An unpublished opinion of the North Carolina Court of Appeals does not constitute controlling legal authority. Citation is disfavored, but may be permitted in accordance with the provisions of Rule 30(e)(3) of the North Carolina Rules of Appellate Procedure.
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF NORTH CAROLINA
No. COA24-871
Filed 16 July 2025
Randolph County, No. 21 CRS 050668-750
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
v.
RODGER LEE DAVIS, Defendant.
Appeal by Defendant from judgment entered 6 March 2024 by Judge Taylor
Browne in Randolph County Superior Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 8 April
2025.
Attorney General Jeff Jackson, by Assistant Attorney General Amanda M. Whitt-Downs, for the State.
Attorney Joseph E. Gerber for the Defendant–Appellant.
MURRY, Judge.
Rodger L. Davis (Defendant) appeals the trial court’s denial of his motion to
dismiss at the close of State’s evidence and admission of evidence at trial. Defendant
argues that the trial court erred (1) by denying his motion to dismiss because the
State adduced insufficient evidence to sustain his conviction of possession of a
Schedule II controlled substance with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver; (2) by STATE V. D AVIS
Opinion of the Court
allowing the State to present hearsay statements concerning Defendant’s residential
and relationship statuses; and (3) by allowing the State to convey these hearsay
statements in contravention of Defendant’s constitutional rights to confront the
witnesses against him. For the reasons below, we hold the trial court did not err.
I. Background
On 1 March 2021, Randolph County Probation Officer Denzell Spencer was
called to Ashley Morgan’s mobile home in Thomasville to apprehend Defendant for
an outstanding parole warrant. The mobile home was not Defendant’s permanent
address. As another officer knocked on the front door, Officer Spencer observed an
unidentified individual peek out of a curtain from a back window of the home. Officer
Spencer notified officers stationed behind the residence of the individual located at
the back of the residence. When Morgan answered the front door, Officer Spencer
heard a “commotion” and ran to the back of the home, where he found Defendant in
police custody. Law enforcement observed three individuals at the scene: Defendant,
Morgan, and Morgan’s brother, Dalton Shackleford.
After Defendant’s arrest, Morgan verbally consented to a search of the
residence. During the search, Morgan and Shackleford stayed towards the front of
the home. While searching that same back room, Officer Spencer observed two scales
and multiple baggies in plain view on top of a dresser. In a set of plastic drawers by
that same back window, he also discovered a plastic bag containing a crystal-like
substance. Officer Spencer requested assistance from Detective Travis Cox with the
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Randolph County Sheriff’s Department. Detective Cox identified approximately 6
grams of a crystal-like substance in the bag that closely resembled
methamphetamine. Subsequent testing by the State Crime Lab later confirmed this
substance was 6.36 grams of methamphetamine. Searching further, Detective Cox
also found a small amount of marijuana and a small black box containing one glass
smoking device.
The officers arrested Defendant for absconding parole and later charged him
with felony possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or
deliver (PWISD) and felony maintaining a dwelling for keeping controlled substances.
Between Defendant’s arrest and trial, Morgan died from a drug overdose. This matter
came for trial on 5 March 2024, at which the State called three witnesses, including
Officer Spencer and Detective Cox.
Among other colloquies, the State engaged in certain lines of questioning to
which Defendant objected:
[STATE]: Were you aware if anybody else was living there? [DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Objection. THE COURT: All right, . . . approach[ ] the bench.[ ] THE COURT: Objection sustained. [STATE]: Okay. When you received that information [about a probation/parole call to the home], did they indicate to you who was living at that residence? [DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Objection. Objection, we’ve been through this, Your Honor.
Defendant also objected to questioning related to Defendant’s past dating
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relationships:
[STATE]: And at the point that entry is made into the house, are you aware of the relationship between [Morgan] and [Defendant]? [SPENCER]: They were— DEFENSE COUNSEL: Objection. THE COURT: Overruled, if he knows. .... [SPENCER]: They were dating. .... [STATE]: Did you know—at any point were you familiar with the relationship between [Defendant] and [Morgan]? [DEFENSE COUNSEL]: Objection[,] foundation. THE COURT: Overruled. .... [COX]: It was my understanding that they were dating.
Defendant did not present evidence or testify in his own defense. At the close
of the State’s evidence, he instead moved to dismiss both charges for insufficient
evidence. The trial court granted the motion to dismiss the felony-maintaining charge
and submitted the PWISD charge to the jury, which found him guilty only for the
lesser-included charge of possession of methamphetamine. . The trial court sentenced
Defendant to 9–21 months in the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections,
suspended for 24 months of supervised probation. Defendant gave oral notice of
appeal.
II. Jurisdiction
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Defendant appeals as a matter of right from the final judgment of the trial
court under N.C.G.S. §§ 7A-27 and 15A-1444. N.C.G.S. § 7A-27(b)(1) (pled not guilty
but found guilty); id. § 15A-1444(a) (same).
III. Analysis
A. Motion to Dismiss
First, Defendant argues that the trial court erred in denying his motion to
dismiss the PWISD charge for insufficient evidence because the State failed to
present “substantial evidence that [Defendant] possessed the drugs.” We review
Defendant’s motion to dismiss de novo by “consider[ing] the matter anew and freely
substitut[ing] [our] own judgment for that of the trial court.” State v. Battle, 253 N.C.
App. 141, 143 (2017) (quotation omitted) (reviewing the denial of motion to dismiss
de novo). For the following reasons, we affirm the trial court.
Under the North Carolina Controlled Substances Act, it is unlawful for any
person to “possess with intent to manufacture, sell[,] or deliver, a controlled
substance,” N.C.G.S. § 90-95(a)(1) (2023), including methamphetamine,1 id.
§ 90-90(3)(c). The question of whether the evidence withstands a motion to dismiss
“is a fact-specific inquiry in which the totality of the circumstances . . . must be
considered unless the quantity of drugs found is so substantial that this factor—by
1 To prove that Defendant committed PWISD, the State must present evidence of his (1)
possession (2) of a controlled substance (3) with intent to sell or deliver the controlled substance. See State v. Blagg, 377 N.C. 482, 489 (2021). The only element at issue on appeal is the first: whether he possessed the methamphetamine.
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itself—supports an inference of possession with intent to sell or deliver.” State v.
Blagg, 377 N.C. 482, 489–90 (2021) (quotation omitted). In ruling on a motion to
dismiss, a trial court must determine whether the State adduced “substantial
evidence (1) of each essential element of the offense charged[ ] and (2) that the
defendant . . . perpetrat[ed] . . . the offense.” State v. Smith, 186 N.C. App. 57, 62
(2007). “[S]ubstantial evidence” is any “relevant evidence . . . adequate to support a
conclusion,” State v. Franklin, 327 N.C. 162, 171 (1990), that “need only . . . satisfy a
reasonable mind” to withstand our appellate scrutiny, State v. Butler, 356 N.C. 141,
145 (2002). Evidence that “tend[s] to prove guilt or which reasonably leads to this
conclusion as a fairly logical and legitimate deduction . . . is for the jury” to decide
“beyond a reasonable doubt.” Franklin, 327 N.C. at 171–72.
To determine whether there is substantial evidence, the trial court must view
all evidence “in the light most favorable to the State,” give it the benefit of “every
reasonable inference,” and resolve “[a]ny contradictions . . . in [its] favor.” State v.
Dover, 381 N.C. 535, 547 (2022) (first alteration in original) (first quoting Blagg, 377
N.C. at 487; and then quoting State v. Miller (Miller I), 363 N.C. 96, 98 (2009)). This
analysis “is the same whether the State’s evidence is direct[ ] [or] circumstantial.”
State v. Powell, 299 N.C. 95, 99 (1980); see Blagg, 377 N.C. at 488–89. (“[I]f the record
. . . contains substantial evidence, whether direct or circumstantial, . . . to support a
finding that the offense charged has been committed and that the defendant
committed it, the case is for the jury and the motion to dismiss should be denied.”
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(quotation omitted)). Circumstantial evidence “is proof of a chain of facts and
circumstances indicating the guilt or innocence of a defendant,” State v. Adcock, 310
N.C. 1, 36 (1984) (quoting 1 Edward J. Devitt & Charles B. Blackmar, Federal Jury
Practice and Instructions § 15.02 (3d ed. 1977)), that may “support a conviction even
when the evidence does not rule out every hypothesis of [his] innocence.” State v.
Stone, 323 N.C. 447, 452 (1988). See Butler, 356 N.C. at 145 (“To be substantial, . . .
need only be such as would satisfy a reasonable mind as being adequate to support a
conclusion.” (quotation omitted)). Courts must “distinguish between evidence
sufficient to carry a case to the jury, and a mere scintilla” that may “only raises a
suspicion or possibility of the fact in issue”—here, Defendant’s constructive
possession. Battle, 253 N.C. App. at 144 (quotation omitted). “[M]ore than a scintilla”
and “substantial evidence” synonymously “mean that the evidence must be existing
and real, not just seeming or imaginary.” State v. Earnhardt, 307 N.C. 62, 66 (1982)
(citing Powell, 299 N.C. at 99). Evidence that demonstrates “only a suspicion of
possession” cannot withstand a motion to dismiss. State v. Acolsatse, 158 N.C. App.
485, 486 (2003) (emphasis added).
A person constructively possesses a substance when he “lacks actual physical
possession,” id. at 488 (quotation omitted), but retains “both the power and intent to
control its disposition or use,” State v. Harvey, 281 N.C. 1, 12 (1972). An illicit
substance “found . . . under the control of an accused” implies “knowledge and
possession which may . . . carry the case to the jury on a charge of unlawful
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possession.” Id.
Nevertheless, “unless the person has exclusive possession” of the narcotics’
location, “the State must show other incriminating circumstances” to imply
constructive possession. State v. Davis, 325 N.C. 693, 697 (1989) (emphasis added).
Relevant incriminating circumstances include “proximity to the contraband,” “indicia
of . . . control over the place where the contraband is found,” or “suspicious behavior
at or near the time of the contraband’s discovery.” State v. Chekanow, 370 N.C. 488,
496 (2018) (citing Miller I, 363 N.C. at 99–100). While “[n]o single factor controls” the
totality-of-the-circumstances analysis that is “ordinarily . . . for the jury,” State v.
James, 81 N.C. App 91, 93 (1986), our appellate courts have laid down certain
guideposts to determine whether evidence suggests circumstantially constructive
possession. See, e.g., State v. Weems, 31 N.C. App. 569, 571 (1976) (“close juxtaposition
to a narcotic drug”); Miller I, 363 N.C. at 99 (“power to control either alone or jointly
with others”); State v. Turner, 168 N.C. App. 152, 156 (2005) (“conduct indicating
awareness of the drugs, such as efforts at concealment or behavior suggesting fear of
discovery”).
In the case sub judice, Defendant argues that “there were zero incriminating
circumstances connecting the drugs found in [Morgan’s] house to [Defendant] beyond
(1) [Defendant’s] mere presence and (2) police testimony, parroting [Morgan’s]
unattributed hearsay, that she and [Defendant] were dating.” At the outset,
Defendant invokes State v. Holloway, 250 N.C. App. 674 (2016), in which this Court
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reversed a trial court’s denial of a defendant’s motion to dismiss because “no evidence
link[ed] defendant to the house . . . or the [drugs] and drug paraphernalia found
therein other than” his visitation to and emergence from “the house with the main
resident.” Id. at 681.
Unlike in Holloway, however, substantial evidence links Defendant to
Morgan’s home. In Holloway, police arrived at the residence after receiving a report
about a breaking-and-entering. Id. at 675–76. Here, police arrived at Morgan’s
residence in search of Defendant because he was absconding parole. In Holloway,
police found drugs inside the oven in the kitchen while the defendant and another
occupant were found in a different part of the home. Id. Here, however, officers
observed an individual moving around in a back room of Morgan’s residence,
apprehended Defendant towards the back of the home, and found methamphetamine
in a clear drawer and plain-view paraphernalia in that back room. Meanwhile,
officers found Morgan and Shackleford, the only two known occupants of Morgan’s
home, at the front of the residence. We hold that the incriminating circumstances
here are more substantial than those in Holloway.
The State elicited testimony from Officer Spencer explaining the details of
Defendant’s arrest. Upon arriving at Morgan’s house, he observed and alerted officers
to an unidentified individual peeking from a back-room window. Shortly after, officers
arrested Defendant near that back room and searched the premises, only to find
methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in plain-view near its window. Viewing
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this evidence in the light most favorable to the State, a reasonable juror could infer
that, because Morgan and Shackleford were located towards the front of the home
and Defendant was arrested towards the back of the home, it could only have been
Defendant peeking out of the back-room window directly over the contraband.
Further, a reasonable juror could infer that Defendant was hiding in the back room
and peeking out of the window with plans to evade his probation officer because he
knew of the methamphetamine and probation abscondence. Defendant’s proximity to
the contraband circumstantially incriminates him to a degree that “would satisfy a
reasonable” juror, Butler, 356 N.C. at 145, and gives rise to the “fairly logical and
legitimate deduction,” Franklin, 327 N.C. at 172, that he at least “knew of [the
methamphetamine’s] presence,” State v. Robledo, 193 N.C. App. 521, 527 (2008)
(quoting Weems, 31 N.C. App. at 571).
Because this evidence establishes that Defendant was the only individual in
the back room with the contraband, it shows Defendant’s opportunity to exercise
“indicia of . . . control” over the methamphetamine despite the nearby presence of
third parties. See, e.g., Miller I, 363 N.C. at 100 (finding sufficient evidence where
defendant previously sat on the bed under which officers found cocaine far removed
from other individuals). This evidence allows for the “fairly logical and legitimate
deduction,” Franklin, 327 N.C. at 171–72, that Defendant exercised control over the
contraband. See State v. Brown, 64 N.C. App. 637, 641 (1983) (finding sufficient
evidence where defendant did not live at the apartment searched, but was present
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with two others when officers found narcotics on a table only six to eight inches from
where he had been standing, “hold[ing] that the defendant, standing in close
proximity to the table and being the only person in the room,” was “capab[le] of
exercising control over the cocaine.), aff’d, 310 N.C. 563, 570 (1985).
The State also offered evidence of Defendant’s contextually suspicious
behavior. Viewing this evidence in the light most favorable to the State, a reasonable
juror could infer that Defendant attempted to flee through the residence’s back door
after keeping watch through the window once he saw police out front. See Butler, 356
N.C. at 145. This evidence could “indicat[e] an awareness of the drugs” or “fear of
discovery,” Turner, 168 N.C. App. at 156, and thus give rise to the “fairly logical and
legitimate deduction,” Franklin, 327 N.C. at 171, of Defendant’s constructive
possession. See State v. Harrison, 93 N.C. App. 496 (1989) (inferring constructive
possession from the defendant’s flight from area where illegal drugs were found).
Here, the State presented sufficient evidence of Defendant’s constructive possession,
and we leave the question of Defendant’s guilt “beyond a reasonable doubt” to the
jury. Franklin, 327 N.C. at 172. Therefore, the trial court did not err in denying
Defendant’s motion to dismiss for insufficient evidence.
B. Hearsay Evidence
Second, Defendant argues that the trial court erred by “allowing the State to
convey to the jury over defense objections the decedent [Morgan’s] hearsay”
statements that (1) Defendant lived at Morgan’s residence and (2) she and Defendant
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were dating. For the following reasons, we disagree and affirm the trial court.
A trial court generally cannot admit as hearsay “a statement, other than one
made by the declarant while testifying at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to
prove the truth of the matter asserted.” N.C. R. Evid. 801(c). Nevertheless, an out-of-
court statement may be admissible “for a purpose other than to prove the truth of the
matter asserted.” State v. Roberts, 268 N.C. App. 272, 276 (1985). When preserved by
an objection, we review de novo the trial court’s “admission of evidence alleged to be
hearsay.” State v. Harris, 253 N.C. App. 322, 327 (2017); see State v. Wilson, 197 N.C.
App. 154, 159 (2009) (“We review de novo the trial court’s determination of whether
an out-of-court statement is admissible pursuant to” Rule 803.).
1. Defendant’s Residence
We first address Morgan’s allegedly inadmissible statements about Defendant
living with her; however, the trial transcript indicates that the State presented no
such evidence. A question “in which counsel assumes or insinuates a fact not in
evidence, and which receives a negative answer, is not evidence of any kind.” State v.
Smith, 289 N.C. 143, 157 (1976). Put more plainly, “questions asked by an attorney
are not evidence.” Kyle v. Holston Grp., 188 N.C. App. 686, 693 n.1 (1996). Here, the
State twice inquired about the individuals living at Morgan’s residence and the trial
court sustained Defendant’s objections both times, preventing the witness from
answering. Because the State was unable to offer evidence regarding Defendant’s
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residence, Defendant’s argument that the trial court erroneously admitted those two
colloquies is without merit.
2. Defendant’s Relationship with Morgan
We next address the trial court’s admission of Morgan’s statements concerning
her relationship with Defendant. On appeal, Defendant contends these statements
were inadmissible hearsay under Rule 801 of the North Carolina Rules of Evidence.
However, Defendant did not object on hearsay grounds at trial, but to lack of
foundation. Therefore, this issue is not preserved for appellate review. See State v.
Gettleman, 275 N.C. App. 260, 272 (2020) (“Where a defendant objects to the
admission of evidence before the trial court and states a specific ground as the basis
for that objection, but raises a different ground as the basis for his argument on
appeal, the issue is not preserved.”). To preserve an issue for appellate review, a
defendant must “object stating the specific grounds for the ruling the party desired
the court to make if . . . not apparent from the context,” and obtain a ruling on those
grounds. State v. Rainey, 198 N.C. App. 427, 433–34 (2009) (emphasis omitted)
(quoting N.C. R. App. P. 10(a)(1)). On appeal, a defendant must first show that “he
provided the judge with a timely and specifically defined opportunity to rule correctly”
before claiming that such ruling was in error. Adcock, 310 N.C. at 18 (quoting 1
Brandis, N.C. Evidence § 27 (2d rev. ed. 1982)). When a defendant fails to object, we
may review for plain error but only if the defendant specifically alleges it on appeal.
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Because Defendant did not request plain error review, we do not address this
unpreserved issue.
C. Confrontation of Morgan
Third, Defendant argues that the trial court erred by allowing the State to
admit Morgan’s above hearsay statements “in contravention [of] his constitutional
rights to confront his accuser” because Morgan passed away before he could confront
her at trial. We disagree here as well.
Initially, we note that Defendant did not raise a constitutional objection at
trial. See State v. Valentine, 357 N.C. 512, 525 (2003) (“The failure to raise a
constitutional issue before the trial court bars appellate review.” (citing N.C. R. App.
P. 10(b)(1))); see also State v. Smith, 352 N.C. 531, 557 (2000) (holding that “defendant
waived his right to appellate review of this issue because he failed to raise it as
constitutional error before the court and to allege the same in his assignments of
error.”). However, our courts have permitted appellate review of alleged
Confrontation Clause violations under a plain error analysis, despite a defendant’s
failure to raise them at trial. E.g., State v. Lemons, 352 N.C. 87, 96 (2000). Under
plain error review, (1) this Court must determine the trial court erred and (2) the
defendant must demonstrate the trial court’s error “had a probable impact on the
jury’s finding that the defendant was guilty and seriously affect[ed] the fairness,
integrity, or public reputation of judicial proceedings.” State v. Miller (Miller II), 371
N.C. 266, 268 (2018) (alteration in original) (quotation omitted).
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Both the federal and state Confrontation Clauses protect a criminal
defendant’s “right to be confronted with the witnesses against him” at trial. U.S.
Const. amend. VI; see N.C. Const. art. I § 23 (“In all criminal prosecutions, the
accused shall enjoy the right . . . to be confronted with the witnesses against him.”).
This right applies to testimonial statements that may “establish or prove past events
potentially relevant to later criminal prosecution.” Davis v. Washington, 547 U.S. 813,
822 (2006). When testimonial statements are at issue, actual witness confrontation
is “the only indicium of reliability sufficient to satisfy constitutional demands.”
Crawford v. Washington, 541 U.S. 36, 68–69 (2004). But statements that serve only
“an information-gathering purpose” are non-testimonial and thus not subject to the
Confrontation Clauses. State v. Miller (Miller III), 371 N.C. 273, 283–84 (2018).
Neither of Defendant’s hearsay claims implicate the Confrontation Clauses.
First, Morgan’s statement regarding Defendant’s residence was not admitted
evidence for the reasons discussed above. This contention similarly lacks merit.
Second, there is no evidence that Morgan either spoke to law enforcement about her
relationship with Defendant or was the only individual who could have given this
information. In fact, there is no evidence of any statement to law enforcement
regarding Morgan and Defendant’s relationship whatsoever. At trial, officers did not
testify as to how they became aware of Morgan and Defendant’s relationship;
however, Officer Spencer did testify to being notified that Defendant could be at
Morgan’s residence due to Defendant’s absconding parole. This latter contention also
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fails on appeal. Therefore, the trial court did not violate Defendant’s constitutional
rights by allowing testimony about Defendant and Morgan’s relationship.
IV. Conclusion
For the reasons above, this Court holds the trial court did not err (1) by holding
that the State adduced sufficient evidence to prove each element of possession of a
Schedule II controlled substance and that Defendant was the perpetrator of the
offense and (2) by allowing testimony regarding Morgan and Defendant’s
relationship.
NO ERROR.
Judge STADING concurs.
Judge STROUD concurs in the result only.
Report per Rule 30(e).
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