Jorge Luis Gonzalez v. State ( 2015 )

ACCEPTED
13-15-00166-CR
FILED THIRTEENTH COURT OF APPEALS
IN THE 13TH COURT OF APPEALS CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
CORPUS CHRISTI - EDINBURG 7/31/2015 10:01:53 AM
CECILE FOY GSANGER
CLERK
07/31/15
13-15-00166-CR
CECILE FOY GSANGER, CLERK
BY cholloway
RECEIVED IN
13th COURT OF APPEALS
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS
CORPUS CHRISTI/EDINBURG, TEXAS
THIRTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
7/31/2015 10:01:53 AM
CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS CECILE FOY GSANGER
Clerk
__________________________
JORGE LUIS GONZALEZ,
Appellant
VS.
THE STATE OF TEXAS,
Appellee
___________________________
ON APPEAL FROM THE 389TH DISTRICT COURT
OF HIDALGO COUNTY, TEXAS
CAUSE NUMBER CR-3747-14-H
____________________________
FIRST AMENDED BRIEF FOR THE APPELLANT
JORGE LUIS GONZALEZ
____________________________
/s/ Robert D. Puente
ROBERT D. PUENTE
LAW OFFICE OF ROBERT D. PUENTE
1315 W. POLK, STE 24
PHARR, TEXAS 78577
TEL.956- 502-5258
FAX.956-618-9904
SBN 24013359
robpuente@msn.com
ORAL ARGUMENT REQUESTED ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
1
TABLE OF INTERESTED PARTIES
Ms. Veronica Sepulveda State’s Trial Counsel
Assistant District Attorney
100 N. Closner
Edinburg, Texas, 78539
Mr. Adolfo Al Alvarez Trial Counsel
Al Alvarez Law Offices
4409 N. McColl Rd.
McAllen, Texas 78504
Hon. Leticia Lopez Trial Court Judge
Judge Presiding
389th District Court
Hidalgo County, Texas
Robert D. Puente Appellant’s Counsel
1315 W. Polk, Ste 24
Pharr, Texas 78577
Theodore C. Hake Appellee’s Counsel
Assistant District Attorney
100 N. Closner
Edinburg, Texas 78539
2
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE(S)
Table of Interested
Parties…………………………….………………………………….…….2
Table of
Contents……………………………………………………………………3
Table of Authorities…………………………………………………….… 4
Statement of the
Case……………..………………………………………………….………7
Issues Presented…………………………………………………………….8
Summary of the
Argument………………………………………………………………...9
Appellant’s First Point of
Error…………………………………………………………………..…14
Appellant’s Second Point of
Error…………………………………………………………………..…..19
Appellant’s Third Point of
Error…………………………………………………………………..…..23
Conclusion and
Prayer……………………………………………………………….……..27
Certificate of
Service……………………………………………………………….…….28
Certificate of
Compliance………………………………..………………………….…….28
3
TABLE OF AUTHORITIES
STATE CASES PAGE
Almanza v. State, 686 S.W.2d 157 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985)……………………..20
Brooks v. State, 323 S.W.3d 893, 895(Tex. Crim. App. 2010) ………………..15
Clayton v. State,235 S.W.3D 772,778(Tex. Crim.App.2007) …………………..16
Evans v. State, 202 S.W.d 158, 162 n.12(Tex.Crim.App.2006).. ………………..20
Garcia v. State, 2004 WL 253570, (Tex App.-Corpus Christi) (not for
publication)………………………………………………………………………20
Huizar vs. State 12 S.W.3d 479, 484 (Tex . Crim. App.2000) ………………19,20
Hutch vs. State, 922 S.W.2d 166, (Tex. Crim. App. 1996)……………………21.
Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct.2781, 61 L. Ed 2d 560(1979)….15
Jenkins v. State, 76 S.W.3d 709, (Tex. App-Corpus Christi, 2002)………….17,15
Marx v. State, 141 Tex. Crim. 628, 150 S.W.2d 1014 (1941)…………………..24
4
Olivarez v. State, 171 S.W. 3d 283,291 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.2005) no
petition……………………………………………………………………….15,16
Poindexter v. State, 153 S.W.3d 402, 405(Tex. Crim. App. 2005)…………….15
Ramirez v. State, 65 S.W.3d 156, (Tex. App.-Amarillo, 2001)…………………25
Rayme vs. State,178 S.W. 3d 21,25 (Tex. App-Houston [14th District]) (citing
Huizar at 484.)……………………………………………………………………20
Riascos vs. State, 792S.W. 2d 754, (Tex. App.- Houston [14th Court}),
1990……………………………………………………………………....23,24, 26
Richardson v. State, 158 Tex Crim.536, 257 S.W. 2d 308(1953)………………24
Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 s. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674
(1984)……………………………………………………………………………23
Temple v. State, 390 SW.3D 341, 360 (Tex. App. 2013)………………………..15
Thompson v. State, 9S.W. 3d 808, (Tex.Crim App 1999)……………………….23
Wilkersen v. State, 726 S.W.2d 542,548 (Tex.Crim.App.1986) cert. denied, 480
U.S. 940,107 S.Ct.1590, 94 L.Ed 2d
779………………………………………………………………………………23
Vaughn v. State, 931 S.W.2d 564,566 (Tex. Cr. App.1996)…………………..25
5
RULES:
Texas Code of Criminal Procedure 37.07, section 3(a)…………………19
Texas Rule of Evidence 404…………………………………………….19
Texas Rule of Evidence 405…………………………………………….19
Texas Constitution, Article 1, section 3a………………………………..25
6
NO. 13-15-00166-CR
JORGE LUIS GONZALEZ, § IN THE COURT OF
Appellant § APPEALS, 13TH
v. § JUDICIAL DISTRICT
THE STATE OF TEXAS, § CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS
Appellee
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
To the Honorable Thirteenth Court of Appeals:
Now Comes, Jorge Luis Gonzalez, appellant in the case herein, by and through
Robert D. Puente, and Attorney-at-Law, and files this brief in cause number 13-15-
00166-CR. The appellant was charged by way of an indictment with the offense of
Possession of a Controlled Substance in cause number CR-3747-14-H. Following
a jury trial in 389th District Court, Hidalgo County the appellant was found guilty
of the offense as charged in the indictment. The jury assessed punishment at nine
(9) years of confinement in the institutional division of the Texas Department of
Corrections, with a fine of $9,000.00. Notice of appeal was filed and this appeal,
alleging three points of error, has followed.
7
ISSUES PRESENTED
APPELLANTS FIRST POINT OF ERROR
The Court erred in denying Appellant’s Motion for Directed Verdict as there was
no evidence, or legally or factually insufficient evidence to support a finding of
additional links for possession of a controlled substance, because no rational trier
of fact could have found Appellant guilty of possession of a controlled substance.
APPELLANTS SECOND POINT OF ERROR
The Court erred in omitting instruction regarding extraneous offenses and the
burden of proof of beyond a reasonable doubt during the punishment phase of the
trial, an omission that caused harmful error to Appellant and rendered an improper
sentence.
APPELLANTS THIRD POINT OF ERROR
Appellant was deprived of effective assistance of counsel in that trial counsel
failed to object to evidence presented by the State during the punishment phase of
the trial of Appellant’s national origin and immigration status.
8
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT
Appellant contends that the State presented legally and factually insufficient
evidence of possession of a controlled substance. The Court erred in not granting
Appellant’s motion for directed as a jury could not find beyond a reasonable doubt
the elements of possession, to wit additional links between Appellant and the
contraband alleged. The Court also erred in its omission of a jury charge
instruction during the punishment phase of trial regarding the burden of proof for
extraneous crimes and bad acts. Appellant was deprived of effective assistance of
counsel, as counsel failed to object to improper inquiry by the State regarding
Appellant’s national origin and immigration status.
STATEMENT OF FACTS
Jorge Luis Gonzalez was arrested and charged by indictment for the offense
of possession of a controlled substance, to wit, cocaine, in an amount by aggregate
weight of four grams or more, but less than 200 grams, alleged to have been
committed on or about July 15, 2014, in Donna, Hidalgo County, Texas. CRR
Volume 15, page 23, lines 21 thru 25. On or about 11:40 p.m., Officer Reynaldo
Ramirez, Donna Police officer testified that he responded to a call concerning
possible undocumented immigrants being held at a location at 4 Z’s Mobile Home
Park in Donna, Texas. CRR Vol. 13, page 114, lines 7-25. Officer Ramirez stated
9
that he approached the location in a marked police car and activated his overhead
and left alley lights, as it was dark. CCR Volume 13, page 116, lines 16-25. He
observed a gray Nissan facing the road way, with the driver side front door open
and two males standing outside. Id. He also observed Appellant sitting in the front
passenger seat. Id. Officer Ramirez testified that he approached the vehicle from
the passenger side and observed the Appellant; the other two males fled the vehicle
and ran behind the mobile home. Id. at page 118, lines 5-18. Ramirez stated that of
the two males who ran, only one was apprehended. Id. at Page 134, lines 20-25.
Officer Ramirez stated that he was accompanied by Officer Trevino, who sat at the
passenger side; Officer Eric Perez arrived in a separate squad car, as Officer
Ramirez was exiting the vehicle. Id.
Officer Ramirez exited the vehicle, identified a fourth male standing near a
mattress, and began a pursuit of Appellant, who had fled. Id. Ramirez stated that
Appellant ran a short distance, and stopped after Ramirez identified himself as a
police officer. Id at page 119, lines 1 thru 8. Ramirez patted down Appellant, for
officer safety, and found no weapons. Id. Ramirez had commanded Appellant to
stop in English. Id. at page 135. Ramirez testified, over Appellant’s objection, that
he found U.S., Guatemalan, and Honduran currency in Appellant’s front pant
pocket. Id. Ramirez did not find any cocaine on Appellant at the time of the
10
apprehension. Id at page 136, lines 7-9. Ramirez stated that he detained Appellant
in Ramirez’s patrol car. Id at p. 121, lines 19-21.
Officer Trevino testified that he chased after two males who were standing a
few yards away from the driver side door. CCR Vol. 14, page 7, lines 4-7. Trevino
said he detained one; the other got away. Id. at page 8, lines 9-20. Trevino did not
learn the name of the detained person, as he immediately turned the male over to
the custody of the U.S. Border Patrol. Id at page 9, lines 14-24. Trevino testified
that he noticed Appellant sitting in the passenger side of the vehicle as he ran after
the other two males, but did not recall if Appellant’s legs were inside or outside of
the vehicle. Id at page 13, lines 8-12.
Ramirez then stated that he approached the gray Nissan and saw, in “plain
view”, a “clear corner cut baggie containing a white powdery substance” with a set
of keys on it. CCR Volume 13, page 121, lines 5-8. Ramirez testified that he
continued searching the vehicle, finding a clear cut baggie with a white powdery
substance in the dashboard compartments, and side right front passenger handle. Id
at page 122, lines 12-17. Ramirez testified that he believed the substance to be
cocaine and that all the bags were in plain view from a vantage point outside of the
vehicle. Id pages 122-124. Ramirez testified that more currency was found in the
dashboard compartment. Id at page 125, line 8-25.
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Ramirez testified that no fingerprints were taken from the clear baggies or
inside of the vehicle. Id at page 136, lines 13-15. Ramirez stated that Appellant did
not appear intoxicated, nor were tests run to determine if Appellant had used
cocaine. Id at page 136, lines 15-18.
Investigator Flores, Donna Police Department, testified that he interrogated
Appellant at the police station. CCR Volume 14, page 15, lines 24-25; page 16,
lines 1-5. Flores read Appellant his Miranda rights. CCR Volume 14, page 16,
lines 5-6. The warnings, Flores testified, were read to Appellant in Spanish. Id at p.
16, lines 18-22. Flores testified that he ran a registration check on the vehicles
found at the residence at the time of Appellant’s arrest and the Nissan was
registered to Appellant. Id. at page 18, lines 20-25. Flores stated that Appellant
denied any knowledge of the drugs found when asked. Id at page 19, lines 6-7.
Flores testified that Appellant stated to him that one of the males who ran
consumed cocaine regularly. Id. at page 25, lines 12-16. Flores affirmed that of the
three males who were pursued the night of Appellant’s arrest, only the Appellant
was arrested and questioned. Id. at page 27, lines 14-19.
Witness Zuni Gonzalez, a forensic expert with Texas DPS Crime
Laboratory, testified that the white powdery substance found was tested and
determined to be cocaine. CCR Volume 15, page 10, lines 22-25. She further
12
testified that the weight of the powder itself was 7.55 grams. Id at page 10, lines
22-25.
Appellant was found guilty and elected to go to the jury for punishment. At
the punishment trial, Appellant filed an application for probation, with the state
stipulating that he was eligible for probation as a first time offender. CCR Vol. 16,
page 5, lines 4-7. Officer Reynaldo Ramirez, Donna PD, testified that a bottle with
two pills and a half smoked marihuana cigarette were also found in the vehicle.
CCR Vol. 16, page 9, line 23-25; page 10, lines 1-4. Hearing thumping, Officer
Ramirez stated that he entered the trailer home and found 15 undocumented
immigrants in a room. Id. at page 12, lines 15-20; page 15, lines 7-10. He also
witnessed another five females, dressed only in bras and underwear emerge from
another room. Id. at page 16, lines 1-6. Officer Ramirez, when questioned by the
State, stated that Appellant was also undocumented and had an “ICE hold” or
immigration-related detainer. Id. at page 16, lines 7-15.
Daniel Gonzalez, with the Hidalgo County Probation Department, testified,
stating that a person who has an ICE hold will probably be deported to their
country of origin. Id. at page 20, lines 7-19. He furthered added that a person who
is convicted with a felony will not be allowed back to the United States. Id. The
State asked Gonzalez what conditions could be fulfilled and he stated only one,
which is to report to the probation office by mail. Id at page 22, line 17-21. The
13
State, upon a cross examination of Appellant’s mother, who testified as a character
witness, questioned Appellant’s mother about Appellant’s national origin and
whether he was a United States citizen. Id. at page 36, lines 14-22.
After each side closed their respective cases during the punishment phase, the
Court read the charge to the jury. CCR Volume 16, pages 42- 56. The jury charge
during the punishment phase of the trial makes no mention of extraneous offenses,
nor does the charge list that extraneous offenses should be proved beyond a
reasonable doubt. Id.
The State, at closing, discussed that Appellant was guilty of the crimes of
possession of the pills and alien smuggling. Id. at pages 56-57. The State also at
closing argument discussed the violence and drugs coming in from Mexico. Id at
page 58, lines 16-25. The State added:
“This is someone that’s part of a criminal enterprise, a criminal enterprise that
spilling into our streets, crossing into our border, and making this area unsafe for
our family and our community.” Id at page 60, lines 10-13.
APPELLANT’S FIRST POINT OF ERROR
THE COURT ERRED IN DENYING APPELLANT’S MOTION FOR
DIRECTED VERDICT AS THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE, OR LEGALLY OR
FACTUALLY INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT A FINDING OF
ADDITIONAL LINKS FOR POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED
SUBSTANCE, BECAUSE NO RATIONAL TRIER OF FACT COULD HAVE
14
FOUND APPELLANT GUILTY OF POSSESSION OF A CONTROLLED
SUBSTANCE.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
When reviewing the legal sufficiency of the evidence, an appellate court
must ask “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.” Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99
S. Ct. 2781, 61 L.Ed 2d 560 (1979). See Temple v. State, 390 S.W.3d 341, 360 (
Tex. App. 2013).This review standard requires an examination of all the evidence,
both properly and improperly admitted, to determine whether the cumulative force
of all the evidence (direct, circumstantial, or both) supports the verdict when such
evidence is viewed in the light most favorable to that verdict. Clayton v. State, 235
S.W.3d 772, 778 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). A single standard applies to both legal
and factual sufficiency. Brooks v. State, 323 S.W.3d 893, 895 (Tex. Crim. App.
2010).
ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES
To prove unlawful possession of a controlled substance, the State must
prove: (1) that the accused exercised control, management, or care over the
substance and (2) that the accused knew the matter possessed was contraband.
Poindexter v. State, 153 S.W.3d 402, 405 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005) . When the
15
accused is not in exclusive possession of the place where the contraband is found,
the State must show additional affirmative links between the accused and the
controlled substance. See Jenkins v. State, 76 S.W.3d 709, (Tex App.-Corpus
Christi, 2002); Olivarez v. State, 171 S.W.3d 283, 291 (Tex. App.-Houston [14th
Dist.} 2005), no petition. An affirmative link generates a reasonable inference that
the accused knew of the contraband's existence and exercised control over it.
Olivarez at 291. The “affirmative links rule” is designed to protect the innocent
bystander from being found guilty of possession of a controlled substance based
solely on fortuitous proximity to someone else's contraband. Poindexter, 153
S.W.3d at 406. When the accused is not in exclusive possession of the place where
the substance is found, there must be additional independent facts and
circumstances that affirmatively link the accused to the contraband. Id.
Courts have identified the following factors as affirmative links that may
establish an accused's knowing possession of a controlled substance: (1) the
accused's presence when a search is conducted; (2) whether the contraband was in
plain view; (3) the accused's proximity to, and the accessibility of, the contraband;
(4) whether the accused was under the influence of narcotics when arrested; (5)
whether the accused possessed narcotics or other contraband when arrested; (6)
whether the accused made incriminating statements when arrested; (7) whether the
accused attempted to flee; (8) whether the accused made furtive gestures; (9)
16
whether there was an odor of contraband; (10) whether other contraband or drug
paraphernalia were present; (11) whether the accused owned or had the right to
possess the place where the contraband was found; (12) whether the place where
the contraband was found was enclosed; (13) whether the accused was found with
a large amount of cash; and (14) whether the conduct of the accused indicated a
consciousness of guilt. Evans v. State, 202 S.W.d 158, 162 n.12 (Tex. Crim.
App.2006). This Honorable Court, in Jenkins vs. State, underscored the previous
factors, also adding other non-exclusive factors as follows: the accused had a
special connection to the contraband; the occupants of the premises gave
conflicting statements about relevant matters; the accused made incriminating
statements connecting himself to the contraband; the quantity of the contraband;
and, the accused was observed in a suspicious area under suspicious circumstances.
Jenkins at 712-714.
It is the logical force of such links, rather than mere quantity, that is important in
determining whether the evidence is sufficient to connect the accused to the
alleged contraband. Evans at 162.
In the instant case, there was legally and factually insufficient evidence to
establish additional links that could sustain a conviction for possession of a
controlled substance. Appellant was on the passenger side of the automobile with
the door open; two other males were on the driver’s side of the vehicle. CRR, Vol.
17
14, pg.13, lines 8-12. The contraband was as accessible, if not more accessible to
the other two males than to Appellant. Further, Appellant was not under the
influence of any drugs or alcohol when arrested. Id. at pg. 136, line 15-18. While
Appellant left the passenger side, he stopped as soon as the officer told him to stop.
Id. at page 119, lines 1-8. He did not flee after being asked to stop, even where the
police asked him to stop in English and not in Spanish, his preferred language Id.at
pg.135. Contrary to the characterization of the police, the seized contraband was
not in plain view: the first clear bag was under a set of keys, the other in a dash
compartment with cigarettes; and the last bag on the side of the door. The police
testified that the arrest was at night, near midnight, and that it was dark where the
vehicle with the contraband was parked. CRR Vol.13, pages 121-125. There was
no drug paraphernalia, scales, empty wrappers or any other indication of use of the
controlled substance near or inside the vehicle. When interrogated, Appellant
denied knowledge and ownership of the controlled substance. CRR Vol.14, pg 19,
lines 6-7. The cash found may have been connected to other activities, such as the
alleged alien smuggling, rather than to the possession of the controlled substance.
No testimony was presented from the arresting officers that Appellant appeared
nervous or conducted himself with a “consciousness of guilt” or that he made any
“furtive gestures”. Appellant provided police with the identity of one of the males,
who Appellant believed to be the owner of the drugs, but the police did not detain
18
him, nor made any attempt to pursue further investigation. As a whole, the State
failed to clearly link Appellant to the drugs seized. As such, this Court should
reverse the verdict and render a verdict of not guilty.
APPELLANT’S SECOND POINT OF ERROR
THE COURT ERRED IN OMITTING INSTRUCTION REGARDING
EXTRANEOUS OFFENSES AND THE BURDEN OF PROOF OF BEYOND A
REASONABLE DOUBT DURING THE PUNISHMENT PHASE OF THE
TRIAL, AN OMMISSION THAT CAUSED HARMFUL ERROR TO
APPELLANT AND RENDERED AN IMPROPER SENTENCE.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
The Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 37.07, section 3(a) states the
following:
(a)(1) ... evidence may be offered by the state and the defendant as to any
matter the court deems relevant to sentencing, including but not limited to
the prior criminal record of the defendant, his general reputation, his
character, an opinion regarding his character, the circumstances of the
offense for which he is being tried, and, notwithstanding Rules 404 and 405,
Texas Rules of Evidence, any other evidence of an extraneous crime or bad
act that is shown beyond a reasonable doubt by evidence to have been
committed by the defendant, or for which he could be held criminally
responsible, regardless of whether he has previously been charged with or
finally convicted of the crime or act. (emphasis mine).
19
The Texas Supreme Court has clearly held that the statute requires a court to
include an instruction to the jury indicating the burden of proof for the given
extraneous crimes or bad act. The Court stated in Huizar, “such instruction is
logically required if the jury is to consider the extraneous-offense and-bad act [sic]
evidence under the statutorily prescribed reasonable-doubt standard.” Huizar vs
State 12 S.W.3d 479, 484 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). The Court continued: “Section
3(a)'s requirement that the jury be satisfied of the defendant's culpability in the
extraneous offenses and bad acts is the ‘law applicable to the case’ in the non-
capital punishment context.” Id. The trial court, thus, must instruct the jury that, at
the punishment phase, extraneous offense and bad act evidence may only be
considered if it meets the statutorily prescribed reasonable-doubt standard. Id.
Because the trial court bears the responsibility to instruct the jury, the defendant is
not required to make an objection or request under section 3(a) in order to preserve
this type of charging error for appeal. Rayme vs. State, 178 S.W.3d 21, 25 (Tex.
App.-Houston [14th District]) (citing Huizar at 484.)
The Huizar court held that once the error in the omission of the reasonable doubt
instruction is identified, the error is subject to harm analysis under Almanza v.
State, rather than constitutional error analysis. Huizar at 485 (citing Almanza v.
State, 686 S.W2d 157 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985)) This Honorable Court cited the
Almanza factors as follows: “The Almanza Court explained that errors which
20
result in egregious harm are those which affect “the very basis of the case,” deprive
the defendant of a “valuable right,” or “vitally affect a defensive theory.” Garcia v
State, 2004 WL 253570, (Tex App.-Corpus Christi) (not for publication)( citing
Almanza at 172.) The Supreme Court has summarized the factors to be applied as:
1) the charge itself; 2) the state of the evidence including contested issues and the
weight of the probative evidence; 3) arguments of counsel; and, 4) any other
relevant information revealed by the record of the trial as a whole. Hutch vs, State,
922 S.W2d 166, (Tex. Crim. App. 1996).
ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES
The punishment phase jury charge makes no reference to extraneous crimes
or bad acts, nor does it make any reference to burden of proof. CCR Volume 16,
pages 42-56. The charge recites primarily the eligibility for probation, conditions
of probation, and parole. Id. The jury was provided no guidance as to how to
consider the extraneous crimes of possession of two alleged narcotics pills, 20
undocumented aliens hiding in the trailer home, or Appellant’s immigration status.
Id.
The evidence of extraneous crimes was presented through the testimony of
Donna Police Officer Ramirez, who testified concerning the pills and
undocumented aliens. This evidence was not raised during the guilt or innocence
phase. Officer Ramirez did not testify as to the elements of each of the extraneous
21
crimes, nor did he tie in Appellant directly to these crimes. Officer Ramirez
admitted that he did not have a search warrant to enter the premises where the
aliens were found.
The State relied heavily on these extraneous crimes in her closing. The
State’s prosecutor raised the spectre of a criminal enterprise, crossing the border,
invading the community to commit these crimes. CRR Vol.16, page 58, lines 16-
25. The State shifted the focal point of the punishment from the nonviolent
possession of a controlled substance to unproven alien smuggling run by illegal
aliens. As the prosecutor argued:
“This is someone that’s part of a criminal enterprise, a criminal enterprise that
spilling into our streets, crossing into our border, and making this area unsafe for
our family and our community.” CCR Vol. 16 at page 60, lines 10-13.
As the Court may note, the State tied in these unproven extraneous crimes to
construct a narrative of an international drug and alien smuggling ring responsible
for a crime wave. The State played on the concern for illegal immigration by
raising Appellant’s immigration status in its closing argument, tying in the
previously cited acts. These factors were relevant in the jury’s failure to consider
sentencing options and its decision to impose the harsh sentence of 9 years
imprisonment with 9,000 dollars in fines, a substantial departure from the
minimum sentence. The jury was deprived of the proper evidentiary framework vis
22
a vis the burden the State carried in proving these incendiary extraneous crimes. To
be sure, Appellant was egregiously harmed and deprived of a fair, statutorily
mandated, punishment trial and this Court should reverse the sentence and remand
this case for a new punishment trial.
APPELLANT’S THIRD POINT OF ERROR
APPELLANT WAS DEPRIVED OF EFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
IN THAT TRIAL COUNSEL FAILED TO OBJECT TO EVIDENCE
PRESENTED BY THE STATE DURING THE PUNISHMENT PHASE OF THE
TRIAL OF APPELLANT’S NATIONAL ORIGIN AND IMMIGRATION
STATUS.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
Texas follows the federal standard as delineated in Strickland v.
Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984) in deciding
whether a defendant has received effective assistance of counsel. Wilkerson v.
State, 726 S.W.2d 542, 548 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986), cert. denied, 480 U.S. 940,
107 S. Ct. 1590, 94 L.Ed 2d 779. Under that standard, the defendant must establish
two things: (1) counsel's performance was deficient; and (2) the deficient
performance prejudiced the defense. Id. See also Thompson v. State, 9 S.W.3d
808, (Tex. Crim App 1999). Moreover, a presumption exists in favor of counsel's
conduct and a defendant has the burden of disproving "that, under the
23
circumstances, the challenged action 'might be considered sound trial strategy."
Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. at 689, 104 S.Ct. at 2065.
ARGUMENT AND AUTHORITIES
In Riascos, the court examined the treatment of national origin and race in
criminal cases. Riascos vs State, 792S.W.2d 754, (Tex. App. –Houston [14th
Court}), 1990. It summarized as follows:
Texas courts have long held that the national origin or race of the defendant
is an inappropriate focal point for argument by the prosecution, particularly
in light of the times. See Marx v. State, 141 Tex. Crim. 628, 150 S.W 2d
1014 (1941) (“Gentlemen of the Jury, we have this man of Germany—this
man or beast ...”); Richardson v. State, 158 Tex Crim.536, 257 S.W.2d 308
(1953), (“This negro is a lustful animal ... he lacks the very fundamental
elements of mankind.”).
Riascos at 758.
Failure to object to testimony or inquiry regarding a Defendant’s nationality,
or ethnicity has been determined to be ineffective assistance of counsel. In Riascos,
the court reversed and remanded the case where defense counsel failed to object to
State’s introduction of evidence of Appellant’s Columbian ethnicity, illegal aliens,
and drug enterprise. The Court held:
“There was no need for the case before us to have been focused on drug
traffic, illegal Colombians, and extraneous offenses. The probative evidence
showed a killing related to a $200 debt of an unknown character, nothing
more. The State unduly inflamed the jury to the prejudice of appellant. No
reasonable argument can be brought to suggest the defense allowed the
events to take place in the interests of trial strategy. Competent counsel
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would have immediately objected, obtained jury instruction and moved for a
mistrial on each occasion. The cumulative effect of the errors pointed out by
appellant is outrageous and we must remand for a new trial as to both guilt
or innocence and punishment. Appellant's second point of error is
sustained.”
Riascos at 758-759.
The Amarillo Court of Appeals, in a case involving testimony of an
undocumented Mexican national, where defense counsel did not object to such
questions by the State, also held that the failure to object constituted ineffective
assistance of counsel and reversed and remanded the case back to the trial court.
Ramirez v. State, 65 S.W.3d 156, (Tex. App.-Amarillo, 2001). Judge Reavis, in a
concurring opinion, addressed the failure to object to national origin testimony and
inquiry as follows:
“I concur with the decision that the judgment be reversed, but focus my
decision on the provisions of article 1, section 3a, of the Texas Constitution
entitled “Equality under the law,” which provides:
Equality under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of sex, race,
color, creed, or national origin. This amendment is self-operative.
During the guilt-innocence phase of the trial, the prosecutor elicited
testimony from the arresting officer and another witness which, although
irrelevant to the charged offense, informed the jury that appellant was an
illegal alien and had returned to Texas from Mexico after a prior deportation.
However, defense counsel did not object to the evidence regarding
appellant's status as an illegal alien, request that the jury be instructed to
disregard such evidence, or move for mistrial.
In order to sustain a contention that trial counsel's failure to object to
evidence constitutes ineffective assistance of counsel, an appellant must
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show that the trial court would have committed error in overruling such an
objection. Vaughn v. State, 931 S.W.2d 564,566 (Tex. Cr. App. 1996).
Based upon the record in this case, because the constitutional provision is
effective without enabling legislation and section 3a would have required the
trial court to sustain an objection to the evidence that appellant was an illegal
alien had trial counsel made such objection, I also conclude that appellant's
first issue should be sustained.”
Ramirez at 160.
During the punishment phase, the prosecution asked the investigating officer
directly about Appellant’s national origin and immigration status, without
objection. CRR Vol.16, page 16, lines 7-15. The prosecution also asked, without
objection, a probation officer how an illegal alien completes probation. The
prosecution also asked Appellant’s mother where Appellant was born and whether
he was here legally. Id. at page 36, lines 14-22.
At closing, the prosecution tied Appellants nationality to a criminal enterprise that
is coming over the border to harm the community.Id.at pg.60, lines 10-13.
Together, similar to the fact pattern in Riascos, the State played the national origin
card to the jury, focusing on irrelevant, unproven factors that caused the jury to
sentence Appellant significantly higher than the minimum. Defense counsel did not
object to this introduction of inflammatory national origin testimony. Such failure
directly led to a harsh outcome. This Honorable Court should reverse and remand
this matter for a new trial on guilt or innocence and punishment.
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CONCLUSION AND PRAYER
Appellants prays that this Honorable court sustain his points of error and find
harmful error in the errors and omissions present at this trial, both at the guilt or
innocence phase and at the punishment phase. Appellant prays that this Honorable
Court reverse and remand to the trial court, as requested above, or reverse and
render a decision that there is legally and factually insufficient evidence for his
conviction.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
/S/ Robert D. Puente
-----------------------------------
ROBERT D. PUENTE
SBN: 24013359
LAW OFFICE OF ROBERT D. PUENTE
1315 W. POLK, STE 24
PHARR, TEXAS 78577
TEL.956- 502-5258
FAX.956-655-1144
robpuente@msn.com
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CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Robert D. Puente, attorney for the appellant hereby certify that a true and correct
copy of the instant brief was delivered to Theodore Hake, Assistant District
Attorney, 100 N. Closner, Edinburg Texas, 78573, counsel for the appellee, by
hand delivery
the 31st day of July, 2015.
____/s/_____Robert D. Puente___
Robert Puente
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
I, Robert D. Puente, hereby certify that the instant brief contains 5271 words.
_________/s/_____Robert D. Puente__________
Robert D.Puente
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