Judgment rendered September 27, 2023. Application for rehearing may be filed within the delay allowed by Art. 922, La. C. Cr. P.
No. 53,345-KA
COURT OF APPEAL SECOND CIRCUIT STATE OF LOUISIANA
*****
STATE OF LOUISIANA Appellee
versus
WILLIAM MUSE Appellant
Appealed from the Third Judicial District Court for the Parish of Union, Louisiana Trial Court No. 53,593
Honorable Thomas Wynn Rogers, Judge
LOUISIANA APPELLATE PROJECT Counsel for Appellant By: Douglas Lee Harville
WILLIAM MUSE Pro Se
JEFFREY M. LANDRY Counsel for Appellee Attorney General
CHRISTOPHER N. WALTERS Assistant Attorney General
Before COX, THOMPSON, and MARCOTTE, JJ. THOMPSON, J.
William Muse was convicted by a unanimous jury of distribution of
cocaine and distribution of marijuana, and after being adjudicated a third
felony offender, he was sentenced to 20 years at hard labor for each charge,
with the sentences to be served concurrently. He now appeals, arguing his
sentences are excessive and alleging various other issues with his
convictions. For the reasons set forth below, we affirm his convictions and
sentences.
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On March 8, 2016, Sgt. Rocky Kennedy and Capt. Kenneth Bryan
with the Union Parish Narcotics Division met with a confidential informant
(“CI”) after receiving a tip from the CI that the defendant, William Muse
(“Muse”), agreed to meet and sell him a controlled dangerous substance
(“CDS”). The officers had not met with the CI prior to March 8, 2016 but,
at the meeting, had him sign a CI agreement with them, as is frequently the
case in such matters, in exchange for a request for leniency of the CI’s
pending drug charges in another matter. They searched the CI’s person, his
car, and his mother-in-law, who was driving him, and found no contraband.
The CI was equipped with both audio and video surveillance equipment in
order to monitor the exchange and was given $140 from the officers to
purchase the drugs from Muse.
The CI called Muse and told him that he was on the way to the agreed
upon meeting spot. The CI and his mother-in-law drove to a convenience
store, and the police followed him in their own vehicle. The officers parked
about 200 yards away from the meeting location and monitored the meeting on the audio surveillance equipment. They also took turns watching the
exchange through binoculars.
The video surveillance tape showed the CI talking with Muse and then
entering into his vehicle. The CI then speaks with an unidentified woman in
Muse’s vehicle. The video reflects that the CI gives Muse the $140 and
receives a white pill bottle containing what was later identified as cocaine.
As he is exiting the vehicle, Muse hands him a cigar package containing
what was later identified as marijuana. The CI returned to his car and drove
to meet the police officers in a pre-designated area. The officers confiscated
the drugs the CI purchased from Muse and then searched the CI, his mother-
in-law, and the vehicle for any other contraband, finding nothing. The
officers later testified that the CI continued to work for them in exchange for
leniency for other drug charges. By the time of Muse’s trial, however, the
CI had absconded and did not testify at the trial.
The drugs were sent to the crime lab and tested, which revealed that
the pill container contained cocaine and the cigar wrapper contained
marijuana. After the drugs were tested, Muse was arrested for distribution
of CDS in violation of La. R.S. 40:966(A)(1) and 40:967(A) respectively. At
his arraignment, Muse pled not guilty and elected to represent himself pro
se.1 The record reveals that the State offered Muse a plea deal at five years
hard labor with all but the first two years suspended with three years of
supervised probation. Muse rejected the plea offer and proceeded to trial.
1 We note that Muse is experienced as a pro se party, having filed over 100 motions and pleadings in the record before us, totaling well over 1,000 pages of pleadings in total. 2 After extensive pretrial motions, including a motion by Muse to
recuse the entire district attorney’s office (which later self-recused), a five-
day trial was held in Ruston, Louisiana on November 26, 2018, during
which the entire audio and video surveillance recordings were played for the
jury. At the conclusion of the trial, the jury returned unanimous guilty
verdicts on both charges. Muse then filed a post-verdict judgment of
acquittal and a motion in arrest of judgment, both of which were denied by
the trial court after a hearing. Muse also filed a motion for new trial, which
was denied.
At his original sentencing hearing, Muse was sentenced to 10 years at
hard labor on each count, with those sentences to run concurrently with each
other. Due to his prior felony convictions, the State then moved to have him
adjudicated as a third felony habitual offender, and after a habitual offender
hearing the trial court resentenced Muse to 20 years at hard labor on each
count, to be served concurrently and without the benefit of probation or
suspension of sentence. This appeal followed.
DISCUSSION
Muse, through his appointed appellate counsel and in his own pro se
brief, has asserted seven assignments of error, which will be discussed
individually below.
First Assignment of Error: There was insufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Muse distributed marijuana and cocaine.
Muse first argues the State failed to sufficiently prove he was guilty of
distribution of narcotics. Muse asserts that the surveillance video does not
actually depict Muse handing or providing the CI with anything. Moreover,
defense counsel maintains there were other outside factors which negate a 3 guilty verdict; namely, that 1) the CI was seeking leniency for his own
charges, and may have had motive to essentially frame Muse; 2) the CI’s
mother-in-law, who drove the CI to the meeting point, was unaccounted for
when the CI met with Muse, as she left the car at one point; 3) the camera
did not consistently face the CI as he returned to meet with officers; 4) the
CI interacted with at least one other person aside from Muse; and 5) the CI
failed to testify so the State relied on testimony from officers to interpret the
recording. In sum, Muse is arguing that there was a possibility that the CI
switched what Muse gave him for the cocaine and marijuana confiscated by
the officers, in an alleged attempt to gain favor with the officers and earn
leniency when he would eventually be sentenced on his pending charges.
The standard of review for a sufficiency of the evidence claim is
whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the
prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements
of the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Jackson v. Virginia, 443
U.S. 307, 99 S. Ct. 2781, 61 L. Ed. 2d (1979); State v. Tate, 01-1658 (La.
5/20/03), 851 So. 2d 921, cert. denied, 541 U.S. 905, 124 S. Ct. 1604, 158 L.
Ed. 2d 248 (2004); State v. Berry, 53,742 (La. App. 2 Cir. 3/3/21), 314 So.
3d 1110. This standard has been legislatively embodied in La. C. Cr. P. art.
821 and does not provide the appellate court with a vehicle to substitute its
own appropriate of the evidence for that of the fact finder. State v. Pigford,
05-0477 (La. 2/22/06), 922 So. 2d 517; Berry, supra. The appellate court
does not assess the credibility of witnesses or reweigh evidence. State v.
Smith, 94-3116 (La. 10/16/95), 661 So. 2d 442. A reviewing court accords
great deference to a jury’s decision to accept or reject the testimony of a
witness in whole or in part. Berry, supra; State v. Eason, 43,788 (La. App. 2 4 Cir. 2/25/09), 3 So. 3d 685, writ denied, 09-0725 (La. 12/11/09), 23 So. 3d
913, cert. denied, 561 U.S. 1013, 130 S. Ct. 3472, 177 L. Ed. 2d 1068
(2010).
The Jackson standard is applicable in cases involving both direct and
circumstantial evidence. An appellate court reviewing the sufficiency of
evidence in such cases must resolve any conflict in the direct evidence by
viewing that evidence in the light most favorable to the prosecution. When
the direct evidence is thus viewed, the facts established by the direct
evidence and inferred from the circumstances established by that evidence
must be sufficient for a rational trier of fact to conclude beyond a reasonable
doubt that defendant was guilty of every essential element of the crime.
State v. Sutton, 436 So. 2d 471 (La. 1983); Berry, supra; State v. Speed,
43,786 (La. App. 2 Cir. 1/14/09), 2 So. 3d 582, writ denied, 09-0372 (La.
11/6/09), 21 So. 3d 299.
To present sufficient evidence of distribution of a CDS, the state must
prove the following elements: (1) delivery or physical transfer of the CDS to
its intended recipient; (2) guilty knowledge of the CDS at the time of
transfer; and (3) the exact identity of the CDS. State v. Sullivan, 51,180 (La.
App. 2 Cir. 2/15/17), 216 So. 3d 175; State v. Anderson, 46,724 (La. App. 2
Cir. 11/2/11), 78 So. 3d 176. Muse challenges the State’s evidence only as
to the first element. The record reflects that Sgt. Kennedy and Capt. Bryan
testified that after meeting with the CI and his mother-in-law, they searched
them both and the vehicle they were driving. They determined that neither
person nor the vehicle contained contraband, and they gave $140 to the CI to
purchase the drugs from Muse. The CI was equipped with surveillance
5 equipment, including both audio and video, and the police officers followed
the CI to the store.
The officers testified that they reviewed the surveillance video and
determined that the CI was seen getting into Muses’ vehicle and the
containers for the cocaine and marijuana can clearly be seen. They admitted
that the CI did briefly speak to another woman before speaking to Muse and
that the CI’s mother-in-law was not always seen in the vehicle. The record
reflects that Muse questioned both officers regarding the possibility that the
CI switched whatever Muse gave him for the drugs he provided to the
officers.
When viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution, we
cannot find that it was unreasonable for the jury to believe the officers’
testimony and other evidence and determine that Muse sold drugs to the CI.
The possibility that the CI switched whatever was given to him by Muse for
the drugs was explored at trial in front of the jury, and the members of the
jury clearly considered and discarded this theory before finding Muse guilty.
We must accord great deference to the jury’s decision to accept the
testimony of the police officers. Berry, supra. They heard and considered
Muse’s argument that the CI could have switched the drugs, heard the
officers’ testimony, and viewed the surveillance video. Although the CI did
not testify at trial, there was sufficient evidence presented to the jury for it to
have found Muse guilty of distribution of cocaine and marijuana. As such,
this assignment of error is without merit.
Second Assignment of Error: Muse’s sentences are excessive and serve no purpose.
6 Muse argues that his 20-year sentences, set to run concurrently, are
excessive and serve no useful purpose. Muse contends that the sentences are
constitutionally excessive given his criminal history, which includes felony
convictions for the unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and possession with
intent to distribute cocaine, and that he is only 36 years old and has an
established work history. Moreover, Muse argues that because the drugs in
this matter only involved 2 grams of cocaine and 11 grams of marijuana, a
downward departure in sentencing is warranted. The trial court apparently
disagreed.
An appellate court utilizes a two-pronged test in reviewing a sentence
for excessiveness. First, the record must show that the trial court complied
with La. C. Cr. P. art. 894.1. State v. Smith, 433 So. 2d 688 (La. 1983). The
trial judge need not articulate every aggravating and mitigating circumstance
outlined in art. 894.1, but the record must reflect that he adequately
considered these guidelines in particularizing the sentence to the defendant.
Id. The important elements the trial court should consider are the
defendant’s personal history, prior criminal record, seriousness of offense
and the likelihood of rehabilitation. State v. Jones, 398 So. 2d 1049 (La.
1981). There is no requirement that specific matters be given any particular
weight at sentencing. State v. Sandifer, 54,990 (La. App. 2 Cir. 4/5/23), 361
So. 3d 1079; State v. DeBerry, 50,501 (La. App. 2 Cir. 4/13/16), 194 So. 3d
657, writ denied, 16-0959 (La. 5/1/17), 219 So. 3d 332.
Second, the court must determine whether the sentence is
constitutionally excessive. A sentence violates La. Const. art. I, § 20, if it is
grossly out of proportion to the seriousness of the offense or nothing more
than a purposeless and needless infliction of pain and suffering. State v. 7 Smith, 01-2574 (La. 1/14/03), 839 So. 2d 1, citing State v. Bonanno, 384 So.
2d 355 (La. 1980). The trial court has wide discretion in the imposition of
sentences within statutory limits, and the sentence imposed should not be set
aside as excessive in the absence of a manifest abuse of discretion. State v.
Abercrumbia, 412 So. 2d 1027 (La. 1982). On review, an appellate court
does not determine whether another sentence may have been more
appropriate, but whether the trial court abused its discretion. State v.
Williams, 03-3514 (La. 12/13/04), 893 So. 2d 7.
The Louisiana habitual offender law, contained in La. R.S. 15:529.1,
provided, in pertinent part:
(3) If the third felony is such that upon a first conviction, the offender would be punishable by imprisonment for any term less than his natural life then:
(a) The person shall be sentenced to imprisonment for a determinate term not less than two-thirds of the longest possible sentence for the conviction and not more than twice the longest possible sentence prescribed for a first conviction.
Any sentence by the trial court for a habitual offender must fall within the
sentencing requirements of the habitual offender statute. The penalty for
distribution of cocaine, as of the date of this offense, was a sentence of 2 to
30 years at hard labor, the first two years of imprisonment without benefit of
parole, probation, or suspension of sentence, and a potential fine of not more
than $50,000. Likewise, the penalty for distribution of marijuana was a
sentence of 5 to 30 years at hard labor and a fine of not more than $50,000.
Upon adjudication as a third felony offender, the offenses each carried a
sentence of 20 to 60 years at hard labor without benefit of probation or
suspension of sentence.
8 Here, after reviewing the factual basis for the convictions, the trial
court addressed the aggravating and mitigating circumstances. The court
specifically noted that Muse dropped out of school but received his GED,
that he had been steadily employed until his incarceration and has received
substance abuse treatment in the past. The court also noted his criminal
history, including felony convictions for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle
and possession of a schedule II CDS with intent to distribute. It also noted
his misdemeanor convictions for theft, possession of marijuana, resisting an
officer, domestic abuse battery, and interfering with a police officer. The
court stated that Muse had two prior probations revoked for convictions and
was on good time parole supervision when he was arrested in the current
matter. The court specifically noted that it found an undue risk during the
period of suspended sentence or probation that Muse would commit another
crime. After considering the above circumstances and the minimum and
maximum sentences for the two statutes under which Muse was convicted,
the court sentenced Muse to the minimum of 20 years on each count, to run
concurrently.
Review of the record discloses no abuse of discretion regarding the
sentences imposed. The trial court articulated a sufficient basis for both
sentences and clearly examined the PSI. The trial court imposed the
minimum sentence on each charge under the statute for a third felony
offender and ordered that they be run concurrently. The sentences imposed
are tailored to the offender and the offense and do not shock the sense of
justice. Moreover, we note that the record reflects that the State offered
Muse a plea deal for the distribution of cocaine charge, which would have
reduced his sentence to five years at hard labor with all but the first two 9 years suspended without benefits, and three years’ supervised probation with
credit for time served. Muse declined the plea agreement and was
specifically warned by the trial court prior to trial that the State would seek a
habitual offender finding and sentenced upon conviction. Considering all of
the above, there is no showing that Muse’s sentences are excessive. This
assignment of error is without merit.
Third Assignment of Error: The trial court committed reversible error by denying the motion for post-verdict judgement of acquittal.
Muse argues that the trial court’s ruling denying his motion for post-
judgment acquittal was in error because the trial court’s findings or
conclusions were not supported by reliable evidence contained in the record,
namely, the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office policy manual. Muse objects to
Capt. Bryan’s use of a CI without getting prior approval from the sheriff,
which he argues is in violation of the police manual, the Fourth Amendment,
and due process of law. Muse further asserts that Capt. Bryan failed to seek
a court order to apply for video surveillance prior to equipping the CI with
video surveillance.
A motion for post-verdict judgment of acquittal shall be granted only
if the court finds that the evidence, viewed in a light most favorable to the
State, does not reasonably permit a finding of guilty. La. C. Cr. P. art.
821(B); State v. McLaughlin, 54,874 (La. App. 2 Cir. 3/1/23), 357 So. 3d
551. This is a question of legal sufficiency. McLaughlin, supra.
A detailed discussion of the sufficiency of the evidence in this matter
can be found above. Additionally, the record reveals that Capt. Bryan
testified numerous times over the course of this litigation that he was a
supervisor over the narcotics department and that he had the authority
10 delegated from the Sheriff to confirm the use of a CI in any given case.
Further, Louisiana courts have held that the use of electronic surveillance,
including video surveillance, to secretly record a conversation with the
consent of one of the parties to the conversation does not invade the privacy
of the parties within the meaning of both the state and federal constitutions,
and therefore the warrant requirement does not attach. State v. Young,
51,711 (La. App. 2 Cir. 1/18/18), 245 So. 3d 353, writ denied, 18-0309 (La.
11/14/18), 256 So. 3d 283; State v. Montgomery, 14-390 (La. App. 3 Cir.
12/17/14), 158 So. 3d 87, writ denied, 15-0088 (La. 11/16/15), 184 So. 3d
23.
Considering the above and having already found that the evidence
presented at trial was sufficient for conviction, we find that the trial court did
not err in denying the motion for post-verdict judgment of acquittal. This
Fourth Assignment of Error: The trial court erred by granting the State’s motion to recuse the entire district attorney’s office.
Muse argues that the trial court erred by granting the State’s motion to
recuse the entire district attorney’s office because he had filed a lawsuit
against employees of the district attorney’s office.
La. C. Cr. P. art. 680 provides that a district attorney shall be recused
when he:
(1) Has a personal interest in the cause or grand jury proceeding which is in conflict with fair and impartial administration of justice; (2) Is related to the party accused or to the party injured, or to the spouse of the accused or party injured, or to a party who is a focus of a grand jury investigation, to such an extent that it may appreciably influence him in the performance of the duties of his office; or
11 (3) Has been employed or consulted in the case as attorney for the defendant before his election or appointment as district attorney.
Further, La. C. Cr. P. art. 681 provides:
A district attorney may recuse himself, whether a motion for his recusation has been filed or not, in any case in which a ground for recusation exists. A motion to recuse the district attorney shall be in writing and shall set forth the grounds therefor. The motion shall be filed in accordance with Article 521, and shall be tried in a contradictory hearing. If a ground for recusation is established the judge shall recuse the district attorney.
When a district attorney is recused or recuses himself, the trial judge
shall notify the attorney general in writing of the recusation. La. C. Cr. P.
art. 682. The attorney general must then appoint a member of his staff or a
district attorney of another district to act in the place of the recused district
attorney. Id. The substitute appointed for the district attorney shall have all
the powers of the recused district attorney with reference to the case. Id.
Here, the record reflects that the district attorney self-recused based
on the civil lawsuit Muse filed against the district attorney and other
members of his office. Moreover, Muse filed his own motions to recuse the
district attorney’s office and issued subpoenas of members of the district
attorney’s office related to his civil lawsuit. The record reflects that a
hearing was held to discuss the motion to recuse as well as a litany of
Muse’s other filings; however, it appears that the trial court only mentioned
to Muse that, despite the fact that Muse’s other motions for recusal did not
have an adequate basis, that the State had acquiesced to his motions, and
self-recused. Neither Muse nor the State objected to this ruling. The trial
court notified the Attorney General, who then appointed a member of his
staff to try the matter, in accordance with La. C. Cr. P. art. 682.
12 Considering the facts of this case, we do not believe that the trial court
erred in allowing the State to self-recuse. Both parties were given the
opportunity to present facts and arguments to the district court, and we
believe the court’s ruling is supported by the record. State v. Higginbotham,
46,975 (La. App. 2 Cir. 4/25/12), 122 So. 3d 1, writ denied, 12-1718 (La.
5/24/13), 116 So. 3d 658. This assignment of error is without merit.
Fifth Assignment of Error: The trial court erred by not granting a new trial.
Muse argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion for a new
trial because it previously denied his motion to disclose a governmental
informant. Muse contends that he was prejudiced in his right to prepare and
present a meaningful defense because he had a right to know the name of the
government’s informant when the informer participated in the illegal
transaction.
A new trial shall be granted upon contradictory motion of any party
when the judgment appears clearly contrary to the law and the evidence or
when the party has discovered new evidence which he could not have
obtained before or during trial. La. C.C.P. art. 1972. A new trial may be
granted if there is good ground therefor. La. C.C.P. art. 1973. The denial of
a motion for new trial is considered under the abuse of discretion standard of
appellate review. Pitts v. Louisiana Med. Mut. Ins. Co., 16-1232 (La.
3/15/17), 218 So. 3d 58; Sullivan v. Brookshire Grocery Co., 54,535 (La.
App. 2 Cir. 9/21/22), 348 So. 3d 872.
A confidential informant’s identity is privileged, absent exceptional
circumstances. La. C.E. art. 514; State v. Broadway, 96-2659 (La.
10/19/99), 753 So. 2d 801, cert. denied, 529 U.S. 1056, 120 S. Ct. 1562, 146
13 L. Ed. 2d. 466 (2000); State v. Graham, 35,184 (La. App. 2 Cir. 10/31/01),
799 So. 2d 645, writ denied, 02-0059 (La. 11/8/02), 828 So. 2d 1114. This
privilege is founded upon public policy that seeks to further and protect the
public interest and law enforcement by encouraging people to supply
information to the police by protecting their anonymity. Roviaro v. United
States, 353 U.S. 53, 59, 77 S. Ct. 623, 1 L. Ed. 2d 639 (1957); State v.
Oliver, 430 So. 2d 650 (La. 1983), cert. denied, 464 U.S. 997, 104 S. Ct.
495, 78 L. Ed. 2d 688; State v. Mendenhall, 40,986 (La. App. 2 Cir. 2/7/07),
948 So. 2d 1255. The defendant bears the burden of showing exceptional
circumstances which would require divulging a confidential informant’s
identity, and the trial court has much discretion in deciding whether
disclosure is warranted. State v. Coleman, 97-2802 (La. 4/24/98), 713 So.
2d 440.
This court stated in Graham, supra, that:
Courts use a balancing test to determine when the confidential informant’s name must be revealed to the defense. Under this test, the public interest in protecting the flow of information must be balanced against the individual’s right to prepare his or her defense. When the accused shows that disclosure of the confidential informant’s identity is essential for his or her defense, the identity must be revealed. However, the burden rests with the accused to set forth concrete reasons why the identity of the informant is crucial to the defense. The accused must convince the court that the informant may be able to give testimony which is necessary to a fair determination of the issue of guilt or innocence. When an informant has played a crucial role in the criminal transaction, and when his or her testimony is necessary to insure a fair trial, disclosure of the identity of the informant should be ordered.
(emphasis added). Louisiana law is clear that a showing that the informant
participated in the crime constitutes exceptional circumstances requiring
disclosure. State v. Cox, 44,878 (La. App. 2 Cir. 12/9/09), 26 So. 3d 929,
writ denied, 09-2829 (La. 6/18/10), 38 So. 3d 320. However, the State is not 14 required to produce the confidential informant prior to trial for the sole
reason to give the defendant access to him. State v. Stallworth, 98-2356 (La.
App. 4 Cir. 10/21/98), 720 So. 2d 746. Once the informant is no longer
confidential, he should be treated as any other witness subject to the same
discovery rules. Id.
A review of the record reveals when Muse filed his original motion to
disclose the name of the governmental informant in 2016, the State argued
that the CI had received a threatening phone call and had seen Muse’s
girlfriend on his street. The State also argued that the CI was continuing to
provide information on matters for law enforcement and naming him would
potentially endanger him and his work with law enforcement. The trial court
denied the motion to disclose at that time, after the State affirmed that it
would provide the CI’s name and criminal history to the defense prior to trial
if the CI was called as a witness.
The record reflects that the CI’s name was provided to Muse by the
State. Additionally, the State made clear weeks in advance of the jury trial
that the CI had absconded the area and would not be testifying at trial.
Testimony from the officers involved made clear how the CI came to work
for them and that he provided information to the officers in exchange for
leniency on pending criminal charges. The jury was aware, via this
testimony, that the CI had pending criminal charges.
At no point before or after trial did Muse assert that the CI on the
audiovisual surveillance was unknown to him, and at no point during trial
did Muse assert that the late disclosure of the CI’s identity would impact his
right to prepare a meaningful defense. Because the CI was not a witness,
Muse had a great deal of latitude to question the officers about his 15 background and reliability. Based on the record before us, we cannot say
that the disclosures about the CI kept Muse from a fair determination of the
issue of his guilt or innocence. The trial court’s denial of Muse’s motion for
a new trial was not an abuse of discretion. This assignment of error is
without merit.
Sixth Assignment of Error: The trial court abused its discretion by allowing the State to play the audio-visual evidence without Hill having testified.
Muse argues that the video evidence of him selling drugs to the CI
was highly prejudicial and unnecessary. He argues that the prejudicial effect
of showing the video to the jury outweighed the probative value.
The trial court is granted broad discretion in its evidentiary rulings,
which will not be disturbed on appeal absent a clear abuse of discretion.
Succession of Moore, 54,388 (La. App. 2 Cir. 3/30/22), 339 So. 3d 12, writ
denied, 22-00973 (La. 10/4/22), 347 So. 3d 859. At trial, a party must make
a timely objection to evidence that party considers to be inadmissible and
must state the specific ground for the objection. La. C.E. art. 103(A)(1); La.
C.C.P. art. 1635. On appeal, this court must consider whether the
complained of ruling was erroneous and whether the error affected a
substantial right of the party. Moore, supra. The determination is whether
the error, when compared to the record in its entirety, has a substantial effect
on the outcome of the case, and it is the complainant’s burden to so prove.
If there is no substantial effect on the outcome, then a reversal is not
warranted. Moore, supra; Crisler v. Paige One, Inc., 42,563 (La. App. 2
Cir. 1/9/08), 974 So. 2d 125.
Relevant evidence means evidence having any tendency to make the
existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the 16 action more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence.
La. C.E. art. 401. Although relevant, evidence may be excluded if its
probative value is substantially outweighed by the danger of unfair
prejudice, confusion of the issues, or misleading the jury, or by
considerations of undue delay, or waste of time. La. C.E. art. 403.
Surveillance films and videotapes have long been admissible as relevant
evidence. See, State v. Lacoste, 237 So. 2d 871 (La. 1970); State v. Davis,
92-1623 (La. 5/23/94), 637 So. 2d 1012, cert. denied, 513 U.S. 975, 115 S.
Ct. 450, 130 L. Ed. 2d 359 (1994). In fact, this court has stated:
No evidence of a crime is more probative than a film or videotape of the offense and the exclusion of such evidence on grounds that it is more prejudicial than probative requires an extraordinary showing of prejudice.
State v. Tolbert, 30821 (La. App. 2 Cir. 8/19/98), 716 So. 2d 949, writ
denied, 98-2562 (La. 1/15/99), 736 So. 2d 207.
In the present matter, the probative value of the surveillance video
was extremely high and the danger of unfair prejudice was low. Muse had
the opportunity to question the police officers about the video in front of the
jury. Despite the lack of testimony from the CI, it was not an abuse of
discretion for the trial court to allow the audio and video evidence of the
drug deal to be shown to the jury. This assignment of error is without merit.
Seventh Assignment of Error: The trial court erred in denying the motion for mistrial.
Finally, Muse argues the trial court erred in denying his motion for a
mistrial after the prosecution, in the presence of the jury, mentioned that
Muse was on parole at the time the crime was committed. Muse argues that
the jury was prejudiced by knowing that he was on parole and may have
violated his parole by selling drugs to the CI. He contends that the trial 17 court’s admonishment to the jury to disregard the statements could not cure
the effect of the comment.
La. C. Cr. P. art. 775 states:
Upon motion of a defendant, a mistrial shall be ordered, and in a jury case the jury dismissed, when prejudicial conduct in or outside the courtroom makes it impossible for the defendant to obtain a fair trial, or when authorized by Article 770 or 771.
Mistrial is a drastic remedy which is authorized only where substantial
prejudice will otherwise result to the accused. State v. Lewis, 51,672 (La.
App. 2 Cir. 11/15/17), 245 So. 3d 233. The determination of whether actual
prejudice has occurred lies within the sound discretion of the trial court and
will not be disturbed on appeal absent an abuse of discretion. Id. Even if a
mistrial was warranted, the failure to grant a mistrial would not result in an
automatic reversal of the defendant’s conviction, but would be a trial error
subject to the harmless error analysis on appeal. State v. Givens, 99-3518
(La. 01/17/01), 776 So. 2d 443; Lewis, supra. Trial error is harmless where
the verdict rendered is surely unattributable to the error. Lewis, supra.
In the present matter, Muse objected to the prosecution’s questions
regarding his probation status at the time of the current incident. The trial
court agreed, sustained his objections, and admonished the jury to disregard
the statements. There is no indication that the jury did not follow the trial
court’s instructions. We find no abuse of discretion on the part of the trial
court in denying the motion for mistrial, considering the surfeit of other
evidence against Muse related to this drug transaction. This assignment of
error is without merit.
18 CONCLUSION
Muse was sentenced to the minimum sentence term for both
convictions and has the added benefit of his sentences being ordered to run
concurrently rather than consecutively. For the foregoing reasons, the
convictions and sentences of William A. Muse are affirmed.
AFFIRMED.