State v. Duvant

THIS OPINION HAS NO PRECEDENTIAL VALUE. IT SHOULD NOT BE
CITED OR RELIED ON AS PRECEDENT IN ANY PROCEEDING
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED BY RULE 268(d)(2), SCACR.

THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
In The Court of Appeals

The State, Respondent,

v.

Warren Tremaine Duvant, Appellant.

Appellate Case No. 2018-001030

Appeal From York County
Grace Gilchrist Knie, Circuit Court Judge

Unpublished Opinion No. 2021-UP-129
Heard December 9, 2020 – Filed April 28, 2021

AFFIRMED

Christopher Lane Williams, of Williams Litigation, LLC,
of New Orleans, Louisiana, and Nisha Sandhu, of
Covington, Louisiana, both for Appellant.

Attorney General Alan McCrory Wilson and Assistant
Attorney General William Frederick Schumacher, IV,
both of Columbia; and Solicitor Kevin Scott Brackett, of
York, all for Respondent.

PER CURIAM: Warren Tremaine Duvant appeals his conviction for trafficking
cocaine, arguing the circuit court erred in (1) denying his motion for a directed
verdict, (2) instructing the jury that "actual knowledge of the presence of cocaine is
strong evidence of the defendant's intent to control its disposition or use," and (3)
admitting into evidence his statement to police despite an anomalous Miranda1
warning. We affirm.

1. The circuit court did not err in denying Duvant's directed verdict motion
because the State presented evidence from which a jury could determine that
Duvant exercised dominion and control over the premises, and thus, was in
constructive possession of the cocaine. See State v. Bennett, 415 S.C. 232, 235,
781 S.E.2d 352, 353 (2016) ("On appeal from the denial of a directed verdict, this
Court views the evidence and all reasonable inferences in the light most favorable
to the State." (quoting State v. Butler, 407 S.C. 376, 381, 755 S.E.2d 457, 460
(2014))); id. ("The Court's review is limited to considering the existence or
nonexistence of evidence, not its weight."); State v. Harris, 413 S.C. 454, 457, 776
S.E.2d 365, 366 (2015) ("If there is any direct evidence or any substantial
circumstantial evidence reasonably tending to prove the guilt of the accused, the
Court must find the case was properly submitted to the jury." (quoting State v.
Brandt, 393 S.C. 526, 542, 713 S.E.2d 591, 599 (2011))); S.C. Code Ann. § 44-53-
370(e)(2) (2018) ("Any person . . . who is knowingly in actual or constructive
possession or who knowingly attempts to become in actual or constructive
possession of: . . . ten grams or more of cocaine or any mixtures containing
cocaine, as provided in Section 44-53-210(b)(4), is guilty of a felony which is
known as 'trafficking in cocaine' . . . ."); State v. Fripp, 397 S.C. 455, 458, 725
S.E.2d 136, 138 (Ct. App. 2012) ("Actual possession occurs when the drugs are
found to be in the actual physical custody of the person charged with possession,
while constructive possession occurs when the person charged with possession has
dominion and control over either the drugs or the premises upon which the drugs
are found." (quoting State v. Ballenger, 322 S.C. 196, 199, 470 S.E.2d 851, 854
(1996))); State v. Pradubsri, 403 S.C. 270, 282, 743 S.E.2d 98, 105 (Ct. App.
2013) ("Where contraband materials are found on premises under the control of the
accused, this fact in and of itself gives rise to an inference of knowledge and
possession which may be sufficient to carry the case to the jury." (quoting State v.
Muhammed, 338 S.C. 22, 27, 524 S.E.2d 637, 639 (Ct. App. 1999))).

2. The issue of the circuit court's improper jury instruction is not preserved for our
review because Duvant did not object to the circuit court's charge. See State v.
Dunbar, 356 S.C. 138, 142, 587 S.E.2d 691, 693–94 (2003) ("In order for an issue
to be preserved for appellate review, it must have been raised to and ruled upon by

1
Miranda v. Arizona, 384 U.S. 436, 444 (1966).
the trial judge. Issues not raised and ruled upon in the trial court will not be
considered on appeal."); see also Rule 20(b), SCCrimP ("Notwithstanding any
request for legal instructions, the parties shall be given the opportunity to object to
the giving or failure to give an instruction before the jury retires, but out of the
hearing of the jury. Any objection shall state distinctly the matter objected to and
the grounds for objection. Failure to object in accordance with this rule shall
constitute a waiver of objection."); State v. Whipple, 324 S.C. 43, 52, 476 S.E.2d
683, 688 (1996) ("[F]ailure to object to the charge as given, or to request an
additional charge when given an opportunity to do so constitutes a waiver of [the
defendant's] right to complain on appeal.").

3. We agree with the circuit court that Duvant received the necessary Miranda
warnings. The inclusion of the phrase "[w]e have no way of appointing you a
lawyer but one will be appointed by the Court for you if you wish" did not render
the Miranda advisement defective. See Miranda, 384 U.S. at 444 ("Prior to any
questioning, the person must be warned that he has a right to remain silent, that any
statement he does make may be used as evidence against him, and that he has a
right to the presence of an attorney, either retained or appointed. The defendant
may waive effectuation of these rights, provided the waiver is made voluntarily,
knowingly and intelligently."); id. at 474 ("This does not mean, as some have
suggested, that each police station must have a 'station house lawyer' present at all
times to advise prisoners. It does mean, however, that if police propose to
interrogate a person they must make known to him that he is entitled to a lawyer
and that if he cannot afford one, a lawyer will be provided for him prior to any
interrogation. If authorities conclude that they will not provide counsel during a
reasonable period of time in which investigation in the field is carried out, they
may refrain from doing so without violating the person's Fifth Amendment
privilege so long as they do not question him during that time."); Florida v.
Powell, 559 U.S. 50, 60 (2010) ("The four warnings Miranda requires are
invariable, but this Court has not dictated the words in which the essential
information must be conveyed."); Duckworth v. Eagan, 492 U.S. 195, 204 (1989)
(holding the inclusion of the phrase that a lawyer would be appointed "if and
when" a defendant goes to court did not violate Miranda, noting it "accurately
described the procedure for the appointment of counsel in Indiana").

AFFIRMED.

LOCKEMY, C.J., and KONDUROS and MCDONALD, JJ., concur.