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                                                    MEMORANDUMÂ
OPINION
           Deputy
David Wilson stopped Scott Lee James vehicle in the middle of the night for
his failure to observe a stop sign.Â
After obtaining consent to search the vehicle, Wilson found 100 clear
plastic bags, a scale James claimed he used to make sure Âhe doesnÂt get ripped
off, and a blue water bottle cap with a white crystalline substance. James was arrested for possession of the
methamphetamine in the bottle cap. His
passenger, Rhonda Snow, was also arrested on outstanding warrants. The pair was transported in the same patrol
car, which Wilson searched after they were escorted to jail. Â To his surprise, Wilson discovered another
clear plastic bag containing 12.39 grams of methamphetamine on James side of
the floorboard.Â
           Trial
to a jury led to James conviction of possession of four or more, but less than
200, grams of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. He was sentenced to sixty-nine yearsÂ
imprisonment in the Texas Department of Criminal JusticeÂInstitutional
Division.[1]Â James appeals his conviction by challenging
the legal and factual sufficiency of the verdict. He also argues the trial court erred in
failing to grant his motion to suppress the evidence and in admitting SnowÂs
testimony and video recordings taken during the traffic stop. Because we decide the evidence was legally
and factually sufficient, James waived his motion to suppress certain evidence
at trial, and SnowÂs testimony was sufficiently corroborated, we affirm the
trial courtÂs judgment.
I.         Sufficient Evidence
Supported the Trial CourtÂs Verdict
           A.       Standard of ReviewÂ
           We
review the legal and factual sufficiency of the evidence supporting a
conviction under well-established standards.Â
In conducting a legal sufficiency review, we consider the evidence in
the light most favorable to the verdict to determine whether any rational trier
of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a
reasonable doubt. Laster v. State, 275 S.W.3d 512, 517 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009). We must give deference to Âthe responsibility
of the trier of fact to fairly resolve conflicts in testimony, to weigh the
evidence, and to draw reasonable inferences from basic facts to ultimate
facts.ÂÂ Hooper v. State, 214 S.W.3d 9, 13 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007) (citing Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 318Â19
(1979)). We are not required to
determine whether we believe that the evidence at trial established guilt
beyond a reasonable doubt; rather, when faced with conflicting evidence, we
must presume that the trier of fact resolved any such conflict in favor of the
prosecution, and we must defer to that resolution. State
v. Turro, 867 S.W.2d 43, 47 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993). In conducting a factual sufficiency review,
we consider the evidence in a neutral light.Â
Watson v. State, 204 S.W.3d
404, 414Â15 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006).
           We
may find evidence factually sufficient in two ways:Â (1) the evidence supporting the conviction is
Âtoo weak to support the fact-finderÂs verdict, or (2) considering conflicting
evidence, the fact-finderÂs verdict is against the great weight and
preponderance of the evidence. Laster, 275 S.W.3d at 518. In so doing, we may only find the evidence
insufficient when necessary to prevent manifest injustice. Id. Although we give less deference to the
verdict in a factual sufficiency review, we will not override the verdict
simply because we disagree with it. Id.
           Both
legal and factual sufficiency are measured by the elements of the offense as
defined by a hypothetically correct jury charge. Malik
v. State, 953 S.W.2d 234, 240 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997); see also Grotti v. State, 273 S.W.3d 273, 280 (Tex. Crim. App.
2008).
           James was in possession of
methamphetamine with intent to deliver as charged in the indictment if he:Â (1) knowingly; (2) possessed; (3) with intent
to deliver; (4) four grams or more but less than 200 grams; (5) of methamphetamine. Tex.
Health & Safety Code Ann. § 481.112(a), (d) (Vernon Supp. 2009). James only contention is that there was
insufficient evidence indicating he knowingly possessed the
methamphetamine. With the elements of
the hypothetically correct jury charge in mind, we turn to the issue of
sufficiency of the evidence.
           B.       The Evidence
           After James was
stopped, he admitted to using methamphetamine, claimed he had none at the time,
and gave Wilson consent to search the vehicle. Â Wilson found approximately 100 clear plastic
bags and a scale in the middle console.Â
James claimed the bags and said Âthat he just had the scale to make sure
when he buys his Âstuff that he doesnÂt get ripped off. Wilson also found a blue twenty-ounce water
bottle cap containing a white crystalline substance. The cap was found in the passenger seat by
the seat belt latch where Snow was sitting.Â
Officer Jason Agee arrived as backup.Â
Snow was arrested when Wilson confirmed her outstanding warrants, and
she was placed in AgeeÂs patrol car.Â
Wilson initially believed the cap belonged to Snow, who admitted to
owning two clean hypodermic needles also found in the car. However, while James was waiting on the
street during the search, he asked Wilson Âcan I have a drink of my water.ÂÂ Wilson retrieved the only bottle in the car,
noted it was without a cap but had a blue label matching the cap containing
methamphetamine found earlier, and confirmed the bottle belonged to James.Â
           After
Miranda[2]
warnings, Snow told officers the methamphetamine in the bottle cap also
belonged to James. The officers placed
James in AgeeÂs car with Snow while they continued searching the vehicle. Unknown to Snow and James, the officers hid a
microphone in the patrol unit to record any conversation. Snow pleaded with James to tell the officers
that the methamphetamine did not belong to her.Â
Also, the following exchange was recorded:
           Snow: What are you doing? Huh-uh, donÂt put it in this car.
           James:
 Is that your purse?
           Snow: Yes.Â
DonÂt put it in this car because they checked it out. Did you put it down your pants?
           When
separated from James, Snow told officers James had drugs in his pants. The two were transported to jail in the same
car. James asked officers to retrieve a
ring he had dropped while in the patrol car.Â
Wilson went to retrieve the ring and located a clear plastic bag similar
to the ones of which James claimed ownership.Â
The bag, found on James side of the floorboard five inches from his
ring, was stuffed with 12.39 grams of methamphetamine. This was Â[d]efinitely dealer amountÂ
according to Wilson. Snow claimed James
dumped the bag on the floorboard.Â
           At
trial, Snow testified she had consumed some of the drug in the bottle cap with
James a few hours before the stop. She
told the jury that none of the methamphetamine was hers and that she had met
James earlier in the day to help him sell the drugs. Snow said James had the large amount of
methamphetamine with him in the car and maintained that James put it in his
pants when the vehicle was pulled over.Â
Although she did not actually see him dumping the methamphetamine on the
floorboard while in the patrol car, she Âheard him rustling around and
. . . asked him what he was doing.ÂÂ
           C.       Analysis
           The State was required to
prove that James exercised control, custody, management, or care over the
methamphetamine and that he knew the matter possessed was contraband. Evans v. State, 202 S.W.3d 158, 161 (Tex. 2006); Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 1.07(a)(39)
(Vernon Supp. 2009). By itself, mere
presence at a location where drugs are found is not enough evidence to exhaust
the StateÂs burden. Evans, 202 S.W.3d at 162. However, presence or proximity, when combined
with other direct or circumstantial evidence, may be sufficient to establish
control, management, custody, or care beyond a reasonable doubt if the proof
amounts to more than a strong suspicion or probability. Id. at 161; Lassaint v. State, 79 S.W.3d 736, 741 (Tex.
App.ÂCorpus Christi 2002, no pet.).
                       1.        Knowing possession
           Since
James was not in exclusive possession of the methamphetamine or the vehicle
where it was found,[3]
additional independent facts and circumstances must link him to the contraband Âin
such a way that it can be concluded that the accused had knowledge of the
contraband and exercised control over it.ÂÂ
Roberson v. State, 80 S.W.3d 730, 735 (Tex. App.ÂHouston [1st
Dist.] 2002, pet. refÂd). In other
words, the State must establish that James connection with the narcotics was
more than just fortuitous. Poindexter
v. State, 153 S.W.3d 402, 405Â06 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005). To conduct this analysis, we use the links
test adopted by Texas courts to protect the innocent bystander from conviction
merely because of their unfortunate proximity to someone elseÂs drugs. Evans, 202 S.W.3d at 161Â62.Â
These links include:
(1) the defendantÂs presence when a search is
conducted; (2) whether the contraband was in plain view; (3) the defendantÂs
proximity to and the accessibility of the narcotics; (4) whether the defendant
was under the influence of narcotics when arrested; (5) whether the defendant
possessed other contraband or narcotics when arrested; (6) whether the
defendant made incriminating statements when arrested; (7) whether the
defendant attempted to flee; (8) whether the defendant made furtive gestures;
(9) whether there was an odor of contraband; (10) whether other contraband or
drug paraphernalia were present; (11) whether the defendant owned or had the
right to possess the place where the drugs were found; (12)Â whether the
place where the drugs were found was enclosed; (13)Â whether the defendant
was found with a large amount of cash; (14)Â whether the conduct of the
defendant indicated a consciousness of guilt; (15)Â whether the accused
made incriminating statements connecting himself or herself to the contraband;
(16) the quantity of the contraband; and (17) whether the accused was observed
in a suspicious area under suspicious circumstances.
Id. at 162 n.12; Muckleroy
v. State, 206 S.W.3d
746, 748 n.4 (Tex. App.ÂTexarkana 2006, pet. refÂd); Olivarez v. State, 171 S.W.3d 283, 291 (Tex.
App.ÂHouston [14th Dist.] 2005, no pet.); Kyte v. State, 944 S.W.2d 29, 31 (Tex.
App.ÂTexarkana 1997, no pet.). This
nonexhaustive list is not a litmus test, and it is the logical force of all of
the evidence that guides our determination.Â
Olivarez, 171
S.W.3d at 291. In other words, the
number of links present is not as important as the degree to which they tend to
link the defendant to the controlled substance.Â
Taylor v. State, 106 S.W.3d 827, 831 (Tex. App.ÂDallas 2003, no
pet.); Williams v. State, 906 S.W.2d 58, 65 (Tex. App.ÂTyler 1995, pet.
refÂd); Whitworth v. State, 808 S.W.2d 566, 569 (Tex. App.ÂAustin 1991,
pet. refÂd).
           We conclude links 1, 3, 5, 6, 8, 10, 12, and
14Â17 have been met. James was present
when the search was conducted. While the
large amount of methamphetamine was not in plain view, Snow testified it had
been in the vehicle before the traffic stop.Â
Her claim that James hid the methamphetamine in his pants indicates his
proximity, accessibility to the drug, and knowledge that it was
contraband. Snow testified that they
both used methamphetamine a few hours before the stop, and both Wilson and Agee
stated that James was fidgeting and nervous.Â
James incriminated himself by claiming that the water bottle was his and
by admitting that he used methamphetamine and owned the bags and scale, which
he used to make sure he was getting his moneyÂs worth. Although he did not attempt to flee, Wilson
testified he made a furtive gesture when he Âbladed, or turned his body so the
officer could only see one side while Âdigging at his pockets. The large Âdealer amount of methamphetamine
was found in the patrol car directly in the back seat where James had dropped
his ring. Finally, the pair was
travelling from the high crime area of Rolling Oaks around one in the
morning.Â
           The nature of the evidence
establishing links 1, 3, 5, 6,
8, 10, 12, and 14Â17 raised fact questions for the juryÂs
resolution. The jury resolved conflicts
in the testimony, weighed the evidence, and drew reasonable inferences when
deciding that James knowingly possessed 12.39 grams of methamphetamine. King v. State, 174 S.W.3d 796 (Tex.
App.ÂCorpus Christi 2005, pet. refÂd). Â
                       2.        Intent to deliver
           Next,
the first factor we consider when determining the issue of intent is the nature
of the place where the defendant was arrested.Â
Bryant v. State, 997 S.W.2d
673, 675 (Tex. App.ÂTexarkana 1999, no pet.).Â
Here, James was stopped around 1:00 a.m. coming out of a high crime
area. The second and third factors are
the quantity of controlled substance possessed by the defendant and the manner
of packaging, respectively. Id.; see also Rhodes v. State,
913 S.W.2d 242, 251 (Tex. App.ÂFort Worth 1995) (intent to deliver may be
inferred from quantity of drugs possessed and from manner in which they were
packaged), affÂd, 945 S.W.2d 115
(Tex. Crim. App. 1997). The Âdefinitely
dealer amount of methamphetamine was found with a scale and approximately 100
clear plastic bags. Snow stated James
was going to Âget rid of or sell the methamphetamine. The fourth factor is the presence of drug
paraphernalia. Bryant, 997 S.W.2d at 675. Snow claimed both had used discarded
hypodermic needles earlier in the day and asserted ownership of two clean
needles in the car. The defendantÂs
possession of a large amount of cash and his or her status as a drug user are
the final factors. Id.  Although James did not
have a large amount of cash, he admitted to drug use. Keeping in mind that the jury was the sole
judge of the weight and credibility of the evidence, we find that a rational
jury could have found James was in knowing possession of over four grams of
methamphetamine with intent to deliver.Â
           JamesÂ
contrary evidence consists of the following observations:Â (1) no methamphetamine was found on JamesÂ
person; (2) Snow was also in the presence of the methamphetamine and the bottle
cap was found on the passenger side of the car; (3) Snow was in the car by
herself when James was initially questioned; (4) James was arrested in a
traffic stop and not during a drug transaction; and (5) the drugs were packaged
in one small bag. He argues that he was
not under the influence when arrested, did not attempt to flee, and did not possess
a large amount of cash. Even in
reviewing the evidence in a neutral light, we do not find the juryÂs verdict
was clearly wrong, manifestly unjust, biased, or shocking when it decided that JamesÂ
connection with both amounts of methamphetamine was more than fortuitous and
that James had intent to deliver.Â
           We
overrule this point of error. Â
II. Â Â Â Â Â James
Waived His Motion to SuppressÂ
           A
motion to suppress evidence Âis nothing more than a specialized objection to
the admissibility of that evidence.  Galitz v. State, 617 S.W.2d 949, 952 n.10 (Tex. Crim. App. 1981). To preserve error, a defendant must also
object at trial to the introduction of the offending evidence. Ortiz
v. State, 930 S.W.2d 849, 855 (Tex. App.ÂTyler 1996, no pet.) (citing Calloway v. State, 743 S.W.2d 645, 650
(Tex. Crim. App. 1988)).[4]Â
           James
was pulled over by a Hunt County police officer in Hunt County for failing to
stop at a sign in Van Zandt County.Â
Contending that the officer was outside of his jurisdiction when
arresting him, James filed a motion to suppress, but did not request a ruling
before trial. After a jury had been
chosen, James took up the suppression issue outside of its presence. Although Section 14.01 of the Texas Code of
Criminal Procedure gives a peace officer authority to Âarrest an offender
without a warrant for any offense committed in his presence or within his view,Â
James argued that the initial traffic stop violated Section 14.03(g) which
states Â[a] peace officer . . . outside of the officerÂs jurisdiction may
arrest without a warrant a person who commits any offense within the officerÂs
presence or view, other than a violation of Subtitle C, Title 7,
Transportation Code, including running a stop sign. Tex.
Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 14.01 (Vernon 2005), art. 14.03(g) (Vernon Supp.
2009). James stated, ÂI understand the
courtÂs not making a ruling one way or the other until you hear more evidence,
I guess, but is the  my motion to suppress  IÂm not asking you to rule on it
right now. IÂm asking the court how they
want to  how you want to handle it.ÂÂ
After the conclusion of further argument, the trial court stated, ÂOkay. Well IÂll take it under advisement and watch
the testimony.ÂÂ
           The
State called Wilson, who testified about the facts of the traffic stop and the
evidence recovered in front of the jury.Â
At the conclusion of his testimony, James asked the trial court, ÂJust
for the record the courtÂs denying the motion to suppress[?] The judge said, ÂSure.  During the remainder of the trial, the State
introduced the 12.39 grams of methamphetamine, the bottle cap containing
methamphetamine, the laboratory reports, the clear plastic bags, and the
scale. James affirmatively stated he had
no objection to all of these evidentiary items.Â
           Generally,
when a pretrial motion to suppress evidence is overruled, a defendant need not
object at trial in order to preserve the error on appeal. Klapesky
v. State, 256 S.W.3d 442, 449 (Tex. App.ÂAustin 2008, pet. refÂd); Graham v. State, 96 S.W.3d 658, 659
(Tex. App.ÂTexarkana 2003, pet. refÂd).Â
However, when the evidence is offered during trial and defense counsel
affirmatively represents the defendant has Âno objection to the evidence, any
alleged error in its admission is waived, even if the error had been previously
preserved by a motion to suppress and an adverse ruling. Â Moody v.
State, 827 S.W.2d 875, 889 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992); Graham, 96 S.W.3d at 660.Â
Citing Moody, this Court has
stated, ÂEven after vigorously objecting to specific evidence, when the
evidence is actually offered into evidence and counsel states, ÂNo objection,Â
this waives the challenge of the admissibility of the challenged evidence.ÂÂ Rogers
v. State, No. 06-05-00083-CR, 2006 WL 1788196, at *1 (Tex. App.ÂTexarkana June
30, 2006, pet. refÂd) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (citing Moody, 827 S.W.2d 889); Sands v. State, 64 S.W.3d 488, 491 (Tex.
App.ÂTexarkana 2001, no pet.).
           JamesÂ
affirmative representation that he had no objection to the admission of these
evidentiary items resulted in a waiver of his motion to suppress these
items. Therefore, we need not address
the main contention contained within his motion to suppress. This point of error is overruled.Â
III.      Trial Court Did Not Err
in Admitting Audio Portions of Arrest Video
           James
filed a separate motion to suppress audio portions of the in-car recording of
the arrest. We review a trial courtÂs
admission of evidence for abuse of discretion.Â
McCarty v. State, 257 S.W.3d 238, 239 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008); Casey
v. State, 215 S.W.3d 870, 879 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). A trial court abuses its discretion if its
decision is outside the zone of reasonable disagreement. McCarty, 257 S.W.3d at 239 (citing Cantu v. State, 842 S.W.2d 667,
682 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992)). Unless
there is clear abuse of the trial courtÂs discretion, its ruling will not be
reversed. Id.Â
           James argues
the trial court erred by admitting two video recordings made during his arrest
on the basis that they contained hearsay statements and their probative value
was substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice. He complains of the quality of the audio
recording in the first video from WilsonÂs car, which was played without sound
for the jury. Our review of the video
simply shows Wilson stopping James, making contact with Agee, questioning James
and Snow, and cuffing and placing them in the back of the patrol car at
different times. We fail to find, and
James does not elaborate in his brief, how this video is unfairly prejudicial
or contained statements offered for the truth of the matter asserted.Â
           The second video from
AgeeÂs car was played for the jury with sound.Â
To preserve error, a defendant must raise his or her complaint in a
specific manner. Tex. R. App. P. 33.1.Â
James does not highlight for the Court which statements contained
hearsay or were unfairly prejudicial. His
Âconclusory objection to the entire audio portion was not specific, and is
inadequate to preserve this error for appeal.ÂÂ
Riley v. State, 988 S.W.2d 895, 898 (Tex. App.ÂHouston [14th
Dist.] 1999, no pet.). ÂWhen an exhibit
contains both admissible and inadmissible evidence, the objection must
specifically refer to the challenged material to apprise the trial court of the
exact objection.ÂÂ Sonnier v. State,
913 S.W.2d 511, 518 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995).Â
ÂThe trial court is not required to sort through challenged evidence to
segregate the admissible from the inadmissible.ÂÂ Ross v. State, 154 S.W.3d 804, 813
(Tex. App.ÂHouston [14th Dist.] 2004, pet. refÂd) (finding general Rule 403
objection to taped interviews insufficient to preserve error). Because the hour long video included both
admissible, and arguably inadmissible evidence, we conclude James failed to
preserve this point of error due to his conclusory, nonspecific objections.
           Nevertheless, we also
point out that the videos were played for the jury after the conclusion of all
testimony. Of interest in the second
video are statements by Snow indicating the methamphetamine is not hers, JamesÂ
statement that he dropped his ring and is afraid to pick it up, and SnowÂs
question ÂWhat are you doing and advice not to Âput it in this car. The video also includes images of the
officers search. Before the video was
shown to the jury, the officers testified without objection to the facts of the
arrest and described the information depicted by the video. Specifically, Wilson and Agee testified that
either James or that Snow said the methamphetamine was not SnowÂs, that James
dropped his ring and asked the officers to pick it up, and Snow testified she
asked James what he was doing after she saw him Ârustling around.Â[5]Â Even had James preserved his hearsay
arguments, if the facts to which the statements related were Âsufficiently
proved by other competent and unobjected to evidence, as in the instant case,
the admission of the hearsay [was] properly deemed harmless and does not
constitute reversible error.ÂÂ Anderson
v. State, 717 S.W.2d 622, 627 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986); Land v. State,
291 S.W.3d 23, 28 (Tex. App.ÂTexarkana 2009, pet. refÂd) (admission of
inadmissible evidence harmless where it Âcomes in elsewhere without objectionÂ)
(citing Brooks v. State, 990 S.W.2d 278, 287 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999)).Â
IV.      SnowÂs Testimony Was
Sufficiently Corroborated
           Finally,
James complains that SnowÂs testimony was not sufficiently corroborated. Corroborating evidence need not establish
James guilt or directly connect him to the crime. Utsey
v. State, 921 S.W.2d 451, 453 (Tex. App.ÂTexarkana 1996, pet. refÂd). However, the jury was not free to convict
James solely on SnowÂs testimony unless it was Âcorroborated by other evidence
tending to connect [him] with the offense committed.ÂÂ Tex.
Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 38.14 (Vernon 2005); Utsey, 921 S.W.2d at 453.Â
James admitted to ownership of the bags and scale, which he used to make
sure he was getting his moneyÂs worth when purchasing drugs. Wilson also believed James told him the
methamphetamine in the bottle cap did not belong to Snow. The officer testified James was nervously Âdigging
at something in his pockets while being frisked. The large bag of methamphetamine was found on
James side of the patrol car five inches from his ring. This is evidence that when viewed in the
light most favorable to the juryÂs verdict, tends to connect James with the
methamphetamine. Utsey, 921 S.W.2d at 453. Since inculpatory evidence linking James
to the offense exists subsequent to removal of SnowÂs testimony from the
record, the accomplice testimony was sufficiently corroborated. See
id.; Jeffery v. State, 169 S.W.3d 439, 448 (Tex. App.ÂTexarkana 2005,
pet. refÂd) (scales, ledger, and other items found in residence corroborated
accompliceÂs testimony regarding intent to deliver); Stubblefield v. State, 79 S.W.3d 171, 176 (Tex. App.ÂTexarkana
2002, pet. refÂd) (holding analysis of links test without accomplice testimony
sufficient for purpose of corroboration).Â
           We
overrule James final point of error.
V.       Conclusion
           We
affirm the judgment of the trial court.
                                                                       Jack
Carter
                                                                       Justice
Date Submitted:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â April 14, 2010
Date Decided:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â April 23, 2010