State of Tennessee v. Eric Gene Island

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT JACKSON
Assigned on Briefs January 7, 2003
STATE OF TENNESSEE v. ERIC GENE ISLAND
Direct Appeal from the Circuit Court for Obion County
No. 1-273 William B. Acree, Jr., Judge
No. W2002-00816-CCA-R3-CD - Filed March 14, 2003
An Obion County jury convicted the defendant, Eric Gene Island,1 of attempt to commit robbery and
conspiracy to commit robbery. The trial court sentenced him to concurrent sentences of four years
for each conviction. On direct appeal, the defendant contends: (1) trial counsel was ineffective in
failing to investigate the case and secure witnesses; and (2) he was denied his right to testify at trial.
Upon reviewing the record, we conclude the failure to conduct a Momon hearing to determine
whether the defendant personally waived his right to testify was plain error. Therefore, we remand
the case to the trial court for a full hearing on the issue.
Tenn. R. App. P. 3 Appeal as of Right; Remanded to the Circuit Court
for Further Proceedings
JOE G. RILEY, J., delivered the opinion of the court, in which JOHN EVERETT WILLIAMS and ALAN
E. GLENN, JJ., joined.
James T. Powell, Union City, Tennessee (on appeal); Joseph P. Atnip, District Public Defender; and
William K. Randolph, Assistant District Public Defender (at trial), for the appellant, Eric Gene
Island.
Paul G. Summers, Attorney General and Reporter; P. Robin Dixon, Jr., Assistant Attorney General;
Thomas A. Thomas, District Attorney General; and Kevin David McAlpin, Assistant District
Attorney General, for the appellee, State of Tennessee.
OPINION
We recite the following facts to place the issues in proper perspective. On May 30, 2001,
between 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m., two men wearing “bandannas” over their faces entered the
Dollar General Store in Obion, Tennessee. Bobby White, a customer, testified the taller of the two
1
In other pleadings, the defendant’s name appears as “Eric Eugene Island.” Ho wever, in acco rdance with this
court’s practice, we list the defendant’s name as it appears on the indictm ents.
men pointed a gun at the cashier’s head and demanded money from the cash register, while the other
man stood at the door.
Autumn Pollack, the cashier, testified she attempted to open the cash register, but failed to
do so because she did not have a key. The man, who pointed the gun at her, pushed several buttons
on the register in an attempt to open it. When he also failed to open the register, the two masked
men ran out of the store.
Frederick Sanders, who pled guilty to the attempted robbery of the store, testified the
defendant, Michael Carr, and a female picked him up at his residence in Union City approximately
forty minutes prior to the robbery. The defendant was driving the vehicle, which, according to
Sanders, stalled on several occasions. Sanders stated that while in the vehicle, the defendant and
Carr had a conversation regarding the robbery, and then Carr and Sanders discussed robbing the
store.
Sanders testified that approximately six to seven minutes prior to the robbery, the defendant
stopped the vehicle beside the store. Carr exited the vehicle and entered the store. When Carr
returned, he stated there was money inside the store. Sanders testified Carr then gave him a gun.
He stated the defendant did not see the gun change hands, and that no conversations regarding the
gun occurred while they were in the vehicle. Sanders testified he wrapped a shirt around his face,
and he and Carr entered the store. He further stated he did not know where the vehicle would be
parked when he and Carr ran out of the store. However, he maintained everyone in the vehicle knew
about the robbery prior to its occurrence. Sanders testified that after the attempted robbery, he and
Carr found the defendant’s vehicle parked on a narrow street. The defendant then drove them to the
residence of Carr’s grandmother.
James Cooley testified that on May 30th at approximately 12:30 p.m., while stopped at an
intersection near the store, he saw two people wearing masks run out of the store. He stated he
followed the two people to a vehicle parked two streets from the store; the back door on the
passenger side of the vehicle was open. Cooley testified he saw the two people, who were still
wearing their masks, run through a yard and enter the vehicle. The vehicle sped away before the two
people could shut the door. Cooley got the license tag number of the vehicle before it sped away.
Deputy William Sanford testified that at approximately 12:30 p.m., he received a telephone
call from Cooley regarding the robbery. He stated that based on Cooley’s description of the vehicle
and the license tag number, he and other officers located the vehicle at the residence of the
defendant’s mother. The defendant’s mother granted the officers consent to search the residence.
The officer testified that upon finding clothing matching the description of the clothing worn by the
two robbers, he arrested the defendant and others present at the residence. While at the police
station, the defendant gave an oral statement maintaining he had no knowledge of the attempted
robbery.
Michael Carr, the defendant’s nephew, pled guilty to the attempted robbery and testified for
the defense at trial. He stated that on the morning of May 30th, he went with the defendant to a
friend’s house in Obion. Carr testified that while in Obion, he and Sanders exited the vehicle in
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order to find his friend, “Ricco,” but were unable to locate him. He and Sanders then attempted to
rob the store. Carr testified he and Sanders ran out of the store toward a park, taking off their masks
as they were running. Carr stated that while they were running, they saw the defendant drive by and
waved for him to stop. While on their way to the defendant’s residence, Carr told the defendant
about the robbery and threw the gun out of the window. Carr testified he did not discuss the robbery
with the defendant prior to its occurrence.
Timothy Taylor testified he saw the defendant’s vehicle parked at an intersection
approximately five blocks from the store. Taylor stated the vehicle’s hood was up, and the vehicle
was smoking. He testified he wrapped duct tape around the oil filter to seal a hole, put oil in the
vehicle, and followed the defendant to his residence.
Taylor testified that as they were leaving, two men ran up to the car and asked the defendant
for a ride. When Taylor asked the defendant if anything was wrong, the defendant replied, “No, I’m
just gonna give these guys a ride.” Taylor stated the defendant did not have any problems with his
vehicle while driving to his residence.
On rebuttal, Deputy Sanford testified he arrived at the Island residence at 12:52 p.m. and did
not see Taylor at the residence. He stated the defendant did not tell him about his problems with the
oil filter, and that he had never heard of Taylor until the day of trial.
The jury convicted the defendant of attempt to commit robbery and conspiracy to commit
robbery. The trial court sentenced him to four years for each conviction and ordered the sentences
to be served concurrently.
I. INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
The defendant contends trial counsel was ineffective in failing to adequately investigate
potential witnesses and adequately prepare for trial. We disagree.
A. Trial Proceedings
During trial, the defense rested its case, and the trial court began to explain to the jury the
purpose of closing arguments. Trial counsel then requested a bench conference during which he
explained the defendant had just informed him of additional witnesses he wanted to testify. Trial
counsel told the trial court this was the first time he had heard of these witnesses and did not know
what their testimony would be. The trial court allowed trial counsel to speak to the witnesses.
During a jury-out proceeding, trial counsel stated the testimony of one of the witnesses was
“extremely probative” to the case. Trial counsel explained that he and the defendant previously
discussed the witness, but he was unaware that the defendant had located the witness until then.
Trial counsel stated this was the result of an “absolute breakdown in communication” between him
and the defendant. The trial court allowed the defense to reopen its proof. Trial counsel then called
Timothy Taylor to the stand, and upon the conclusion of his testimony, the defense again rested its
case.
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B. Hearing on Motion for New Trial
Different counsel was appointed to represent the defendant prior to the filing of the motion
for new trial. During the hearing on the motion for new trial, the defendant testified he told trial
counsel about Timothy Taylor a “couple of months” prior to trial. The defendant stated that
although trial counsel told him to ensure Taylor was present at trial, trial counsel never asked him
about Taylor during the trial.
The defendant testified that if trial counsel had asked him about potential witnesses prior to
trial, he would have requested his mother, Kristy Ward, and Steven Kemp be called as witnesses.
The defendant acknowledged that Ward was a co-defendant, who was tried along with him. He
stated his mother would have testified she saw Taylor follow him into the driveway, and that she
was going to take the defendant to the store to buy an oil filter for the vehicle when the police
arrived. According to the defendant, his mother would have also testified that Carr told her and
Ward about the robbery. The defendant stated trial counsel was aware of her testimony, but he did
not call her to testify at trial, even though she was present.
The defendant stated he also wanted to call De’Lakeenah Anderson, who would have
testified that she saw the defendant in Dyersburg on the morning of the robbery. He further stated
he wanted to call Danny Bishop, who was aware of the problems he had with his vehicle. The
defendant testified he identified for trial counsel prior to trial all witnesses who could have possibly
provided exculpatory evidence. He maintained trial counsel never investigated the witnesses and
did not speak to Taylor prior to the day of trial.
Trial counsel testified the defendant missed an appointment with him approximately one
week before trial; however, he met with the defendant the Friday before trial. He stated the
defendant never gave him a list of witnesses to call, but the defendant told him about Taylor. The
defendant did not have Taylor’s address or telephone number but told trial counsel he would bring
Taylor to the trial. Trial counsel stated he did not realize Taylor was present until he had rested his
case. Trial counsel spoke to Taylor in the hallway in order to ascertain what his testimony would
be and then successfully petitioned the trial court to reopen the proof.
Trial counsel testified that prior to closing his proof, the defendant never indicated he had
other witnesses. He stated that after he closed his proof, he spoke to the defendant about his mother,
and they mutually agreed she would not testify.
C. Trial Court’s Findings
In denying the defendant’s motion for new trial, the trial court found trial counsel
investigated the defendant’s claims as best as he could considering the lack of cooperation by the
defendant, who failed to attend an appointment and failed to provide names of witnesses in a timely
manner. The trial court further found the witnesses’ testimony would not have affected the outcome
of the trial. The trial court found trial counsel was not at fault in failing to call these witnesses at
trial. Finally, it found the stage of trial during which Taylor testified did not adversely affect the
defendant or the outcome of the trial.
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D. Standard of Review Regarding Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
When a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel is made under the Sixth Amendment, the
burden is upon the complaining party to show (1) that counsel’s performance was deficient, and (2)
the deficiency was prejudicial in terms of rendering a reasonable probability that the result of the
trial was unreliable or the proceedings fundamentally unfair. See Strickland v. Washington, 466
U.S. 668, 687, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 2064, 80 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984). In Baxter v. Rose, 523 S.W.2d 930,
936 (Tenn. 1975), our supreme court required that the services be rendered within the range of
competence demanded of attorneys in criminal cases.
It is unnecessary for a court to address deficiency and prejudice in any particular order, or
even to address both if the petitioner makes an insufficient showing on either. Strickland, 466 U.S.
at 697, 104 S. Ct. at 2069. In order to establish prejudice, the petitioner must establish a “reasonable
probability that but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been
different. A reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the
outcome.” State v. Burns, 6 S.W.3d 453, 463 (Tenn. 1999) (quoting Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694,
104 S. Ct. at 2068) (citations omitted).
We review the trial court’s factual findings underlying a claim of ineffective assistance of
counsel under a de novo standard with a presumption that those findings are correct – unless the
preponderance of the evidence establishes otherwise. Burns, 6 S.W.3d at 461. However, the trial
court’s conclusions of law – such as whether counsel’s performance was deficient or whether that
deficiency was prejudicial – are reviewed under a de novo standard with no presumption of
correctness. Fields v. State, 40 S.W.3d 450, 457 (Tenn. 2001) (citations omitted).
E. Analysis
The defendant’s primary contention is that he provided trial counsel with Timothy Taylor’s
name well in advance of trial, and that trial counsel did not attempt to locate Taylor in order to
discover the nature of his testimony. The defendant submits the stage of the trial during which
Taylor testified created a prejudicial effect.
The trial court permitted trial counsel to reopen his proof and call Taylor as a witness. When
Taylor testified, the parties had not yet begun closing arguments, and the jury had not yet begun to
deliberate. We agree with the trial court’s ruling that the defendant has failed to provide any
evidence of prejudice with regard to this witness.
As to potential witnesses Steven Kemp, De’Lakeenah Anderson, and Danny Bishop, none
of these persons testified as to what his or her testimony would have been. Accordingly, the
defendant has failed to establish prejudice. See Black v. State, 794 S.W.2d 752, 757 (Tenn. Crim.
App. 1990). As to co-defendant Kristy Ward, she elected not to testify at their joint trial, and the
defendant could not have forced her to do so. As to defendant’s mother, she did testify at the
sentencing hearing and gave details of what her trial testimony would have been. The trial court not
only concluded that trial counsel was not to blame for failing to call her, but also concluded that her
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testimony would not have affected the outcome of the trial. The evidence does not preponderate
against the findings of the trial court. This issue is without merit.
II. DEFENDANT’S RIGHT TO TESTIFY
The defendant contends he was denied his constitutional right to testify at trial. Rather, he
submits the decision not to testify was a unilateral decision made by trial counsel.
A. Trial Proceedings
Our review of the record does not reveal a written waiver of the defendant’s right to testify,
nor a jury-out hearing prior to the conclusion of the proof in which the defendant waived his right
to testify. After jury deliberations had begun, trial counsel requested a jury-out hearing because the
defendant insisted he had other witnesses he wanted to testify. The defendant testified in order to
identify these witnesses and explain the substance of their testimony.
The defendant also testified that he was “supposed to take the stand,” even though trial
counsel advised him against it. He stated that after Michael Carr testified, he and trial counsel
tentatively decided he would not testify. He stated, however, that he explained to trial counsel he
wanted to testify and thought they would discuss the issue again prior to the end of the proof.
The defendant acknowledged he had a prior conviction for aggravated burglary, and that trial
counsel informed him the prior conviction would be admitted if he testified. The defendant testified
he had “nothing to hide.” Trial counsel and the defendant then engaged in the following colloquy:
Q: But yesterday, you didn’t want the jury to hear about it, did you?
A: That’s what you said, . . . and you advised me not to. I never said that I didn’t
want to take the stand. You just advised me not to.
The trial court did not allow trial counsel to reopen the evidence because the jury had already begun
deliberating. There was no further discussion at that time concerning the defendant’s desire to
testify at trial.
B. Hearing on Motion for New Trial
The defendant did not expressly raise in his motion for new trial the issue of his not
testifying at trial. During the hearing on the motion for new trial, trial counsel testified the
defendant mentioned taking the stand, but after discussing the issue, he and the defendant decided
against it. Trial counsel stated this was a tactical decision due to the defendant’s prior conviction
for aggravated burglary, which the trial court held would be admissible if the defendant testified.
The trial court and trial counsel then engaged in the following colloquy:
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THE COURT: . . . Did the defendant waive his right to testify on the record, or by
a separate written statement?
TRIAL COUNSEL: I do not believe it was a separate written statement, Your
Honor. If he waived it, it would have been - - should have been on the record.
THE COURT: Do you know whether or not he testified off the record - - excuse me
- - if he waived his right to testify on the record?
TRIAL COUNSEL: I do not recall, Your Honor.
THE COURT: I don’t think he did.
During closing arguments at the motion for new trial, the defendant’s new attorney stated
the defendant did not waive his right to testify on the record. When the trial court identified his
failure to raise the issue in his motion for new trial, the defendant’s attorney replied the issue was
relevant only to illustrate the diminished relationship between trial counsel and the defendant and
the ineffectiveness of trial counsel. As a result, the trial court made no findings of fact as to
whether the defendant voluntarily and knowingly waived his right to testify at trial.
C. Analysis
Because the defendant failed to address the issue in his motion for new trial, we must first
find plain error before we can address the issue. An error which has affected the substantial right
of a defendant may be noticed at any time in the discretion of the appellate court where necessary
to do substantial justice. State v. Taylor, 992 S.W.2d 941, 944 (Tenn. 1999). “Plain error” or
“fundamental error” is recognized under Tennessee Rule of Criminal Procedure 52(b). State v.
Adkisson, 899 S.W.2d 626, 639 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1994). Some errors are so fundamental and
pervasive that they require reversal without regard to the facts or circumstances of the particular
case. Delaware v. Van Arsdall, 475 U.S. 673, 681, 106 S. Ct. 1431, 1436, 89 L. Ed. 2d 674 (1986).
The right of a criminal defendant to testify at trial is a fundamental constitutional right,
which may only be personally waived by the defendant. Momon v. State, 18 S.W.3d 152, 161
(Tenn. 1999). This court has previously determined that
. . . the failure to conduct a hearing pursuant to Momon to determine whether the
Defendant did personally waive his right to testify was plain error. As such, the
failure of the Defendant to raise this issue in a motion for a new trial does not
preclude this Court from considering the issue. See Tenn. R. Crim. P. 52(b).
State v. William Robert Posey, No. E2001-02665-CCA-R3-CD, 2002 Tenn. Crim. App. LEXIS 727,
at *18 (Tenn. Crim. App. Aug. 26, 2002, at Knoxville).
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In order to ensure that defense attorneys do not make unilateral decisions regarding a
defendant’s right to testify, the Tennessee Supreme Court has set out the following procedures:
At any time before conclusion of the proof, defense counsel shall request a
hearing, out of the presence of the jury, to inquire of the defendant whether the
defendant has made a knowing, voluntary, and intelligent waiver of the right to
testify. This hearing shall be placed on the record and shall be in the presence of the
trial judge. Defense counsel is not required to engage in any particular litany, but
counsel must show at a minimum that the defendant knows and understands that:
(1) the defendant has the right not to testify, and if the defendant does not testify,
then the jury (or court) may not draw any inferences from the defendant’s failure to
testify;
(2) the defendant has the right to testify and that if the defendant wishes to exercise
that right, no one can prevent the defendant from testifying;
(3) the defendant has consulted with his or her counsel in making the decision
whether or not to testify; that the defendant has been advised of the advantages and
disadvantages of testifying; and that the defendant has voluntarily and personally
waived the right to testify.
Momon, 18 S.W.3d at 162. In the alternative, a defendant may properly waive the right to testify
by signing a written waiver reflecting the defendant’s understanding of the above-listed rights. Id.
at 175.
Defense counsel and trial courts “should adhere to these procedural guidelines in all cases
tried or retried after the date of this decision.” Id. at 163. However, the mere failure to follow the
guidelines is not necessarily determinative if the evidence establishes the defendant otherwise
personally waived the right to testify. Id. The final opinion in Momon was filed on March 30, 2000;
thus, it clearly applied to the trial of this case in December 2001.
In the case at bar, the record reflects that a Momon hearing was not held prior to the close
of proof to determine whether the defendant personally waived his right to testify. As previously
noted, the right to testify is a fundamental constitutional right, which the defendant must personally
waive. Id. at 161. Therefore, we conclude the failure to conduct a Momon hearing to determine
whether the defendant personally waived his right to testify constitutes plain error. William Robert
Posey, 2002 Tenn. Crim. App. LEXIS 727, at *18.
The testimony of the defendant appears contradictory to the testimony of trial counsel as to
whether the defendant personally waived his right to testify at trial. Therefore, we must remand the
case to the trial court for a full hearing on the issue. On remand, the trial court shall follow the same
guidelines this court set forth in William Robert Posey. See id., at **19-21.
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III. CONCLUSION
In summary, we conclude the defendant has failed to establish that he received ineffective
assistance of counsel at trial with regard to the investigation and calling of witnesses. However, we
conclude the failure to conduct a Momon hearing to determine whether the defendant personally
waived his right to testify at trial constitutes plain error. Therefore, we remand to the trial court for
a full hearing and determination of whether the defendant personally waived his right to testify, and,
if not, whether any violation of this right was harmless beyond a reasonable doubt. The defendant
retains the right to appeal an adverse ruling.
JOE G. RILEY, JUDGE
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