Johnson v. State, CR-14-758

2015 Ark. App. 68

CARLOS RENEE JOHNSON APPELLANT v. STATE OF ARKANSAS APPELLEE

No. CR-14-758

ARKANSAS COURT OF APPEALS DIVISION IV

FEBRUARY 11, 2015

APPEAL FROM THE SEBASTIAN COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT, FORT SMITH DISTRICT

[NOS. CR-2007-592A; CR-2008-1368; CR-2011-946]

HONORABLE J. MICHAEL FITZHUGH, JUDGE

AFFIRMED

ROBERT J. GLADWIN, Chief Judge

Appellant Carlos Johnson appeals from a revocation of his suspended imposition of sentences (SIS) by the Sebastian County Circuit Court. He argues that the circuit court erred in granting the State's petition to revoke because he had a reasonable excuse for his failure to pay and because the State failed to prove that he committed second-degree battery in violation of the terms and conditions of his SIS. We affirm.

Appellant was serving a suspended imposition of sentence in three separate Sebastian County cases: CR-2007-592, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, Class C felony, and possession of drug paraphernalia, Class C felony; CR-2008-1368, two counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, first degree, Class D felony; and CR-2011-946, possession of marijuana with intent to deliver, Class A misdemeanor, and possession of drug paraphernalia, Class C felony. Appellant had been ordered to pay fines and costs in at leastone of the cases, and the conditions of those SIS included that appellant not violate any laws and that he pay restitution, fines, and court costs.

On April 15, 2014, the State filed an amended petition to revoke appellant's SIS, alleging that he violated the conditions by committing the new offenses of second-degree battery and resisting arrest and by failing to pay court costs and restitution.¹ At the start of the hearing, the State introduced the restitution, fines, and fees ledger from one of the three cases without objection. The ledger showed no payments on the fines and costs and that only three separate restitution payments of $50 had been made as ordered.

The State introduced the testimony of Fort Smith Police Officer Brandon Djordjevic, who testified that on January 31, 2014, he was called as backup to assist Officer Alejandro Marin when contact was made with the appellant in an attempt to arrest appellant on an outstanding warrant. Officer Djordjevic testified that, when he grabbed him, appellant pulled back away from him, and that Officer Djordjevic slipped and hit his knee on the concrete curb. This caused an injury requiring two stitches, and he had to replace his boots, which cost him $150. He explained that the city paid for the cost of the uniform pants, which were torn, but he did not know the cost. On cross-examination, Officer Djordjevic stated that appellant did not strike him, but that he was just uncooperative and attempted to pull away.

Officer Marin testified that he had observed appellant standing on the street, looking around for no apparent reason, and pointing to objects as if talking to someone. Officer Marin stopped to ask what was going on, and appellant "got in his face." Officer Marin explained that he determined that there was an outstanding warrant for the arrest of appellant and called for backup. He confirmed that he and Officer Djordjevic attempted to grab appellant, and Officer Djordjevic fell, hurting his knee. He also testified that appellant resisted arrest by throwing several punches in the process. On cross-examination, Officer Marin acknowledged that he had stopped appellant to check and see if he was okay based on his observed behavior and that appellant's behavior suggested that he might be mentally ill.

The State rested and appellant's counsel argued for a directed verdict on the basis that the conduct of appellant was reckless and did not rise to the level of battery due to his mental state. The motion was denied by the circuit court. Appellant's sister, Alesha Johnson, testified on his behalf that appellant had been committed to St. Vincent Hospital in Little Rock in February 2014 and was given medication for his problems.

The circuit court made specific reference to the forensic examination by Dr. Deyoub and his statements that appellant (1) had an adequate understanding of the judicial system; (2) was able to control his own actions and make his own decisions; (3) did not lack the capacity to appreciate the criminality of becoming aggressive; and (4) had the capacity to conform his conduct to the requirements of the law. After the hearing, the circuit court revoked appellant's SIS, finding that the State had proved by a preponderance of the evidence that he committed the new...