JERRY THORNTON AND JUNIOR H. THORNTON, APPELLANTS,
v.
STATE OF FLORIDA, APPELLEE
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Jerry and Junior Thornton were convicted of possession and delivery of dangerous drugs. The court affirmed Jerry's conviction but reversed Junior's conviction, finding the evidence legally insufficient to support a conviction for his minimal participation in a drug transaction.
The court affirmed Jerry Thornton's conviction as amply supported by evidence. The court reversed Junior Thornton's conviction, holding that the evidence was legally insufficient to support conviction because the state failed to prove he had conscious intent to commit the crime or that his actions were intended to encourage, assist, or induce others to commit the crime. Additionally, both possession sentences were vacated as duplicative of the delivery charge.
[1] A conviction for possession of dangerous drugs may be vacated when it is merely another facet of the delivery charge, and sentence should be imposed for the highest offen…
[2] Evidence is legally insufficient to support a conviction when it fails to demonstrate conscious intent to commit a crime or actions intended to encourage, cause, assist,…
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligence“The law requires such proof to support a conviction, McClain v. United States, 224 F. 2d 522 (C.C.A. 5th Cir., 1955).”
Establishes the legal requirement for accomplice liability requiring proof of conscious intent and action to encourage or assist the crime
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceJerry and Junior Thornton were charged with possession and delivery of dangerous drugs. Jerry's involvement was more substantial in the drug transacti…
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DREW (Ret.), Associate Judge.
Jerry and Junior Thornton were each convicted of possession and delivery of dangerous drugs. Separate appeals were taken and are now consolidated for our consideration.
The state, in its brief and at oral argument, concedes the possession charge is but another facet of the sale (delivery) charge and that sentence should be imposed for the highest offense only. Accordingly, the judgment and sentence for possession in both cases are hereby vacated.
We have duly considered the evidence in these consolidated appeals and conclude that the verdict and sentence against Jerry Thornton are amply supported by the evidence. The points raised and argued in his behalf for reversal are, severally and separately, without merit. As to him the judgment and sentence is affirmed.
As to the evidence against Junior H. Thornton, however, we agree with his contention here that the trial court should have granted his motion for a directed verdict of acquittal. The total evidence, considered in a light most favorable to the state, is legally insufficient to support the verdict and sentence. His total participation in the events (which we find sufficient to support the conviction of his brother) consisted of leaving his house where he was watching television, going to the car parked outside in which the other participants to the sale of marijuana were seated, speaking to them from outside, seeing a bag which he assumed contained marijuana, taking-a “puff” of a “reefer” passed to him on the outside and then returning to his home. The state proved knowledge of the commission of a crime and his presence for a very brief period at the place where such crime was committed. There is no showing that he had any conscious intent to commit a crime or that any action taken by him was intended to encourage, cause, assist or induce the others there to commit the crime. The law requires such proof to support a conviction, McClain v. United States, 224 F. 2d 522 (C.C.A. 5th Cir., 1955). The state does not effectively answer appellant’s argument on the legal insufficiency of the evidence to support the verdict and judgment. Tt says, in its reply to this point on appeal, that: 1) the jury is the sole judge of the evidence where the facts are in dispute; 2) it is the province of the jury to determine the credibility of the witnesses; and 3) that the appellate court will not substitute its judgment for that of the jury on questions of fact. These are elemental principles recognized universally. These concepts, however, are inapposite here because of the court’s responsibility to determine, in every case, if there is any evidence to support a conviction; and if there is, whether it meets the law’s requirement for conviction. While this court is acutely conscious of the powers and duties of the jury and the trial court, it is nevertheless our duty to see to it that the law is served in every case. The law requires that the judgment and sentence of Junior H. Thornton be, and it is hereby vacated and this cause reversed.
SPECTOR, Acting C. J., and JOHNSON, J., concur.
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Sindrich v. State, 322 So. 2d 589 (Fla. 1st DCA 1975)…s generally true, it is the duty of an appellate Court to determine, in every case, if there is sufficient competent evidence to support a conviction; and if there is, whether it meets the law’s requirements [*591] for conviction. Thornton v. State, 306 So. 2d 205 (Fla.App. 1st 1975). The Trial Court instructed the jury on the issue of possession as follows: “The word ‘possession’ means to have personal charge of or exercising the right of ownership, management or control over the thing possessed. The mere…
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Sanders v. State, 563 So. 2d 781 (Fla. 1st DCA 1990)…. For the above reasons, the judgments of conviction and sentences for purchase, sale or delivery of cocaine, and possession of cocaine, are, REVERSED. MINER, J., and THOMPSON, FORD L. (Retired), Associate Judge, concur. . See, Thornton v. State, 306 So. 2d 205 (Fla. 1st DCA 1975), reversed in part, State v. Thornton, 327 So. 2d 227 (Fla.1976) (evidence that defendant went to a car in which participants in sale of marijuana were seated, saw what he supposed was bag of marijuana, and took a "puff" on a "ree…
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State v. Junior H. Thornton, 327 So. 2d 227 (Fla. 1976)…OVERTON, Justice. This cause is before us on petition for writ of certiorari to review a decision of the First District Court of Appeal reported at 306 So. 2d 205 (Fla.App. 1st 1975). The respondent was charged and convicted in the trial court with possession and delivery of a quantity of marijuana in excess of five grams. The primary thrust of the prosecution was to establish respondent as a party to a sale…
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Join FLexlaw to unlock all legal intelligenceAuthorities Cited
- McCLAIN v. United States, 224 F.2d 522 (5th Cir. 1955)