Haynes, Billy Wayne ( 2015 )


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  • Mr. Abel Acosta¥Clerk l
    Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas
    P.O.Box 12308, Capitol Station
    Austin, Texas 78711
    Dear Clerk, . July 8,2015
    Please find enclosed Applicants Reply to States Response
    to his writ of habeas corpus-writ no. WR-82,685~01,
    Cause No. B-35,839-A.
    Your attention to this matter is appreciated.
    Billy W..Haynes
    #1723231 Clements H/S
    9601 Spur 591
    Amarlllo, Texas 79107
    RECE|VED |N
    couRT oF cR:MaNALAPPEALs
    _JuL 132915
    Abe!Acosia,Gler£<
    CAUSE NO. B-35,839-A
    WRIT NO. WR-82,685-01
    EX parte ’ lIN‘THE DISTRICT COURT
    ' 1618t; JUDICIAL DISTRICT
    BILLY WAYNE HAYNES ' `` ECTOR COUNTY, TEXAS
    APPLICANTS REPLY TO STATES RESPONSE AND.
    PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FA€T AND GONCEUSiONS ``
    TO APPLIGANTS WRIT OF HABEAS G©RPUS 11.07
    f’ . GROUND 1
    State argues Applicant has provided no evidence proving or even
    implying that jailhouse informant Micah May gave false or mis-
    leading testimony.~
    APPLICANT-REPLY.``
    Applicant has requested a evidentiary hearing at every opport
    -unity so that he could in fact establish the record for the'
    Courts. With a hearing and the assistance of counsel for the
    purpose.of the hearing, he would be able to show that May did
    give false and misleading testimony, but was not afforded that
    opportunity.
    Applicant contends that the State knew May's testimony was
    indeed false, but used it anyway, in an attempt to corroborate
    l accomplice witness testimony; The State did not introduce May's
    letter into evidence, only chose to ask him certain questions on
    the stand; May had his own version of the events, and did not
    corroborate any of the testimony from any other witness.
    Anyone reading it and knowing the facts of the case_could
    easly see May was only hoping to get something in return for his
    false testimony§.as he done so.
    Surely the State done a investigation on May, to see if he
    could have actually talked to Applicant5 and discovered that he
    never lived around him, no shared activities. This was May's
    Second attempt to sell his lies, he wrote the State in the end
    of 2010, but they_didn‘t-use-that,»and ten to.14 days before
    trialj they decide to use his second letter. How convenient.
    Applicant has tried to obtain a copy of May's letter? he even
    wrote to Mr.Leach-trial counsel¥and requested it, and in a reply
    2.
    dated January 30,2013, was told quote;" I looked for a copy of
    May’s statement, but could.not find it.": Applicant has.done all
    ,he could to obtain a copy of May's letter.to the.State.
    lt was his hopes that he could have requested and got a copy in.
    a hearing. 7 n
    State argues that discrepencies in testimony do not alone
    make a case for perjury¢Losada v. wstate,721 S.w 2d 305(T.c.A.
    1986) and that may be so, but:there where way``more then just a
    few discrepancies in May's statement, he had a totally different``
    version; Ex parte Weinstein,421 SW3d 656~67L(T.C.A.2014)-Testimony
    need not be perjured to constitute a due process violation;
    rather, it is sufficient that the testimony was false.
    Applicant never contended that May testified that he shared
    Common activities, as is the States contention, he said that
    May has never been housed with Applicant} they Shared no
    common activities, in an attempt to show that it never happend3
    there was never an opportunity; and Applicant has NEVER had a``
    conversation with May on any level! May was moved to the same
    housing area, 2000 block, only after he agreed to testify for
    the State against Applicant, and this was against his wishes.
    (RR vol 11 241). ``
    Applicant maintains that State used false testimony from
    one of its witness to secure the'conviction; a violation of
    his due process,_U.S.C.Amend;lé, Texas Const.l§§lO;IQ; and it
    capitalized on it.in its closing arguments-US.v.Sanfilippo,.
    564 F.zd 176;179(5ch cir.1977)'5tates_closing arguments``
    (RR vol 13 34) "he told Micah May, excuse the racial slur,
    that bitchass mexican got what he deserved"
    3.
    Ihis was the last thing the jury heard before retiring to begin
    deliberations. _ n bn
    The Court of Criminal'Appeals has held that, the due process
    clause of the Fourteenth Amendment is violated where the state
    knowingly uses perjured testimony to obtain a conviction. fx parte
    Ghahreman,332 SW$d.470,483(T.C.A.2011)
    US v;Bagley5473 U}S.667,669,105 S.Ct.3375(1985)-The Supreme Gourt
    has suggested that the knowingly use of "false" testimony is%.
    treated the same as knowingly use of perjerd testimonyi-
    Applicant has shown diligence in trying to obtain a copy of
    Mays letter, as well as trying to get a hearing so that he can
    properly establish the record to support.his'claims outlined in
    his writ of habeas corpus, but was denied the opportunity by
    the court. He contends he has never had a conversation with
    Micah May, there has never been an opportunity to do so, and
    can prove this with the assistance of'a hearing-and counsel for
    the purpose of the hearing.
    Applicant prays this court GRANT relief.sought, or in the
    alternative; order the.trial court to hold a hearing so that
    he can establish the record.
    GROUND 2.
    State contends that trial counsel was not ineffective for
    failing to investigate May is without merit; and that no
    evidence was presented to sustantiate Applicant's claims,
    and he failed to show what an investigation would have shown.
    APPLICANT'S REPLY.
    Applicant did,.in his memorandum in support of his.writ, show
    what an investigation would have shown. May has never lived in
    »a cell with nor around Applicant, there was never an-oppottunity
    4.
    for Applicant to have a conversation with May; among other things.
    lf counsel had done a investigation, prior to trial, he would
    have been able to show that what May.claimed was in deed false.
    Counsel had asked Applicant who was May and was told he did not
    know, that should have by itself warranted a investigationy and
    when counsel requested an interview with May through his counsel,
    and was told no, that should have added to the need for an``
    investigation. (RR vol 11 233). Counsel did not object to May's
    testimony, only parts, and he objected to the purported threat
    by May, but nothing'more-_
    The courts of appeals are in agreement that failure to conduct
    any pretrial investigation generally constitutes a clear instance
    Of ineffectivenessu See,e.g``,Sullivan,Sl@ F»Zd at 1391-92_
    (prefunctory attempts to contact,.attempts to contact witness
    not reasonable); Code v. Montgomery,799 F.Zd 1481,1483(11th_0ir.
    1986)(counsel's performance fell below competency standard
    where he interviewed-only one.witness); Nealy v} Cabana,764 F.Zd
    1173,1177(5th Cir)"[A]t a minimum counsel has the duty to inter-
    view potential witnesses and to make an independant investigation
    of the facts and circumstances of the case."@
    "The complete failure to investigate potentially corroborating
    witnessesi;.can hardly be considered a tactial decision." ?
    Sullivan'v;Fairman,SiQ F;Zd 138251391(7th Cir.1987)Lr
    In counsels affidavit? he offers no reason for his failure to
    investigated only mentions what May testified to, that he never
    testified to living around.Applicant;,Applicants_claims.involve``
    pre-trial investigations. Counsel gives no reasoning for_thiss
    "[A]n attorney must engage in~a reasonable amount of prevtrial
    investigation and at 'a.minimu;..interview potential witnesses'
    and make-an independant investigation of the facts and circun-
    stances in the case." Bryant v. Scott,28 F.3d 1411,1420(5th.€ir»
    1994)(quoting Nealy v. Cabana,764'F.2d 1173,1177(5th:0ir.1985).
    State argues that if Leachs performance was somehow deficient
    for failing to discover what Applicant claims he should have,
    Applicant cannot show that this error was so serious that there
    exist a reasonable probability that the proceedings would have
    ``been different. l
    Applicant fails to see how counsels failure to investigate the
    States potential witnesses could not have effected the outcome of
    the trial. State used May in an attempt to corroborate accomplice
    witness.testimony.'They argued that Applicant was boasting, that'
    he admitted to May, then in its closing arguments; reiterated_~
    his:false testimony in its closing argumentsl Mast false testimony
    also had an effect on Applicants direct review; The only other
    testimony was from accomplice witnesses, and a conviction cannot
    be obtained on their testimony. T.C.CrP;art,38.14.
    Counsel states-in his affidavit that had Applicant wanted to
    refute the false.testimony§ he could have done so; but fails to
    mention he strongly advised Applicant to not to take the stand,
    for the State could bring up any alleged bad acts, whether true
    or not, if he did.(RR vol 12 6), Applicant Should not be forced
    to forfeit his right to remain silent in order to refute any of
    the States?witnesses, especially ones that counsel has a duty to
    investigate, but failed to do so;'
    Applicant prays this Court Grant relief
    6.
    GROUND 3.
    State contends that Applicants claim of.Ineffective Assistance
    of counsel for failure to investigate States witness Marcela
    McKinney,'is:without“merit;
    APPLICANT'S REPLY;
    Again, State claims Applicant has submitted no evidence in
    support of his claims. Applicant has tried.at any and all times``
    to request a hearing? but has been denied. IE-the.trial courts
    won't give Applicant a hearing so that he can properly establish
    a record, it is no fault of his. He is doing the best he can to
    show the court what he says is true.
    State contends that Applicant should forfiet his right to remain
    silent, in order to refute the testimony of one of its witnesses.
    Applicant maintains that he should not have to forfiet any of
    his rights in order to refute any of the States witnesses.
    Counsel again does not offer any explanation in his affidavit
    as to why he failed to investigate States witness Marcela``McKinny
    but does state that Applicant could have waived his right to'
    remain silent to refute her testimony; even though.he strongly
    advised against doing so.(RR vol 12 6). Applicant should not
    have to waive any/of.his Constitutional rights because counsel
    failed to perform his duty, to investigate States witnesses.
    Code v. Montgomery,799 F;Zd 1481,1483(11 th Cir.1986);Nealy v.
    Cabana,764``F¢2d 1173,1177(5th Cir;1985);Sullivan v. Fairman,
    819 F.Zd_1382,l391(7th Cir;1987);Bryant v. Scott,28 F.3d 1411,1420
    (5th»cir;1994).' `` '
    ``State claims there was no other eyewitnesses to Applicants
    confrontation with'McKinney, that is false, Had counsel done an
    investigation5_he~dould have found that it was not»McKinneyfwho
    claimed she-was in directicontrol of Applicant, but her direct
    supervisor Cpl. Wilson. Applicant wasn't allowed out of the cell
    until someone was there with cuffs and shackles; and McKinney was
    in the picket at all times, the confrontation happend infront of,
    Cpl.Wilson;_he just told Applicant to ignore here She has a history
    of doing.this, as §he testified to (RR vol 11 260,261);
    Again, counsel offers no reasoning in his affidavit as to why
    'he.failed to investigate the States witnesses. bb
    Applicant prays this Court GRANT.relief.
    GROUND 4,
    States contention that-Applicants* claim of lneffective
    Assistance on counsel for failure to object to the States use
    of his tattoo's is without merit.
    APPLICANTPS REPLY.
    Applicant contends counsel should have objected to the admittance
    of his tattoo's, specifically, States exhibit Noz82; a picture of_
    "Lightning bolts" on his neck. State had already~submitted~other-
    pictures, namely of Applicants.“patch"'and it was never denied
    that he was a member of the Aryan Circle; so the only reason
    the State used the "bolts" was to inflame the minds and passions
    of the jury; as seven out of twelve, plus the alterane jurors
    were hispanic. There is nothing that suggest anything in'the',
    picture that has to do with anything other then Applicants beliefs.
    No lettering, no numbering,~nothing..States_"expert.witness" on
    Gangs, Billy Bloom, even testified that their meaning was in a
    8.
    "further belief in'national'socialisim"'and were.”nazi Germany
    Waffen SS";(RR vol 10 193). lt is Applicants contention,ithe State
    used them to make.Applicant look like a "raging racist" as if
    race was apart of the issue, when in fact, noone knew who was
    who, much less their race. lt was done in contention;tojMay's
    false~testimony,_"that'bitchass mexican got.what he deserved",
    which was never stated by Applicanti They were posted on a wide
    screen so the jury was.sure to see them.
    lt was materialy'as'it more.likely-thenfnotyiinvoked the
    passion§ and emotions of the hispanic jurors. l
    Applicant prays this'Gourt Grant relief
    GROUND 5§"_
    State contends Applicant's claim of Ineffective Assistance of
    counsel for failure to request an accomplice by law instruction
    on both Chunn and Griffin is without'merit}
    APPLICANT{S REPLY,
    State argues that.€hunn just ”rode along", that he was in no way
    culpable;_Applicant disagrees. Counsel should have requested an
    accomplice by law instruction, due to both Chunn and Griffins own
    testimony. Even the Appellate Court-Eastland found that Chunn,
    was "some evidence that Chunn.may have committed an act to
    promote the commission of the offense."_See,Haynes v.State,2013
    Tex.App.LEXis-7232(Tex.App.Eastland June 13,2013 pét;ref'd).
    Chunn was told to go home by Kevin Jackson(RRvolll 104-05)
    and he refused, He knew all in the car with him was Aryan Circle
    (RR vol 11 200) admitted he got out of the:car when they got to
    Hughes(RR vol 11 203),.he was a willing participant.from_the
    9.
    start. He had more then a culpable state, and the only reason he
    nor Griffin was chargedy was per.detective D;Bass,~they were not
    believed to be Aryan Circle (RR vol 10 27). Griffin testified
    that he was in fact a member of the Aryan Circle on the.night of
    the offense (RR vol 11 185) and that he was all for taking care-
    of business(RR vol 11 190-91), so much for.det;Bass's theory, the
    Same could be said for Chunn; but because he didn“t admit it? He
    was not some innocent Person as the'State-contends; and counsel
    should have requested the instruction by law on both Ghunn and
    Griffin..
    Hannah Fierros(RR vol 11 51) testified that.everyone-knew that
    they were going to the Barina residence to retaliate for what had
    happend to her and Scott earlier that night;
    A witness is culpable as a party to the offense in which the
    defendant was charged if he acted "with the intent to promote
    or assist the commission of the offense.”Tex.Penal Code ANN §
    7.02(a)(2)(West~2011)
    A person acts intentionally, or with respect to the nature of his
    conduct or to a result of his conduct when it is his conscious
    objective or desire to engage in the conduct or cause the result,
    Tex.Penal Code §6.03(a). 9
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Document Info

Docket Number: WR-82,685-01

Filed Date: 7/13/2015

Precedential Status: Precedential

Modified Date: 9/29/2016