State v. DuMars

108 P.3d 448, 33 Kan. App. 2d 735, 2005 Kan. App. LEXIS 260
CourtCourt of Appeals of Kansas
DecidedMarch 25, 2005
Docket91,107
StatusPublished
Cited by18 cases

This text of 108 P.3d 448 (State v. DuMars) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Kansas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
State v. DuMars, 108 P.3d 448, 33 Kan. App. 2d 735, 2005 Kan. App. LEXIS 260 (kanctapp 2005).

Opinions

Greene, J.;

Wendy DuMars appeals her convictions of one count of attempted manufacture of methamphetamine, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia for manufacturing purposes, and one count of child endangerment, arguing uneven application of the hearsay rule, prosecutorial misconduct, instruction errors, cumulative trial errors and insufficiency of evidence to support her convictions. We conclude that (i) one count of child endangerment is reversed; (ii) cumulative trial errors warrant reversal of the manufacturing-related convictions and a new trial; and (iii) appeals of remaining convictions are deemed abandoned.

[738]*738 Factual and Procedural Overview

During a search of the trash outside 1117 Franklin in Salina, officers found 45 empty blister packs of Sudafed, 3 syringes with residue that tested positive for methamphetamine, and lithium batteries with the lithium strips removed. After obtaining a warrant, officers entered the residence and found “Duff’ Sullivan, Holly Metro, Heather Metro, Wendy DuMars (who was under the influence of methamphetamine), and three unattended children, one of whom was Holly’s 1-year-old, and two of whom were Dumars’ twin daughters. A search of DuMars’ person revealed a switchblade knife and a film canister containing rocks and powder of methamphetamine. A search of the residence, backyard shed, and a car belonging to Sullivan revealed a host of items generally used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine, some of which bore residue that tested positive for methamphetamine. A search of DuMars’ car revealed a can of Heet, a brand of gas line antifreeze.

DuMars ultimately admitted that she used methamphetamine on the morning of the search and that Sullivan was the source. From the outset, however, she told authorities that she and Sullivan had an agreement that he would not bring any methamphetamine manufacturing supplies into the house occupied by Heather Metro, Sullivan, and herself. At trial, DuMars testified that Sullivan had moved the methamphetamine lab supplies into the house and shed on the morning of the search without her knowledge or consent. Other witnesses testified that they had toured the house shortly before the day of the search and did not see anything to indicate methamphetamine manufacturing activity.

The jury convicted DuMars of one count of attempted manufacture of methamphetamine, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia for manufacturing purposes, possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana, three counts of child endangerment, obstruction of official duty, and criminal use of a weapon. She now appeals die convictions for one count of attempted manufacture of methamphetamine, two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia for manufacturing purposes, and one count of child endangerment (that related to Holly Metro’s child).

[739]*739 Did the District Court Err hy an Uneven Application of the Hearsay Buie?

DuMars argues that she was denied due process by the district court’s admission of certain inculpatory hearsay evidence and the exclusion of her exculpatory hearsay evidence, citing State v. Brickhouse, 20 Kan. App. 2d 495, 500-03, 890 P.2d 353, rev. denied 257 Kan. 1093 (1995).

“The admission of an incriminating hearsay statement, coupled with the refusal to admit an exculpatory hearsay statement by the same declarant, is so fundamentally unfair as to be an abuse of discretion and a denial of due process. . . .
“. . . Application of the hearsay rule in tins manner offends our sense of justice and fair play and affects the jury process in an unacceptable manner. The question of whether the exculpatory statement is reliable is overridden by the inherent unfairness that will occur if that statement is excluded while a similar hearsay statement that is incriminating is admitted.” 20 Kan. App. 2d at 503.

She cites five examples of the State’s inculpatory hearsay, two of which received no objection, two of which were admitted after late objections, and one of which was stricken after a late objection. She was not permitted to elicit three instances of exculpatory testimony when the district court sustained the State’s hearsay objection on each occasion. We review each instance of such testimony in determining whether the district court abused its discretion.

Inculpatory Instance No. 1

During direct examination by the prosecutor, one of the officers who executed the search warrant at the residence was asked:

“Q. . . . [E]xplain to the jury how you went about obtaining a search warrant for that address.
“A. I had been receiving information referencing that address and the subjects inside of it, involving manufacturing methamphetamine.”

There was no objection or motion to strike this testimony.

Inculpatory Instance No. 2

During cross-examination of the same officer, the following exchange occurred:

[740]*740“Q. You have no personal knowledge that Wendy DuMars ever supplied Duff Sullivan with any ingredients or assisting him in manufacturing methamphetamine, do you?
“A. Yes, I do.
“Q. You do? What — what did you observe?
“A. You asked personal knowledge.
“Q. I was asking you for your personal knowledge, things that you saw or — •
“A. Through my interviews.
“Q. —your own eyes.
“A. Through my interviews conducted, I obtained information that she was assisting him.”

After objection of the defense, this testimony was stricken, but the jury was not admonished to disregard it.

Inculpatory Instance No. 3

During direct examination of another officer who executed the warrant, the prosecutor asked:

"Q. . . . And, how did you get involved in that particular incident?
“A. The drug task force had been receiving information in reference to Duff Sullivan and Wendy DuMars at this particular address.”

Inculpatory Instance No. 4

During redirect examination of yet another officer involved in executing the warrant at the residence, and after testimony on direct regarding contraband found in Sullivan s jeep, the prosecutor asked:

“Q. . . . [W]as it reported to you that Ms. DuMars was operating Mr. Sullivan’s jeep on an occasion?
“A. Yes.
“Q. Now—
“MR. HARTNETT: Well, Your Honor, got to object to the—
“THE COURT: Counsel, if you’d objected, I’d have sustained it. You didn’t. Jury’s heard it. There it is. Go ahead.”

Inculpatory Instance No. 5

During rebuttal the State recalled one of the officers for the purpose of relating an interview with Heather Metro. The following exchange occurred near the end of a trial day:

[741]*741“Q. . . . Did she tell you about an incident when Mr. Sullivan and Ms. DuMars came home and they were mad at each other?
“A.

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Bluebook (online)
108 P.3d 448, 33 Kan. App. 2d 735, 2005 Kan. App. LEXIS 260, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/state-v-dumars-kanctapp-2005.