Lawrence Strickland v. State

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT KNOXVILLE
LAWRENCE STRICKLAND, v. STATE OF TENNESSEE,
Post Conviction Appeal from the Criminal Court for Roane County
No. 11581 E. Eugene Eblen, Judge
No. E1999-00119-CCA-R3-CD - Decided April 12, 2000
The petitioner is presently serving a twelve (12) year sentence imposed following his 1997 guilty
plea to aggravated sexual battery. In 1998, he filed a petition for post-conviction relief alleging, inter
alia, that his guilty plea was involuntary because he was not fully advised of his rights prior to
entering a plea of guilty. At the hearing on the petition, the petitioner also claimed that his guilty
plea was unknowing and involuntary because he was under the influence of mind-altering
medications when he entered his plea. After an evidentiary hearing, the trial court denied the
petition. On appeal, the petitioner presents two (2) issues for this Court’s review: (1) whether he is
entitled to a new hearing as a result of an inadequate transcript of the post-conviction hearing; and
(2) whether his guilty plea was knowingly and voluntarily entered. After a thorough review of the
record before this Court, we conclude that a new evidentiary hearing is not required and that the
record amply supports the trial court’s judgment that the petitioner knowingly and voluntarily
entered his guilty plea. The judgment of the trial court is therefore affirmed.
Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Judgment of the Criminal Court of Roane County is
Affirmed.
SMITH, J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which TIPTON, J., and WELLES, J., joined.
Kenneth F. Irvine, Jr., Eldridge & Irving, PLLC, Knoxville, Tennessee, for the appellant, Lawrence
Strickland.
Paul G. Summers, Attorney General and Reporter, and Kim R. Helper, Assistant Attorney General,
for the appellee, State of Tennessee.
OPINION
In early 1981, the petitioner had unlawful sexual contact with his daughter, who was less than
thirteen (13) years of age at the time. This sexual contact resulted in the petitioner’s daughter
becoming pregnant. The victim did not reveal the father of her child until 1996, when she sought
the financial assistance of child welfare agencies. A paternity test indicated that, to a 99.98%
certainty, the petitioner is the father of his daughter’s child.
The Roane County grand jury indicted the petitioner in 1996 on two (2) counts of aggravated
rape.1 On December 2, 1997, the petitioner entered a plea of guilty to one (1) count of aggravated
sexual battery and received a sentence of twelve (12) years.2
At the post-conviction hearing, the petitioner testified that he was under the influence of pain
medication at the time he pled guilty. He explained that he had been hospitalized the previous day
and was in need of surgery for his poor health. He testified that he was not thinking clearly and did
not understand the consequences of his actions. He insisted that he had no intentions of pleading
guilty prior to the day his plea was entered and would not have pled guilty had he not been under the
influence of medication. Although he acknowledged that he signed the waiver of jury trial form, he
stated that he did not understand what he was signing. In addition, he could not recall the trial court
advising him of his rights during the guilty plea hearing.
The petitioner’s wife also testified at the post-conviction hearing. She confirmed that the
petitioner had been hospitalized the day prior to his entering a guilty plea. Although she could not
specify which medications her husband was taking, she stated that the petitioner was under the
influence of medications at the time he entered a plea. She believed that, as a result of his
medication, her husband was not aware of his surroundings during the plea.
The petitioner’s trial attorney, Randy Rogers, testified that he represented the petitioner in
the paternity suit, as well as in the criminal proceedings. He negotiated a plea offer with the state,
and when he discussed this offer with the petitioner, the petitioner initially rejected it. However, the
parties eventually set a date for the entry of a guilty plea on December 2. Rogers testified that he
informed the petitioner that his guilty plea was set for that date, and according to Rogers, the
petitioner was aware that his presence in court on December 2 was for the purpose of entering a
guilty plea.
Rogers stated that, although the petitioner told him that he had been having medical
problems, the petitioner informed him that he knew what he was doing. Rogers testified that he
carefully read the waiver of jury trial form to the petitioner, making certain that the petitioner
understood the implications of his waiver. Additionally, Rogers inquired whether the petitioner had
consumed medications which would cause him to be disoriented. Rogers stated that, “I did not feel
one bit that he would not understand what he was doing.” Rogers maintained that he would have
attempted to reschedule the plea hearing if he had believed that the petitioner was under the
influence.
At the conclusion of the proof, the trial court denied post-conviction relief and subsequently
filed a written order making findings of fact and conclusions of law. From its own recollection of
the guilty plea proceedings on December 2, the court noted that it “did not notice any inability of
1
At the time this offense was committed, aggravated rape was a Class X felony. Tenn. Code
Ann. § 39-3703 (Supp. 1980). Under the statutory scheme as it existed, a person could be prosecuted
for this offense “at any time after the offense shall have been committed.” Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-
201 (1975). Thus, the prosecution of this offense was not barred by the statute of limitations.
2
The parties agreed that the petitioner would be sentenced under the sentencing guidelines
in effect at the time of the guilty plea proceedings.
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petitioner to understand the circumstances or the nature and consequences of the entry of this guilty
plea.” After reviewing the transcript of the guilty plea hearing, the trial court concluded that the
petitioner knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily entered a plea of guilty. Thus, the trial court
denied relief. From this order, the petitioner now brings this appeal.
POST-CONVICTION STANDARD OF REVIEW
In post-conviction proceedings, the petitioner has the burden of proving his claims by clear
and convincing evidence. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-210(f). Moreover, the trial court’s findings of
fact are conclusive on appeal unless the evidence preponderates against the judgment. Tidwell v.
State, 922 S.W.2d 497, 500 (Tenn. 1996); Campbell v. State, 904 S.W.2d 594, 595-96 (Tenn. 1995);
Cooper v. State, 849 S.W.2d 744, 746 (Tenn. 1993).
NEW EVIDENTIARY HEARING
In his first issue, the petitioner argues that he is entitled to a new evidentiary hearing as a
result of an inadequate transcript of the post-conviction hearing. He asserts that there are numerous
instances in the transcript where, due to malfunctioning equipment, the court reporter notes that the
testimony is “indiscernible.” He, therefore, maintains that due process mandates that he receive
another evidentiary hearing because the record is incomplete.
It is the duty of the appellant to prepare a record which conveys a fair, accurate, and complete
account of what transpired with respect to the issues forming the basis of the appeal. Tenn. R. App.
P. 24(b). As the state correctly points out, if the petitioner was unsatisfied with the transcript from
the hearing, he could have prepared a statement of the evidence pursuant to Tenn. R. App. P. 24(c).
Rule 24(c) provides, in pertinent part, “[i]f no stenographic report, substantially verbatim recital or
transcript of the evidence or proceedings is available, the appellant shall prepare a statement of the
evidence or proceedings from the best available means, including the appellant’s recollection.”
Since the appellant did not prepare a statement of the evidence he is responsible for any inadequacy
in the record and cannot obtain relief because of that inadequacy. See, Tenn. R. App. P. 36(a).
Furthermore, it appears that the court reporter’s inability to discern the testimony is largely
due to the witnesses’ failure to speak clearly or to give an audible response to the questions. Because
the petitioner carries the burden of proving his post-conviction claims by clear and convincing
evidence, he bears the responsibility of ensuring that the testimony is clearly stated on the record.
Nevertheless, the record is not so deficient as to preclude appellate review in this case.
Although the record does contain many instances where the court reporter notes that the testimony
is “indiscernible,” this Court is able to determine the substance of the witnesses’ testimony. As a
result, we do not believe that a new evidentiary hearing is necessary.
This issue has no merit.
UNKNOWING AND INVOLUNTARY GUILTY PLEA
The petitioner alleges that his guilty plea was not knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily
entered. He first argues that, at the guilty plea hearing, the trial court failed to comply with Rule 11
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of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure. Secondly, he contends that, because he was under
the influence of medication, his guilty plea was unknowing, unintelligent and involuntary.
A.
In order to satisfy constitutional standards of due process, a guilty plea must be entered
knowingly, voluntarily and intelligently. Boykin v. Alabama, 395 U.S. 238, 243, 89 S. Ct. 1709,
1712, 23 L. Ed. 2d 274 (1969); Johnson v. State, 834 S.W.2d 922, 923 (Tenn. 1992); Dixon v. State,
934 S.W.2d 69, 71 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1996). A defendant enters a knowing and voluntary plea when
he or she understands the rights and circumstances involved and nevertheless chooses to waive or
relinquish those rights. State v. Mackey, 553 S.W.2d 337, 340 (Tenn. 1977). The relinquishment
of these rights will not be presumed from a silent record. Bates v. State, 973 S.W.2d 615, 624 (Tenn.
Crim. App. 1997). However, “the standard was and remains whether the plea represents a voluntary
and intelligent choice among the alternative courses of action open to the defendant.” Powers v.
State, 942 S.W.2d 551, 556 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1996) (citation and internal quotations omitted).
In determining whether a petitioner’s guilty plea was knowing and voluntary, this Court must
look at the totality of the circumstances. State v. Turner, 919 S.W.2d 346, 353 (Tenn. Crim. App.
1995). This Court “is bound by the post-conviction court's findings unless the evidence
preponderates otherwise.” Bates v. State, 973 S.W.2d at 631. “This court may not reweigh or
reevaluate the evidence or substitute its inferences for those drawn by the post-conviction court.”
Id. In addition, “questions concerning the credibility of witnesses and weight and value to be given
their testimony are for resolution by the post-conviction court.” Id.
B.
The petitioner claims that his guilty plea was involuntary because the trial court failed to
comply with Tenn. R. Crim. P. 11. Specifically, the petitioner argues that the trial court failed to
inform him of the nature of the charge to which he is pleading, failed to inform him that “there will
not be a further trial of any kind,” and failed to inquire whether the petitioner’s plea was voluntary
and not the result of force or threats. See Tenn. R. Crim. P. 11(c)(1), (4), (d).
In Boykin v. Alabama, 395 U.S. 238, 89 S. Ct. 1709, 23 L. Ed. 2d 274 (1969), the United
States Supreme Court held that an accused’s guilty plea must be voluntarily, knowingly, and
understandingly entered for a conviction resting upon a guilty plea to comply with due process. In
Boykin, the Court stated that a guilty plea constituted a waiver of the following constitutional rights:
(1) the privilege against compulsory self-incrimination;
(2) the right to trial by jury; and
(3) the right to confront one’s accusers.
395 U.S. at 243, 89 S. Ct. 1712. Boykin requires a sufficient showing on the record that the
defendant voluntarily relinquished these rights. Id.
Exercising its supervisory power to ensure that the courts of this state afford fairness and
justice to defendants in criminal cases, our Supreme Court developed stricter standards than those
mandated by the Boykin decision in State v. Mackey, 553 S.W.2d at 341. Mackey requires that trial
judges, in accepting pleas of guilty in criminal cases to substantially adhere to the following
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procedure:
[T]he court must address the defendant in open court and inform him of, and
determine that he understands, the following:
(1) The nature of the charge to which the plea is offered, and the
mandatory minimum penalty provided by law, if any, and the
maximum possible penalty provided by law; and, if applicable, that
a different or additional punishment may result by reason of his prior
convictions or other factors which may be established in the present
action after the entry of his plea; and
(2) If the defendant is not represented by an attorney, that he has a
right to be represented by an attorney at every stage of the proceeding
against him, and if necessary, one will be appointed to represent him;
and
(3) That he has a right to plead not guilty or to persist in that plea if
it has already been made, and, that he has the right to be tried by a
jury and at that trial has the right to the assistance of counsel, the right
to confront and cross-examine witnesses against him, and the right
not to be compelled to incriminate himself; and
(4) That if he pleads guilty, there will not be a further trial of any kind
except to determine the sentence so that by pleading guilty he waives
the right to a trial; and
(5) That if he pleads guilty, the court or the state may ask him
questions about the offense to which he has pleaded, and if he
answers these questions under oath, on the record, and in the presence
of counsel, his answers may later be used against him in a prosecution
for perjury or false statement, and, further, that, upon the sentencing
hearing, evidence of any prior convictions may be presented to the
judge or jury for their consideration in determining punishment.
Id. at 341. The Mackey court also stated:
The court shall not accept a plea of guilty without first, by addressing the defendant
personally in open court, determining that the plea is voluntary and not the result of
force or threats or of promises apart from a plea agreement. The court shall also
inquire as to whether the defendant’s willingness to plead guilty results from prior
discussions between the District Attorney General and the defendant or his attorney.
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Id. The Mackey requirements have been adopted into Rule 11 of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal
Procedure.
However, some of the mandated Mackey advice is not required by Boykin, but represents a
supervisory pronouncement of the Court. State v. Prince, 781 S.W.2d 846, 853 (Tenn. 1989).
“[A]ny other requirement of Mackey in excess of Boykin is not based upon any constitutional
provision, federal or state. It follows, that any omissions, not required in Boykin may be relied upon
on direct appeal in appropriate cases but such omissions have no validity on the first or any
subsequent post-conviction proceeding.” Id. (emphasis added). Courts of this state have consistently
held that Mackey advice which is not required by Boykin is not constitutionally based and, therefore,
is not cognizable in a petition for post-conviction relief. State v. Neal, 810 S.W.2d 131, 137 (Tenn.
1991); Hicks v. State, 983 S.W.2d 240, 247 n. 10 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1998); Sneed v. State, 942
S.W.2d 567, 568-69 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1996); Teague v. State, 789 S.W.2d 916, 917 (Tenn. Crim.
App. 1990).
As required by Boykin, during the guilty plea proceedings the trial court advised the
petitioner that he had a right to a jury trial, that he had a right to confront the witnesses against him
and that he had a right not to incriminate himself. The petitioner’s complaint that the trial court did
not fully comply with Rule 11 of the Tennessee Rules of Criminal Procedure is not constitutionally
based. Thus, the petitioner’s allegation is not cognizable under the Post-Conviction Procedure Act.
As a result, this issue is without merit.3
C.
The petitioner next argues that his guilty plea was unknowing, unintelligent and involuntary
because he was under the influence of mind-altering medications during the guilty plea proceedings.
He contends that his pain medication hampered his ability to understand the nature of the
proceedings, as well as the rights he was waiving.
Even though the record substantiates the petitioner’s claim that he had been hospitalized the
day prior to entering a guilty plea, there is no evidence in the record, other than the petitioner’s
allegations, that the petitioner was under the influence of any medication at the time of his plea. The
petitioner and his wife testified that he had taken some prescription medications on that day;
however, there is no evidence that these medications had any effect on his cognitive processes.
Moreover, the petitioner provided the court with a list of his prescribed medications, but failed to
demonstrate how these medications limited his ability to understand the nature of the guilty plea
proceedings.
On the day the petitioner entered his plea, trial counsel spoke with him at length and read him
the waiver of jury trial form. He was not concerned that the petitioner’s medical condition would
affect his ability to understand the nature of the proceedings. Indeed, Rogers testified that he did not
believe “one bit that [the petitioner] would not understand what he was doing.” Counsel maintained
3
We also note that this issue was not presented in the petition for post-conviction relief.
Issues not raised in the post-conviction petition cannot be raised for the first time on appeal. See
Jimmy Earl Lofton v. State, C.C.A. No. 02C01-9603-CR-00073, 1997 Tenn. Crim. App. LEXIS 219,
at *21, Shelby County (Tenn. Crim. App. filed March 7, 1997, at Jackson). A post-conviction
petition “must necessarily rest upon and be determined by the factual allegations it contains.” Long
v. State, 510 S.W.2d 83, 85 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1974).
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that he would have sought a continuance had he believed that the petitioner was under the influence
of medications.
Furthermore, the trial court was able to recollect the guilty plea hearing in this matter. The
trial judge recalled, “I made sure myself that he understood what I was saying to him, and I was
convinced that he did.” After considering all of the evidence, the trial court determined that the
petitioner’s guilty plea was knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily entered.
The evidence in the record does not preponderate against the trial court’s findings in this
case. Therefore, we conclude that, under the totality of the circumstances, the record fully supports
the trial court’s determination that the petitioner entered a knowing, intelligent and voluntary guilty
plea.
This issue has no merit.
CONCLUSION
After a review of the record, we conclude that the trial court properly denied the petition for
post-conviction relief. Accordingly, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
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