State v. Weathers, Unpublished Decision (9-28-2007)
State v. Weathers, Unpublished Decision (9-28-2007)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} On June 7, 2005, a confidential informant told Toledo police that appellant, Albert Weathers, was dealing cocaine and heroin from his Upton Avenue home. On this information, police sought and obtained a warrant to search the property for drugs.
{¶ 3} On June 8, 2005, police executed the search warrant, but discovered no cocaine or heroin. Instead, police discovered a baggie containing 40 tablets of the prescription drug Percocet secreted in the cassette tape well of a boombox in appellant's bedroom. Percocet's active ingredient, oxycodone, is a schedule II narcotic. Police also discovered four boxes of sandwich bags, a police scanner and $4,000 cash in the bedroom.
{¶ 4} Appellant was in the house during the search. An officer later testified that, when appellant became aware that the pills had been found, he said, "Those are for my bad back."
{¶ 5} Appellant was arrested and later indicted for aggravated drug possession in violation of R.C.
{¶ 6} At trial, appellant called a man who testified that he was a roomer in appellant's home and that the drugs police found were his. The jury was apparently not persuaded and found appellant guilty as charged. Following a presentence investigation, the court sentenced appellant to a three-year term of incarceration.
{¶ 7} From this judgment of conviction, appellant now brings this appeal, setting forth the following two assignments of error: *Page 3
{¶ 8} "I. It constituted plain error for the trial court to instruct the jury as to the identity of the controlled substance, since identity of the substance is an element of the crime and therefore constitutes a question of fact to be determined by the jury.
{¶ 9} "II. The verdict was against the manifest weight of the evidence."
{¶ 11} "There are 5 elements that must be proved beyond a reasonable doubt before the defendant can be found guilty of aggravated possession of drugs. They are that the defendant did 1, knowingly; 2, possess; 3, oxycodone, a controlled substance; 4, the amount of drug involved exceeded the bulk amount, but did not exceed 5 times the book amount; and 5 is venue.
{¶ 12} "These elements are defined as follows:
{¶ 13} "* * *
{¶ 14} "Three, oxycodone, a controlled substance. Controlled substance means a drug, compound, mixture, preparation of substance included in a schedule I, II, III, IV or V. Oxycodone is included in schedule I or II controlled substance. [sic]
{¶ 15} "* * *."
{¶ 16} Appellant did not object to the instruction at trial. On appeal, appellant argues that the identity and quantity of a drug are elements of the offense and that the trial court committed plain error by directing the jury to decide that oxycodone is a schedule I or II controlled substance. *Page 4
{¶ 17} "The failure to object to a jury instruction constitutes a waiver of any claim of error relative thereto, unless, but for the error, the outcome of the trial clearly would have been otherwise."State v. Underwood (1983),
{¶ 18} If the court had directed the jury to find that the substance at issue was oxycodone, it would have invaded the jury's province as trier of fact. That oxycodone is a schedule II narcotic is a correct statement of law, see R.C.
{¶ 19} Accordingly, appellant's first assignment of error is not well-taken.
{¶ 21} The trier of fact may believe all, part or none of the testimony of witnesses before it. State v. Maine, 4th Dist. No. 04CA46,
{¶ 22} On consideration whereof, the judgment of the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas is affirmed. Appellant is ordered to pay costs of this appeal pursuant to App.R. 24. Judgment for the clerk's expense in preparation of the record, fees allowed by law, and the fee for filing the appeal is awarded to Lucas County.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to App.R. 27. See, also, 6th Dist.Loc.App.R. 4.
*Page 1Arlene Singer, J., William J. Skow, J., Thomas J. Osowik, J., CONCUR.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.