Gonzalez, Alan Gerardo v. State ( 2013 )

AFFIRM; and Opinion Filed April 11, 2013.
S In The
Court of Appeals
Fifth District of Texas at Dallas
No. 05-11-01260-CR
ALAN GERARDO GONZALEZ, Appellant
V.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee
On Appeal from the 291st Judicial District Court
Dallas County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. F11-52354-U
OPINION
Before Justices Lang-Miers, Murphy, and Fillmore
Opinion by Justice Fillmore
The jury found Alan Gerardo Gonzalez guilty of aggravated robbery with a deadly
weapon and assessed punishment, enhanced by a prior felony conviction, at forty-five years’
imprisonment. In a single point of error, Gonzalez claims he received ineffective assistance of
counsel because trial counsel (1) failed to review, before admission into evidence, a recorded
phone conversation during which Gonzalez discussed the State’s offer of a plea agreement and
(2) failed to object to the evidence regarding plea negotiations until after the entire recording was
played to the jury. We affirm the trial court’s judgment.
Background
On the night of February 21, 2011, Melissa Camp drove to the entrance of an apartment
complex near Meadow Street and Central Expressway. While she was waiting for the gate to the
parking lot to open, a gold car with three people in it drove up behind her. A woman was driving
the gold car. Gonzalez and another man got out of the gold car and approached Camp’s gray
Mustang. Gonzalez tried to talk to Camp. When Camp did not respond, Gonzalez opened the
door to Camp’s car, pointed a gun at her head, and demanded her things, including her purse and
cell phone. Gonzalez then grabbed Camp’s arm and pulled her out of her car. Gonzalez got in
Camp’s car and drove off, followed by the gold car. Shortly thereafter, Camp was able to call
the police using someone else’s cell phone. Police spotted both cars and, after chasing and
apprehending the suspects, arrested Gonzalez and his two companions, Eduardo Hernandez and
Gina Rivas.
Dallas Detective Adrian Ballin interviewed all three suspects that night. Gonzalez
initially denied knowing the car belonged to Camp, but eventually admitted he took the car and
fled police while driving it. Although Gonzalez initially appeared intoxicated and admitted to
taking Xanax that night, he “got coherent very quickly” and asked if he was going to be charged
with aggravated robbery.
Gonzalez was charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, a handgun. The
State gave notice of intent to enhance the punishment range with a prior felony conviction of
burglary of a habitation.
During trial, Camp testified about the robbery and identified Gonzalez in open court as
the robber with the gun. During cross-examination, she conceded she did not tell police that
Gonzalez had tattoos on his face, saying she “really wasn’t looking at him at the time” and was
“trying to avoid eye contact.” Detective Ballin testified he interviewed Gonzalez and was the
sponsoring witness for State’s exhibit 1, a videotape of the interview. The jury watched and
listened to the interview in which Gonzalez said he found the car with the keys in it and took it.
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He later denied having a gun. In the interview, Gonzalez admitted having a prior conviction for
burglary, stated he was on parole, and asked if he would be able to “bond out.” He repeatedly
asked if he was going to Lew Sterrett Jail and requested he be put in the South Tower.
Dallas police officer David Baker testified he responded to the call about a “carjacking.”
He was driving the area when he spotted a Mustang matching the description given in the call
parked on a side street. There was a gold Honda parked behind the Mustang. When he made a
U-turn and turned onto the side street, the cars drove away. He followed the Mustang until he
received confirmation that it was the car involved in the carjacking; he then activated his lights
and siren. The Mustang sped off, and Officer Baker followed until Gonzalez lost control of the
car and crashed in the front yard of a house. Other officers arrived, and Gonzalez was arrested.
Dallas police officer Trevor Perez and his partner, Laura Robeson, were on patrol when
they received a call about a tan Honda that had been involved in an aggravated robbery. About
twenty minutes later, they saw a car matching that description and attempted to conduct a traffic
stop. The car did not stop, so they and other police officers began following it. After a lengthy
chase, the driver and passenger abandoned the car. Officers Perez and Robeson chased them on
foot and apprehended Hernandez. Hernandez had a gun in his hand. Robeson searched
Hernandez and found several gift cards with Camp’s name on them in Hernandez’s pocket.
The State offered State’s exhibit 8, a recording of a phone call that Gonzalez made from
jail to an unidentified woman. Trial counsel objected to the recording as not being properly
authenticated and to the content of the recording as being more prejudicial than probative. The
trial court overruled the objections. Gonzalez and the woman spoke in Spanish during their
conversation, and the recording was translated in court by Maria Rosa Hester, a certified Spanish
interpreter. According to Hester, Gonzalez told the woman he needed to talk to his brother.
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Gonzalez said he had been offered forty years and there was a possibility he would get probation
but only if Gina or the woman he robbed did not show up. He talked at length about Gina and
the woman he robbed.
After the recording had been played, trial counsel asked for a hearing outside the
presence of the jury. Trial counsel indicated to the court that he had received a copy of the
recording after the close of trial the previous day. He also received a one paragraph summary of
the recording that indicates Gonzalez was asking his brother to find Gina and telling his brother
that the State was trying to find the “lady that he robbed.” Trial counsel stated that he could not
listen to the recording because he does not speak Spanish. Trial counsel objected that the
recording referenced plea negotiations and contained information protected by the attorney-client
privilege and requested a mistrial. The trial court indicated it did not believe the objections were
timely and denied the motion for mistrial. However, after reading the charge to the jury, the trial
court orally instructed the jury:
Ladies and gentlemen, in State’s Exhibit 8, there was, the jail phone call, any
mention of a plea bargain or any mention of what the State was offering the
Defendant or any conversations that the attorney had with his client, all of that
evidence has been stricken from the Record and you cannot consider it for any
purpose whatsoever.
The jury was instructed on aggravated robbery and the lesser included offense of theft. It
found Gonzalez guilty of aggravated robbery and assessed punishment, enhanced by a prior
felony conviction, of forty-five years in prison.
Analysis
In his sole issue, Gonzalez claims he received ineffective assistance of counsel because
trial counsel failed to listen to the recorded phone conversation, in which Gonzalez discussed the
State’s plea offer of forty years, before it was offered into evidence, and then failed to object to
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the evidence regarding plea negotiations until after the entire recording had been played for the
jury.
To be entitled to a new trial based on an ineffective assistance of counsel claim, a
defendant must show that counsel’s performance was deficient and the deficiency prejudiced the
defense. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687 (1984); Menefield v. State, 363 S.W.3d
591, 592 (Tex. Crim. App. 2012) (citing Goodspeed v. State, 187 S.W.3d 390, 392 (Tex. Crim.
App. 2005)). The first prong requires the defendant to show counsel’s performance fell below an
objective standard of reasonableness under prevailing professional norms. Strickland, 466 U.S.
at 687–88, 689; Ex parte Lane, 303 S.W.3d 702, 707 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009). The second prong
requires the defendant to show there is a reasonable probability that, but for his counsel’s errors,
the result of the proceeding would have been different. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 687, 694; Ex
parte Lane, 303 S.W.3d at 707. A defendant’s failure to satisfy one prong negates the need to
consider the other prong. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 697; Ex parte Lane, 303 S.W.3d at 707.
In determining whether a defendant has met his burden, we consider the totality of the
representation and the particular circumstances of each case. Ex parte Lane, 303 S.W.3d at 707.
We strongly presume counsel’s conduct fell within the wide range of reasonable professional
assistance and do not judge counsel’s actions in hindsight. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689;
Thompson v.. State, 9 S.W.3d 808, 813 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). The fact that another attorney
might have pursued a different strategy at trial is not sufficient to prove counsel was ineffective.
Scheanette v. State, 144 S.W.3d 503, 509 (Tex. Crim. App. 2004).
Our review of counsel’s performance is highly deferential and begins with the
assumption that counsel’s conduct fell within the wide range of reasonable professional
assistance. Andrews v. State, 159 S.W.3d 98, 101 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005). We commonly
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assume a strategic motive if any can be imagined. Id. An ineffective assistance claim must be
“firmly founded in the record,” and the record must affirmatively demonstrate that the claim has
merit. Menefield, 363 S.W.3d at 592; Goodspeed, 187 S.W.3d at 392; see also Ex parte
Martinez, 330 S.W.3d 891, 901 (Tex. Crim. App.), cert. denied, 131 S. Ct. 3073 (2011)
(“Allegations of ineffectiveness must be based on the record, and the presumption of a sound
trial strategy cannot be overcome absent evidence in the record of the attorney’s reasons for his
conduct.”). In most cases, a silent record that provides no explanation for counsel’s actions will
not overcome the strong presumption of reasonable assistance. Rylander v. State, 101 S.W.3d
107, 110–11 (Tex. Crim. App. 2003). Direct appeal is usually an inadequate vehicle of raising
an ineffective assistance claim because the record is generally undeveloped. Menefield, 363
S.W.3d at 592–93. 1 Counsel should ordinarily be accorded an opportunity to explain his actions
before being denounced as ineffective. Id. “If trial counsel is not given that opportunity, then
the appellate court should not find deficient performance unless the challenged conduct was ‘so
outrageous that no competent attorney would have engaged in it.’” Id. (quoting Goodspeed, 187
S.W.3d at 392).
We first turn to Gonzalez’s claim that his trial counsel was ineffective because he failed
to listen to the recorded telephone call before it was offered into evidence. Counsel has a duty to
make reasonable investigations, and “‘a particular decision not to investigate must be directly
assessed for reasonableness in all the circumstances, applying a heavy measure of deference to
counsel’s judgments.’” Wiggins v. Smith, 539 U.S. 510, 521–22 (2003) (quoting Strickland, 466
1
Gonzalez contends we must address this issue on appeal because the standard of review on appeal is “much less stringent than the standard of
error for a post conviction writ.” We do not address issues on appeal for the sole reason that it is more or less likely to benefit one side or
another; rather, we address issues properly preserved and presented to the Court or, in certain limited instances, issues of fundamental error. See
Ford v. State, 305 S.W.3d 530, 532 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009); Marin v. State, 851 S.W.2d 275, 280 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993).
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U.S. at 690–91). Counsel has a duty to make reasonable pre-trial investigations or to make a
reasonable decision that makes particular investigations unnecessary. Id. at 521.
The record shows counsel received the recording of the telephone conversation at the
close of the previous day of trial, but was unable to listen to it because it was in Spanish and
counsel does not speak Spanish. The record also shows the State provided a one-paragraph
summary of the pertinent parts of the conversation which did not include any mention of plea
offers from the State. Although Gonzalez asserts the record is sufficient to address his claim of
ineffectiveness on this issue, we disagree. The court of criminal appeals has stated repeatedly
that trial counsel should be accorded an opportunity to explain his actions before being
denounced as ineffective. See Menefield, 363 S.W.3d at 592–93; Rylander, 101 S.W.3d at 110–
11. Here, although Gonzalez filed a motion for new trial, he did not raise the issue of ineffective
assistance of counsel in the motion and did not have a hearing on the motion. Consequently, trial
counsel did not have the opportunity to explain his actions surrounding the recording including
when the evidence was first available; if it was previously available, why he received it at the
close of the previous day of trial; or whether he attempted to have the recording translated but
was unsuccessful. This complaint is one in which a silent record is inadequate to determine the
merits of an ineffective assistance of counsel claim. We conclude Gonzalez has failed to rebut
the presumption that counsel’s decision was reasonable and, therefore, failed to establish error
under the first prong of Strickland on this complaint.
We next address Gonzalez’s complaint that trial counsel was ineffective by failing to
object to the portion of the conversation discussing the State’s plea offer of forty years until after
the entire recording had been played for the jury. Before the recording was admitted into
evidence, trial counsel objected that the recording was not properly authenticated and that the
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content of the recording was more prejudicial than probative. The trial court overruled the
objections. On the recording, Gonzalez told the woman he needed to talk to his brother. He also
said he had been offered forty years and might get probation but only if Gina or the woman he
robbed did not show up. Gonzalez referred to Gina as the “snitch” and discussed the odds of
getting probation depending on which of the two women appeared to testify.
After the recording was played, counsel asked to make a motion outside the presence of
the jury. The jury was removed, and trial counsel moved for a mistrial on the ground the jury
would be assessing punishment and would be unduly prejudiced by evidence of a plea bargain.
Trial counsel said he did not know evidence of the plea offer was on the recording and, once
Gonzalez said forty years was the offer, he “couldn’t get that back.” Although the trial court
denied the motion, the trial court instructed the jury that it could not consider the discussion of a
plea bargain offer for any purpose and that the evidence had been stricken from the record.
The decision not to object and draw further attention to the statement at the time it was
played at trial could have been the product of sound trial strategy. See Darby v. State, 922
S.W.2d 614, 623–24 (Tex. App.—Fort Worth 1996, pet ref’d). 2 Further, “[a]n isolated failure to
object to certain procedural mistakes or improper evidence does not constitute ineffective
assistance of counsel.” Ingham v. State, 679 S.W.2d 503, 509 (Tex. Crim. App. 1984). Finally,
the jury was properly instructed not to consider the statements, and nothing in the record shows
the jury did not follow the court’s instructions. See Gamboa v. State, 296 S.W.3d 574, 580 (Tex.
Crim. App. 2009) (law presumes jury will follow trial court’s instruction to disregard and that
such instructions are generally considered sufficient to cure improprieties that occur during trial).
2
See also Escudero v. State, No. 05-09-01199-CR, 2010 WL 4840501, at *4 (Tex. App.—Dallas Nov. 30, 2010, no pet.) (not designated for
publication).
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We conclude Gonzalez has failed to establish error under the first prong of Strickland on this
complaint.
Finally, we note that even if these isolated instances constituted deficient representation,
we cannot conclude that, but for the reference to the plea offer, the outcome of the case would
have been different. Gonzalez argues that hearing about plea negotiations could “mistakenly
lead a juror to conclude that [Gonzalez] was guilty since an innocent person would not
contemplate admitting guilt.” He further asserts that the sentence imposed, forty-five years,
shows that the juror’s knowledge of the forty year offer was prejudicial to Gonzalez. However,
the evidence of Gonzalez’s guilt was overwhelming. Camp identified Gonzalez as the man who
forced her out of her car at gunpoint and took her car. Police chased Gonzalez in Camp’s car
until he crashed the car. He was removed from the car by police and arrested. He later told
Detective Ballin he took the car. Further, after the recording of the phone conversation was
played, the jury was instructed not to consider “any mention of a plea bargain or any mention of
what the State was offering” Gonzalez for any purpose whatsoever.
Although given the option of convicting Gonzalez of theft, the jury convicted him of
aggravated robbery. The punishment range was fifteen to ninety-nine years or life. The jury
heard evidence of Gonzalez’s prior involvement in the juvenile system, including three separate
misdemeanor assault offenses on family members and a later felony conviction for burglary of
habitation. The State argued this was not a “life case” or a “minimum case,” but did argue for
something in the middle. The jury assessed punishment at forty-five years. Under these facts,
Gonzalez cannot show that “but for” trial counsel’s purported errors, the outcome of the case
would have been different, and thus has failed to establish error under the second prong of
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Strickland. Because he has failed to show trial counsel’s performance was deficient and that the
deficiency prejudiced the defense, we resolve Gonzalez’s sole issue against him.
We affirm the trial court’s judgment.
/Robert M. Fillmore/
ROBERT M. FILLMORE
JUSTICE
Do Not Publish
TEX. R. APP. P. 47
111260F.U05
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S
Court of Appeals
Fifth District of Texas at Dallas
JUDGMENT
ALAN GERARDO GONZALEZ, Appellant On Appeal from the 291st Judicial District
Court, Dallas County, Texas
No. 05-11-01260-CR V. Trial Court Cause No. F11-52354-U.
Opinion delivered by Justice Fillmore,
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee Justices Lang-Miers and Murphy
participating.
Based on the Court’s opinion of this date, the judgment of the trial court is AFFIRMED.
Judgment entered this 11th day of April, 2013.
/Robert M. Fillmore/
ROBERT M. FILLMORE
JUSTICE
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