Joseph Knight v The State Of Oklahoma

F 2003-1078

Filed: Sep. 29, 2004

Not for publication

Prevailing Party: The State Of Oklahoma

Summary

Joseph Lee Rick Knight appealed his conviction for endeavoring to manufacture a controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine). His conviction and sentence were 20 years in prison, with 9 years to be served and the remaining 11 years suspended. Judge Strubhar dissented. The court considered Knight's claims about his arrest and the search of his trailer, saying they were lawful because his wife agreed to the search. They also found that he had knowingly waived his right to a jury trial and that he was not unfairly denied his ability to cross-examine witnesses. Finally, the judges decided that his sentence was not too harsh. However, they noted that Knight was wrongly charged for costs related to counts he was acquitted of and remanded the case back to fix that problem. The overall outcome was that his conviction and sentence were upheld, but corrections were needed regarding the costs.

Decision

The conviction and sentence imposed in Creek County District Court, Case No. CF 2002-388, is hereby AFFIRMED, but the costs taxed against Appellant for Counts 2 and 3 are hereby VACATED and this case is remanded to the District Court of Creek County for entry of an Amended Judgment and Sentence, Exhibit "A" Schedule of Reimbursement, in accordance with this Order.

Issues

• was the arrest and the warrantless search unlawful, necessitating reversal of the conviction?
• was the Appellant's waiver of jury trial voluntary and informed?
• was the Appellant denied his right of cross-examination due to the admission of his co-defendant's confession?
• was the sentence imposed excessive?

Findings

• The court erred.
• No relief is warranted.
• Appellant was not deprived of his right of confrontation.
• The sentence is not excessive.
• The costs assessed for Counts 2 and 3 are hereby vacated.

F 2003-1078

Sep. 29, 2004

Joseph Knight

Appellant

v

The State Of Oklahoma

Appellee

SUMMARY OPINION

JOHNSON, PRESIDING JUDGE: Appellant, Joseph Knight, was convicted in Creek County District Court, Case No. CF 2002-388, of Endeavoring to Manufacture a Controlled Dangerous Substance (Methamphetamine), in violation of 63 O.S.2001, § 2-408 (Count 1), after a bench trial before the Honorable April Sellers White, District Judge, on August 21st and 22nd, 26th – 28th, 2003. Judgment and Sentence was imposed by the trial court on September 22nd, 2003. The trial court set punishment at twenty (20) years imprisonment and ordered Appellant to serve nine (9) years with eleven (11) suspended. Thereafter, Appellant filed this appeal.

Appellant raises four (4) propositions of error:
1. The arrest and the warrantless search were unlawful; accordingly the conviction must be reversed;
2. Appellant’s waiver of jury trial was not voluntary because Appellant was not fully advised of the consequences;
3. Appellant was denied his right of cross-examination, protected by the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution, by the admission of his co-defendant’s confession incriminating him; and,
4. The sentence is excessive.

After thorough consideration of the propositions raised, the Original Record, transcripts, briefs and arguments of the parties, we have determined Appellant’s conviction and sentence should be affirmed. However, for the reasons set forth below, this matter must be remanded to the District Court of Creek County with instructions to vacate the assessment of certain costs and for entry of an Amended Judgment and Sentence.

Appellant’s warrantless arrest was lawfully made. Davis v. State, 1990 OK CR 20, T 21, 792 P.2d 76, 84; 22 O.S.2001, § 196. Further, the warrantless search of his trailer was lawful as the officers obtained a valid and voluntary consent to search from a third party (Appellant’s wife) who possessed common authority over the property to be searched. Jones v. State, 1995 OK CR 34, I 30, 899 P.2d 635, 644-645. Proposition One is denied.

No relief is warranted on Proposition Two, as the record reflects Appellant’s waiver of jury trial was knowingly, competently and voluntarily given. Long U. State, 2003 OK CR 14, 1 3, 74 P.3d 105, 107. Appellant was not deprived of his right of confrontation by the admission of his co-defendant’s incriminating statements. In this bench trial, the trial court specifically stated it would only consider the co-defendant’s statements against the co-defendant and not against Appellant. We will not presume the trial court did otherwise. See e.g. Long v. State, 2003 OK CR 14, I 4, 74 P.3d 105, 107 (We presume, when a trial court operates as the trier of fact, that only competent and admissible evidence is considered in reaching a decision.) Proposition Three is denied.

The sentence imposed in this case is not excessive, falls within the statutory range of punishment and does not shock the conscience of the Court. 63 O.S.Supp.2003, § 2-401(G)(2); Rea U. State, 2001 OK CR 28, I 5, 34 P.3d 148, 149. However, the Schedule of Reimbursement attached as Exhibit A to the Judgment and Sentence imposed in this case reflects that the trial court assessed One Hundred Twenty-Five Dollars and Fifty Cents ($125.50) in costs in each of Counts 2 and 3, even though Appellant was acquitted on Count 2 and was not ultimately prosecuted on Count 3. Appellant should not have been taxed this additional Two Hundred Fifty-One Dollars ($251.00) in costs of prosecution associated with the counts for which he was acquitted and/or was not prosecuted on. See 28 O.S.2001, § 101 (costs in prosecution of all criminal actions shall, in case of conviction of the defendant, be adjudged part of the penalty for the offense…). Accordingly, the costs assessed for Counts 2 and 3, as reflected in the Judgment and Sentence, Exhibit A Schedule of Reimbursement, are hereby vacated and this case is remanded to the District Court of Creek County for entry of an Amended Judgment and Sentence and Exhibit A Schedule of Reimbursement.

DECISION

The conviction and sentence imposed in Creek County District Court, Case No. CF 2002-388, is hereby AFFIRMED, but the costs taxed against Appellant for Counts 2 and 3 are hereby VACATED and this case is remanded to the District Court of Creek County for entry of an Amended Judgment and Sentence, Exhibit A Schedule of Reimbursement, in accordance with this Order.

APPEARANCES AT TRIAL

R. LAWRENCE ROBERSON
ATTORNEY AT LAW
O. I. D. S.
P.O. BOX 926
NORMAN, OK 73070
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT

CAROL ISKI
ASST. DISTRICT ATTORNEY
CREEK COUNTY COURTHOUSE
222 E. DEWEY
SAPULPA, OK 74066
ATTORNEY FOR THE STATE

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Footnotes:

1. 63 O.S.2001, § 2-408
2. 22 O.S.2001, § 196
3. Davis v. State, 1990 OK CR 20, T 21, 792 P.2d 76, 84
4. Jones v. State, 1995 OK CR 34, I 30, 899 P.2d 635, 644-645
5. Long v. State, 2003 OK CR 14, I 3, 74 P.3d 105, 107
6. Long v. State, 2003 OK CR 14, I 4, 74 P.3d 105, 107
7. 63 O.S.Supp.2003, § 2-401(G)(2)
8. Rea v. State, 2001 OK CR 28, "I 5, 34 P.3d 148, 149
9. 28 O.S.2001, § 101

Oklahoma Statutes citations:

• Okla. Stat. tit. 63 § 2-408 - Endeavoring to Manufacture a Controlled Dangerous Substance
• Okla. Stat. tit. 22 § 196 - Warrantless Search and Seizure
• Okla. Stat. tit. 63 § 2-401 - Range of Punishment
• Okla. Stat. tit. 28 § 101 - Costs in Prosecution

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:

• Davis v. State, 1990 OK CR 20, I 21, 792 P.2d 76, 84
• Jones v. State, 1995 OK CR 34, I 30, 899 P.2d 635, 644-645
• Long v. State, 2003 OK CR 14, I 3, 74 P.3d 105, 107
• Long v. State, 2003 OK CR 14, I 4, 74 P.3d 105, 107
• Rea v. State, 2001 OK CR 28, I 5, 34 P.3d 148, 149