State v. Wilson
State v. Wilson
Opinion of the Court
Appellants
I. FACTS
This case involves several members of the Wilson family. Appellant Steve Wilson is appellant Walter Wilson’s son. Other family members, including Walter’s son and daughter-in-law, Ronnie and Teresa Wilson, were also participants in the crimes alleged.
In December 1989, family members were indicted by the Statewide grand jury for various drug crimes. Steve and Walter were indicted in count #1 along with Ronnie and Teresa for trafficking in more than 400 grams of cocaine since 1982. Count #2 of the indictment charged Ronnie and Teresa with trafficking in more than 100 pounds of marijuana with the Martinez brothers (Roberto and Ramon) since 1979. A trial was held in April 1990. Steve and Walter were acquitted of trafficking in cocaine.
II. ISSUE
Does the Double Jeopardy Clause bar the 1990 indictment for trafficking in marijuana?
III. DISCUSSION
A. Grady v. Corbin Analysis
Appellants first argue that under Grady v. Corbin, 495 U.S. 508, 110 S.Ct. 2084, 109 L.Ed. (2d) 548 (1990), their subsequent prosecution for trafficking in marijuana is barred by the Double Jeopardy Clause because the prosecution sought to prove conduct that constituted an offense for which they had already been tried and acquitted.
In Grady v. Corbin, the United States Supreme Court set forth the analysis used in determining whether a subsequent prosecution is barred by the Double Jeopardy Clause. A court must first apply the traditional Blockburger
Applying this analysis to the case at hand, we find no double jeopardy violation. First, application of the Blockburger test results in no bar to appellants’ subsequent prosecution for trafficking in marijuana since neither of the statutory offenses charged (trafficking in cocaine and trafficking in marijuana) is a lesser included offense of the other. Compare S.C. Code Ann. § 44-53-370(e)(l)(b) (trafficking in marijuana) with § 44-53-370(e)(2)(3) (trafficking in cocaine).
Further, neither offense is a “species of lesser-included offense” whose prosecution would be barred under Grady v. Corbin. Appellants were first prosecuted for trafficking in more than 400 grams of cocaine by conspiring with others to accomplish its sale and delivery or by possessing that amount, either of which is a violation of § 44-53-370(e)(2)(e). After their acquittal on these charges, appellants were subsequently indicted for trafficking in more than 100 pounds of marijuana by conspiring with others to sell and deliver it or by aiding and abetting the sale and delivery, either of which is a violation of § 44-53-370(e)(l)(b). The entirety of the conduct sought to be proved in the first case, i.e., trafficking in cocaine, does not establish any single element of the offense prosecuted in the subsequent case, trafficking in marijuana. There is no species of lesser-included offense involved here.
Nor did the prosecution seek to prove the same conduct in both cases since a different controlled substance was the subject of the prosecution in each case. Even the element of “conspiracy” common to both prosecutions was proved by different conduct.
The marijuana conspiracy was proved by evidence of a long-term arrangement with the Martinez brothers to supply the Wilsons with approximately 100 pounds of marijuana twice a month. At the start of the relationship between the Wilsons and the Martinezes, Ronnie and Steve traveled to San Antonio, Texas, to purchase marijuana from Roberto and Ramon Martinez. Walter Wilson was the driver on at least two of these trips. Eventually, the Martinez brothers began delivering the marijuana to the Wilsons in South Carolina for an increased price per pound. Walter sometimes paid for the deliveries when they arrived. Only the conduct regarding the on
The State sought to prove different conduct to establish the cocaine conspiracy. Steve once purchased an ounce of cocaine worth $2,000 from a man named Dickie Hunt in McCormick, South Carolina. Steve sold cocaine to different buyers in amounts ranging from Vs ounce to one ounce. Walter delivered cocaine to at least one buyer from his residence in Saluda, South Carolina, and also accepted payment for cocaine. The only evidence of a cocaine sale in relation to the Martinez connection is one occasion during a marijuana deal when Roberto asked Steve if he “had any extra” and Steve sold him $150 worth of cocaine. This exchange was clearly not an integral part of the arrangement for biweekly marijuana shipments which continued for years from the Martinezes to the Wilsons.
Appellants make much of the prosecutor’s remark at the first trial that there was “a main conspiracy” to distribute both cocaine and marijuana. This comment is taken out of context. It was made during the argument to the trial judge to admit the marijuana-related evidence in appellants’ trial for cocaine trafficking only to show motive or intent as permitted under State v. Lyle, 125 S.C. 406, 118 S.E. 803 (1923). It is clear from the State’s case that it sought to prove a distinct course of conduct involving the Martinez brothers to establish the marijuana conspiracy. In fact, the record indicates the trial judge explicitly charged the jury at appellants’ trial for cocaine trafficking that the cocaine conspiracy was “a single conspiracy” as opposed to the marijuana conspiracy involving the Martinez brothers.
In conclusion, we find no double jeopardy violation under Grady v. Corbin.
B. State v. Dasher Analysis
Appellants contend the indictment for trafficking in marijuana should have been quashed under State v. Dasher, 278 S.C. 454, 298 S.E. (2d) 215 (1982). In Dasher, the defendants were charged in two separate indictments -with “conspiring to distribute controlled substances.” At the trial on the first indictment, the State introduced evidence of conduct involving cocaine dealing. At a subsequent trial on the second indictment, the State sought to prove substantially the same conduct involving marijuana. Although Grady v. Corbin had not
The case before us today, however, is distinguishable. As discussed above, the State sought to prove a distinct course of conduct concerning the marijuana conspiracy and different conduct concerning the cocaine conspiracy. The first prosecution was for a violation of § 44-53-370(e)(2)(e) (conspiring to traffic in cocaine); the subsequent prosecution was for a violation of § 44-53-370(e)(l)(b) (conspiring to traffic in marijuana). This is unlike the situation in Dasher where the defendants were charged in both prosecutions with a general conspiracy to violate the Controlled Substances Act. Here, conspiring to traffic in cocaine and conspiring to traffic in marijuana are themselves two separate substantive offenses under subsection (e) of § 44-53-370.
We find Dasher is distinguishable from the case at hand and conclude appellants’ argument is without merit.
C. Ashe v. Swenson Analysis
Finally, appellants contend the Double Jeopardy Clause bars the indictment for trafficking in marijuana under Ashe v. Swenson, 397 U.S. 436, 90 S.Ct. 1189, 25 L.Ed. (2d) 469 (1970). In that case, the United States Supreme Court applied a collateral estoppel analysis to find a double jeopardy bar to a subsequent prosecution. The defendant was tried and acquitted of robbing one of the six victims robbed at a poker game. He was subsequently charged with robbing another victim of the same robbery. The Court held that when “an issue of ulti
Again, we find this case distinguishable. As previously discussed, here the State sought to prove two distinct courses of conduct to establish two separate offenses. No issue regarding appellants’ involvement in the marijuana conspiracy was litigated at the first trial. Evidence of their involvement with marijuana was admitted only for the limited purpose of showing intent or motive regarding the cocaine conspiracy with which appellants were charged. The limited admission of evidence of criminal conduct does not bar its admission in a subsequent proceeding on the ground of double jeopardy. United States v. Felix, supra.
We conclude collateral estoppel does not bar the subsequent prosecution in this case.
CONCLUSION
We find no double jeopardy violation in this case and affirm appellants’ convictions.
Affirmed.
We have consolidated appellants’ separate appeals for disposition in this opinion.
Ronnie and Teresa were found guilty of trafficking in cocaine and trafficking in marijuana. Steve was found guilty of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute pursuant to another count in the indictment.
284 U.S. 299,52 S.Ct. 180,76 L.Ed. 306 (1932).
Conversely, if in the first prosecution the State proved conduct comprising all of the elements of another offense not yet prosecuted, the Double Jeopardy Clause would bar the subsequent prosecution of that lesser offense. 495 U.S. at 521, n. 11, 110 S.Ct. at 2093, n. 11.
Section 44-53-370(E) provides:
(e) Any person who knowingly ... conspires to sell, manufacture, deliver, or bring into this state ...
(1) Ten pounds of marijuana is guilty of a felony which is known as “trafficking in marijuana”...
(2) Ten grams or more of cocaine ... is guilty of a felony which is known as “trafficking in cocaine”...
Concurring Opinion
concurring:
I concur in result with the majority opinion. I agree with the majority finding that there were two separate conspiracies, one to traffic cocaine and another to traffic marijuana. I write separately to clarify that, in my view, if there had been one single conspiracy, a subsequent prosecution after an acquittal would violate the principles of former jeopardy as espoused by this Court in State v. Dasher, 278 S.C. 454, 298 S.E.
The Double Jeopardy Clauses of both the United States and South Carolina Constitutions protect against multiple punishments for the same offense and second prosecutions for the same offense after an acquittal, a conviction, or an improvidently granted mistrial. Corbin, supra; Matthews v. State, 300 S.C. 238, 387 S.E. (2d) 258 (1990); Dasher, supra. When there are multiple punishments imposed in the same trial, the Double Jeopardy Clause does no more than prevent the sentencing court from prescribing greater punishment than the legislature intended. Missouri v. Hunter, 459 U.S. 359, 103 S.Ct. 673, 74 L.Ed. (2d) 535 (1983). In this context, the established test for determining whether two offenses are the same was set out in Blockburger v. United States, 284 U.S. 299, 52 S.Ct. 180, 76 L.Ed. 306 (1932). “The applicable rule is that where the same act or transaction constitutes a violation of two distinct statutory provisions, the test to be applied to determine whether there are two offenses or only one, is whether each provision requires proof of a fact which the other does not.” Id. at 304, 52 S.Ct. at 182, 76 L.Ed. at 309. The Blockburger test is one of statutory interpretation which focuses on the formal elements of the crimes finding them to be different offenses if each requires proof of a fact which the other does not. State v. Magazine, 302 S.C. 55, 393 S.E. (2d) 385 (1990). Thus, one conspiracy may be the subject of more than one conspiracy statute each requiring different criminal objects; and therefore, differing elements of proof. This was the situation in Albernaz v. United States, 450 U.S. 333, 101 S.Ct. 1137, 67 L.Ed. (2d) 275 (1981). In Albernaz, the single conspiracy involved both the importation and distribution of marijuana. The defendants were convicted in a single trial of violating two separate conspiracy statutes, one which prohibited conspiring to import marijuana and one which prohibited conspiring to distribute marijuana. Applying the Blockbuster test to the two statutes and finding it clearly satisfied, the United States Supreme Court held the multiple punishment was not in violation of the Double Jeopardy Clause. Id. at 344, 101 S.Ct. at 1145,67 L.Ed. (2d) at 285.
In the case at bar, however, the Double Jeopardy violation
The underlying idea, one that is deeply ingrained in at least the Anglo-American system of jurisprudence, is that the State with all its resources and power should not be allowed to make repeated attempts to convict an individual for an alleged offense thereby subjecting him to embarrassment, expense and ordeal and compelling him to live in a continuing state of anxiety and insecurity____
Green v. United States, 355 U.S. 184, 187, 78 S.Ct. 221, 223, 2 L.Ed. (2d) 199, 204 (1957). Additionally, multiple prosecutions give the State an opportunity to rehearse its presentation of proof, thus increasing the risk of an erroneous conviction. Corbin, supra. The technical comparison of the elements of the two offenses does not protect defendants sufficiently from the burden of multiple trials. Id. 495 U.S. at 520, 110 S.Ct. at 2093, 109 L.Ed. (2d) at 564. Therefore, the analysis, when former jeopardy is alleged, includes a determination of the legislative intent under Blockburger, but additionally, “the Double Jeopardy Clause bars any subsequent prosecution in which the government, to establish an essential element of an offense charged in that prosecution, will prove conduct that constitutes an offense for which the defendant has already been prosecuted.” Id. at 521, 110 S.Ct. at 2093, 109 L.Ed. (2d) at 564. The critical inquiry is what conduct the State will prove, not the evidence the State will use to prove that conduct. Id. Hence, under some circumstances, multiple punishments imposed in the same trial may be proper but a subsequent prosecution would be barred. State v. Carter, 291 S.C. 385, 353 S.E. (2d) 875 (1987).
Conspiracy is a unique anticipatory offense. Conspiracy is defined as “a combination between two or more persons for the purpose of accomplishing a criminal or unlawful object or an object neither criminal nor unlawful by criminal or unlawful means.” S.C. Code Ann. § 16-17-410 (1985). The gravamen of a conspiracy is the agreement. United States v. Felix, — U.S. —, 112 S.Ct. 1377, 118 L.Ed. (2d) 25 (1992) (quoting United States v. Bayer, 331 U.S. 532, 67 S.Ct. 1394, 91 L.Ed. 1654 (1947)); Dasher, supra. Under South Carolina law, the crime of con
Under the majority’s analysis, two people could orally agree to import both cocaine and marijuana and take no further action. With the evidence of this oral agreement, the two could be prosecuted for conspiring to import cocaine. After their conviction or acquittal, they could be tried again based on the same evidence and agreement for conspiring to import marijuana. This is contrary to the basic principles of protection from former jeopardy. Dasher, supra. In the second trial, the State could and undoubtedly would hone its trial strategies and perfect its evidence thereby increasing the possibility of conviction. Corbin 495 U.S. at 518, 110 S.Ct. at 2092, 109 L.Ed. (2d) at 562.
The analysis of this issue in this case is needlessly complicated by the way in which the State presented its case in the first Wilson trial in which Walter and Stephen were acquitted of trafficking cocaine. The State presented evidence of both conspiracies at the first trial arguing it was one grand conspiracy. The trial court allowed the evidence in but charged the jury its use was limited to showing motive or intent. The admission of evidence of this separate marijuana conspiracy under Lyle, supra in a trial in which Walter and Stephen were not charged for their involvement in the marijuana conspiracy is not before the Court at this time.
Generally, the actual oral or written agreement is not the
To allow the State, after bringing one action alleging a conspiracy which results in an acquittal, to bring an action based on the same agreement or conspiracy by merely alleging an additional objective or additional overt acts as evidence of the agreement is completely contrary to the fundamental essence embodied in the Double Jeopardy Clause of both the United States and South Carolina Constitutions. The defendant has already defended himself successfully against allegations of his involvement in the agreement. Accordingly, if one conspiracy had been established, subsequent prosecution would be barred.
Dissenting Opinion
(dissenting):
I respectfully dissent. Under the majority opinion, there were two conspiracies in this case. The concurring opinion holds that there were two conspiracies, but if there was one
Dasher states that:
The question is what is the nature of the agreement. If there is one overall agreement among the various parties to perform different functions in order to carry out the objectives of the conspiracy, the agreement among all the parties constitutes a single conspiracy. Id. 298 S.E. (2d) at 217, quoting 16 Am. Jur. (2d) § 11 (1979).
The more persuasive evidence in this case is that the many acts which constituted the conspiracy were but parts of a grand scheme to import, sell and distribute marijuana and cocaine. In the present case, just as in Dasher, the dates of the conspiracies overlapped and the key principles were substantially the same. Dasher stands for the proposition that where there is one grand conspiracy of substantial duration to sell, transport and distribute marijuana and cocaine, double jeopardy arises where any subsequent prosecution rests solely upon the same agreement.
The majority also attempts to distinguish the present case by indicating that in Dasher, the defendants were charged in two separate indictments with “conspiring to distribute controlled substances,” but assert that here conspiring to traffic in cocaine and conspiring to traffic in marijuana are two separate substantive offenses under subsection (e) of § 44-53-370. I find this distinction to be extremely tenuous.
Although appellants were charged with conspiracy pursuant to § 44-53-370(e)(2)(e) and § 44-53-370(e)(l)(b), the basic elements of conspiracy in this State have not been altered. Under the majority’s analysis, the mere fact that the conspiracy is two separate substantive offenses under the Controlled Substances Act somehow transforms the nature of the agreement into separate agreements. Two separate conspiracies do not arise simply because the State alleges two separate conspiracies. Moreover, since this decision allows for the framing of the indictment to determine whether there is one conspiracy or two, the State could easily manipulate the indictment to extract the maximum punishment, without regard to the actual crime.
Finding no legitimate distinction between the present case and Dasher, I would find that the 1990 indictment for trafficking in marijuana constitutes double jeopardy, requiring reversal of these subsequent convictions.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- The STATE, Respondent v. Stephen H. WILSON and Walter Wilson, Jr., Appellants
- Cited By
- 15 cases
- Status
- Published