noting that the movant’s argument—which was that it was impossible for him to manufacture marijuana without also possessing it—was “not novel” and has been rejected numerous times (citing cases)
How later courts described this case
- noting that the movant’s argument—which was that it was impossible for him to manufacture marijuana without also possessing it—was “not novel” and has been rejected numerous times (citing cases)
Written by the judges who cited it.
The opinion
In the
Missouri Court of Appeals
Western District
BOBBY WRIGHT,
WD77287
Appellant, OPINION FILED:
v.
DECEMBER 23, 2014
STATE OF MISSOURI,
Respondent.
Appeal from the Circuit Court of Pettis County, Missouri
The Honorable Robert Lawrence Koffman, Judge
Before Division One: Thomas H. Newton, P.J., Lisa White Hardwick, Anthony Rex Gabbert, JJ.
Bobby Wright appeals the denial of his Rule 24.035 motion for post-conviction relief.
Wright raises two points on appeal. First, he contends that the circuit court clearly erred in
denying his Rule 24.035 motion because he was denied due process of law and effective
assistance of counsel because his defense attorney had discussions concerning employment with
the Pettis County Prosecutor’s Office and accepted a position as a Pettis County Assistant
Prosecuting Attorney during the time Wright’s criminal case was pending and prior to his
sentencing, thereby creating a conflict of interest prejudicing Wright. Second, Wright contends
that the circuit court clearly erred in overruling his Rule 24.035 motion because his constitutional
right to be free from double jeopardy was violated when he was convicted and sentenced for both
manufacture of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver the same controlled
substance under Section 195.211, RSMo Cum. Supp. 2014. We affirm.
On April 5, 2011, Wright was charged in an information with one count of the class B
felony of manufacture of a controlled substance based on the allegations that on or about
December 1, 2010, Wright, acting together with others, manufactured more than five grams of
marijuana, a controlled substance, by packaging it, knowing or consciously disregarding a
substantial and unjustifiable risk that it was a controlled substance. He was also charged with
one count of the class B felony of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver
based on the allegations that on or about December 1, 2010, with the intent to distribute, deliver
and sell, Wright possessed more than five grams of marijuana, a controlled substance, knowing
of its presence and illegal nature.
At Wright’s plea hearing on November 10, 2011, the State’s factual basis for the charges
included that, on December 1, 2010, the Sedalia Police Department served a search warrant on
Wright’s home in Sedalia. When they did, they found Wright in his kitchen at the kitchen table.
On the kitchen table officers found approximately 56 grams of loose marijuana and 41 small
baggies of marijuana, each containing one to three grams. After his arrest, Wright acknowledged
that the marijuana was his marijuana, and that he had been packaging it into smaller packages
with the assistance of others. The State indicated that officers at the scene would testify that the
amount of marijuana and the manner in which it was packaged indicated that it was possessed for
the purpose of delivering or selling to other people.
On or about November 10, 2011, Wright pled guilty to both counts. The State advised
the court that, pursuant to a plea agreement, the State would not file prior or persistent drug
offender allegations which could significantly increase the range of punishment in the case. The
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State asked the court to continue sentencing to January 17, 2012, per Wright’s request, and
indicated that the parties had agreed that on that date the State would recommend concurrent
nine-year sentences. The State advised the court that, if Wright failed to appear in court as
required, or if there was probable cause to believe he had committed any new offense, then he
would be subject to the full range of punishment, up to 15 years on each count, and he would not
be entitled to withdraw his guilty plea. The court ordered a sentencing assessment report and set
sentencing for January 17, 2012. On January 17, 2012, the sentencing hearing was moved to
February 1, 2012.
At the sentencing hearing on February 1, 2012, the State presented evidence that, on
November 30, 2011, after Wright entered his plea on November 10, 2011, Wright was stopped
for an alleged traffic violation and approximately nine individual baggies of marijuana were
allegedly found in a compartment in the vehicle. An officer testified at the sentencing hearing
that Wright asked the officer if he could cut him a break because he already had charges pending
and was due to be sentenced in January for those charges.
The State argued at the sentencing hearing that, because Wright had violated the terms of
the plea agreement, he be sentenced to concurrent 15-year terms. The State noted that Wright
could be subject to two consecutive terms of 15 years, but the State was asking that the sentences
run concurrent.
Wright’s counsel disagreed with the State’s recommendation. Wright’s counsel argued
that the original agreement of nine years was “still a pretty substantial result for a case like this.”
Wright’s counsel argued “that the situation we have here with Mr. Wright entering his guilty
plea, acknowledging his responsibility for it, and taking a substantial sentence with the two nine
year concurrent terms is something more than reasonable for the court to feel like they have
3
resolved this case in a fair manner for both sides.” Wright’s counsel argued that, if the court was
not inclined to follow the original recommendation, then the court should consider the sentences
received by Wright’s co-defendants to reach a just conclusion. Wright’s counsel urged the court
to consider a “middle ground” and to not assess the maximum sentence.
After hearing the evidence, the court concluded that there was probable cause to believe
that Wright had committed a similar crime while awaiting sentencing. The court noted to Wright
that, while Wright knew when he returned for sentencing that the court was going to concern
itself with probable cause for other crimes, Wright told the probation and parole office, as
indicated in Wright’s Sentence Advisory Report, that he “used on weekends” and “typically
use[d] an ounce or more with friends.” When the court asked Wright if he had been doing that
since his plea, he first stated, “No,” and then stated, “Well, I’ve been working on it.” The court
discussed with Wright that he considered Wright more culpable than his co-defendant, Freddie
Thomas, who had already been tried and sentenced to ten years in the matter. The court stated:
You know, I looked at this, and my court reporter refreshed my memory
about Freddie Thomas’s sentence and what I said to him . . . my findings in that
hearing, that you were the primary culprit in this based on the trial I had and the
understanding of the facts, and then you came in here and pled, but you had a
nine-year sentence.
And I recall at Freddie Thomas’s hearing I did not want to give Freddie
Thomas more time than I gave the person that I found to be more culpable in the
very crime. I was troubled by that. Now, then, I get this probable cause to
indicate you’re doing exactly the same thing that you were accused of and what
you pled to. . . .
Therefore, the nine-year sentence that was agreed to on November the
th
10 , 2011, is no longer going to be accepted by me. I’m going to accept the
State’s recommendation now of 15 years in the Missouri Department of
Corrections. Now, I will tell you, sir, I’ve never done that before. . . .
4
Now, I have taken into consideration the Sentence Advisory Report. It’s
very damning to you. The things you said, the things you’ve done, are damning
to you. . . .
On April 3, 2012, Wright filed a pro se motion for post-conviction relief pursuant to Rule
24.035. Appointed counsel filed an amended motion on June 27, 2012. Neither of those motions
alleged that plea counsel had a conflict of interest that affected his representation of Wright. On
February 14, 2013, Wright’s hired counsel filed a motion to disqualify the Pettis County
Prosecutor’s Office from the post-conviction proceedings due to Wright’s plea attorney now
working for that office. The Prosecuting Attorney for Pettis County agreed that, while it would
be possible to eliminate any possible conflict of interest by insulating the attorney from any
involvement in the case, to avoid an appearance of impropriety the court should appoint a
substitute prosecutor. Thereafter, the court appointed a substitute prosecutor.
In Wright’s evidentiary hearing on his Rule 24.035 motion, Wright’s plea counsel, Phillip
Sawyer, testified that he started working for the Pettis County Prosecutor’s Office on either April
15 or May 1 of 2012. He testified that the job was officially offered to him approximately 30 to
60 days prior to his start date, and that he recalled that he might have been aware that the job was
a real possibility for him around late January to mid February of 2012. Wright’s counsel at the
evidentiary hearing asked Sawyer if, because he began to consider going to work for the
prosecutor in late January and Wright’s sentencing hearing was February 1 of the same year, if
that created “at least the appearance of a potential conflict of interest.” Sawyer responded:
It might create the appearance of it. I guess I would – I would follow with telling
you that I’m trying to recall dates in my head. And I would suggest to you that I
don’t have any specific recollection of knowing that I was coming to the
prosecutor’s office at the time, just for purposes of saying it.
5
Wright’s attorney at the evidentiary hearing then argued that Wright was ineffectively
represented because of “at least the appearance of a conflict of interest.” The court responded
that the court “didn’t see that in the motion, but it’s been tried here by consent, because nobody
objected to it, so I’m okay with that.” The court denied Wright’s Rule 24.035 motion for post-
conviction relief.
In Wright’s first point on appeal, he argues that the circuit court clearly erred in denying
his Rule 24.035 motion because he was denied due process of law and effective assistance of
counsel because his defense attorney had discussions concerning employment with the Pettis
County Prosecutor’s Office and accepted a position as a Pettis County Assistant Prosecuting
Attorney during the time Wright’s criminal case was pending and prior to his sentencing, thereby
creating a conflict of interest prejudicing Wright because it was likely difficult for defense
counsel to give detached advice or advocate zealously and/or argue forcefully on behalf of
Wright during sentencing and Wright received two maximum sentences.
Upon review of the record, we find that Wright waived this claim on appeal by failing to
assert this claim in his Rule 24.035 motion. In actions pursuant to Rule 29.15 or Rule 24.035,
any claims not raised in the Rule 29.15 or Rule 24.035 motions are waived on appeal.
McLaughlin v. State, 378 S.W.3d 328, 340 (Mo. banc 2012). “‘Pleading defects cannot be
remedied by the presentation of evidence and refinement of a claim on appeal.”’ Id. (quoting
Johnson v. State, 333 S.W.3d 459, 471 (Mo. banc 2011). In Wright’s pro se Rule 24.035 motion
for post-conviction relief that was incorporated into his amended motion, he alleged only that his
plea counsel was ineffective for: “Misleading of legal counsel,” “falsified statements from legal
counsel,” “ignored harassment of police officers,” “counsel confirming me that plea was stable
and unchangeable,” “presentence evaluation not discussed,” and “lawyer only presented guilty
6
plea as best defense.” Although plea counsel had already commenced employment with the
prosecutor’s office when Wright filed his pro se motion and appointed counsel filed an amended
motion, nowhere in his Rule 24.035 motion did Wright allege that his plea counsel had a conflict
of interest or that there was an appearance of impropriety. Although the trial court considered
the claim by noting that no one had objected to the argument at the evidentiary hearing and,
therefore, considered it tried by consent, “[i]t is the court’s duty to enforce the mandatory time
limits and the resulting complete waiver in the post-conviction rules – even if the state does not
raise the issue.” Dorris v. State, 360 S.W.3d 260, 268 (Mo. banc 2012). By the time Wright
raised the issue, it was time barred and could not have been revived by the court. Point denied.
In Wright’s second point on appeal, he contends that the circuit court clearly erred in
overruling his Rule 24.035 motion because his constitutional right to be free from double
jeopardy was violated when he was convicted and sentenced for both manufacture of a controlled
substance and possession with intent to deliver the same controlled substance under Section
195.211.
Our review of the denial of a Rule 24.035 motion is limited to determining whether the
circuit court’s findings of fact and conclusions of law are clearly erroneous. Garris v. State, 389
S.W.3d 648, 650 (Mo. banc 2012). The court’s findings and conclusions are clearly erroneous if,
after review of the record, we are left with a definite and firm impression that a mistake has been
made. Id. We will affirm on any ground that supports the circuit court’s judgment, regardless of
the grounds on which the circuit court relied. Stanley v. State, 420 S.W.3d 532, 543 n9 (Mo.
banc 2014).
“The general rule in Missouri is that a plea of guilty voluntarily and understandably made
waives all non-jurisdictional defects and defenses.” Hagan v. State, 836 S.W.2d 459, 461 (Mo.
7
banc 1992) (internal quotations and citations omitted), overruled on other grounds by State v.
Heslop, 842 S.W.2d 72, 75 (Mo. banc 1992). “An exception to this general rule of waiver,
however, exists where it can be determined on the face of the record that the court had no power
to enter the conviction or impose the sentence.” Id. Consequently, “a guilty plea does not waive
a subsequent claim of a double jeopardy violation if it can be determined from the face of the
record that the sentencing court had no power to enter the conviction or impose the sentence.”
Id. In reviewing such double jeopardy claims, we review the State’s information or indictment
and the transcript of a movant’s guilty plea. Id.
Wright contends that there was no separate factual basis for charging him with both
manufacture of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance with intent to
deliver. He contends that “[i]t was not possible for [him] to have been ‘manufacturing’
marijuana by packaging it without also possessing it at the same time.” This argument is not
novel. It has heretofore been rejected in State v. Kitchen, 950 S.W.2d 284 (Mo. App. 1997), State
v. McIntire, 813 S.W.2d 97 (Mo. App. 1991), and State v. Brown, 750 S.W.2d 139 (Mo. App.
1988), among others.
In State v. Brown, 750 S.W.2d 139, 142 (Mo. App. E.D. 1988), the
appellant argued that convictions for both possession and manufacture of
marijuana constituted double jeopardy. In its analysis the court focused on the
elements of the offenses charged. Brown held that ‘[t]o convict a defendant for
possession, the state must prove that he had knowledge of the presence and nature
of the substance. The mental state pertains only to having the controlled
substance under one’s dominion or control, or having access to it.’ Id. (citations
omitted). On the other hand, ‘[t]o convict a defendant of manufacturing, the state
had the burden of showing the planting, cultivating, growing, or harvesting of
marijuana.’ Id. Brown found that the appellant’s claim lacked merit because the
respective offenses contain different elements. Id. Brown concluded that
‘‘possession’ and ‘manufacture’ of marijuana are distinct and separate offenses.’
Id.
State v. Norman, 178 S.W.3d 556, 563 (Mo. App. 2005).
8
Pursuant to Section 195.010(23), RSMo Cum. Supp. 2010, the definition for
“manufacture” “includes any packaging or repackaging of the substance.” Count I in the
Information filed against Wright charged him with manufacturing more than 5 grams of
marijuana “by packaging it.” Count 2 in the Information filed against Wright charged him with
possessing more than 5 grams of marijuana, with the intent to distribute. During the plea hearing
the State stated, as a part of the factual basis for the two charges, that officers found 56 grams of
loose marijuana and 41 small baggies of marijuana on the kitchen table in Wright’s home.
Wright admitted that the marijuana belonged to him. Wright admitted that he had been
packaging it into smaller packages with the assistance of others. The State indicated that officers
would testify that the amount of marijuana and the manner in which it was packaged indicated
that it was possessed for the purpose of delivering or selling to other people.
Wright argues that he was subjected to double jeopardy because both counts against him
arise from the same evidence. Yet, “[t]he applicable test, to determine whether several charges
are identical, is whether each offense necessitates proof of a fact which the other does not; the
fact that there is some overlapping evidence that supports the convictions for both offenses does
not violate the prohibition against double jeopardy.” Brown, 750 S.W.2d 139, 142 (Mo. App.
1988). Here, in support of his double jeopardy argument, Wright solely cites State v. Polson, 145
S.W.3d 881 (Mo. App. 2004), which found that the prohibition against double jeopardy was
violated when Polson was convicted of both possession of a methamphetamine precursor drug
(pseudoephedrine) with intent to manufacture methamphetamine and possession of a chemical
(pseudoephedrine) with intent to create a controlled substance, namely methamphetamine.
Wright fails to cite, discuss, or attempt to distinguish the aforementioned precedent which
concluded that possession of marijuana and manufacture of marijuana contains different
9
elements. Here, Wright was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute,
which contains the intent to distribute element in addition to the elements required to prove
possession. Wright fails to articulate how the face of the record demands the conclusion that the
circuit court had no power to enter the conviction. Point two is denied.
We conclude, therefore, that Wright failed to preserve for our review his conflict of
interest claim. Further, the circuit court did not clearly err in denying Wright’s claim of double
jeopardy as possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute and manufacturing marijuana
contain different elements. We affirm the circuit court’s judgment.
Anthony Rex Gabbert, Judge
All concur.
10