Opinion
Docket No. 37995
01-04-2012
STATE OF IDAHO, Plaintiff-Respondent, v. MARJORY ANN BARNES, Defendant-Appellant.
Greg S. Silvey, Star, for appellant. Hon. Lawrence G. Wasden, Attorney General; Jessica M. Lorello, Deputy Attorney General, Boise, for respondent.
2012 Unpublished Opinion No. 305
Stephen W. Kenyon, Clerk
THIS IS AN UNPUBLISHED OPINION AND SHALL NOT BE CITED AS AUTHORITY
Appeal from the District Court of the First Judicial District, State of Idaho,
Kootenai County. Hon. Fred M. Gibler, District Judge.
Judgments of conviction for conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine by
manufacture and trafficking in methamphetamine by manufacture, affirmed;
judgment of conviction and sentence for possession of a controlled substance,
pseudoephredine, with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, vacated.
Greg S. Silvey, Star, for appellant.
Hon. Lawrence G. Wasden, Attorney General; Jessica M. Lorello, Deputy
Attorney General, Boise, for respondent.
MELANSON, Judge
Marjory Ann Barnes appeals from her judgments of conviction for conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine by manufacture; trafficking in methamphetamine by manufacture; and possession of a controlled substance, pseudoephredine, with intent to manufacture methamphetamine. Specifically, Barnes argues that a fatal variance occurred between the information alleging conspiracy to commit the crime of trafficking in methamphetamine by manufacture and the jury instructions given at her trial. Barnes also contends that she was subjected to multiple convictions and punishments for the same offense under the Double Jeopardy Clause. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm her judgments of conviction for conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine by manufacture and trafficking in methamphetamine by manufacture. However, we vacate her judgment of conviction and sentence for possession of a controlled substance, pseudoephredine, with intent to manufacture methamphetamine.
I.
FACTS AND PROCEDURE
Following a report of concerns that Barnes and her boyfriend, Gregory Klundt, were manufacturing methamphetamine in their shared residence, law enforcement obtained a warrant to search their house. The search revealed a number of items associated with the manufacture of methamphetamine. The state charged Barnes with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine by manufacture, I.C. §§ 37-2732B(a)(3) and 18-204; trafficking in methamphetamine by manufacture, I.C. §§ 37-2732B(a)(3) and 18-204; and possession of a controlled substance, pseudoephedrine, with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, I.C. § 37-2732(a)(1)(A). After trial, a jury found Barnes guilty. Barnes was sentenced to concurrent determinate terms of five years for each count. Barnes appeals.
Klundt was also charged with the same crimes. The district court joined Barnes's and Klundt's cases for trial. However, the cases were not consolidated on appeal.
Barnes was also found guilty of manufacture of a controlled substance where a child is present, I.C. § 37-2737A, and was sentenced to a consecutive indeterminate two-year term. However, she does not challenge this judgment of conviction or sentence on appeal.
--------
II.
ANALYSIS
A. Variance
Barnes argues there was a fatal variance between the information charging her with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine by manufacture and the elements jury instruction given on the charge at trial. The information, as it pertained to Barnes, stated:
That the Defendant, Marjory Ann Barnes, beginning on or about January, 2009, and ending September, 2009, in the County of Kootenai, State of Idaho, did unlawfully, wilfully and knowingly conspire and/or agree with Gregory Klundt to commit the crime of trafficking in methamphetamine by manufacture, in violation of I.C. § 37-2732B(a)(3)
OVERT ACTS
In furtherance of the conspiracy and to effect the objects thereof, the following overt acts, among others, were committed within Kootenai County:
1. On or about January 15, 2009, Marjory Barnes purchased pseudoephedrine in Rathdrum with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine.
. . . .
3. On or about February 1, 2009, Marjory Barnes purchased pseudoephedrine from Walgreens with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine.
. . . .
5. On or about February 25, 2009, Marjory Barnes purchased pseudoephedrine from Walgreens with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine.
. . . .
10. On or about April 15, 2009, Marjory Barnes purchased pseudoephedrine from Well Life with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine.
At trial, the district court provided two jury instructions regarding the charge of conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine by manufacture. Instruction 6 stated that Barnes was charged with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine and then restated, verbatim, the overt acts contained in the information. Instruction 27 laid out the elements of the crime of conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine by manufacture:
In order for the defendant to be guilty . . . the state must prove each of the following:(Emphasis added.)
1. beginning on or about January, 2009, and ending September, 2009;
2. in the State of Idaho
3. the defendant, MARJORY ANN BARNES, and Gregory Klundt agreed;
4. to commit the crime of Trafficking in Methamphetamine by manufacturing;
5. the defendant intended that the crime would be committed;
6. one of the parties to the agreement performed at least one overt act;
7. such act was done for the purpose of carrying out the agreement.
Barnes argues the district court's elements instruction did not limit the state in its attempt to prove conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine by manufacture to relying only on the acts described in the information. Barnes contends the jury was erroneously instructed that it could find her guilty of the charge based on any overt act shown at trial which would have proven a conspiracy. Barnes asserts that this variance was fatal given that testimony at trial demonstrated Barnes asked her daughter to purchase cold medicine which contained pseudoephedrine; the residence in which Barnes lived contained agents, such as solvents and matchbooks with the striker plates removed, used to make methamphetamine; and Barnes purchased iodine nine minutes after Klundt purchased cold medicine containing pseudoephedrine. Barnes reasons that she was not given notice of the possibility of having to defend against these scenarios at trial because they were not listed in the information.
Barnes did not object to the alleged variance in the court below. Generally, issues not raised below may not be considered for the first time on appeal. State v. Fodge, 121 Idaho 192, 195, 824 P.2d 123, 126 (1992). Idaho decisional law, however, has long allowed appellate courts to consider a claim of error to which no objection was made below if the issue presented rises to the level of fundamental error. See State v. Field, 144 Idaho 559, 571, 165 P.3d 273, 285 (2007); State v. Haggard, 94 Idaho 249, 251, 486 P.2d 260, 262 (1971). In State v. Perry, 150 Idaho 209, 245 P.3d 961 (2010), the Idaho Supreme Court clarified the definitions it had previously utilized to describe what may constitute fundamental error, including those regarding jury instructions which were not objected to at trial. The Perry Court held that when a jury reached its verdict based on erroneous instructions an appellate court must generally vacate and remand the decision of the lower court. Id. at 228, 245 P.3d at 980. However, in the limited instance where the jury received proper instruction on all but one element of an offense, and where a reviewing court concludes beyond a reasonable doubt that the omitted element was uncontested and supported by overwhelming evidence such that the jury verdict would have been the same absent the error, the erroneous instruction is properly found to be harmless. Id. If a rational jury could have found that the state failed to prove the omitted element then the appellate court must vacate and remand. Id.
The existence of an impermissible variance between a charging instrument and the jury instructions is a question of law over which we exercise free review. State v. Sherrod, 131 Idaho 56, 57, 951 P.2d 1283, 1284 (Ct. App. 1998). Our task in resolving the issue presented is two-fold. First, we must determine whether there is a variance between the information used to charge Barnes with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine by manufacture and the instructions presented to the jury. See State v. Brazil, 136 Idaho 327, 329, 33 P.3d 218, 220 (Ct. App. 2001). Second, if a variance exists, we must examine whether it rises to the level of prejudicial error requiring reversal of the conviction. Id. A charging instrument meets the basic functions of the pleading requirement if it fairly informs the defendant of the charges against which he or she must defend and enables him or her to plead an acquittal or conviction in bar of future prosecutions for the same offense. United States v. Bailey, 444 U.S. 394, 395 (1980). A variance is fatal if it amounts to a constructive amendment. State v. Jones, 140 Idaho 41, 49, 89 P.3d 881, 889 (Ct. App. 2003). A constructive amendment occurs if a variance alters the charging document to the extent that the defendant is tried for a crime of a greater degree or a different nature. Id. In sum, a variance between a charging instrument and a jury instruction necessitates reversal only when it deprives the defendant of the right to fair notice or leaves him or her open to the risk of double jeopardy. State v. Windsor, 110 Idaho 410, 417-18, 716 P.2d 1182, 1189-90 (1985); Brazil, 136 Idaho at 330, 33 P.3d at 221. A review of whether the defendant was deprived of his or her right to fair notice requires the court to determine whether the record suggests the possibility that the defendant was misled or embarrassed in the preparation or presentation of his or her defense. Brazil, 136 Idaho at 330, 33 P.3d at 221.
When reviewing jury instructions, we ask whether the instructions as a whole, and not individually, fairly and accurately reflect applicable law. State v. Bowman, 124 Idaho 936, 942, 866 P.2d 193, 199 (Ct. App. 1993). We consider, therefore, whether Instruction 6 and Instruction 27, taken together, created a variance from the information. Although Instruction 27 uses broader language regarding overt acts than the information, it must be read in conjunction with the overt acts listed in Instruction 6. The overt acts listed in Instruction 6 mirror the acts listed in the information. It would be needlessly redundant to require that the overt acts listed in Instruction 6 be listed again in Instruction 27. We presume that the jury followed the district court's instructions. See State v. Kilby, 130 Idaho 747, 751, 947 P.2d 420, 424 (Ct. App. 1997); State v. Hudson, 129 Idaho 478, 481, 927 P.2d 451, 454 (Ct. App. 1996). Therefore, we assume that the jury applied the overt acts laid out in Instruction 6 when determining whether Barnes was guilty of conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine by manufacture. Accordingly, there was no variance between the information used to charge Barnes with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine by manufacture and the instructions presented to the jury.
Even if a variance existed, the error was harmless because we conclude beyond a reasonable doubt that the overt act elements listed in the information were uncontested and supported by overwhelming evidence at trial. The state presented substantial evidence at trial proving the specific acts alleged in the information. Several pharmacists and pharmacy technicians testified they were required to keep a log of customers who purchase cold medication containing pseudoephedrine. The logs were admitted into evidence. The logs demonstrated that Barnes bought cold medication containing pseudoephedrine on the dates and at the places listed in the information. Thus, a rational jury could have found that the state proved these acts at trial. In addition, Barnes did not argue at trial that she did not purchase pseudoephedrine. Rather, she defended against the charges by implying she bought the cold medication for a legal purpose. Thus, Barnes was not deprived of her right to fair notice and was not misled or embarrassed in the preparation of her defense. Therefore, we hold that, even if we assumed there was a variance, the error was harmless.
B. Double Jeopardy
Barnes argues that she was subjected to multiple convictions and punishments in violation of the Double Jeopardy Clause of the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article 1, Section 13 of the Idaho Constitution because possession of a controlled substance, pseudoephedrine, with intent to manufacture methamphetamine, I.C. § 37-2732(a)(1)(A), is a lesser included offense of trafficking in methamphetamine by manufacture. I.C. §§ 37-2732B(a)(3), 18-204. Barnes did not, however, raise the issue of double jeopardy in the court below. Generally, issues not raised below may not be considered for the first time on appeal. Fodge, 121 Idaho at 195, 824 P.2d at 126. Idaho decisional law, however, has long allowed appellate courts to consider a claim of error to which no objection was made below if the issue presented rises to the level of fundamental error. See Field, 144 Idaho at 571, 165 P.3d at 285; Haggard, 94 Idaho at 251, 486 P.2d at 262. In Perry, 150 Idaho 209, 245 P.3d 961, the Idaho Supreme Court abandoned the definitions it had previously utilized to describe what may constitute fundamental error. The Perry Court held that an appellate court should reverse an unobjected-to error when the defendant persuades the court that the alleged error: (1) violates one or more of the defendant's unwaived constitutional rights; (2) is clear or obvious without the need for reference to any additional information not contained in the appellate record; and (3) affected the outcome of the trial proceedings. Id. at 226, 245 P.3d at 978.
The Double Jeopardy Clause of the United States and Idaho Constitutions provides that no person shall be twice put in jeopardy for the same offense. The Double Jeopardy Clause of the United States and Idaho Constitutions affords a defendant three basic protections. It protects against a second prosecution for the same offense after acquittal, a second prosecution for the same offense after conviction, and multiple criminal punishments for the same offense. Schiro v. Farley, 510 U.S. 222, 229 (1994); State v. McKeeth, 136 Idaho 619, 624, 38 P.3d 1275, 1280 (Ct. App. 2001). Whether a defendant's prosecution complies with the constitutional protection against being placed twice in jeopardy is a question of law over which we exercise free review. State v. Santana, 135 Idaho 58, 63, 14 P.3d 378, 383 (Ct. App. 2000).
There are two theories under which a particular offense may be determined to be a lesser included offense of a charged offense. State v. Flegel, 151 Idaho 525, 527, 261 P.3d 519, 521 (2011). The first theory is referred to as the statutory theory. Id. We apply the test which originated in Blockburger v. United States, 284 U.S. 299 (1932) to determine whether an offense is a lesser included offense under the statutory theory. The Blockburger test provides that, where the same act or transaction constitutes a violation of two distinct statutory provisions, the test to be applied to determine whether there have been two offenses or only one for double jeopardy purposes is whether each statutory provision requires proof of an additional fact which the other does not. Id. at 304. If two offenses have been determined to be one offense under the Blockburger test, then convicting and punishing a defendant for both offenses is a violation of the Double Jeopardy Clause. Brown v. Ohio, 432 U.S. 161, 168-69 (1977).
Applying the Blockburger test in this case, we conclude that possession of a controlled substance, pseudoephedrine, with intent to manufacture methamphetamine and trafficking in methamphetamine by manufacture constitute two separate offenses because each crime requires proof of at least one element that the other does not. Possession of a controlled substance with intent to manufacture methamphetamine requires, among other elements, that a person possess a schedule I or II controlled substance--in this case pseudoephedrine. I.C. § 37-273 2(a)(1)(A). Trafficking in methamphetamine by manufacture does not contain this element. See I.C. § 37-2732B(a)(3). Trafficking in methamphetamine by manufacture requires, among other elements, that a person knowingly manufacture methamphetamine. I.C. § 37-2732B(a)(3). Possession of a controlled substance, pseudoephedrine, with intent to manufacture does not contain this element. See I.C. § 37-2732(a)(1)(A). Thus, the crimes of possession of a controlled substance, pseudoephedrine, with intent to manufacture methamphetamine and trafficking in methamphetamine by manufacture constitute two separate offenses under the Blockburger test because each contains an element that the other does not. Therefore, Barnes has failed to demonstrate, under the first prong of Perry, that she was subjected to double jeopardy under the statutory theory.
The second double jeopardy theory is called the pleading theory. Flegel, 151 Idaho at 529, 261 P.3d at 523. This theory holds that an offense is an included offense if it is alleged in the information as a means or element of the commission of the higher offense. Id.; see also State v. Thompson, 101 Idaho 430, 435, 614 P.3d 970, 975 (1980); State v. McCormick, 100 Idaho 111, 115, 594 P.2d 149, 153 (1979); State v. Hall, 88 Idaho 117, 123, 397 P.2d 261, 263-64 (1964); State v. Anderson, 82 Idaho 293, 301, 352 P.2d 972, 976 (1960). In applying the pleading theory we must determine whether possession of a controlled substance, pseudoephedrine, with intent to manufacture, was the means by which trafficking in methamphetamine by manufacture was accomplished. We note that pseudoephedrine is not a controlled substance unless it is possessed with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine. I.C. § 37-2707(g)(1). Barnes's possession of pseudoephedrine was a criminal act only in its relation to her intention to manufacture methamphetamine. Barnes's possession of pseudoephedrine was the factual means by which she committed the offense of trafficking in methamphetamine by manufacture. Pseudoephedrine was the essential ingredient which allowed Barnes to manufacture methamphetamine. Under the pleading theory, therefore, possession of a controlled substance, pseudoephedrine, with intent to manufacture methamphetamine is a lesser included offense of trafficking in methamphetamine by manufacture and Barnes's conviction and punishment for both offenses was in violation of the Double Jeopardy Clause in Article 1, Section 13 of the Idaho Constitution. Therefore, we hold Barnes has demonstrated, under the first prong of Perry, that her right to be free from multiple convictions and punishments under the Idaho Double Jeopardy Clause was violated. Accordingly, Barnes's judgment of conviction for possession of a controlled substance, pseudoephedrine, with intent to manufacture methamphetamine must be vacated.
III.
CONCLUSION
We hold that there was not a variance between the information charging Barnes with conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine by manufacture and the elements of the jury instruction given at trial and that, even if there was a variance, the error was harmless. Barnes has demonstrated that her right to be free from multiple convictions and punishments under the Double Jeopardy Clause of the Idaho Constitution was violated. Accordingly, Barnes's judgments of conviction for conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine by manufacture and trafficking in methamphetamine by manufacture are affirmed. However, we vacate her judgment of conviction and sentence for possession of a controlled substance, pseudoephredine, with intent to manufacture methamphetamine. The district court is hereby directed to enter a judgment of conviction consistent with this opinion.
Chief Judge GRATTON and Judge GUTIERREZ, CONCUR.