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In The Court of Appeals Sixth Appellate District of Texas at Texarkana
______________________________
No. 06-08-00001-CR ______________________________
JARVIS ANTHONY REDD, Appellant
V.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee
On Appeal from the 5th Judicial District Court Cass County, Texas Trial Court No. 2006-F-00267
Before Morriss, C.J., Carter and Moseley, JJ. Memorandum Opinion by Justice Moseley
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Jarvis Anthony Redd, apparently surprised and displeased with the imposition of the maximum sentence of twenty years' imprisonment after entering an open plea of guilty to the trial court on two counts of possession of a controlled substance, brings this appeal.
On appeal, Redd asks us to reverse and direct entry of judgment in accordance with what he claims is a plea agreement, argues that his plea of guilty was not knowingly and voluntarily made (and that he had ineffective assistance of counsel in that respect), that the trial court abused its discretion by denying his motion for new trial, and that the sentence imposed constitutes constitutionally cruel and unusual punishment.
On May 4, 2006, Redd, who was traveling through Cass County as a passenger on a Greyhound bus, consented to be searched by officers, who found narcotics on his person and arrested him.
There were two abortive attempts for Redd to enter into a negotiated plea agreement. On February 20, 2007, the State, defense counsel, and Redd all signed a "Proposed Punishment Recommendation" wherein Redd would be assessed a prison term of ten years and be meted a $5,000.00 fine. The trial court did not sign it. The second attempt occurred on March 5, 2007, when a pretrial joint information sheet was filed, which indicated that the State was tendering an offer wherein Reed would receive a sentence of seven years' imprisonment. Failing to get the trial court to agree, on April 30, 2008, the date on which his guilty plea was taken, another "Proposed Punishment Recommendation" was filed, which states that punishment was to be assessed by the court and that no agreement was involved.
If a plea bargain actually exists, the terms of the plea bargain must be honored; if they are not honored, the appellate court can provide for either (1) specific performance of the agreement, or (2) a return of the case to the trial court to allow a guilty plea to be withdrawn and begin again, whichever is more appropriate under the circumstances. Gibson v. State, 803 S.W.2d 316 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991). The question here is whether a plea agreement existed.
A plea agreement is a three-party contractual arrangement among the State, the defendant, and the trial court. Until all of the necessary parties agree to the terms of the contract, the agreement is not binding. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 26.13(a)(2) (Vernon Supp. 2008); Ortiz v. State, 933 S.W.2d 102, 104 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996). Once a plea agreement is reached between the State and the defendant, the trial court must approve the terms of the agreement. Thus, the contractual nature of a plea agreement does not become binding until the trial court accepts the proffered agreement.
Once a plea agreement is finalized and the trial court binds itself to the terms, both the defendant and the State are each entitled to the benefit of the agreement and each must uphold their end of the bargain. State v. Moore, 240 S.W.3d 248, 251-52 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007).
In this case, although there was apparently an agreement reached between the State and Redd appearing in the record, there is nothing to indicate that the trial court ever accepted the agreement. Thus, it never became a binding agreement and neither Redd nor the State would be entitled to have its terms imposed. The contention of error is overruled.
Redd next contends that his April 30, 2008, plea of guilty, taken in open court, was not knowing and voluntary because (1) the two differing documents involved varied, and (2) he was fundamentally confused when the trial court separately informed him that he had waived his right to appeal, but again, that he had a right to appeal because of the open plea. He also places stock in a certification of right of appeal prepared by the trial court indicating that this was a "plea bargain case" and thus Redd had no right of appeal. The certification of right of appeal contained in the appellate record reflects that this was not a plea bargain case and that Redd had the right of appeal.
It is clear from the various and conflicting documents in the file that negotiations and shifting agreements took place. The ultimate question, however, is whether Redd's eventual plea of guilty before the trial court was knowing and voluntary.
We recognize that a guilty plea must be entered into voluntarily and freely. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 26.13(b) (Vernon Supp. 2008). When considering the voluntariness of a guilty plea, we must examine the entire record. Martinez v. State, 981 S.W.2d 195, 197 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998) (per curiam). If the trial court properly admonished the defendant before a guilty plea was entered, there is a prima facie showing the plea was both knowing and voluntary. Id. Admonishments may be made orally or in writing, and substantial compliance in the making of the admonishments is sufficient unless the defendant can show that he was not aware of the consequences of the plea and that he was misled or harmed by the admonishment of the court. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 26.13(c), (d) (Vernon Supp. 2008).
The burden then shifts to the defendant to show he pled guilty without understanding the consequences of his plea and, consequently, suffered harm. Pena v. State, 132 S.W.3d 663, 666 (Tex. App.--Corpus Christi 2004, no pet.). Therefore, a defendant who attests during the initial plea hearing that his plea is voluntary bears a "heavy burden" to prove in a subsequent hearing that he entered the plea involuntarily. Houston v. State, 201 S.W.3d 212, 217-18 (Tex. App.--Houston [14th Dist.] 2006, no pet.); Coronado v. State, 25 S.W.3d 806, 809 (Tex. App.--Waco 2000, pet. ref'd). A guilty plea is not involuntary simply because the sentence exceeded what an accused expected, even if that expectation of a lighter sentence was raised by his attorney. Hinkle v. State, 934 S.W.2d 146, 149 (Tex. App.--San Antonio 1996, pet. ref'd).
At the plea hearing in this case, the trial court correctly admonished Redd, explained the correct range of punishment, and warned Redd that sentencing was solely within the court's discretion. Even after these admonishments, Redd, after stating that he understood these matters, pleaded guilty. There is nothing to support this argument besides rank speculation about Redd's possible confusion. Redd has not met the heavy burden required to prove that his plea was involuntary. The contention of error is overruled.
Redd next contends that the court abused its discretion by failing to grant his motion for new trial. The granting or denying of a motion for new trial is largely within the discretion of the trial court. Charles v. State, 146 S.W.3d 204, 208 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004). We do not substitute our judgment for that of the trial court, but rather decide whether, based on our review of the record, the trial court's decision was arbitrary or unreasonable. Holden v. State, 201 S.W.3d 761, 763 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006); Lewis v. State, 911 S.W.2d 1, 7 (Tex. Crim. App. 1995).
Redd argues that the court's failure to grant his motion was an abuse of discretion because the sentence imposed was excessively harsh, as it sentenced him to the maximum possible length of incarceration. He also suggests the judge's further acknowledgment that Redd had been intercepted by law enforcement officers (after arrest in this case, but before sentencing) with a large amount of currency, followed by the trial court's conclusion that Redd was "the most brazen example of a drug dealer I have ever come across," shows the court's extreme response. Redd argues that the judge overreacted by sentencing a person in his first conviction to the maximum twenty-year sentence on a drug possession charge.
Under these circumstances, considering all of the information elicited at the hearing, (1) it is not apparent that the court abused its discretion by sentencing Redd to the maximum sentence. The court had information before it from which it could reasonably determine that although Redd had not been caught before, he was indeed a drug dealer. The trial court opined that, "You may be a first time offender, but you're not a first time committer."
The fact that many first-time defendants are not sentenced to the maximum level does not mean that it is somehow fundamentally unfair when one is. We will not second-guess the sentencing determination of the court. Had the Legislature intended to tie the hands of the court to the obligation to sentence a first offender to a lesser sentence, it would have done so.
Redd next argues that his counsel was constitutionally ineffective because he did not adequately inform Redd of the consequences of his plea. He argues that he was not aware that the seven-year offer was not on the table and that counsel was ineffective by not adequately explaining this fact to him. This, however, does not comport with the record of the hearing, at which it was clear that the entire possible term of incarceration was on the table and that no agreement was in place.
The standard of testing claims of ineffective assistance of counsel is set out in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984). To prevail on this claim, an appellant must prove by a preponderance of the evidence (1) that his or her counsel's representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness and (2) that the deficient performance prejudiced the defense. Id. at 689. Any allegation of ineffectiveness must be firmly founded in the record, and the record must affirmatively demonstrate the alleged ineffectiveness. Thompson v. State, 9 S.W.3d 808, 813 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999).
There is nothing in the record that reflects any misunderstanding by Redd, much less any misleading of Redd by his counsel. The argument is purely speculative and finds none of the necessary support in the record. The contention of error is overruled.
Redd next contends that the sentence imposed constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. To preserve such complaint for appellate review, Redd must have presented to the trial court a timely request, objection, or motion that stated the specific grounds for the desired ruling, or the complaint must be apparent from the context. See Tex. R. App. P. 33.1(a)(1); Harrison v. State, 187 S.W.3d 429, 433 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005); Williams v. State, 191 S.W.3d 242, 262 (Tex. App.--Austin 2006, no pet.) (claims of cruel and unusual punishment must be presented in timely manner); Nicholas v. State, 56 S.W.3d 760, 768 (Tex. App.--Houston [14th Dist.] 2001, pet. ref'd) (failure to complain to trial court that sentences were cruel and unusual waived claim of error for appellate review).
We have reviewed the record. No specific reference to this constitutional claim was made at trial. In his motion for new trial, counsel argued that the punishment was excessively harsh to support his attempt to obtain a new trial. He contended that because Redd had never been convicted of a prior felony offense, the sentence imposed was excessively harsh, and therefore argued to the court that it should grant a new trial in the interest of justice.
The current argument, that the court's imposition of this sentence was constitutionally cruel and unusual punishment, was not presented to the court either directly or by implication. While this Court has held that a motion for new trial is an appropriate way to preserve this type of claim for appellate review (see Williamson v. State, 175 S.W.3d 522, 523-24 (Tex. App.--Texarkana 2005, no pet.); Delacruz v. State, 167 S.W.3d 904 (Tex. App.--Texarkana 2005, no pet.)), Redd's motion for new trial did not contain an allegation that the sentence was disproportionate to the offense or that it was cruel and unusual. He has not preserved such an issue for our review on appeal. See Tex. R. App. P. 33.1. The contention of error is overruled.
We affirm the judgment.
Bailey C. Moseley
Justice
Date Submitted: October 15, 2008
Date Decided: October 20, 2008
Do Not Publish
1. In addition to the fact that Redd had been found by law enforcement officers to be carrying $10,800.00 on his person despite the fact that he had not been regularly employed for over a year, evidence showed that law enforcement officers had found Redd in possession of some ninety-eight ecstasy pills (which Redd maintained were intended solely for his own personal use) and that he had been arrested in Kentucky carrying drugs. (Redd tried to excuse the Kentucky incident because he said he was not selling the drugs, but was simply in the process of returning them to a drug dealer who had given them to Redd to sell for him.)
dmission of Wright's testimony constitutes reversible error. On appeal, the State argues error was not preserved.
Generally, in order to preserve a complaint for appellate review, the record must show (1) that the complaint was made to the trial court by a request, objection, or motion that was timely and sufficiently specific to make the trial court aware of the grounds of the complaint and (2) that the trial court ruled adversely. Tucker v. State, 990 S.W.2d 261, 262 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999); see Geuder v. State, 115 S.W.3d 11, 13 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003). Complaints concerning the admission of polygraph evidence are not exempt from the requirement that an appellant must preserve error.
No objection was made concerning the introduction of evidence that Lewis agreed to take a polygraph, but then failed to take the test. To the contrary, Lewis's attorney stated, during the bench conference on the issue, which was requested by the State, that he agreed with the State the evidence was probably admissible. Since error was not preserved for appellate review, we overrule the first point of error.
The Trial Court Did Not Err in Admitting the Letter
Lewis's second point of error argues that the trial court erred in admitting the handwritten letter. Lewis contends the letter is hearsay and the State did not prove that an exception to the hearsay rule applies. The trial court overruled Lewis's objection without a response from the State.
A trial court's decision on the admissibility of evidence is reviewed for an abuse of discretion. Bee v. State, 974 S.W.2d 184, 187 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1998, no pet.). A trial court abuses its discretion when its decision falls outside "the zone of reasonable disagreement." Salazar v. State, 38 S.W.3d 141, 153–54 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001). The test for an abuse of discretion is not whether, in the opinion of the reviewing court, the facts present an appropriate case for the trial court's action; rather, it is a question of whether the court acted without reference to any guiding rules or principles, and the mere fact that a trial court may decide a matter within its discretionary authority differently than an appellate judge does not demonstrate such an abuse. Montgomery v. State, 810 S.W.2d 372, 391 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990) (op. on reh'g). Although the State did not specify a basis for the letter's admissibility, we must sustain the trial court's decision if it is correct under any theory of law. "[I]f the decision of the trial court is correct on any theory of law which finds support in the evidence it will be sustained." Bee, 974 S.W.2d at 190; see McDuff v. State, 939 S.W.2d 607, 619 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997).
The letter at issue appears to be a suicide note from Lewis to Cook, his girlfriend, which she found in her house after Lewis had moved out. Cook testified that the letter, which is signed "Earl," was written in Lewis's handwriting. In the letter, Lewis implies he must commit suicide to keep himself from hurting anyone else. Lewis wrote: "by the time you find this letter you would have ben [sic] told of my death" and stated "so you know in your hurt [sic] that I have no coice [sic] left to me but to do what I must to stop that dark side from ever comen [sic] out of me." However, Lewis never explicitly admits the assault. Lewis states,
I could never consiley [sic] do something like that to my daughter . . . if I did do this to my baby girl I must have a sickness & evil in me that must be stoped [sic] befor [sic] it can hurt aneyone [sic] ealis [sic] I love . . . the only thing I can think of is I could not have knowed [sic] what I was doing if I did this & that relley [sic] scars [sic] me . . . could I have another side of me that I don't know about, a part of me that could do something this horable [sic] to my daughter, I can not bear the thouht [sic] of liven [sic] with it if I do . . . .
The State argues the letter is admissible as an admission by a party. Under Rule 801(e)(2)(A), a statement made by a party and offered against the party is not hearsay and is admissible without corroboration. Tex. R. Evid. 801(e)(2)(A); Serrano v. State, 936 S.W.2d 387, 392 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1996, pet. ref'd); see Bingham v. State, 987 S.W.2d 54, 56 n.2 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). A letter containing facts tending to show guilt is admissible as an admission. Jacobs, 951 S.W.2d at 901 (letter is admissible in which defendant implicitly admitted his commission of the assault and requested his wife to fabricate an alibi for him).
The question remains, though, as to whether the letter qualifies as a party admission. Rule 801(e)(2)(A) does not require a statement to admit an element of an offense in order to qualify as an admission. Perkins v. State, 902 S.W.2d 88, 98–99 (Tex. App.—El Paso, pet. ref'd), supplemented by, 905 S.W.2d 452 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1995, pet. ref'd). "An admission is an acknowledgment by the accused of facts that tend to prove his guilt." Jacobs, 951 S.W.2d at 901. Whether the letter admitted facts which tend to show the guilt of the accused falls within the zone of reasonable disagreement. As such, we cannot conclude the trial court abused its discretion in admitting the letter. We overrule the second point of error.
The Trial Court Erred in Admitting the Videotape
In his third point of error, Lewis argues the trial court erred in admitting a videotape of an interview of C.C. by Kathy Smedley, a sexual assault nurse examiner. At the trial, defense counsel objected that the videotape did not qualify under either Article 38.071 or Article 38.072 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which governs the admission of videotaped interviews of children unavailable to testify. When asked by the trial court if the videotape was being introduced under Article 38.071 or under Article 38.072, the State informed the trial court that the child would testify (she did) and that it intended to introduce a videotaped interview as an "outcry" statement under Article 38.072. The objections of defense counsel were overruled.
The videotape containing the interview of C.C. was hearsay. It was therefore admissible only if some exception applied. At trial, the only suggested authority for such admission lies in Article 38.072. However, on appeal the State argues the trial court properly admitted the videotape as a statement for the purpose of medical treatment.
Hearsay is not admissible except as provided by statute or by the Texas Rules of Evidence. Tex. R. Evid. 802; Long v. State, 800 S.W.2d 545, 547 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990). Article 38.072 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure creates an exception to the hearsay rule for statements of child abuse victims if all the requisite conditions are met. Josey v. State, 97 S.W.3d 687, 692 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2003, no pet.). We note that the trial court has broad discretion to determine whether the child's statement falls within the hearsay exception. The exercise of that discretion will not be disturbed unless the record shows a clear abuse of discretion. Weatherred v. State, 15 S.W.3d 540, 542 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000); Tear v. State, 74 S.W.3d 555, 558 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2002, pet. ref'd). We will not reverse on appeal unless the trial court's decision is outside the zone of reasonable disagreement. Weatherred, 15 S.W.3d at 542; Josey, 97 S.W.3d at 692.
On appeal, the State contends the videotape is admissible as statements for medical diagnosis or treatment. See Tex. R. Evid. 803(4). The State did not make this argument at trial. Statements made for the purposes of medical diagnosis or treatment are excepted from the hearsay rule. Tex. R. Evid. 803(4); Rodgers v. State, 111 S.W.3d 236, 243 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2003, no pet.). "This exception is based on the assumption that the patient understands the importance of being truthful with the medical personnel involved to receive an accurate diagnosis and treatment." Burns v. State, 122 S.W.3d 434, 438 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2003, pet. ref'd); Beheler v. State, 3 S.W.3d 182, 188 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1999, pet. ref'd).
There is no evidence that C.C. understood she was seeing the therapist for purposes of medical treatment in connection with the abuse. If it is reasonable to infer that the child understood that he or she was receiving therapy for purposes of medical treatment in connection with the abuse, his or her statements are admissible. Although Smedley testified she has counseled children, there is no evidence C.C. was informed that the interview was for the purpose of medical treatment. There is no evidence C.C. made the statements for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment. Without such evidence, the statements do not qualify as statements for the purpose of medical diagnosis. In order for a statement to be admissible under the medical diagnosis or treatment exception, the declarant must make the statement for purpose of medical diagnosis or treatment and with the understanding that giving the statement is part of the diagnostic, treatment, or therapy process. See Wilder, 111 S.W.3d at 256 (statements made to a licensed professional counselor were made with the understanding that the victim was receiving therapy and made for purposes of medical diagnosis and treatment); see also Fleming v. State, 819 S.W.2d 237, 247 (Tex. App.—Austin 1991, pet. ref'd) ("statement must be reasonably pertinent to diagnosis or treatment"). "If a witness's testimony fails to meet Rule 803(4)'s criteria requiring that the statements be made to medical personnel in the course of diagnosis and treatment, then that testimony cannot overcome the hearsay rule." Moore v. State, 82 S.W.3d 399, 404 (Tex. App.—Austin 2002, pet. ref'd). The State has not shown that the statement qualifies as a statement for medical treatment or diagnosis.
As this Court stated in Divine v. State, 122 S.W.3d 414, 418 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2003, pet. ref'd), and in Dunn v. State, 125 S.W.3d 610, 614 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2003, no pet.), Article 38.072 does not authorize the introduction of a videotape of the alleged "outcry." Article 38.072 does not contemplate that a videotape of the "outcry" will be introduced. It clearly contemplates that a person, subject to confrontation and cross-examination, will testify about what was said. "This Court has repeatedly emphasized that a videotape is not a person; therefore Article 38.072 cannot apply to it." Divine, 122 S.W.3d at 418.
Similar to several other cases recently decided by this Court, the interviewer in this case was allowed to testify about the videotape of the interview and provided a play-by-play commentary on the interview while the videotape itself was played for the jury. Id.; Dunn, 125 S.W.3d at 614; Edwards, 107 S.W.3d at 111; Josey, 97 S.W.3d at 687. Because the trial court's decision to admit the videotape into evidence allowed evidence into the record in violation of the Texas statute, the ruling of the trial court is outside the zone of reasonable disagreement. Therefore, the trial court abused its discretion by admitting the evidence. We sustain Lewis's third point of error.
The next step in the analysis is whether the error resulted in harm. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has stated in dicta that "[e]xcept for certain federal constitutional errors labeled by the United States Supreme Court as 'structural,' no error, whether it relates to jurisdiction, voluntariness of a plea, or any other mandatory requirement, is categorically immune to a harmless error analysis." Cain v. State, 947 S.W.2d 262, 264 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997) (citations omitted). Improper admission of hearsay evidence is nonconstitutional error. See Johnson v. State, 967 S.W.2d 410, 417 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998).
The standard of review for harm analysis when evidence is improperly admitted is that for nonconstitutional errors under Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 44.2(b). Tex. R. App. P. 44.2(b); James v. State, 102 S.W.3d 162, 179 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2003, pet. ref'd). Under the Rules of Appellate Procedure for nonconstitutional errors, we are to disregard errors, defects, irregularities, or variances that do not affect the substantial rights of the accused. Tex. R. App. P. 44.2(b). A "substantial right" is affected when the error had a substantial and injurious effect or influence in determining the jury's verdict. Id.; Johnson v. State, 43 S.W.3d 1, 4 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001) (citing Kotteakos v. United States, 328 U.S. 750 (1946)); King v. State, 953 S.W.2d 266, 271 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997). If, on the record as a whole, it appears the error "did not influence the jury, or had but a slight effect," we must consider the error harmless and allow the conviction to stand. Johnson, 967 S.W.2d at 417. In so doing, we must assess harm, but there is no burden on either an appellant or on the state to demonstrate that harm. Schutz v. State, 63 S.W.3d 442, 444 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001); Johnson, 43 S.W.3d at 4. The parties may suggest how such harm is shown, but no allocated burdens of proof exist. Schutz, 63 S.W.3d at 444.
In order to properly conduct a harm analysis under Rule 44.2(b), we are to determine whether the error affected a substantial right of the defendant. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has opined that, in order to make this determination, we must decide whether the error had a substantial or injurious effect on the jury's verdict. Llamas v. State, 12 S.W.3d 469, 471 n.2 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). When an improperly admitted videotape "essentially repeated the testimony" of the victim, the victim also testifies, and the videotape is cumulative of the victim's properly admitted testimony on the same issue, courts often disregard the error, reasoning that it could not have affected the appellant's substantial rights. Jensen v. State, 66 S.W.3d 528, 537 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2002, pet. ref'd); Matz v. State, 21 S.W.3d 911, 912 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 2000, pet. ref'd) (op. on remand).
The majority of the videotape is merely cumulative of C.C.'s testimony at trial. The only major variances between the information on the videotape and C.C.'s testimony at trial were that C.C. stated in the videotape Lewis molested her at least fifteen times and that the last time Lewis had molested her was in January. At trial, C.C. testified Lewis had molested her "[a] lot" instead of the more specific statement on the videotape that Lewis had molested her at least fifteen times. With these exceptions, C.C.'s testimony was merely cumulative of her testimony at trial. We cannot conclude that these minor differences had a substantial and injurious effect or influence in determining the jury's verdict. Thus, the error in admitting the videotape was harmless.
Lewis Failed to Show He Received Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
Lewis contends in his fourth point of error that he received ineffective assistance of counsel. Lewis's argument focuses on four alleged deficiencies: 1) failure to object to the evidence that Lewis failed to take the polygraph test he had agreed to take, 2) failure to object to the State's reference in its final argument to the videotape, 3) failure to object to the State's reference during final argument to the demeanor of Lewis, and 4) failure to present any mitigating evidence during the punishment phase.
Both the Sixth Amendment and the Texas Constitution confer a right to effective representation by counsel. U.S. Const. amend. VI; Tex. Const. art. I, § 10. If counsel's performance is ineffective, the conviction cannot stand. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has held that the Texas Constitution does not impose a higher standard than the Sixth Amendment. Jackson v. State, 877 S.W.2d 768, 771 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994); Hernandez v. State, 726 S.W.2d 53, 56–57 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986). The Sixth Amendment standard, established by Strickland, requires a defendant alleging ineffective assistance of counsel to show that his or her counsel's performance at trial was deficient and that counsel's deficient performance prejudiced his or her defense. See Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984); see also Bone v. State, 77 S.W.3d 828, 833 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002). An ineffective assistance of counsel claim cannot be based on a difference of opinion concerning strategy. "[T]he defendant must prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that there is . . . no plausible professional reason for a specific act or omission." Bone, 77 S.W.3d at 836.
To satisfy the deficiency prong of the test, Lewis must prove by a preponderance of the evidence that his counsel's representation fell below the objective standard of professional norms. Id. at 833. There is a strong presumption that counsel's performance was adequate. Id. The reason for this presumption is that counsel at trial is better positioned to judge matters of strategy than an appellate court reviewing a cold record. An appellate court should not "conclude the challenged conduct constituted deficient performance unless the conduct was so outrageous that no competent attorney would have engaged in it." Garcia v. State, 57 S.W.3d 436, 440 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001).
Lewis's ineffective assistance of counsel argument stresses the failure of trial counsel to object to the introduction of evidence that Lewis failed to take a polygraph test after having agreed to take one. Investigator Wright testified Lewis was offered a polygraph test and agreed to take one. However, Lewis failed to appear for the scheduled test. Wright testified Lewis told him he did not have a vehicle to drive to the test location.
Texas courts have long refused to permit the results of polygraph tests to be admitted at trial, for either the defendant or the state. Robinson v. State, 550 S.W.2d 54, 59 (Tex. Crim. App. 1977); Long, 10 S.W.3d at 398. The United States Supreme Court has held the exclusion of polygraph evidence did not unconstitutionally abridge the right of a defendant to present a defense because "there is simply no consensus that polygraph evidence is reliable." United States v. Scheffer, 523 U.S. 303, 309 (1998). The policy of the exclusion is based on the inherent unreliability of a polygraph test and its tendency to be unduly persuasive. Marcum v. State, 983 S.W.2d 762, 765 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1998, no pet.). In rare circumstances, polygraph evidence erroneously admitted at trial has "opened the door" to further inadmissible evidence regarding polygraph results. Long, 10 S.W.3d at 398–99 (citing Lucas v. State, 479 S.W.2d 314, 315 (Tex. Crim. App. 1972); Patteson v. State, 633 S.W.2d 549, 552 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1982, no pet.)). Polygraph evidence has also generally been excluded due to potential sources of error in the test itself, including the competency of the examiner, the tendency of the jury to place too much reliance on the test results, the lack of standardization of test procedures, and the difficulty for jury evaluation of examiners' opinions. Romero, 493 S.W.2d at 210–11. Both the existence and the results of a polygraph examination are inadmissible. Reed v. State, 48 S.W.3d 856, 858 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2001, pet. ref'd).
We note that Lewis cites Cardenas v. State, 960 S.W.2d 941, 948 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 1998, pet. ref'd), for the proposition that the admission of evidence concerning a polygraph test may be reversible error. Cardenas concerned inclusion of the results of a polygraph test in the presentence investigation report, as well as an assertion that the defendant had been misled in pleading nolo contendere. Id. This Court found trial counsel erred by failing to object to the inclusion of the test results. Id. Although this Court found that trial counsel's performance was ineffective, the opinion explicitly stated that "we do not address the failure of counsel to object to the polygraph test as a part of the basis for this ruling." Id. In Cardenas, trial counsel had also "actively misled" the defendant to believe he could withdraw his plea of nolo contendere if the trial court did not place him on community supervision for indecency with a child. Id. at 942–46. The appellant in Cardenas waived his right to a jury trial when the trial court did not have authority to place him on community supervision, but a jury could have. Id. at 947. The plea of nolo contendere formed the basis of the conclusion that trial counsel was ineffective. Id. at 948. Cardenas is clearly distinguishable from the current case.
Lewis argues that the failure to object is below the reasonable standards of competence expected from trial counsel. A failure to object to inadmissible evidence is an act of omission that may give rise to ineffective assistance of counsel. Alvarado v. State, 775 S.W.2d 851, 857 (Tex. App.—San Antonio 1989, pet. ref'd). While Lewis's trial counsel erred in failing to object, such error does not by itself render counsel's performance deficient. It is significant to note that the evidence admitted did not introduce the results of a polygraph test, but rather only that Lewis agreed to take a test but did not. While such evidence is inadmissible and Lewis's counsel erred in not objecting to the polygraph evidence, such error is not egregious enough on its own to render trial counsel's performance deficient. The constitutional right to counsel does not mean errorless counsel. Ex parte Kunkle, 852 S.W.2d 499, 505 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993); Ex parte Welborn, 785 S.W.2d 391, 393 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990).
Lewis also argues his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to object to certain closing arguments, which he alleges were improper. Failure to object to an improper closing argument may be ineffective assistance of counsel. Valencia v. State, 946 S.W.2d 81, 83–84 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997), modified sub silencio, Hernandez v. State, 988 S.W.2d 770, 770 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). During closing argument at the guilt/innocence stage of the trial, the State referred to the videotape testimony, the polygraph test, and the demeanor of the defendant. In referring to Lewis's demeanor, the State argued:
And then you saw [C.C.] right up here. That man staring her down. We all saw that, didn't we? Him staring her down. And you saw her right there on that stand, with her hand over her face because she can't even look at him, tell you what happened. Was she faking? Was that an act? Was that fake? No, that wasn't fake.
During punishment, the State argued "[t]he rest of his life he's going to think of a nine year old little girl and be sexually aroused by it. We all know that."
The State erred in commenting on Lewis's demeanor during the closing argument at the guilt/innocence phase of the trial. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has "recognized that, during closing argument at the guilt/innocence phase, a prosecutor may not properly comment upon the defendant's demeanor in the courtroom, since the defendant's demeanor in the courtroom is not evidence of guilt." Wead v. State, 129 S.W.3d 126, 130 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004); see Good v. State, 723 S.W.2d 734, 737 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986). While the State erred in commenting on Lewis's demeanor, we must determine if the failure to object to this error by Lewis's trial counsel constituted a deficient performance.
Lewis's trial counsel could have decided not to object due to strategic concerns. "If counsel's reasons for his conduct do not appear in the record and there is at least the possibility that the conduct could have been legitimate trial strategy, we will defer to counsel's decisions and deny relief on an ineffective assistance claim on direct appeal." Murphy v. State, 112 S.W.3d 592, 601 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003); Ortiz v. State, 93 S.W.3d 79, 88–89 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002). The record contains no indication of Lewis's trial counsel's reasons for not objecting to these arguments. The record does not indicate that counsel's failure to object did not stem from a conscious and deliberate decision. Since there is no evidence of counsel's reasons for his conduct, we must defer to counsel's decision if there is at least the possibility that the conduct could have been legitimate trial strategy. The failure to object could have stemmed from trial strategy. This Court should not consider the wisdom of such a strategy, since ineffective assistance of counsel claims cannot be "built on retrospective speculation." Bone, 77 S.W.3d at 835. "[T]he defendant must prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that there is . . . no plausible professional reason for a specific act or omission." Id. at 836. Since there are plausible trial strategies for not objecting to these closing arguments, Lewis has not shown that his trial counsel's performance was deficient for failing to object to the State's closing arguments.
Lewis briefly argues that trial counsel's failure to present mitigating evidence at punishment was ineffective. We note that the failure to call witnesses may be ineffective assistance of counsel. Butler v. State, 716 S.W.2d 48, 55 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986) (failure to present available alibi witnesses deemed ineffective assistance of counsel). However, such witnesses must be shown to be available and to actually benefit the defense. Id.; Bates v. State, 88 S.W.3d 724, 728 (Tex. App.—Tyler 2002, pet. ref'd); Simms v. State, 848 S.W.2d 754, 758 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1993, pet. ref'd). We note Lewis's trial counsel did solicit mitigating testimony from Cook at the punishment phase that Lewis was a hard worker and helped provide for C.C. and Cook. Because Lewis has made no showing that any additional mitigating evidence was available, he has failed to show that trial counsel's performance was deficient due to failure to present mitigating evidence.
While there is no plausible professional reason for not objecting to the introduction of the polygraph evidence, Lewis's trial counsel's performance must be evaluated under the totality of the circumstances. Ineffective assistance of counsel claims must be based on the totality of the circumstances. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 693; Welborn, 785 S.W.2d at 393. Lewis contends the failure to object to the polygraph evidence, coupled with the other failures of Lewis's trial counsel, made counsel's performance outside the range of acceptable competence. "The right to 'reasonably effective assistance of counsel' does not guarantee errorless counsel, or counsel whose competency is to be judged by hindsight." Kunkle, 852 S.W.2d at 505. Lewis's trial counsel performed adequately throughout the rest of the trial. Lewis's trial counsel made proficient opening and closing statements. He objected numerous times and performed proficient cross-examinations. He also filed numerous pretrial and trial motions. Lewis's trial counsel filed a motion for directed verdict and received a directed verdict with the agreement of the State on two counts of the indictment. Under the totality of the circumstances, Lewis has failed to show, based on the record before us, that his trial counsel's performance was ineffective under the totality of the circumstances.
Further, Lewis has not shown a reasonable probability of a different outcome. The second prong of the ineffective assistance of counsel test is whether the defendant's trial was prejudiced by his or her trial counsel's deficiency. Texas law requires Lewis to meet both prongs of Strickland. Lewis contends that the errors together created a reasonable probability that, but for counsel's errors, Lewis would not have been convicted. A defendant does not meet his or her burden by merely showing that an error had some conceivable effect on the outcome of the trial. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 693. The defendant must show a "reasonable probability" that, but for the error, the result of the trial would have been different. Id. at 694. "A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome." Thompson, 9 S.W.3d at 812. Lewis has not demonstrated that the probability of a different result is sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome. Because Lewis has not shown that his trial counsel's performance was deficient under the totality of the circumstances and because Lewis has failed to show a reasonable probability that the result of the trial would have been different, we overrule Lewis's fourth point of error.
The Evidence was Legally and Factually Sufficient
In his last point of error, Lewis argues that the evidence is legally and factually insufficient to support the jury's verdict. We disagree. There was sufficient evidence introduced at trial to sustain the jury's finding of guilt.
In our review of the legal sufficiency of the evidence, we employ the standards set forth in Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319 (1979). This calls on the court to view the relevant evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict and determine whether any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Johnson v. State, 23 S.W.3d 1, 7 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000); Turner v. State, 805 S.W.2d 423, 427 (Tex. Crim. App. 1991).
Lewis was convicted of four counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count of indecency with a child. In order to prove aggravated sexual assault, the State must prove that Lewis intentionally or knowingly caused the penetration of the sexual organ of a child and that the victim was younger than fourteen years of age. Tex. Pen. Code Ann. § 22.021 (Vernon Supp. 2004–2005). Lewis was convicted of one count of indecency with a child. Indecency with a child occurs when a person has "sexual contact" with a child younger than seventeen years old who is not the spouse of that person. Tex. Pen. Code Ann. § 21.11(a)(1) (Vernon 2003). Sexual contact is any touching by a person of the breast of a child with intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person. Tex. Pen. Code Ann. § 21.11(c)(1) (Vernon 2003). The four different indictments allege that Lewis committed both aggravated sexual assault and indecency with a child on or about September 1, 1998; August 27, 1999; August 27, 2000; and January 31, 2001. The jury found that Lewis committed aggravated sexual assault as alleged in all four of these indictments, but only found Lewis guilty of one of the four alleged counts of indecency with a child. Lewis was convicted of touching the breasts of C.C., a child younger than seventeen years of age, with intent to arouse or gratify his sexual desires on or about January 31, 2001. This appeal is concerned with the aggravated sexual assault which occurred on or about September 1, 1998. The other three appeals pending before this Court concern the remaining three counts of aggravated sexual assault and the one count of indecency with a child.
We note that the videotape may be considered in a legal and factual sufficiency review. "In applying the Jackson sufficiency review, an appellate court 'must consider all evidence which the jury was permitted, whether rightly or wrongly, to consider.'" Moff v. State, 131 S.W.3d 485, 488 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004). "[T]he same rule and reasoning are applicable to a factual sufficiency review." Camarillo v. State, 82 S.W.3d 529, 537 (Tex. App.—Austin 2002, no pet.). The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has explained that, if a portion of the evidence is erroneously admitted, the accused may complain on appeal of that error, and if the complaint has merit and the error is reversible, a new trial should be ordered. But jurors do not act irrationally in considering evidence admitted by the trial court. A reviewing court is obliged to assess the jury's factual findings from this perspective. See Thomas v. State, 753 S.W.2d 688, 695 (Tex. Crim. App. 1988). However, even without the videotape, sufficient evidence exists.
M.H., a friend of C.C., testified she had spent the night with C.C. in the Spring of "1999-2000." After C.C. had fallen asleep but M.H. was still awake, Lewis came into C.C.'s bedroom, where both girls were sleeping, and touched C.C. underneath the covers. M.H. testified C.C. woke up and told Lewis to stop and to leave her alone. According to M.H., Lewis responded by hitting C.C. with the back of his hand and then came over to M.H.'s bed and began touching M.H.'s private areas and her breasts. Lewis stopped when C.C.'s mother, who is confined to a wheelchair and cannot enter C.C.'s bedroom, called Lewis from the living room.
C.C. testified at trial Lewis began touching her with his hands on "inappropriate spots" when she was nine years old. When asked how many times Lewis had molested her, C.C. responded "[a] lot." C.C. testified Lewis had touched her breasts, but was not sure if he had touched them more than once. C.C. testified Lewis "always" touched inside her privates when he molested her. C.C. mentioned three places where the abuse would occur: her bedroom, the living room, and Lewis's bedroom. C.C. testified Lewis would normally molest her in "[h]is room." C.C. discussed a specific instance when she was ten when Lewis molested her in his bedroom. C.C. also described an assault which occurred in the living room during which Lewis only touched her privates, but not her breasts.
Kim Basinger, a registered nurse and a sexual assault nurse examiner employed by Titus Regional Medical Center, testified she had examined C.C. and discovered abnormal "well-healed tears to the hymen." Basinger testified she is certified to conduct sexual assault examinations and is able to distinguish between tears and naturally occurring notches in the hymen. Basinger testified the tears are consistent with sexual abuse.
All of the dates of the offenses found by the jury occurred while C.C. was from the age of nine and through age eleven. Viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution, a rational juror could have concluded Lewis committed at least four counts of aggravated sexual assault during this period. Based on the evidence introduced, a rational juror could have found beyond a reasonable doubt that all the elements of four counts of aggravated sexual assault and one count of indecency with a child were committed during the time period alleged.
When reviewing a challenge to the factual sufficiency of the evidence to support the conviction, we are required to determine whether, considering all the evidence in a neutral light, the jury was rationally justified in finding guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Zuniga v. State, 144 S.W.3d 477, 484 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004). There are two ways in which we may find the evidence to be factually insufficient. First, if the evidence supporting the verdict, considered alone, is too weak to support the jury's finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, then we must find the evidence insufficient. Id. Second, if—when we weigh the evidence supporting and contravening the conviction—we conclude the contrary evidence is strong enough that the State could not have met its burden of proof, we must find the evidence insufficient. Id. "Stated another way, evidence supporting guilt can 'outweigh' the contrary proof and still be factually insufficient under a beyond-a-reasonable-doubt standard." Id. at 485. If the evidence is factually insufficient, then we must reverse the judgment and remand for a new trial. Clewis v. State, 922 S.W.2d 126, 135 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996).
When viewed in a neutral light, the contrary evidence is not strong enough that the State could not have met its burden of proof. Further, after weighing the evidence supporting and contravening the conviction, a rational juror could have found beyond a reasonable doubt all the elements of aggravated sexual assault and indecency with a child. Lewis argues that C.C.'s testimony was confusing and contradictory. Matters concerning an evaluation of credibility and demeanor are the sole province of the jury. Cain v. State, 958 S.W.2d 404, 408–09 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997). Although M.H. testified C.C. awakened and told Lewis to stop, C.C. testified that she did not remember awakening that night and that she never saw anything happen to M.H. Although Basinger testified there are "notches" which naturally occur on a hymen, she also testified she was trained to distinguish between a notch and a tear. C.C. testified Lewis had abused her "[a] lot" and described assaults which occurred in her bedroom, the living room, and Lewis's bedroom. After weighing the evidence supporting and contravening the conviction, a rational juror could have found all the elements of four counts of aggravated sexual assault and one count of indecency with a child beyond a reasonable doubt. When considered in a neutral light, the evidence is factually sufficient.
Conclusion
Lewis failed to preserve error concerning the polygraph evidence, and the introduction of the letter was within the range of reasonable disagreement. While the introduction of the videotape was error, the error was harmless. Lewis failed to show he received ineffective assistance of counsel. Last, there was sufficient evidence.
We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Jack Carter
Justice
Date Submitted: October 27, 2004
Date Decided: November 16, 2004
Do Not Publish
Document Info
Docket Number： 06-08-00001-CR
Filed Date： 10/20/2008
Precedential Status： Precedential
Modified Date： 4/17/2021