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Date: 10-16-2020
Case Style:
STATE OF NEBRASKA V. STEVEN M. CAPORALE
Case Number: A-20-046
Judge: Michael Pirtle
Court: IN THE NEBRASKA COURT OF APPEALS
Plaintiff's Attorney: Douglas J. Peterson, Attorney General, and Melissa R. Vincent
Defendant's Attorney:
OR
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Description:
Lincoln, NE - Criminal defense lawyer represented defendant Rodney Dain Doster charged with distribution of a controlled substance (methamphetamine).
On January 9, 2019, the State filed a complaint alleging that Caporale distributed
methamphetamine within 1,000 feet of a school zone in violation of Neb. Rev. Stat.
§ 28-416(4)(a)(ii) (Reissue 2016), a Class ID felony punishable by a minimum of 3 years’ and a
maximum of 50 years’ imprisonment. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 28-105 (Reissue 2016). The charge in this
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case arose from a “controlled buy” in which investigators used a confidential informant to purchase
methamphetamine from Caporale in Wymore, Nebraska, on May 19, 2016.
The State had originally charged Caporale on March 2, 2017, and a jury trial was scheduled
for May 23, 2018. On May 21, the State moved to endorse an additional witness. Caporale
objected, and the district court denied the State’s motion. Subsequently, the State filed a motion to
dismiss, and the district court dismissed the case without prejudice.
After the State refiled charges against Caporale in the present case, a preliminary hearing
was held on February 7, 2019. Investigator Nathan Jacobsen of the Nebraska State Patrol testified
about the circumstances surrounding the controlled buy. Based on this testimony, the county court
found there was probable cause to believe Caporale had committed the offense charged, and it
bound the case over to district court. The State filed an information in district court charging the
same offense alleged in the complaint.
On February 19, 2019, Caporale filed a plea in abatement. Caporale alleged that “the
State’s evidence of identification of [Caporale] at the scene of the alleged offense was insufficient
to establish probable cause and further that the evidence presented by the State of chain of custody
of alleged contraband was further lacking and insufficient to establish probable cause.” Following
a hearing, the district court entered an order denying Caporale’s plea in abatement.
On July 31, 2019, Caporale filed several pretrial motions. As relevant to this appeal,
Caporale filed: a motion in limine to prohibit the State from offering audio recordings of the
controlled buy; a motion in limine to prohibit the State from offering the methamphetamine
obtained by the confidential informant from Caporale; a motion to suppress Jacobsen’s
identification of Caporale; and a motion to dismiss the case on due process grounds. Following a
hearing and argument by the parties, the district court denied Caporale’s motion to dismiss, his
motion in limine concerning the methamphetamine, and his motion to suppress. The court granted
in part and denied in part Caporale’s motion in limine relating to the audio recordings of the
controlled buy.
Trial began on September 11, 2019. At trial, Caporale objected to the admission of the
audio recordings of the controlled buy, to Jacobsen’s in-court identification of him, and to
admission of the methamphetamine purchased by the confidential informant from Caporale.
Caporale further objected to the admission of a Nebraska certificate of title for a red Ford Mustang
that was owned by Caporale and driven by him during the controlled buy. The district court
overruled all four objections.
At the conclusion of the State’s presentation of evidence, Caporale moved to dismiss on
the grounds that the State had failed to introduce any evidence showing he was at least 18 years
old at the time of the offense, a required element under § 28-416(4)(a)(ii). The district court found
that the State had not met its burden of proof regarding Caporale’s age, but elected to instruct the
jury on the lesser-included offense of distribution of methamphetamine under § 28-416(2)(a) rather
than dismiss the case. Caporale did not object.
During the jury instruction conference, Caporale requested that the court instruct the jury
on eyewitness identification testimony and offered a proposed instruction. The court sustained the
State’s objection on the grounds that the instruction “had no basis in Nebraska law.” The district
court did give a general credibility instruction.
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Evidence Presented at Trial.
At trial, Jacobsen testified that he had been employed with the Nebraska State Patrol for
24 years and that at the time of the events in this case, he was a narcotics investigator. Prior to May
19, 2016, Jacobsen spoke with a confidential informant who told him that the informant could
conduct a controlled buy of methamphetamine from Caporale. Jacobsen testified he was not
familiar with Caporale, but was aware that he drove a maroon or red Ford Mustang convertible.
While preparing for the controlled buy, Jacobsen confirmed Caporale had a red Ford Mustang
registered in his name. Jacobsen also viewed an enlarged color photograph of Caporale from the
Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles database.
At approximately 1 p.m. on May 19, 2016, Jacobsen met with several other investigators
to discuss their roles in the controlled buy operation, which was to take place at Caporale’s
residence. Investigators Todd Wiley and David Hanselmann were assigned to take photographs
and record the controlled buy via audio. Wiley and Hanselmann subsequently traveled to
Caporale’s residence, where they observed a red Ford Mustang convertible parked outside.
Jacobsen testified that he traveled with two other investigators to meet with the confidential
informant. Jacobsen searched the informant to ensure he did not have any illegal narcotics
concealed on his person. This search included bodily cavities and orifices, socks, and shoes. After
the search was complete, Jacobsen equipped the informant with recording and transmitting
devices. Jacobsen activated the devices so that investigators could monitor the controlled buy as it
occurred. He also gave the informant $300 to purchase methamphetamine from Caporale.
Jacobsen testified that shortly after the recording devices were activated, Caporale called
the informant. Jacobsen did not recognize the caller’s voice at that time, but he testified he had
become familiar with Caporale’s voice since that day. During the phone call, Caporale told the
informant to meet him at Casey’s gas station in Wymore. The recorded phone conversation was
received into evidence and played for the jury. Jacobsen informed Wiley and Hanselmann of the
change in location, and they set up surveillance in the park across the street from the gas station.
Jacobsen and the informant drove to the meeting location and parked near the front of the
store. Jacobsen testified that he observed a maroon or red Ford Mustang convertible parked a few
stalls away from Jacobsen’s vehicle. He testified that he recognized the Mustang as Caporale’s
and that he identified the driver of the Mustang as Caporale.
The confidential informant exited the car and spoke briefly with an acquaintance near the
front door of the gas station. Jacobsen testified that the informant then walked to Caporale’s vehicle
and sat in the passenger side seat. Jacobsen saw the Mustang back out of the parking stall and drive
around the block before returning to park at the gas pumps. After a brief conversation, the
informant got out of the Mustang and immediately returned to Jacobsen’s vehicle. Jacobsen
testified that no one besides Caporale and the informant were inside Caporale’s vehicle at any
point.
After the confidential informant returned to Jacobsen’s vehicle, he handed Jacobsen a
cigarette box. Jacobsen testified that inside the box was a white baggy with a crystalline substance
that he recognized from his training to be methamphetamine. Jacobsen then transported the
informant to a different location where he searched the informant again and recovered the
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recording and transmitting equipment. Jacobsen did not find any contraband on the informant’s
person, nor did he find any of the $300 of buy money. The State offered the audio recording of the
controlled buy during trial and played it for the jury.
Jacobsen testified that after the controlled buy, he sent the white crystalline substance to
the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab. The substance was positively identified as methamphetamine
by a forensic drug analyst.
Wiley testified that he observed the controlled buy from a park across the street from the
gas station. He took several photographs of Caporale’s red Ford Mustang before and during the
buy. The photos showed no one besides Caporale and the informant were inside Caporale’s vehicle
at any point. Hanselmann testified that he also observed the controlled buy from across the street.
He recorded the buy via a hand-held camera. This video was received into evidence at trial. The
video showed the confidential informant entering Caporale’s red Ford Mustang and driving around
the block with Caporale before exiting and returning to Jacobsen’s vehicle.
Caporale did not offer any evidence in his defense. After Caporale’s motion to dismiss, the
court acquitted him of distribution of a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school zone and
instructed the jury on the lesser-included offense of distribution of a controlled substance. After
deliberation, the jury found Caporale guilty of distribution of methamphetamine. A presentence
investigation was ordered by the district court. On December 20, 2019, the district court sentenced
Caporale to a term of 4 to 10 years’ imprisonment. He was given 4 days of credit for time served.
This appeal followed.
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
Caporale assigns, restated and consolidated, that the district court erred as follows: (1) in
overruling his plea in abatement; (2) in overruling his motions in limine; (3) in overruling his
motion to suppress and objections to identification testimony; (4) in overruling his pretrial motion
to dismiss on due process grounds; (5) in overruling his objection to Jacobsen sitting at counsel
table; (6) in overruling his objection to the admissibility of the methamphetamine; (7) in overruling
his objection to the admissibility of the audio recordings; (8) in overruling his objection to the
admissibility of the certificate of title for his vehicle; (9) in overruling his motion to dismiss upon
the State’s failure of proof; (10) in failing to give his requested jury instruction about eyewitness
identification evidence. He further alleges: (11) there was insufficient evidence to support his
conviction and (12) the district court imposed an excessive sentence.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
A district court’s conclusion whether an identification is consistent with due process is
reviewed de novo, but the court’s findings of historical fact are viewed for clear error. State v.
Pope, 305 Neb. 912, 943 N.W.2d 294 (2020).
A trial court’s determination of the admissibility of physical evidence will not ordinarily
be overturned except for an abuse of discretion. State v. Blair, 300 Neb. 372, 914 N.W.2d 428
(2018).
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Because authentication rulings are necessarily fact specific, a trial court has discretion to
determine whether evidence has been properly authenticated. State v. Grant, 293 Neb. 163, 876
N.W.2d 639 (2016).
Apart from rulings under the residual hearsay exception, an appellate court reviews for
clear error the factual findings underpinning a trial court’s hearsay ruling and reviews de novo the
court’s ultimate determination to admit evidence over a hearsay objection. State v. Martinez, 306
Neb. 516, 946 N.W.2d 445 (2020).
Trial courts have broad discretion with respect to sanctions involving discovery
procedures, and their rulings thereon will not be reversed in the absence of an abuse of discretion.
State v. Devers, 306 Neb. 429, 945 N.W.2d 470 (2020).
Whether jury instructions are correct is a question of law, which an appellate court resolves
independently of the lower court’s decision. State v. Mann, 302 Neb. 804, 925 N.W.2d 324 (2019).
Regardless of whether the evidence is direct, circumstantial, or a combination thereof, and
regardless of whether the issue is labeled as a failure to direct a verdict, insufficiency of the
evidence, or failure to prove a prima facie case, the standard is the same: In reviewing a criminal
conviction, an appellate court does not resolve conflicts in the evidence, pass on the credibility of
witnesses, or reweigh the evidence; such matters are for the finder of fact, and a conviction will be
affirmed, in the absence of prejudicial error, if the evidence admitted at trial, viewed and construed
most favorably to the State, is sufficient to support the conviction. State v. Guzman, 305 Neb. 376,
940 N.W.2d 552 (2020).
An appellate court will not disturb a sentence imposed within the statutory limits absent an
abuse of discretion by the trial court. State v. Blaha, 303 Neb. 415, 929 N.W.2d 494 (2019). An
abuse of discretion occurs when a trial court’s decision is based upon reasons that are untenable or
unreasonable or if its action is clearly against justice or conscience, reason, and evidence. Id.
ANALYSIS
Plea in Abatement.
Caporale asserts that the district court erred when it overruled his plea in abatement,
because the State did not present any evidence of his age at the preliminary hearing. He argues that
age is an essential element of the crime of distributing a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of
a school zone under § 28-416(4). The State correctly observes that the argument presented on
appeal is different than that originally made before the district court.
Appellate courts do not generally consider arguments and theories raised for the first time
on appeal. State v. Ortega, 290 Neb. 172, 859 N.W.2d 305 (2015). When an issue is raised for the
first time in an appellate court, it will be disregarded inasmuch as a lower court cannot commit
error in resolving an issue never presented and submitted to it for disposition. State v. Nadeem,
284 Neb. 513, 822 N.W.2d 372 (2012). An issue not presented to or decided on by the trial court
is not an appropriate issue for consideration on appeal. Id.
Here, Caporale raises a different argument on appeal regarding the lack of probable cause
shown by the State at the preliminary hearing. In his original plea in abatement, he alleged errors
regarding improper eyewitness identification evidence and lack of chain of custody of the seized
methamphetamine. Caporale’s plea in abatement made no reference to a lack of evidence of his
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age at the time of the offense. Accordingly, we find that Caporale did not properly preserve the
issue of the State’s failure to present evidence of his age at the preliminary hearing.
Additionally, even assuming the district court erred in denying Caporale’s plea in
abatement, Caporale cannot show he was prejudiced. Any error in ruling on a plea in abatement is
cured by a subsequent finding at trial of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt which is supported by
sufficient evidence. State v. Green, 287 Neb. 212, 842 N.W.2d 74 (2014). Consistent with this
well-established rule, any error in ruling on a plea in abatement is cured by a subsequent acquittal
at trial. The court in this case cured any error by finding at trial that the State had not presented
evidence of Caporale’s age during its case-in-chief and acquitting Caporale of the charge of
distribution within 1,000 feet of a school zone. Caporale was ultimately convicted of a
lesser-included offense, and he does not argue on appeal that there was no probable cause at the
preliminary hearing to believe Caporale committed the offense of distribution of
methamphetamine.
We conclude that the district court did not err when it overruled Caporale’s plea in
abatement.
Motions in Limine.
Caporale assigns that the district court erred when it overruled two of his motions in limine
concerning the admissibility of evidence obtained by law enforcement during the controlled buy.
Specifically, he assigns error to the court’s decision to overrule his motion to exclude the State’s
audio recording of the controlled buy and to exclude the seized methamphetamine due to improper
chain of custody.
An appellant who has assigned only that the trial court erred in denying a motion in limine
has not triggered appellate review of the evidentiary ruling at trial. State v. Ferrin, 305 Neb. 762,
942 N.W.2d 404 (2020). It has repeatedly been held that a motion in limine is a procedural step to
prevent prejudicial evidence from reaching the jury. Id. It is not the office of a motion in limine to
obtain a final ruling upon the ultimate admissibility of the evidence. Id. Therefore, when a court
overrules a motion in limine to exclude evidence, the movant must object when the particular
evidence is offered at trial in order to predicate error before an appellate court. Id.
Here, Caporale did object at trial when evidence of the audio recordings and when the
contraband evidence was received at trial. Further, he assigns and argues these issues on appeal,
and we address those arguments elsewhere in this opinion. However, because this particular
assignment of error challenges only the district court’s ruling on Caporale’s motions in limine, it
presents nothing for appellate review.
Identification Testimony.
Caporale argues that the district court erred in overruling his motion to suppress Jacobsen’s
identification of Caporale and in allowing Jacobsen to testify at trial regarding that identification.
He argues that the fact Jacobsen had limited familiarity with Caporale’s appearance prior to the
controlled buy calls into question the reliability of the identification.
Generally, the due process clause places a check on the admission of eyewitness
identification when the police have arranged suggestive circumstances leading the witness to
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identify a particular person as the perpetrator of a crime. State v. Nolan, 283 Neb. 50, 807 N.W.2d
520 (2012) (discussing Perry v. New Hampshire, 565 U.S. 228, 132 S. Ct. 716, 181 L. Ed. 2d 694
(2012)). Suppression of identification evidence on the basis of undue suggestion is appropriate
only where the witness’ ability to make an accurate identification is outweighed by the corrupting
effect of improper police conduct. State v. Nolan, supra. Absent undue suggestion by law
enforcement, it is the jury, not the judge, who traditionally determines the reliability of evidence.
Id.
In this case, Caporale does not allege that law enforcement engaged in improper conduct
that would render Jacobsen’s identification of Caporale unreliable. Instead, he argues that because
Jacobsen had never met or seen Caporale prior to the controlled buy, the identification based on
his driver’s license photo should be considered “highly suspect.” Brief for appellant at 28.
However, suppression of Jacobsen’s identification of Caporale would only be warranted if there
existed evidence of improper police conduct. In the absence of such evidence, it was the jury’s
role to weigh the reliability of Jacobsen’s testimony.
The district court did not err when it overruled Caporale’s motion to suppress and overruled
Caporale’s objection to Jacobsen’s identification testimony. This argument fails.
Pretrial Motion to Dismiss.
Caporale contends that the district court erred by denying his motion to dismiss this case
on due process grounds. He argues that his due process rights were violated when the State
dismissed its original case against Caporale 3 days prior to trial and then waited 8 months before
filing charges again. He admits that this case was filed within the relevant statute of limitations.
The Nebraska Supreme Court has recognized that the due process clause requires dismissal
if a defendant can show that a delay between the dismissal of a defendant’s first indictment and
reindictment caused actual prejudice to his or her defense and that it was a deliberate action by the
State designed to gain a tactical advantage. State v. Trammell, 240 Neb. 724, 484 N.W.2d 263
(1992). However, Caporale does not argue that he was prejudiced by the State’s delay in refiling
charges, nor does he specifically allege that the State engaged in practices and policies that
“offends some principle of justice so rooted in the traditions and conscience of our people as to be
ranked as fundamental” or “transgresses any recognized principal of fundamental fairness in
operation.” State v. Harris, 296 Neb. 317, 339, 893 N.W.2d 440, 456 (2017).
Here, the reason for the State’s initial dismissal is apparent from the record. After initially
charging Caporale, the State chose to dismiss the charges because the district court denied its
motion to endorse an additional witness three days before trial. Subsequently, and within the
statute of limitations, the State re-filed charges against Caporale, and the witness testified at trial.
This was not an improper action by the State designed to gain a tactical advantage.
We conclude the district court did not err in denying Caporale’s pretrial motion to dismiss
on due process grounds.
Jacobsen’s Presence at Counsel Table.
Caporale next argues that the district court erred when it overruled his objection to having
Jacobsen remain seated at counsel table with the prosecutors throughout trial. He argues that the
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presence of Jacobsen “improperly gave the appearance of heightened credibility on the part of the
officer . . . and was prejudicial” to Caporale’s defense. Brief for appellant at 25.
Under Neb. Rev. Stat. § 27-615 (Reissue 2016), an order sequestering witnesses does not
apply to an individual whom the State has designated as its representative. The Supreme Court has
held that it is permissible for a law enforcement officer to be seated at counsel table throughout
trial, even when the officer is called to testify and a sequestration order has been entered. State v.
Freeman, 267 Neb. 737, 677 N.W.2d 164 (2004); State v. Jackson, 231 Neb. 207, 435 N.W.2d
893 (1989) (affirming trial court’s decision to allow expert witness doctor designated as State’s
representative to remain in courtroom throughout trial despite sequestration order).
In this case, the district court did not err when it allowed Jacobsen to remain in the
courtroom during trial. This argument fails.
Admissibility of Methamphetamine.
Caporale argues the district court erred by admitting the methamphetamine recovered by
law enforcement during the controlled buy. Specifically, he alleges that the confidential
informant’s failure to testify created a “significant break in the chain of custody.” Brief for
appellant at 24.
Where objects pass through several hands before being produced in court, it is necessary
to establish a complete chain of evidence, tracing the possession of the object or article to the final
custodian; and if one link in the chain is missing, the object may not be introduced in evidence.
State v. Weathers, 304 Neb. 402, 935 N.W.2d 185 (2019). Objects which relate to or explain the
issues or form a part of a transaction are admissible in evidence only when duly identified and
shown to be in substantially the same condition as at the time in issue. Id. It must be shown to the
satisfaction of the trial court that no substantial change has taken place in an exhibit so as to render
it misleading. Id. Important in determining the chain of custody are the nature of the evidence, the
circumstances surrounding its preservation and custody, and the likelihood of intermeddlers
tampering with the object. Id. Whether there is sufficient foundation to admit physical evidence is
determined on a case-by-case basis. Id.
In State v. Weathers, supra, the Supreme Court held that testimony of a physician
supervising the collection of evidence by a nurse was sufficient to establish chain of custody, even
if the physician did not handle all of the steps in securing the evidence personally. Id.
Here, Jacobsen testified that prior to the controlled buy, he thoroughly searched the
confidential informant and did not find any drugs. At all times during the buy, the confidential
informant was in the company of Jacobsen or Caporale, or he was within investigators’ direct line
of sight. During periods where Caporale’s vehicle was out of investigators’ view, the audio
recordings admitted at trial demonstrate that only Caporale and the informant were inside the car.
The recordings are consistent with a sale of drugs. After the buy was completed, the informant
handed the bag of methamphetamine directly to Jacobsen, and Jacobsen then searched the
informant a second time. Wiley and Hanselmann also observed the confidential informant from
their position across the street and did not witness any improper handling of the methamphetamine.
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Caporale does not cite authority requiring that each specific person who physically touched
a piece of evidence must testify, and we think testimony by three law enforcement officers who
supervised the controlled buy was sufficient to provide that step in the chain of custody.
We conclude that the district court did not abuse its discretion when it determined that there
was adequate foundation to allow the methamphetamine into evidence.
Admissibility of Audio Recordings.
Caporale claims the district court erred by admitting the audio recordings captured by the
device worn by the confidential informant. He contests the admissibility of the recorded phone
conversation and the recording of the controlled buy on two grounds: that there was insufficient
authentication that Caporale was one of the people speaking in both recordings and that the
informant’s alleged statements on the recordings were hearsay and violated his right to
confrontation. We conclude both arguments are without merit.
Under the Nebraska Rules of Evidence, the requirement of authentication or identification
as a condition precedent to admissibility is satisfied by evidence to support a finding that the matter
in question is what its proponent claims. State v. Savage, 301 Neb. 873, 920 N.W.2d 692 (2018).
This rule does not impose a high hurdle for authentication. Id. A proponent of evidence is not
required to conclusively prove the genuineness of the evidence or to rule out all possibilities
inconsistent with authenticity. Id. Neb. Rev. Stat. § 27-901(2)(e) (Reissue 2016) provides that a
voice may be authenticated “whether heard first-hand or through mechanical or electronic
transmission or recording, by opinion based upon hearing the voice at any time under
circumstances connecting it with the alleged speaker.”
Caporale argues that because Jacobsen only became familiar with the sound of Caporale’s
voice after the controlled buy on May 19, 2016, his authentication of the sound recordings at trial
was ineffective. Jacobsen testified that he had become familiar with Caporale’s voice through
depositions and by “being around” Caporale in general. This is a sufficient basis to authenticate
the recorded phone conversation and the recording from the confidential informant’s body-worn
device.
Although both recordings contained out-of-court statements by Caporale and the
confidential informant, none of those statements constituted hearsay. Additionally, the admission
of the statements did not violate the Confrontation Clause.
Hearsay is defined as “a statement, other than one made by the declarant while testifying
at the trial or hearing, offered in evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted.” Neb. Rev. Stat.
§ 27-801(3) (Reissue 2016). Hearsay is not admissible except as provided by the rules of evidence.
State v. Grant, 293 Neb. 163, 876 N.W.2d 639 (2016). Pursuant to § 27-801(4)(b)(i), a statement
is not hearsay if “[t]he statement is offered against a party and is . . . his or her own statement.”
See State v. Henry, 292 Neb. 834, 875 N.W.2d 374 (2016). If an out-of-court statement is not
offered for the purpose of proving the truth of the facts asserted, it is not hearsay. State v. Grant,
supra.
Neither Caporale’s nor the confidential informant’s statements were hearsay. Because
Caporale was a party to the case and his statements were offered against him, they fall outside the
definition of hearsay. The confidential informant’s statements were not offered to prove the truth
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of the matter asserted. Rather, they were admissible only to provide context for Caporale’s
independently admissible statements.
Additionally, because the confidential informant’s statements were not offered to prove the
truth of the matter asserted, they do not implicate the Confrontation Clause. Statements not offered
into evidence to prove the truth of the matter asserted do not violate a criminal defendant’s
confrontation rights. Williams v. Illinois, 567 U.S. 50, 132 S. Ct. 2221, 183 L. Ed. 2d 89 (2012).
“Statements providing context for other admissible statements are not hearsay because they are
not offered for their truth. As a result, the admission of such context evidence does not offend the
Confrontation Clause because the declarant is not a witness against the accused.” U.S. v. Spencer,
592 F.3d 866, 879 (8th Cir. 2010) (quoting U.S. v. Tolliver, 454 F.3d 660 (7th Cir. 2006)).
We therefore conclude that there was sufficient foundation to admit the audio recordings,
that statements on the recordings were not inadmissible hearsay, and that Caporale’s rights under
the Confrontation Clause were not violated. This argument fails.
Admissibility of Certificate of Title.
Caporale next argues that the district court erred by admitting a certificate of title for his
Ford Mustang. He alleges the State failed to disclose that it intended to offer the certificate at trial
in accordance with the court’s pretrial discovery order.
Here, at trial the State offered a certified copy of the certificate of title to Caporale’s
vehicle. This is a public record that would have been available to Caporale throughout the
pendency of the case. Moreover, this document belonged to Caporale--it was a certificate of title
for a vehicle he personally owned.
Even if we assumed that the court abused its discretion in admitting the certificate of title,
such error would be harmless because the certificate was cumulative evidence. Harmless error
exists in a jury trial of a criminal case when the court makes an erroneous evidentiary ruling which,
on review of the entire record, did not materially influence the jury in reaching a verdict adverse
to the defendant. State v. Epp, 278 Neb. 683, 773 N.W.2d 356 (2009). Erroneous admission of
evidence is harmless error and does not require reversal if the evidence is cumulative and other
relevant evidence, properly admitted, supports the finding by the trier of fact. State v. Ramirez,
287 Neb. 356, 842 N.W.2d 694 (2014).
Before the State offered the certificate of title into evidence, Hanselmann testified about
the contents of the certificate. Caporale did not object to Hanselmann’s testimony. Additionally,
there was testimony at trial that the Ford Mustang was registered in Caporale’s name and that
shortly before the controlled buy, it was seen parked outside Caporale’s residence. Jacobsen also
identified Caporale as the driver of the Mustang.
Considering these facts, we conclude that the certificate of title for Caporale’s vehicle was
cumulative evidence and even if we found that it was error to receive the certificate, such error
would be harmless. This argument is without merit.
Motion to Dismiss After State’s Case-in-Chief.
Caporale argues the district court erred in denying his motion to dismiss the case for failure
of proof at the conclusion of the State’s presentation of evidence. He contends the court should
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have dismissed the case entirely rather than electing to instruct the jury on the lesser-included
offense of distribution of methamphetamine. “[Caporale] was prejudiced by the [district court]
submitting the matter to the jury on the lesser charge, after the repeated references and evidence
by the State about the alleged offense having occurred near a park or playground.” Brief for
appellant at 29.
We conclude that Caporale has failed to preserve this issue for review on appeal. As the
State notes, when the district court elected to instruct the jury on the lesser-included offense,
Caporale did not object. Failure to make a timely objection waives the right to assert prejudicial
error on appeal. State v. Devers, 306 Neb. 429, 945 N.W.2d 470 (2020). Because Caporale failed
to object to the court’s decision to instruct the jury on distribution of methamphetamine, we will
not address this argument.
Jury Instructions.
Caporale argues that the district court erred in failing to give his requested jury instruction
regarding eyewitness identification testimony. We conclude that the court’s refusal of the
instruction was not reversible error.
In reviewing a claim of prejudice from jury instructions given or refused, the appellant has
the burden to show that the allegedly improper instruction or the refusal to give the requested
instruction was prejudicial or otherwise adversely affected a substantial right of the appellant. State
v. Pope, 305 Neb. 912, 943 N.W.2d 294 (2020). All the jury instructions must be read together,
and if, taken as a whole, they correctly state the law, are not misleading, and adequately cover the
issues supported by the pleadings and the evidence, there is no prejudicial error necessitating
reversal. Id.
To establish reversible error from a court’s refusal to give a requested instruction, an
appellant has the burden to show that (1) the tendered instruction is a correct statement of the law,
(2) the tendered instruction is warranted by the evidence, and (3) the appellant was prejudiced by
the court’s refusal to give the tendered instruction. Id. In this case, we need not determine whether
Caporale’s tendered instruction is a correct statement of the law, because we determine that based
on the evidence in this case, the instructions actually given by the district court were adequate and
Caporale was not prejudiced by the court’s refusal to give his proposed instruction on eyewitness
identification.
The only eyewitness in this case who identified Caporale was Jacobsen. Wiley and
Hanselmann were also eyewitnesses and were able to describe the red Mustang allegedly driven
by Caporale, which they observed parked outside of Caporale’s house prior to the controlled buy;
however, they did not identify Caporale at trial. Therefore, Jacobsen is the only witness to whom
Caporale’s proposed jury instruction might apply.
In State v. Freemont, 284 Neb. 179, 817 N.W.2d 277 (2012), the Supreme Court recognized
precedent of other courts to the effect that it is reversible error to refuse to give an eyewitness
identification instruction where the government’s case rests solely on questionable eyewitness
identification. The Court in Freemont determined that a proposed eyewitness identification
instruction was not warranted where identifying witnesses knew the defendant, there was no
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indication of racial bias in their identifications, and the identifications were corroborated by other
witnesses and by circumstantial evidence. Id.
Here, there were no other eyewitness identifications to corroborate Jacobsen’s
identification of Caporale, and Jacobsen’s identification was based on observing an enlarged color
photograph of Caporale prior to the controlled buy. Jacobsen had never met Caporale before.
However, Caporale does not assert that Jacobsen had difficulty identifying him due to racial
differences. The Supreme Court has noted that eyewitness identification instructions are more
likely to be required in cases where cross-racial identifications and identifications of strangers are
at issue. State v. McCurry, 296 Neb. 40, 891 N.W.2d 663 (2017).
We also note that although Jacobsen’s identification of Caporale was not explicitly
corroborated by other eyewitnesses and although Caporale was a stranger to Jacobsen, there was
circumstantial evidence to corroborate his identification. Such circumstantial evidence includes
evidence that Caporale had a red Ford Mustang registered in his name; that Jacobsen confirmed
his visual identification of Caporale by identifying Caporale’s voice on audio recordings of the
controlled buy; and by photographs taken of the red Mustang that showed the driver’s face.
The facts of this case did not require an eyewitness identification instruction, and instead
we conclude that the general credibility instruction given by the court adequately addressed the
issues. For example, the jury was instructed to determine witness credibility by considering, inter
alia, the witnesses’ “opportunity for seeing or knowing the things about which the witness
testified” and any “other evidence . . . that tends to support or contradict the testimony of the
witness.” We therefore reject this assignment of error.
Sufficiency of Evidence.
Caporale next claims that there was insufficient evidence presented at trial to support the
jury’s verdict of guilty. He asserts that the “identification evidence presented was highly
questionable,” highlights inconsistencies in Jacobsen’s testimony, and further argues that there
was “insufficient evidence as to where and how the contraband evidence came into the possession
of the [confidential informant].” Brief for appellant at 35-36, 37.
However, in reviewing a criminal conviction, an appellate court does not resolve conflicts
in the evidence, pass on the credibility of witnesses, or reweigh the evidence; such matters are for
the finder of fact. State v. Guzman, 305 Neb. 376, 940 N.W.2d 552 (2020). When a criminal
defendant challenges the sufficiency of the evidence upon which a conviction is based, the relevant
question for an appellate court is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable
to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime
beyond a reasonable doubt. Id.
Section 28-416(1) provides, in relevant part, that “it shall be unlawful for any person
knowingly or intentionally . . . [t]o manufacture, distribute, deliver, dispense, or possess . . . a
controlled substance.” Methamphetamine is a Schedule I controlled substance. Neb. Rev. Stat.
§ 28-405 (Reissue 2016).
With respect to his conviction, Caporale simply attacks the credibility of Jacobsen’s
testimony regarding his identification of Caporale and the chain-of-custody of the
methamphetamine purchased from Caporale by the confidential informant. But an appellate court
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does not pass on the credibility of witnesses or reweigh the evidence; such matters are for the
finder of fact. State v. Guzman, supra.
According to the testimony and evidence at trial, a confidential informant informed
Jacobsen that he could purchase methamphetamine from Caporale, and Jacobsen then set up a
“controlled buy” operation with other investigators and the informant. On May 19, 2016, Jacobsen
drove the informant to Casey’s gas station and observed the informant get into a car driven by
Caporale. After Caporale drove around the block, the informant exited Caporale’s vehicle and gave
Jacobsen a small bag of a crystalline substance he had purchased from Caporale. The crystalline
substance tested positively for methamphetamine. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable
to the State, there was sufficient evidence to convict Caporale of distribution of methamphetamine.
Excessive Sentence.
Finally, Caporale argues that the district court imposed an excessive sentence. Caporale
was convicted of one count of distribution of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) in
violation of § 28-416(2)(a), a Class II felony. The maximum penalty for a Class II felony is 50
years’ imprisonment and the minimum penalty is 1 year imprisonment. § 28-105. Caporale was
sentenced to 4 to 10 years’ imprisonment. This sentence is well within the statutory limits.
Where a sentence imposed within the statutory limits is alleged on appeal to be excessive,
the appellate court must determine whether a sentencing court abused its discretion in considering
and applying the relevant factors as well as any applicable legal principles in determining the
sentence to be imposed. State v. Smith, 302 Neb. 154, 922 N.W.2d 444 (2019). In determining a
sentence to be imposed, relevant factors customarily considered and applied are the defendant’s
(1) age, (2) mentality, (3) education and experience, (4) social and cultural background, (5) past
criminal record or record of law-abiding conduct, and (6) motivation for the offense, as well as (7)
the nature of the offense and (8) the amount of violence involved in the commission of the crime.
Id. The appropriateness of a sentence is necessarily a subjective judgment and includes the
sentencing judge’s observation of the defendant’s demeanor and attitude and all the facts and
circumstances surrounding the defendant’s life. Id.
Because the sentence was within the statutory limits, the question is whether the district
court abused its discretion. Caporale argues that the district court “appeared to place an undue
weight or emphasis on the prior conviction [Caporale] had in 1992.” Brief for appellant at 38.
Caporale also notes that he had serious health concerns at the time of sentencing, which included
“occasional blackouts [and] acute kidney injury and also emphysema.” Brief for appellant at 39-40.
Caporale also asserts that the fact he cooperated with the presentence investigation process, helped
care for his elderly mother, and had maintained regular employment for a period of years were
factors that indicated he was a suitable candidate for probation.
However, the court did consider Caporale’s health issues, as well as the other matters
Caporale outlines in his brief. Prior to pronouncing its sentence, the court stated it had reviewed
the presentence investigation and considered all appropriate sentencing factors. The comments
made by the district court at sentencing, including comments about Caporale’s prior conviction,
do not indicate that the court considered any inappropriate factors in reaching its sentencing
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determination. Therefore, we conclude that the sentence imposed by the district court did not
constitute an abuse of discretion.
Outcome: For the foregoing reasons, we conclude that the district court did not err in the pretrial and trial rulings complained of by Caporale, that there was sufficient evidence to support the conviction, and that the district court did not impose an excessive sentence. Accordingly, we affirm Caporale’s conviction and sentence.
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