Ex Parte Thomas Michael Dixon ( 2015 )

In The
Court of Appeals
Seventh District of Texas at Amarillo
No. 07-14-00433-CR
EX PARTE THOMAS MICHAEL DIXON
On Appeal from the 140th District Court
Lubbock County, Texas
Trial Court No. 2012-435,942, Honorable Jim Bob Darnell, Presiding
March 6, 2015
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Before QUINN, C.J., and CAMPBELL and PIRTLE, JJ.
This is an appeal from the denial of habeas corpus relief for bail reduction. An
indictment charged appellant, Amarillo plastic surgeon Thomas Dixon, with the capital
murder of Lubbock pathologist Joseph Sonnier, III. Dixon’s bail was set at $10 million
and he remained incarcerated for over two years pending trial. Dixon’s three-week jury
trial ended in a mistrial on November 20, 2014. On December 10, Dixon filed an
application for writ of habeas corpus, seeking reduction in the amount of bail. The writ
issued and a hearing was convened on December 17. After the hearing, the court
signed an order denying Dixon the requested relief. Findings of fact and conclusions of
law were not requested or filed. Finding the record does not establish an abuse of
discretion by the trial court, we will affirm its order.
Background
Sonnier was murdered in his home on July 10, 2012. He was shot and stabbed.
Under the State’s theory of the case, the murder arose from Dixon’s jealousy and anger
over Sonnier’s relationship with Richelle Shetina, with whom Dixon formerly had a
relationship. The State contended Dixon was aware of his friend David Shepard’s
financial difficulties, and hired Shepard to kill Sonnier in exchange for three bars of
silver.
Dixon and Shepard were arrested in July 2012. Shepard plead no contest to the
charge of murdering Sonnier for remuneration and is serving a sentence of life without
parole. In an October 2012 statement to police, Shepard said Dixon paid him three
silver bars to kill Sonnier.
Shepard and Dixon testified at Dixon’s trial. Dixon testified he believed Shepard
killed Sonnier. His defense took the position Dixon was inculpated in the murder only
by Shepard’s October 2012 statement. The defense called Shepard a “con man.” In
his testimony, Shepard denied Dixon asked him to kill or harm Sonnier. He said Dixon
gave him the bars of silver because of his financial difficulties. At times he referred to
the bars as “a loan.” Dixon testified the three silver bars were his investment in a health
care business that Shepard, Dixon and a third man were forming.
Evidence showed Shepard made several trips to Lubbock before the murder.
Dixon testified the two men planned for Shepard to photograph Sonnier in the company
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of women other than Shetina.1 They eventually planned that Shepard would attempt to
attach a camera to the fence at Sonnier’s residence. Dixon acknowledged he was
bothered by Shetina’s high opinion of Sonnier and her belief she was in a “committed
relationship” with Sonnier. He maintained, however, that his plans with Shepard never
included doing harm to Sonnier.
The jury was instructed on the charged offense of capital murder and on lesser
offenses, but was unable to reach a unanimous verdict.
At the habeas hearing, Dixon called two witnesses, his mother and a
representative of a Lubbock bail bond company.
The bondsman testified in his opinion a bond for bail of $10 million could
“probably” not be obtained in Lubbock County. He added, however, if his company
made a bond for this amount it would require $1 million “upfront” and collateral
“back[ing] the biggest part of the 10 million.” Based on conversations with Dixon’s
family, the bondsman believed Dixon’s family could not obtain a bond for bail of $10
million. According to the bondsman, his company might consider a bond of $100,000
without collateral.
Later in the habeas hearing, Dixon’s counsel informed the court that another
Lubbock bail bond company would make Dixon’s bond in consideration for a cash
payment of $1 million and collateral worth $3 million.
1
Dixon testified that at the end of February or early in March 2012 he first
became aware Sonnier was “seeing a lot of . . . women” other than Shetina, and he and
Shepard at that time first discussed taking pictures to prove Sonnier’s conduct to
Shetina.
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Dixon’s mother, Mary Frances Archer Dixon, testified she resides in Spearman,
Texas, where the family has long-standing ties. She acknowledged Dixon was a
successful plastic surgeon prior to his arrest. His three children live in Amarillo. She
also agreed he owned a business known as Sensei Med Spa but denied he received
income from the business or his medical practice after his incarceration. She believed
Sensei Med Spa was “breaking even” although at times was unable to meet its
obligations. According to Dixon’s trial testimony, Sensei Med Spa was “one of” his
businesses. He described it as a day spa offering massages, manicures, pedicures and
facials, and said he occasionally performed injections of fillers or Botox.
Dixon has no prior criminal convictions and has apparently never been released
on bond. Trial testimony indicated that shortly before Sonnier’s murder, Dixon traveled
to Bermuda and sailed with a friend back to New York. After his initial questioning by
police regarding the murder, Dixon flew to Dallas to pick up a car but immediately
returned to Amarillo.
Dixon’s mother also testified to his family’s participation in his expenses. The
family apparently pays Dixon’s monthly $1,800 child support and $3,000 contractual
alimony obligations. Mrs. Dixon agreed she and her family could not pay $1 million
cash and provide collateral valued at $3 million. She acknowledged trial expenses were
$1.25 million “or more,” and agreed this obligation “put a severe financial bind on your
ability to continue to pay attorneys’ fees, and other things, expert fees” for Dixon. She
agreed her family could afford a $100,000 bond and Dixon “personally” lacked the
assets to pay the bond. As for property, she agreed Dixon’s home, worth approximately
$495,000, was encumbered by a lien securing a loan of about that amount.
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On cross-examination, Mrs. Dixon acknowledged Dixon has an unspecified
mineral interest paying “less than $150.00 a month.” He is a defendant in a civil lawsuit
brought by the Sonnier family but, she testified, none of his assets were placed in trust.
Dixon did not testify at the habeas hearing but his counsel made a statement to
the court regarding assets. According to counsel, trusts created by Dixon when he
began practicing medicine “have been depleted.” Dixon’s Sensei Med Spa business
occupies leased premises. A Dodge truck and Porsche automobile were sold after
Dixon’s arrest. He apparently still owns a 1994 Jeep driven by his son and valued at no
more than $2,000. Dixon’s residence contains furniture, $1,800 cash, and “silver coins.”
Dixon offered exhibits admitted during the hearing, which included: documentary
proof that in two Lubbock County capital murder cases, one from 2005 and the other
from 2012, the 140th District Court set bail at $1 million; a disc containing the testimony
from Dixon’s trial; and the affidavits of two jurors from Dixon’s trial indicating they and
other jurors were unwilling to find Dixon guilty of capital murder, murder, or
manslaughter. Dixon’s passport was also surrendered to the court.
Analysis
Through one issue, Dixon asserts the trial court abused its discretion by refusing
to reduce his $10 million bail.
“‘Bail’ is the security given by the accused that he will appear and answer before
the proper court the accusation brought against him, and includes a bail bond or a
personal bond.” TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 17.01 (West 2005). “A ‘bail bond’ is a
written undertaking entered into by the defendant and the defendant’s sureties for the
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appearance of the principal therein before a court or magistrate to answer a criminal
accusation . . . .” TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 17.02 (West Supp. 2014). The chief
purpose of bail is securing the presence of the accused at trial on the offense charged.
See Ex parte Rodriguez, 595 S.W.2d 549, 550 (Tex. Crim. App. [Panel Op.] 1980).
Setting the amount of bail for an accused is a decision committed to the
discretion of the magistrate or court. See U.S. CONST. amend. VIII; TEX. CONST. art. I, §
13; TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 17.15 (West 2005). A trial court abuses its
discretion if it acts without reference to any guiding rules or principles; that is, in an
arbitrary or unreasonable manner. Ex parte Hunt, 138 S.W.3d 503, 505 (Tex. App.—
Fort Worth 2004, pet. refused). A reviewing court will not disturb a ruling of the trial
court if it is within the zone of reasonable disagreement. Clemons v. State, 220 S.W.3d
176, 178 (Tex. App.—Eastland 2007, no pet.) (per curiam). But an abuse of discretion
review is more than merely concluding the trial court did not rule arbitrarily or
capriciously. Ex parte Beard, 92 S.W.3d 566, 573 (Tex. App.—Austin 2002, pet.
refused) (citing Montgomery v. State, 810 S.W.2d 372, 392 (Tex. Crim. App. 1990) (op.
on reh’g)). Rather the analysis requires the reviewing court to measure the trial court’s
ruling against the relevant criteria on which the ruling was made. Id.
In a habeas case, the applicant bears the burdens of proving facts that would
entitle him to relief and ensuring that a sufficient record is presented to show error
requiring reversal. Ex parte Kimes, 872 S.W.2d 700, 703 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993).
Therefore, the burden of proof is on an applicant claiming excessive bail. Ex parte
Rubac, 611 S.W.2d 848, 849 (Tex. Crim. App. [Panel Op.] 1981); Milner v. State, 263
S.W.3d 146, 148 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2006, no pet.). A reviewing court will
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not reduce the trial court’s bail determination unless the applicant discharges his
burden. Ex parte Gentry, 615 S.W.2d 228, 231 (Tex. Crim. App. 1981) (reducing bail
amount after reviewing court was “completely satisfied that petitioner discharged her
burden of showing her entitlement” to bail reduction); Ex parte Welch, 729 S.W.2d 306,
310 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1987, no pet.) (holding after considering “all of the evidence and
factors relevant to determining the amount of bond,” that “applicant has failed to satisfy
his burden of showing that the trial court abused its discretion in refusing to lower
applicant’s bond”).
The bail determination requires a court to strike a balance between the
presumption of innocence enjoyed by the accused and the State’s interest in assuring
the accused appears for trial. Ex parte Beard, 92 S.W.3d at 573. Excessive bail is
prohibited by the federal and state constitutions. See U.S. CONST. amend. VIII; TEX.
CONST. art. I, § 13. Bail is excessive if it is “set in an amount greater than is reasonably
necessary to satisfy the government’s legitimate interests.” Ex parte Beard, 92 S.W.3d
at 573.
Exercising its discretion on a request for bail reduction, the trial court considers
the following factors:
1. The bail shall be sufficiently high to give reasonable assurance that the
undertaking will be complied with.
2. The power to require bail is not to be so used as to make it an
instrument of oppression.
3. The nature of the offense and the circumstances under which it was
committed are to be considered.
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4. The ability to make bail is to be regarded, and proof may be taken
upon this point.
5. The future safety of a victim of the alleged offense and the community
shall be considered.
TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. ANN. art. 17.15 (West 2005).
It is said the nature of the offense is a primary consideration in assessing bail.
See Ex parte Durst, 148 S.W.3d 496, 500 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2004, pet.
refused) (majority op. on reh’g) (citing Ex parte Rubac, 611 S.W.2d at 849 (“The primary
factors are the length of the sentence and the nature of the offense”)); Aviles v. State,
26 S.W.3d 696, 698-99 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2000, pet. refused) (“Two
factors should be given great weight when determining the amount of bail: the nature of
the offense and the length of the sentence”); Ex parte Hulin, 31 S.W.3d 754, 759 (Tex.
App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2000, no pet.) (“The primary factors to be considered in
determining what constitutes reasonable bail are the punishment that can be imposed
and the nature of the offense”); see Ex parte Vazquez, 558 S.W.2d 477, 480 (Tex. Crim.
App. 1977) (noting possible punishment is a consideration). Capital murder is
punishable by life in prison without parole or death. TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 12.31(a)
(West Supp. 2014).
As for the ability to make bail, courts have required an accused to show an
unsuccessful attempt to make bail before the amount of bail set can be found
excessive. Such a showing is not required, however, when the defendant shows that
his funds and those of his family have been exhausted. Milner, 263 S.W.3d at 149. But
the accused’s ability to make bail is not controlling; otherwise, “the role of the trial court
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in setting bond would be completely eliminated and the accused would be in the
position to determine what his bond should be.” Milner, 263 S.W.3d at 150. “Bail set in
an amount that no bondsman could make is not, for that reason alone, excessive.” 41
George E. Dix & John M. Schmolesky, TEXAS PRACTICE: CRIMINAL PRACTICE AND
PROCEDURE § 21:27 (3d ed. 2011) (citing Wright v. State, 976 S.W.2d 815 (Tex. App.—
Houston [1st Dist.] 1998, no pet.)).
In order to set bail sufficiently high that the accused will comply with his
undertaking, a magistrate gives consideration to matters other than those listed in article
17.15. Dix & Schmolesky at § 21:30. This includes the accused’s personal situation.
Id. Thus courts look to several common law factors including the accused’s work
record, family and community ties, length of residency, and aggravating circumstances
alleged to have been involved in the charged offense. See Ex parte Rubac, 611 S.W.2d
at 849-50 (listing these along with other factors not applicable here).
The procedural history of this case distinguishes it from most reported cases
involving bond reduction appeals. The trial judge who conducted the habeas hearing
also presided over Dixon’s capital murder trial, and the record of testimony from the trial
was presented at the habeas hearing. In particular, this procedural history distinguishes
this case from one cited by Dixon, Ex parte Evans, which also addressed a bond
reduction request after a mistrial caused by a deadlocked jury. Ex parte Evans, No. 06-
11-000480-CR, 2011 Tex. App. LEXIS 5052 (Tex. App.—Texarkana July 6, 2011, no
pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication). In Evans, a visiting judge presided over
the mistrial, and the trial evidence presented at the bond reduction hearing was limited.
Id., at *7-8. By contrast, in ruling on Dixon’s bail-reduction request, the trial judge had
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before him the capital murder trial evidence as well as the testimony and other evidence
presented live at the habeas hearing.2 And, in his role as factfinder at the habeas
hearing, the trial judge necessarily made weight and credibility determinations. Ex parte
Gandara, No. 08-10-00234-CR, 2011 Tex. App. LEXIS 9395, at *6 (Tex. App.—El Paso
Nov. 30, 2011, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (“In a habeas
proceeding, the trial court is the sole judge of the credibility of the witnesses and the
weight to be given their testimony, and the court may accept some, all, or none of a
witness’s testimony”). Those determinations may properly have had a bearing on the
court’s evaluation of the statutory and common law factors for setting bail, including
those factors related to the charged offense and the circumstances under which it
occurred.3
Dixon engaged in the practice of medicine in Amarillo from 2003 until his arrest.
At the time of his trial, he was 50 years old. The current status of his medical license
was not shown. As noted, he owns a mineral interest. Other than its leased premises,
the assets of his spa business are not shown, nor any assets related to his medical
practice. Dixon has no demonstrated ties to Lubbock County. He has “friends and
family” in the Spearman area. Dixon’s three children, ages twenty-six, nineteen and
2
See Ex parte Green, No. 02-13-00474-CR 2014, Tex. App. LEXIS 1688, at *1
n.2 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth Feb. 13, 2014, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for
publication) (similar procedural history; in oral pronouncement denying reduction of bail,
trial court “stated that it had considered ‘all of the evidence previously [introduced at
trial]’ in making its determination”).
3
In that regard, the State emphasizes the “amount of time [Dixon] and Shepard
spent plotting the murder.” But of course Dixon has not been convicted of Sonnier’s
murder. Under the evidence at trial, however, it was not disputed the men devoted a
significant effort to planning and pursuing their actions directed at Sonnier, whatever
their nature.
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fifteen, live in Amarillo. His eldest child is married. The nature of Dixon’s relationship
with his children was not clearly portrayed. These factors related to Dixon’s personal
situation and ties are essentially undisputed, but, considered individually or together, the
trial court could have found them unconvincing as showing “an incentive to remain
despite the possibility of conviction and sentence.” Dix & Schmolesky at § 21:30.
In this court Dixon places heavy emphasis on Shepard’s testimony explaining
that he implicated Dixon only to obtain a favorable plea bargain and avoid a possible
death penalty case against him. And Dixon emphasizes the two affidavits from jurors
stating that as many as six jurors believed he was guilty of nothing but criminal
trespass. Here, again, however, determinations of the weight to be given particular
testimony and of its bearing on the factors for setting bail were determinations to be
made by the trial court. The court was not required to assign to Shepard’s trial
testimony or the hearsay statements by two jurors the weight Dixon attributes to those
items of evidence.
Dixon’s evidence presented at the habeas hearing to support his contention he is
unable to make bond on the assessed amount of bail was meager. One Lubbock bond
company might write a bond, others would not. Further, Dixon’s evidence cannot be
seen as a serious effort to present his, or his family’s, financial condition. His mother
testified briefly, and largely in generalities. We agree with the State’s assessment that
the record does not indicate the extent of Dixon’s or his family’s “actual remaining
resources.” In short, Dixon may lack the financial wherewithal to post bond on the
assessed $10 million bail, but the hearing record simply does not provide a dependable
basis for such a conclusion.
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From our research, Dixon’s bail assessment is among the highest reported in
Texas. See Ex parte Durst, 148 S.W.3d at 501 (reducing bail from $1 billion per case in
three third-degree felony cases to $150,000 per case); Beard, 92 S.W.3d at 567, 573-74
(ordering bail of $8 million reduced to $500,000). But, as courts have often recognized,
the reported cases are not an effective gauge for our review of the trial court’s
determination.
Case law is of relatively little value in addressing the ultimate question of
the appropriate amount of bail in a particular case because appellate
decisions on bail matters are often brief and avoid extended discussions,
and because the cases are so individualized that generalization from
results reached in others is difficult.
Beard, 92 S.W.3d at 571 (citing 41 George E. Dix & Robert O. Dawson, TEXAS
PRACTICE: CRIMINAL PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE § 16.51 (2d ed. 2001) (quotation marks
omitted)).
Conclusion
Given the grave nature of the offense with which he is charged and the potential
sentence on conviction, Ex parte Rubac, 611 S.W.2d at 849, on the record we are
presented, we cannot say the habeas judge abused his discretion by finding Dixon
failed to carry his burden to show his entitlement to a bail reduction. We affirm the
court’s order denying Dixon’s requested bail reduction.
Per Curiam
Do not publish.
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