Christopher William Mann v. State ( 2015 )

ACCEPTED
06-15-00163-CR
SIXTH COURT OF APPEALS
TEXARKANA, TEXAS
11/6/2015 11:49:46 AM
DEBBIE AUTREY
CLERK
NO. 06-15-00163-CR
FILED IN
6th COURT OF APPEALS
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR TEXARKANA, TEXAS
THE SIXTH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT
11/6/2015 11:49:46 AM
TEXARKANA, TEXAS DEBBIE AUTREY
Clerk
CHRISTOPHER WILLIAM MANN,
Appellant
v.
THE STATE OF TEXAS,
Appellee
ANDERS BRIEF
On Appeal from the 264th District Court
of Bell County, Texas,
Trial Court Cause No. 71362
E. Alan Bennett
State Bar #02140700
Attorney for Appellant
Sheehy, Lovelace & Mayfield, P.C.
510 N. Valley Mills Dr., Ste. 500
Waco, Texas 76710
Telephone: (254) 772-8022
Telecopier: (254) 772-9297
Email: abennett@slmpc.com
Identity of Parties and Counsel
Appellant, pursuant to Rule of Appellate Procedure 38.1(a), provides
the following list of all parties to the trial court’s judgment and the names
and addresses of all trial and appellate counsel.
Christopher William Mann Appellant
TDCJ #01942096
Bartlett State Jail
1018 Arnold Drive
Bartlett, TX 76511
Michael F. White Trial Counsel for Appellant
100 Kasberg Drive, #A
Temple, Texas 76502
E. Alan Bennett Appellate Counsel for Appellant
510 North Valley Mills Dr., Ste. 500
Waco, Texas 76710
Terry E. Clark Trial Counsel for the State
Assistant District Attorney
Bob D. Odom Appellate Counsel for the State
Assistant District Attorney
Henry Garza
District Attorney
Bell County District Attorney’s Office
P.O. Box 540
Belton, Texas 76513
Appellant’s Brief Page 2
Table of Contents
Identity of Parties and Counsel.............................................................................2
Table of Contents ....................................................................................................3
Index of Authorities ................................................................................................5
Statement of the Case .............................................................................................7
Statement Regarding Oral Argument ..................................................................7
Issues Presented ......................................................................................................8
Anders Certification .................................................................................................8
Statement of Facts ...................................................................................................9
Summary of the Argument ..................................................................................11
Argument ...............................................................................................................12
I. The Trial Court Had Jurisdiction. .............................................................12
II. Mann Received Constitutionally Adequate Notice................................13
III. The Evidence Supports the Trial Court’s Decision. ...............................14
IV. The Trial Court Sentenced Mann Within the Statutory Range. ...........15
V. Mann Received Effective Assistance of Counsel. ...................................16
VI. Summary .......................................................................................................18
Prayer ......................................................................................................................19
Certificate of Compliance ....................................................................................20
Appellant’s Brief Page 3
Certificate of Service .............................................................................................20
Appendix ................................................................................................................21
Appellant’s Brief Page 4
Index of Authorities
Federal Cases
Anders v. California, 386 U.S. 738, 87 S. Ct. 1396, 18 L. Ed. 2d 493 (1967) .........11
McCoy v. Court of Appeals, 486 U.S. 429, 108 S. Ct. 1895, 100 L. Ed. 2d 440 (1988)
..................................................................................................................................11
Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984)
........................................................................................................................... 16, 17
Texas Cases
Antwine v. State, 268 S.W.3d 634 (Tex. App.—Amarillo 2008, pet. ref’d) .....14
Aranda v. State, No. 04–13–00307–CR, 2014 WL 2157537 (Tex. App.—San
Antonio May 21, 2014, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication)
..................................................................................................................................16
Atchison v. State, 124 S.W.3d 755 (Tex. App.—Austin 2003, pet. ref’d) .. 14, 15
Duncan v. State, 321 S.W.3d 53 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2010, pet.
ref’d) ................................................................................................................. 14, 15
Dunn v. State, 997 S.W.2d 885 (Tex. App.—Waco 1999, pet. ref’d)................14
Ex parte Broadway, 301 S.W.3d 694 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009) .............................16
Ex parte Ellis, 233 S.W.3d 324 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007)......................................17
Ex parte Huskins, 176 S.W.3d 818 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005) ...............................16
Garner v. State, 545 S.W.2d 178 (Tex. Crim. App. 1977) ...................................13
Jenkins v. State, 740 S.W.2d 435 (Tex. Crim. App. 1983)...................................14
Johnson v. State, 885 S.W.2d 641 (Tex. App.—Waco 1994, pet. ref’d).............11
Jordan v. State, 979 S.W.2d 75 (Tex. App.—Austin 1998), aff’d on other grounds,
36 S.W.3d 871 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001) ................................................................11
Appellant’s Brief Page 5
LaBelle v. State, 720 S.W.2d 101 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986)...................................13
Mills v. State, No. 14–09–00867–CR, 2011 WL 397950 (Tex. App.—Houston
[14th Dist.] Feb. 8, 2011, pet. ref’d) (mem. op., not designated for publication)
..................................................................................................................................17
Miniel v. State, 831 S.W.2d 310 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992) ...................................17
Moses v. State, 590 S.W.2d 469 (Tex. Crim. App. [Panel Op.] 1979) ........ 14, 15
Sanchez v. State, 603 S.W.2d 869 (Tex. Crim. App. [Panel Op.] 1980) ............14
State v. Dunbar, 297 S.W.3d 777 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009)........................... 12, 13
Thompson v. State, 9 S.W.3d 808 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999) .................................17
Torres v. State, No. 09–13–00405–CR, 2014 WL 989705 (Tex. App.—Beaumont
Mar. 12, 2014, no pet.) (mem. op., not designated for publication)...............16
Von Schounmacher v. State, 5 S.W.3d 221 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999) ...................15
Williams v. State, 910 S.W.2d 83 (Tex. App.—El Paso 1995, no pet.) ..............14
Texas Constitution
TEX. CONST. art. V, § 8 ...........................................................................................12
Texas Statutes
TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. art. 4.05 ...........................................................................12
TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. art. 42.12, § 5 ........................................................... 12, 14
TEX. GOV’T CODE § 24.007 .....................................................................................12
TEX. GOV’T CODE § 24.441 .....................................................................................12
TEX. PEN. CODE § 22.02 ..........................................................................................12
Appellant’s Brief Page 6
Statement of the Case
Christopher William Mann pleaded “true” to fourteen alleged
violations of his deferred adjudication community supervision for
aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. (CR 34-36), (2 RR 6) The trial
court, the Honorable Martha Trudo, Judge of the 264th District Court of Bell
County, sentenced Mann to fourteen years’ imprisonment. (CR 66-67), (4 RR
13) Mann timely filed his notice of appeal. (CR 60)
Statement Regarding Oral Argument
Oral argument will not aid the Court’s decisional process in this
appeal.
Appellant’s Brief Page 7
Issues Presented
A careful review of the record reveals no issues of arguable merit.
Anders Certification
The undersigned counsel hereby certifies that he has provided
Appellant Christopher William Mann: (1) a copy of this Anders brief, (2) a
copy of the appellate record, and (3) a letter advising him of the right to file
a pro se response. A copy of counsel’s letter to Mann advising him of his
rights is included in the Appendix to this brief.
Appellant’s Brief Page 8
Statement of Facts
Mann pleaded “guilty” to assaulting Christian Bohannon “by striking
her on or about the head, face and body” with a club that he used or
exhibited as a deadly weapon. (CR 4, 18-25) The trial court placed Mann on
two years’ deferred adjudication community supervision in accordance with
a plea agreement. (CR 28-31) The State filed a motion to adjudicate about six
months later, alleging fourteen violations. (CR 34-36) Mann was not
apprehended until almost a year later. (CR 38-41)
At the beginning of the hearing on the motion to adjudicate, the trial
court advised Mann regarding his various rights and admonished him that
the range of punishment was between two and twenty years’ imprisonment
and a fine of up to $10,000. (2 RR 4-5) The trial court also explained the effect
of the deadly weapon allegation. (2 RR 5)
Mann pleaded “true” to the allegations. (2 RR 6) At the request of his
counsel, the trial court postponed sentencing until an updated presentence
investigation was conducted. (2 RR 7)
At sentencing, the trial court sustained the State’s hearsay objection to
Mann’s proffer of a letter from the victim, Ms. Bohannon. (3 RR 4-5) Mann
Appellant’s Brief Page 9
testified and denied committing the assault he had pleaded “guilty” to in
this case. (3 RR 7) Regardless, he asked the court to allow him to remain on
deferred adjudication community supervision for a longer term or
adjudicate his guilt and grant him regular community supervision. (3 RR 6-
7) He explained further that the only reason he pleaded “guilty” was because
he was tired of being in jail and the State had made such a low probation
offer. (3 RR 7-8) The trial court granted a recess to allow Mann’s attorney to
secure Bohannon’s testimony. (3 RR 11)
At the time of the adjudication hearing, Ms. Bohannon was in jail
charged with capital murder. Her attorney advised the trial court that she
would invoke her Fifth Amendment right and refuse to testify if called as a
witness. (4 RR 5) Mann called her to testify, and she did just that. (4 RR 6-7)
Mann retook the stand and testified, consistent with the original
presentence investigation report, that he had always maintained his
innocence of the charge. (4 RR 8-10) Mann also criticized his attorney’s
performance. (4 RR 10-11)
Mann’s attorney asked the court to grant him regular probation. (4 RR
12-13) The prosecutor asked the court to sentence him to “at least eight
Appellant’s Brief Page 10
years.” The trial court adjudicated Mann’s guilt and sentenced him to
fourteen years’ imprisonment. (CR 66-67), (4 RR 13)
Summary of the Argument
Under Anders v. California, court-appointed counsel must not present
an issue in an appeal if counsel has made a conscientious review of the entire
record and finds the appeal to be wholly frivolous. 386 U.S. 738, 744, 87 S. Ct.
1396, 1400, 18 L. Ed. 2d 493 (1967). “If the only theories that the attorney can
discover after [a] conscientious review of the record and the law are
‘arguments that cannot conceivably persuade the court,’ then the appeal
should be considered frivolous.” Johnson v. State, 885 S.W.2d 641, 645 (Tex.
App.—Waco 1994, pet. ref’d) (quoting McCoy v. Court of Appeals, 486 U.S.
429, 436, 108 S. Ct. 1895, 1901, 100 L. Ed. 2d 440 (1988)) The undersigned
counsel has carefully reviewed the record and, for the reasons set forth in
this brief, has concluded that this appeal presents no issues of arguable
merit. See Jordan v. State, 979 S.W.2d 75, 78 (Tex. App.—Austin 1998), aff’d on
other grounds, 36 S.W.3d 871 (Tex. Crim. App. 2001).
Appellant’s Brief Page 11
Argument
I. The Trial Court Had Jurisdiction.
The State charged Mann with aggravated assault with a deadly
weapon, a second degree felony. (CR 4) See TEX. PEN. CODE § 22.02(a)(2), (b).
The 264th District Court of Bell County has subject-matter jurisdiction over
felony charges. See TEX. CONST. art. V, § 8; TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. art. 4.05;
TEX. GOV’T CODE §§ 24.007(a), 24.441.
The presentment of the indictment against Mann gave the trial court
jurisdiction over his person. State v. Dunbar, 297 S.W.3d 777, 780 (Tex. Crim.
App. 2009). Further,
[a] court retains jurisdiction to hold a hearing under Subsection
(b) and to proceed with an adjudication of guilt, regardless of
whether the period of community supervision imposed on the
defendant has expired, if before the expiration the attorney
representing the state files a motion to proceed with the
adjudication and a capias is issued for the arrest of the
defendant.
TEX. CODE CRIM. PROC. art. 42.12, § 5(h).
Regarding the timing of the motion to revoke, the State filed the
motion, and the district clerk issued the capias on June 23, 2014, eighteen
Appellant’s Brief Page 12
months before Mann’s term of community supervision expired. (CR 34-36,
39)
Therefore, the trial court had jurisdiction of both the subject matter and
the person in Mann’s case. See Dunbar, 297 S.W.3d at 780.
II. Mann Received Constitutionally Adequate Notice.
[I]n all fairness the allegations as to violation of probation should
be fully and clearly set forth in the revocation motion, so that the
defendant and his counsel might be informed as to that upon
which he will be called to defend. When the allegations in the
motion fail to fully inform the probationer, and the trial court
refused to sustain an exception timely filed, the probationer is
denied the rudiments of due process.
LaBelle v. State, 720 S.W.2d 101, 104 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986) (quoting Garner
v. State, 545 S.W.2d 178 (Tex. Crim. App. 1977)).
Mann’s trial counsel did not challenge the adequacy of notice provided
by the motion to adjudicate. See Rodriguez v. State, 951 S.W.2d 199, 204 (Tex.
App.—Corpus Christi 1997, no pet) (trial objection required to preserve
complaint that revocation motion was defective). Nevertheless, the
allegations in Mann’s motion to adjudicate provided adequate notice.
Appellant’s Brief Page 13
III. The Evidence Supports the Trial Court’s Decision.
The State bears the burden of proving a violation of community
supervision by a preponderance of the evidence. Jenkins v. State, 740 S.W.2d
435, 437 (Tex. Crim. App. 1983); Williams v. State, 910 S.W.2d 83, 85 (Tex.
App.—El Paso 1995, no pet.). A plea of “true,” standing alone, is sufficient
to support a judgment revoking community supervision. See Moses v. State,
590 S.W.2d 469, 470 (Tex. Crim. App. [Panel Op.] 1979); Duncan v. State, 321
S.W.3d 53, 58 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2010, pet. ref’d). A court does
not abuse its discretion in revoking community supervision if the State
proves even a single violation. Sanchez v. State, 603 S.W.2d 869, 871 (Tex.
Crim. App. [Panel Op.] 1980); Dunn v. State, 997 S.W.2d 885, 887 (Tex. App.—
Waco 1999, pet. ref’d).
These same principles apply to a trial court’s decision to proceed with
an adjudication of guilt under article 42.12, section 5. See TEX. CODE CRIM.
PROC. art. 42.12, § 5(b); Antwine v. State, 268 S.W.3d 634, 636 (Tex. App.—
Amarillo 2008, pet. ref’d); Atchison v. State, 124 S.W.3d 755, 758 n.4 (Tex.
App.—Austin 2003, pet. ref’d).
Appellant’s Brief Page 14
Here, Mann pleaded “true” to all the violations alleged. (2 RR 6). His
plea of “true,” standing alone, is sufficient to support the court’s decision to
adjudicate. See Moses, 590 S.W.2d at 470; Duncan, 321 S.W.3d at 58; Atchison,
124 S.W.3d at 758 .
IV. The Trial Court Sentenced Mann Within the Statutory Range.
The undersigned counsel understands that Mann wants to challenge
the trial court’s decision to impose a sentence greater than the 8-year
sentenced urged by the prosecutor in closing argument. This potential issue
is meritless for two reasons. First, the prosecutor argued for a sentence of “at
least eight years.” (4 RR 13) (emphasis added) And second, the trial court
was within its discretion to impose a sentence anywhere within the statutory
range regardless of any recommendation from the State. Texas courts have
so held on numerous occasions.
[R]egardless of whether the deferred adjudication was part of a
plea bargain, recommended by the prosecution, imposed by the
trial court without objection by the appellant, or granted under
other circumstances, once the trial court proceeds to
adjudication, it is restricted in the sentence it imposes only by the
relevant statutory limits.
Von Schounmacher v. State, 5 S.W.3d 221, 223 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999) (per
curiam).
Appellant’s Brief Page 15
This rule applies “[e]ven if the parties purport to have a plea bargain
as to the sentence to be assessed after adjudication.” Ex parte Huskins, 176
S.W.3d 818, 819 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005). And so, upon adjudication of guilt,
“the judge can assess any punishment statutorily permitted.” Ex parte
Broadway, 301 S.W.3d 694, 698 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009).
Following these decisions, appellate courts have regularly rejected
contentions that a trial court was bound to a particular sentence in a hearing
on a motion to adjudicate guilt. See, e.g., Aranda v. State, No. 04–13–00307–
CR, 2014 WL 2157537, at *2 (Tex. App.—San Antonio May 21, 2014, no pet.)
(mem. op., not designated for publication); Torres v. State, No. 09–13–00405–
CR, 2014 WL 989705, at *1-2 (Tex. App.—Beaumont Mar. 12, 2014, no pet.)
(mem. op., not designated for publication).
Here, the trial court assessed a punishment within the statutory range.
The court was well within its discretion to do so.
V. Mann Received Effective Assistance of Counsel.
A defendant’s Sixth Amendment right to counsel includes the right to
effective assistance of counsel. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 686, 104
S. Ct. 2052, 2063, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984). And the right to effective assistance
Appellant’s Brief Page 16
of counsel applies in a hearing on a motion to adjudicate. Mills v. State, No.
14–09–00867–CR, 2011 WL 397950, at *2 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.]
Feb. 8, 2011, pet. ref’d) (mem. op., not designated for publication).
To establish ineffective assistance, an appellant must overcome the
“strong presumption that counsel’s conduct fell within the wide range of
reasonable professional assistance.” Ex parte Ellis, 233 S.W.3d 324, 330 (Tex.
Crim. App. 2007) (quoting Thompson v. State, 9 S.W.3d 808, 813 (Tex. Crim.
App. 1999)) Thus, the appellant must “overcome the presumption that,
under the circumstances, the challenged action might be considered sound
trial strategy.” Id. (quoting Miniel v. State, 831 S.W.2d 310, 323 (Tex. Crim.
App. 1992)) “[S]trategic choices made after thorough investigation of law
and facts relevant to plausible options are virtually unchallengeable.” Id.
(quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 690, 104 S. Ct. at 2066)
Mann was capably represented by counsel in the trial court, and
counsel pursued a reasonable defensive strategy. Under this record, Mann
cannot “overcome the presumption that, under the circumstances, the
challenged action might be considered sound trial strategy.” See Ellis, 233
S.W.3d at 330.
Appellant’s Brief Page 17
VI. Summary
The trial court had both personal and subject-matter jurisdiction; the
adjudication motion, capias and hearing were all timely; the adjudication
motion provided Mann constitutionally adequate notice; the evidence
supports the trial court’s decision to proceed with an adjudication of guilty;
the trial court sentenced Mann within the statutory punishment range; and
the record does not support a claim for ineffective assistance of counsel.
Accordingly, Mann’s appeal presents no issues of arguable merit.
Appellant’s Brief Page 18
Prayer
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, the undersigned counsel
contends that this appeal presents no issues of arguable merit and counsel
should be permitted to withdraw. Pursuant to Anders v. California and Texas
decisional law interpreting Anders, counsel prays that this Honorable Court
provide Appellant the opportunity to file a pro se brief or response
presenting any issues he believes the Court should consider and grant such
other and further relief to which he may show himself justly entitled.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Alan Bennett
E. Alan Bennett
SBOT #02140700
Attorney for Appellant
Sheehy, Lovelace & Mayfield, P.C.
510 N. Valley Mills Dr., Ste. 500
Waco, Texas 76710
Telephone: (254) 772-8022
Fax: (254) 772-9297
Email: abennett@slmpc.com
Appellant’s Brief Page 19
Certificate of Compliance
The undersigned hereby certifies, pursuant to Rule of Appellate
Procedure 9.4(i)(3), that this computer-generated brief contains 2,941 words.
/s/ Alan Bennett
E. Alan Bennett
Certificate of Service
The undersigned hereby certifies that a true and correct copy of
this brief was served on November 6, 2015: (1) by email to counsel for the
State, Bob D. Odom, bob.odom@co.bell.tx.us; and (2) by mail to
Appellant Christopher William Mann, TDCJ #02023857, Joe F. Gurney
Unit, 1385 FM 3328, Tennessee Colony, TX 75803.
/s/ Alan Bennett
E. Alan Bennett
Appellant’s Brief Page 20
Appendix
1. Letter Advising Client of Anders Rights
Appellant’s Brief Page 21
TAB NO. 1
SHEEHY, LOVELACE & MAYFIELD, P. C.
ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW
Established 1 893
510 N. VALLEY MILLS DRIVE
E. ALAN BENNETT SUITE 500 E-MAIL: abennett@slmpc.com
WACO, TEXAS 76710
TELEPHONE (254) 772-8022
FACSIMILE (254) 772-9297
November 6, 2015
Christopher William Mann
TDCJ #02023857
Joe F. Gurney Unit
1385 FM 3328
Tennessee Colony, TX 75803
Re: No. 06-15-00163-CR; Mann v. State; In the Sixth Court of Appeals, Texarkana
Mr. Mann:
Enclosed please find copies of: (1) the motion to withdraw; (2) the brief pursuant to Anders v.
California that I have prepared and filed in the above case; and (3) the appellate record. After a
diligent search of both the clerk’s record and reporter’s record in your case and a review of the
applicable law, it is my opinion that no reversible error occurred at your adjudication proceeding.
Whenever appellate counsel files a motion such as this, the law provides the appellant the right to
review the record and file a response identifying to the appellate court any grounds he thinks are
non-frivolous issues to be raised on his behalf that the appellate court should consider in deciding
whether the case presents any meritorious grounds for appeal. Because I have filed this motion
and brief, you now have the right to review the record and file a response or brief if you so choose.
I have enclosed a copy of the record for your review.
I anticipate that the Court of Appeals will send notice directly to you informing you that your
response will be due to be filed in the Sixth Court of Appeals within 30 days of the date of this
letter. If you choose to file a response, you must mail it to the Sixth Court of Appeals at the
following address:
Sixth Court of Appeals
100 N. State Line Ave., Ste. 20
Texarkana, Texas 75501
Whether or not you file a response, the law requires the Court of Appeals to review the record to
determine if the Court agrees with my assessment that no meritorious grounds for appeal exist,
i.e., that no reversible error exists. If the Court does not agree, but instead believes there are non-
frivolous issues to be raised on your behalf, the Court must abate the appeal to have another
attorney appointed to review the record on your behalf.
Christopher Mann
Client Letter
November 6, 2015
Page 2
Should the Court of Appeals ultimately determine that there are no meritorious grounds to be raised
and that your appeal is frivolous, the Court will affirm your adjudication. You may then file a pro
se petition for discretionary review with the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Such petition must
be filed within 30 days of the date the Court of Appeals renders its judgment. The mailing address
for the Court of Criminal Appeals is as follows:
Court of Criminal Appeals
Post Office Box 12547
Austin, Texas 78711
Feel free to write me if you have any questions about the procedure utilized in your appeal. I will
do my best to answer any questions you may have.
Sincerely,
E. Alan Bennett
Enclosures
1) Motion to Withdraw
2) Anders Brief
3) Clerk’s Record
4) Reporter’s Record (4 volumes)