CARTER v. STATE (2015)

The appellant challenges his convictions and sentences for nine counts of sale or delivery of cocaine, arguing that the court should have granted his motion to sever the counts. We agree and reverse and remand for further proceedings.

On appeal, the state argues that there was a sufficient connection between the offenses because all of the transactions involved the same buyer, who purchased cocaine from the appellant almost every day over a period of ten days. Additionally, the state argues joinder was proper because the appellant confessed to the sales in one recorded statement.

We find no significant difference between this case and Dupree v. State, 705 So.2d 90 (Fla. 4th DCA 1998). Dupree also involved a series of drug sales occurring “during the course of an ‘ongoing investigation,’ within a limited period of time, and in a limited geographical area.” Id. at 97. We held, absent any other connection, joinder was error under such circumstances. Id. We also reject the state's argument that joinder was proper where the sales were to the same undercover officer.

Turning to the issue of whether the error was harmless, the state contends that the evidence of the other counts would have been admissible in a trial as to each count. We disagree. On this record, the evidence as to each count did not constitute Williams¹ rule evidence, nor was it relevant as inextricably intertwined evidence.

Reversed and remanded for new trial.

FOOTNOTES

1.  Williams v. State, 110 So.2d 654 (Fla.1959).

CIKLIN, J.

WARNER and GROSS, JJ., concur.