STATE OF FLORIDA, APPELLANT,
v.
DARYL OMER WISE, APPELLEE
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The court held that the trial court erred in dismissing the attempted trafficking charge, as the undisputed facts presented a prima facie case for the jury to consider.
[1] A trial court errs in granting a motion to dismiss when a jury question exists.
[2] Intent is a question of fact that should be determined by the trier of fact, not by the trial court in a motion to dismiss.
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceThe defendant met with an undercover agent to discuss purchasing cocaine, showing a large sum of money. The deal did not go through because the agent'…
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SHIVERS, Judge.
Appellant, State of Florida, appeals an order of the trial court dismissing Count II of a two-count information filed against appellee/defendant. We agree with appellant that the trial court erred in dismissing the count, and reverse.
The undisputed facts of the case show that appellee was introduced to Louis Acevedo on November 30, 1983. Acevedo was an undercover agent for the Narcotics and Organized Crime Unit (NOCU) and played the role of a South Florida cocaine supplier. All conversations between defendant and Acevedo were electronically recorded either by body bug or telephone tap. During their meeting on November 30, 1983, Acevedo and defendant discussed defendant's purchase of two ounces of cocaine. Defendant represented that he was willing to pay $1,300 per ounce. Acevedo replied that he could sell for no less than $2,000 per ounce. During the discussion, defendant showed Acevedo a roll of U.S. currency which defendant claimed to be $4,000. The money did not change hands and the quantity was not verified. Defendant stated, “At $2,000 I’m not interested in it.” Acevedo responded that he “might give it to (him) at a lesser” but he first needed to “call his cousin.” Defendant then stated, “I’m not promising nothing. I’m not promising nothing. If something comes up and you do me some good and you do me right, I’ll do it right here.”
The meeting ended with the agreement that defendant was to wait at a Gainesville restaurant while Acevedo checked with his “cousin.” Approximately one hour later) Acevedo telephoned defendant at the restaurant and related that “he (cousin) don’t want to go for it.” Defendant replied, “That’s cool” and hung up. No further contact or conversation occurred between defendant and Acevedo. A warrant to search defendant’s house was later obtained by NOCU and, during the search, a roll of currency amounting to $4,011 was found beneath a mattress in defendant’s bedroom.
Appellee/defendant was charged by Amended Information with possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis (Count I) and attempted trafficking in cocaine (Count II). Appellee filed a motion to dismiss Count II pursuant to Rule 3.190(c)(4), Fla. R.Crim.P. Appellant then filed a demurrer in which it argued that the facts presented a prima facie case of guilt against appellee. Although the State recounted the facts in its demurrer and argued a different interpretation of those facts than did appellee, the State did not file a traverse nor did it assert that any facts were in dispute. We agree with appellant that the undisputed facts present a prima facie case of guilt against the defendant, for the offense of trafficking in cocaine.
Defendant was charged, under Count II, pursuant to section 777.04(1) (Attempt) and section 893.135(l)(b):
Any person who knowingly sells, manufactures, delivers, or brings into this state, or who is knowingly in actual or constructive possession of, 28 grams or more of cocaine as described in s. 893.-03(2)(a)4. or of any mixture containing cocaine is guilty of a felony of the first degree, which felony shall be known as “trafficking in cocaine.”
Any attempt consists of two elements: (1) a specific intent to commit the crime, and (2) an overt but ineffectual act done toward the crime’s commission. Gustine v. State, 86 Fla. 24, 97 So. 207 (1923). Further, it has been held that the “overt act” must go beyond mere preparation.
There must be some appreciable fragment of the crime committed and it must be in such progress that it would be consummated unless interrupted by circumstances independent of the will of the attempter. Groneau v. State, 201 So. 2d 599, 603 (Fla. 4th DCA), cert. denied, 207 So. 2d 452 (1967) (emphasis supplied). The State evidently sought conviction for “trafficking” based upon an alleged attempt to knowingly possess the cocaine.
First, it is well established that, when a jury question exists, it is error for the trial court to grant a (c)(4) motion to dismiss. State v. Green, 400 So. 2d 1322 (Fla. 5th DCA 1981); State v. Radandt, 410 So. 2d 665 (Fla. 4th DCA 1982). Intent is such a fact question and should be determined by the trier of fact, not by the trial court in a motion to dismiss. State v. J.T.S., 373 So. 2d 418 (Fla. 2d DCA 1979); State v. Evans, 394 So. 2d 1068 (Fla. 4th DCA 1981). Second, the facts establish a prima facie case that appellee went beyond mere preparation to possess cocaine and fell short of committing the crime only because of circumstances independent of his will. Appellee argues that he voluntarily stopped the process by refusing to purchase the cocaine at the seller’s asking price. We think the facts could just as easily indicate that appellee would have purchased the cocaine but for the seller’s refusal to lower the price — a circumstance “independent of the will of the attempter.” Any interpretation of the facts, however, should be made by the trier of fact.
Accordingly, we reverse the trial court’s order dismissing Count II of the Information.
BOOTH, J., and TILLMAN PEARSON (Ret.), Associate Judge, concur.
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Sobrino v. State, 471 So. 2d 1333 (Fla. 3d DCA 1985)…drugs. Of course, they could have been charged with attempted trafficking by attempted possession in violation of section 893.-135(l)(a) and 777.04(1), Florida Statutes (1983). See Gonzalez v. State, 465 So. 2d 613 (Fla. 3d DCA 1985); State v. Wise, 464 So. 2d 1245 (Fla. 1st DCA 1985). . The definition of delivery contained in section 893.02(4), Florida Statutes (1983) is as follows: (4) "Deliver” or "delivery" means the actual, constructive, or attempted transfer from one person to another of a controlled s…
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Am. Int'l Realty, Inc. v. Se. First Nat'l Bank OF Miami, 468 So. 2d 383 (Fla. 3d DCA 1985)…hip Bank of Orlando v. Bryan, 384 So. 2d 1323 (Fla. 5th DCA 1980). . Summary judgment would be inappropriate in a civil theft action because of the necessity of finding intent, which should normally be resolved by the finder of fact. State v. Wise, 464 So. 2d 1245 (Fla. 1st DCA 1985); Nesbitt v. Auto-Owners Insurance Company, 390 So. 2d 1209 (Fla. 5th DCA 1980). . Less any amount recovered by the prejudgment garnishments. . In determining the amount of attorney’s fees the trial court shall assess an amount…
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State v. Feagle, 600 So. 2d 1236 (Fla. 1st DCA 1992)…9 (Fla. 2nd DCA 1984); State v. Huggins, 368 So. 2d 119 (Fla. 1st DCA 1979). Appellee’s belief, being a state of mind, is usually a question of fact to be determined by the trier of fact, not by the trial court in a motion to dismiss. State v. Wise, 464 So. 2d 1245, 1246 (Fla. 1st DCA), pet. for rev. den., 476 So. 2d 676 (Fla.1985); State v. Stenza, 453 So. 2d 169 (Fla. 2d DCA 1984); State v. West, 262 So. 2d 457 (Fla. 4th DCA 1972) (trial court may not substitute itself for trier of fact in considering credib…
Previewing 3 of 5 citing cases — full citator treatment, depth of discussion, and citing context are member features.
Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceAuthorities Cited
- Gustine v. State, 86 Fla. 24 (Fla. 1923)
- State v. J. T. S. and G. R. W., 373 So. 2d 418 (Fla. 2d DCA 1979)
- Groneau v. State, 201 So. 2d 599 (Fla. 4th DCA 1967)
- State v. Benny Lee Green, 400 So. 2d 1322 (Fla. 5th DCA 1981)
- State v. Evans, 394 So. 2d 1068 (Fla. 4th DCA 1981)
- Groneau v. State, 207 So. 2d 452 (Fla. 1967)
- Schack v. State, 207 So. 2d 452 (Fla. 1967)
- State v. Radandt, 410 So. 2d 665 (Fla. 4th DCA 1982)