A Grant County man convicted as an habitual offender on drug related charges has failed to convince the Court of Appeals that there was insufficient evidence for his conviction.
Darius Hill, 55, is serving a 252-month sentence at the Wrightsville Unit after being convicted of possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia in 2024.
During that trial, Deputy Rick Stevenson testified that he conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by Hill and during a search, found a bag of methamphetamine and a glass smoking pipe with residue. A chemist from the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory testified that the substance found in the bag testified positive for methamphetamine. He also said he did not test the substance in the pipe.
After the state rested, Hill’s attorney asked for a directed verdict, saying the state had not proved Hill had the drugs or the pipe because they were found on the passenger side of the car. Prosecutors responded by saying Hill was the only person in the vehicle and the pipe was the type used to smoke methamphetamine.
Hill’s attorney rested without calling any witnesses and again asked for a directed verdict which was again denied. The jury then found Hill guilty.
In his appeal, Hill argues that the state did not prove he was in actual possession of the methamphetamine, but the appeals court said that argument has no merit. The court went on to say that when a defendant is the sole occupant of a vehicle is evidence that he or she has control over the contraband (drugs and pipe).
Hill will be eligible to apply for parole in 2028.
