Commission Of A Felony Archives

F-2014-310

Post author:Staff
Post published:May 29, 2015
Post category:F

In OCCA case No. F-2014-310, Jeffery Alan Patton appealed his conviction for Manufacture of Controlled Dangerous Substance (Methamphetamine) and other related charges. In an unpublished decision, the court decided to affirm the convictions for manufacturing methamphetamine and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, but reversed the conviction for possession of a firearm after felony conviction. One judge dissented on the decision regarding the firearm convictions. Appellant Patton was found guilty by a jury of manufacturing methamphetamine and possessing firearms while committing a felony, as well as possessing a firearm after a felony conviction. He was sentenced to life imprisonment for the first charge, and ten years and two years for the other firearm charges, respectively. Patton argued that the evidence against him was not strong enough and that his lawyer did not effectively defend him. The court reviewed his claims that there was not enough proof that he manufactured methamphetamine and did not actually possess the firearms during the crime. However, the court found that there was enough evidence presented at trial, which could lead any reasonable person to believe he was involved in the crime. The first two propositions were denied, meaning they did not agree with Patton on those points. In regards to his claims of ineffective assistance of counsel, the court found that his lawyer's actions during the trial did not fall below the necessary standards of proper legal representation. Therefore, this proposition was also denied. One of Patton's major contentions was about double jeopardy, saying he should not have been convicted for both firearm charges that arose from the same incident. The court agreed, recognizing that both convictions came from the same act, leading them to dismiss the second firearm possession conviction. As for Patton’s claim that his sentences were too harsh, the court concluded they were within legal limits and not excessively severe. They also noted that Patton didn’t ask for his sentences to run at the same time, leading them to decide there was no error in making his sentences consecutive. Patton also argued he should receive credit for time served before his sentencing; however, because he did not bring this up in court earlier, he could not successfully appeal this point. Lastly, he claimed the evidence should have been suppressed since the search was illegal, but the court determined that the deputies had a good reason for their actions due to public safety concerns. In summary, the court upheld most of Patton's convictions and sentences, highlighting the principle that sufficient evidence and procedural rules were followed during his trial, while reversing one conviction related to firearm possession.

F-2008-255

Post author:Staff
Post published:April 3, 2009
Post category:F

In OCCA case No. F-2008-255, Kayla D. Robertson appealed her conviction for manufacturing a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a firearm during a felony, possession of a controlled drug within 1,000 feet of a school, and destroying evidence. In a published decision, the court decided to vacate the $50,000 fine imposed for the manufacturing charge but affirmed the other convictions and sentences. One judge dissented.

F-2001-529

Post author:Staff
Post published:October 22, 2002
Post category:F

In OCCA case No. F-2001-529, Cesar Diaz, also known as Jorge Limon, appealed his conviction for conspiracy to traffic a controlled dangerous substance (marijuana) and drug trafficking (marijuana). In an unpublished decision, the court decided to affirm two of his convictions but reversed nine other counts related to using a communication facility to facilitate the commission of a felony. One judge dissented. Cesar Diaz was found guilty after a jury trial that took place in March 2001. The jury sentenced him to serve thirteen years for conspiracy to traffic marijuana, fifteen years for drug trafficking, and shorter sentences for the other counts along with fines. Diaz raised several points for appeal. He challenged the validity of his confession, claimed that he was denied a fair trial because an attorney from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics acted as a special prosecutor, argued that multiple convictions for the same crimes violated double jeopardy protections, contended that evidence obtained through a wiretap was not authorized, maintained that the prosecution failed to prove the charges happened in the right location, and argued that money seized from his car should not have been used against him due to an illegal stop. The court carefully reviewed all the claims and found that sufficient evidence supported the confession being voluntary. It determined that the attorney from the Bureau of Narcotics was allowed to assist in the trial, which did not violate any rules. The court also concluded that having convictions for both conspiracy and trafficking did not violate the double jeopardy rule. However, the court agreed with Diaz’s argument on the venue issue concerning the communication facility charges. It stated that the prosecution needed to prove that the phone calls were made or received in Oklahoma County, but they failed to do so. Therefore, the counts related to using a communication facility were reversed and dismissed. In summary, the court upheld two of Diaz's convictions but ruled that the other nine were not valid due to a lack of proof regarding venue.