Smith's Criminal Case Compendium
Table of Contents
State v. Dulin, ___ N.C. App. ___, 786 S.E.2d 803 (Jun. 7, 2016)
(1) Because there was sufficient evidence that the defendant possessed drug paraphernalia, the trial court did not err by denying his motion to dismiss. The paraphernalia was found in plain view in a common living area of a home over which the defendant exercised nonexclusive control. The court found that following constituted “other incriminating circumstances” necessary to prove constructive possession: the defendant spent hours at the house on the day of the search; the defendant admitted that he had a “blunt” in the black truck parked in front of the house and the police found marijuana in the truck’s console; the police found marijuana in the house behind a photograph of the defendant; and several people visited the house while the defendant was there, including a man who shook hands with defendant “as if they were passing an item back and forth.” Of these facts, the most significant was that marijuana was found in a picture frame behind a photograph of the defendant. (2) Because there was insufficient evidence that the defendant constructively possessed marijuana found in an uncovered fishing boat located in the yard of a home occupied by multiple people, including the defendant, the trial court erred by denying his motion to dismiss the drug possession charge. The boat was located roughly 70 feet from the side of the house, in a non-fenced area of the yard. There was no evidence that the defendant had any ownership interest in or possession of the boat and the defendant was never seen near the boat.