II is REVERSED with instructions to DISMISS. Pursuant to Rule 3.15, Rules of the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, Title 22, Ch. 18, App. (2007), the MANDATE is ORDERED issued upon the delivery and filing of this decision.

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Footnotes:

  1. 63 O.S.Supp.2002, § 2-415
  2. 63 O.S.Supp.2003, § 2-401
  3. 21 O.S.2001, § 540
  4. Warner U. State, 2001 OK CR 11, 29 P.3d 569, 575.
  5. Green v. State, 1988 OK CR 140, 759 P.2d 219, 221
  6. Lewis U. State, F-2004-566 (Okl. 2005) (not for publication).
  7. Coleman v. State, 1980 OK CR 75, 617 P.2d 243, 245
  8. Ochoa v. State, 1998 OK CR 41, 963 P.2d 583, 595.
  9. Ott v. State, 1998 OK CR 51, 967 P.2d 472, 477.
  10. Shrum V. State, 1999 OK CR 41, 991 P.2d 1032, 1036.
  11. McHam U. State, 2005 OK CR 28, 126 P.3d 662, 669-70.
  12. 63 O.S.Supp.2002, § 2-415(C)(7).
  13. 21 O.S.2001, § 11.
  14. Lewis v. State, 2006 OK CR 48, II 10; Watkins U. State, 1991 OK CR 119, 829 P.2d 42, opinion on rehearing, 1992 OK CR 34, 855 P.2d 141, 142 (opinion does not separately analyze double jeopardy and Section 11, but notes that possession of two types of drug in single container is a single act).
  15. Mooney v. State, 1999 OK CR 34, 990 P.2d 875, 883.
  16. Harris v. State, 2004 OK CR 1, 84 P.3d 731, 741.
  17. Harris U. State, 1992 OK CR 74, 841 P.2d 597, 599.
  18. 12 O.S.2001, § 668.
  19. Thomas v. State ex rel Dept. of Public Safety, 1993 OK CIV APP 78, 858 P.2d 113, 116.
  20. Waterdown U. State, 1990 OK CR 65, 798 P.2d 635, 638.
  21. Bryson U. State, 1994 OK CR 32, 876 P.2d 240, 254.
  22. Anderson U. State, 1995 OK CR 63, 905 P.2d 231, 233.
  23. Dopp U. State, No. F-1998-838 (Okl. Cr. 2000) (not for publication).
  24. McGee U. State, 2005 OK CR 30, 127 P.3d 1147, 1149.
  25. Malone U. State, 2002 OK CR 34, 58 P.3d 208, 210-11.
  26. Romano v. State, 1995 OK CR 74, 909 P.2d 92, 125.
  27. Easlick U. State, 2004 OK CR 21, 90 P.3d 556, 559.
  28. Ott v. State, 1998 OK CR 51, 967 P.2d 472, 477; Dodd v. State, 1994 OK CR 51, 879 P.2d 822, 826-27.
  29. 22 O.S.2001, § 976; Riley U. State, 1997 OK CR 51, 947 P.2d 530, 534.

Oklahoma Statutes citations:

  • Okla. Stat. tit. 63 § 2-415 (2002) - Trafficking in illegal drugs
  • Okla. Stat. tit. 63 § 2-401 (2003) - Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance with Intent to Distribute
  • Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 540 (2001) - Eluding a Police Officer
  • Okla. Stat. tit. 21 § 11 (2001) - Prohibition against multiple punishment
  • Okla. Stat. tit. 12 § 668 (2001) - Motion for continuance
  • Okla. Stat. tit. 22 § 659 (2001) - Juror bias
  • Okla. Stat. tit. 38 § 28 (2005) - Employee of public defender as juror
  • Okla. Stat. tit. 22 § 976 (2001) - Sentencing discretion
  • Okla. Stat. tit. 20 § 3001.1 (2001) - Prejudice analysis in continuances

Oklahoma Administrative Rules citations:

No Oklahoma administrative rules found.

U.S. Code citations:

No US Code citations found.

Other citations:

No other rule citations found.

Case citations:

  • Warner v. State, 2001 OK CR 11, 29 P.3d 569, 575.
  • Green v. State, 1988 OK CR 140, 759 P.2d 219, 221.
  • Lewis v. State, F-2004-566 (Okl. 2005) (not for publication).
  • Coleman v. State, 1980 OK CR 75, 617 P.2d 243, 245.
  • Ochoa v. State, 1998 OK CR 41, 963 P.2d 583, 595.
  • Ott v. State, 1998 OK CR 51, 967 P.2d 472, 477.
  • Shrum v. State, 1999 OK CR 41, 991 P.2d 1032, 1036.
  • McHam v. State, 2005 OK CR 28, 126 P.3d 662, 669-70.
  • Lewis v. State, 2006 OK CR 48, ¶ 10.
  • Watkins v. State, 1991 OK CR 119, 829 P.2d 42, opinion on rehearing, 1992 OK CR 34, 855 P.2d 141, 142.
  • Mooney v. State, 1999 OK CR 34, 990 P.2d 875, 883.
  • Harris v. State, 2004 OK CR 1, 84 P.3d 731, 741.
  • Harris v. State, 1992 OK CR 74, 841 P.2d 597, 599.
  • West v. State, 1990 OK CR 61, 798 P.2d 1083, 1086.
  • Waterdown v. State, 1990 OK CR 65, 798 P.2d 635, 638.
  • Bryson v. State, 1994 OK CR 32, 876 P.2d 240, 254.
  • Anderson v. State, 1995 OK CR 63, 905 P.2d 231, 233.
  • Dopp v. State, No. F-1998-838 (Okl. Cr. 2000) (not for publication).
  • McGee v. State, 2005 OK CR 30, 127 P.3d 1147, 1149.
  • Malone v. State, 2002 OK CR 34, 58 P.3d 208, 210-11.
  • Romano v. State, 1995 OK CR 74, 909 P.2d 92, 125.
  • Easlick v. State, 2004 OK CR 21, 90 P.3d 556, 559.
  • Riley v. State, 1997 OK CR 51, 947 P.2d 530, 534.

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