Lashawn Monique Darnell v. State

Affirmed and Memorandum Opinion filed February 28, 2012.
In The
Fourteenth Court of Appeals
NO. 14-11-00437-CR
LASHAWN MONIQUE DARNELL, Appellant
V.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee
On Appeal from the County Court at Law No. 3
Brazoria County, Texas
Trial Court Cause No. 178818
MEMORANDUM OPINION
A jury convicted appellant Lashawn Monique Darnell of assault causing bodily
injury, and the trial court sentenced her to one year in jail, probated for 24 months, and
assessed a $1,000 fine. Appellant challenges her conviction in two issues, arguing that
her trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance of counsel. We affirm.
BACKGROUND
Appellant brought her car to Wal-Mart for servicing. Complainant Laura Cook
was a Wal-Mart employee in the automotive department. When appellant attempted to
check out, Cook used incorrect paperwork and gave appellant the wrong car keys.
Appellant berated Cook for the mistake. After appellant paid for the service, Cook turned
away from appellant to retrieve the correct keys, and appellant slapped Cook’s face.
Cook then called for a manager over the intercom, and assistant manager Edgard
Colomer arrived in the automotive department. Colomer spoke to Cook and noticed a red
mark on the side of Cook’s face. Colomer then asked appellant if she hit Cook, and
appellant responded, ―No, I didn’t hit her. I slapped her.‖
ANALYSIS
In her first and second issues, appellant contends she was denied effective
assistance of counsel because her trial counsel (1) did not object to certain evidence; (2)
failed to adequately cross-examine the State’s witnesses; (3) lacked an understanding of
the crime charged and the law; and (4) did not object to the State’s improper closing
argument.
To establish ineffective assistance of counsel, appellant must show by a
preponderance of the evidence that (1) counsel’s performance was deficient because it
fell below an objective standard of reasonableness; and (2) the deficient performance
caused appellant prejudice because there is a probability sufficient to undermine
confidence in the outcome that but for counsel’s unprofessional errors, the result of the
proceeding would have been different. See Lopez v. State, 343 S.W.3d 137, 142 (Tex.
Crim. App. 2011) (citing Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984)). For an
appellate court to conclude that counsel’s performance was deficient, the deficiency must
be affirmatively demonstrated in the trial record. Id.
Although an appellant may claim ineffective assistance of counsel for the first
time on direct appeal, the record in such a case often will not be sufficient to show that
counsel’s performance was deficient. Cannon v. State, 252 S.W.3d 342, 347 n. 6, 349
(Tex. Crim. App. 2008). In such a case, we will not find deficient performance unless
counsel’s conduct is so outrageous that no competent attorney would have engaged in it.
Goodspeed v. State, 187 S.W.3d 390, 392 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005).
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I. Objections to Evidence
Appellant contends that trial counsel rendered ineffective assistance because
counsel failed to object to (1) the admission of a surveillance video when a predicate was
never laid; (2) the admission of photographs of Cook’s face; and (3) the State’s questions
that called for Cook to speculate.
At trial, the State offered a surveillance video into evidence and counsel said, ―No
objection.‖ Appellant contends counsel should have objected because no predicate was
laid prior to admission. The record contains nothing to suggest that a predicate could not
have been laid for the video by witness testimony that the matter is what it is claimed to
be. See Tex. R. Evid. 901(b)(1); see also Whitmore v. State, Nos. 05-07-00292-CR, 05-
07-00293-CR, 2007 WL 3293640, at *2–3 (Tex. App.—Dallas Nov. 8, 2007, no pet.)
(not designated for publication) (no ineffective assistance based on failure to object to
lack of foundation because the record did not establish the evidence would have been
excluded); Coker v. State, No. 08-02-00014-CR, 2004 WL 1194362, at *3 (Tex. App.—
El Paso May 27, 2004, pet. ref’d) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (no
ineffective assistance based on failure to object to lack of foundation because there was
no evidence in the record suggesting that the State would have been unable to lay a
proper foundation). Further, the State presented testimony from a Wal-Mart employee
who maintained and operated the surveillance system and compiled the video. Cook also
testified about the contents of the video. Because trial counsel is under no obligation to
do futile acts, appellant fails to demonstrate that the failure to object to the introduction of
the video was deficient performance. See Holland v. State, 761 S.W.2d 307, 319 (Tex.
Crim. App. 1988); see also McGee v. State, No. 14-94-00563-CR, 1997 WL 566202, at
*5 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Sept. 11, 1997, pet. ref’d) (not designated for
publication) (no ineffective assistance based on failure to object to lack of foundation
when the State’s witness testified about the contents of the video). Finally, counsel could
have had a reasonable trial strategy to allow admission of the video because it did not
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show the actual assault; indeed, counsel relied on this fact throughout trial to demonstrate
a weakness in the State’s case.
The State also introduced photographs of Cook’s face that were taken after the
incident. Appellant contends counsel should have objected to the admission of the
photographs, but she does not specify any grounds for objecting. Because appellant fails
to specify what valid objection counsel should have made, she has not demonstrated
deficient performance. See, e.g., Rodriguez v. State, 329 S.W.3d 74, 84 (Tex. App.—
Houston [14th Dist.] 2010, no pet.) (no deficient performance when appellant fails to
identify the particular objection counsel should have made).
At trial, Cook was asked whether she had ―any reason to believe the slap was
accidental.‖ Cook said, ―No.‖ Appellant contends that counsel’s failure to object was
deficient performance because the question called for speculation. The record shows that
Cook’s opinion was rationally based on her own perception — she explained that she saw
appellant slap her, and appellant had to come around the counter to slap her — and the
opinion was helpful for determining a fact in issue. See Tex. R. Evid. 701. Thus, counsel
was not deficient for failing to object. See Ex parte White, 160 S.W.3d 46, 53 (Tex.
Crim. App. 2004) (no deficient performance for failing to object to alleged speculation;
the witness’s ―testimony that the applicant intentionally ran over the victims with his
truck was admissible under Texas Rule of Evidence 701 because the lay witness’s
opinion was rationally based on his own perception and was helpful in the determination
of a fact in issue‖).
II. Cross-Examination
Appellant complains that counsel’s cross-examination of the State’s witnesses was
inadequate. There is no explanation from counsel or anything else in the record to
suggest that counsel was not following a plausible trial strategy. Absent very strong
impeachment evidence, none of which appears in this record, trial counsel’s decision
about how to proceed with cross-examination often is a matter of trial strategy. See, e.g.,
Ex parte McFarland, 163 S.W.3d 743, 756 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005). Thus, appellant has
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not demonstrated counsel’s deficient performance. See, e.g., Dannhaus v. State, 928
S.W.2d 81, 88 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1996, pet. ref’d).
III. Understanding of Crime Charged and Lesser Included Offense
Appellant argues that counsel appeared to have a lack of understanding of the law
because (1) counsel asked the court for a charge on an offense that was not an available
lesser included offense; and (2) co-counsel made several objections during trial.
Assuming without deciding that counsel was deficient, appellant has failed to
demonstrate any prejudice. She has not shown that she was entitled to a lesser charge or
that co-counsel’s participation at trial harmed her defense in any way. See Phelps v.
State, No. 07-10-00443-CR, 2011 WL 2582810, at *4–5 (Tex. App.—Amarillo June 29,
2011, pet. ref’d) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (no ineffective assistance
when counsel’s failure to understand the law did not affect the outcome); see also
Alexander v. State, 282 S.W.3d 701, 707 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2009, pet.
ref’d) (partial reliance on co-counsel was not deficient performance); cf. Davis v. State,
930 S.W.2d 765, 768 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1996, pet. ref’d) (reasonable trial
strategy to not request an available charge on a lesser included offense).
IV. Failure to Object During Closing Arguments
Appellant contends counsel failed to object to the State’s closing argument asking
the jury to put themselves in the shoes of the victim. Appellant points to the following
statements made by the State:
Suppose you had been the person in line at that Wal-Mart on that day or
suppose you or somebody that you know or love, somebody in your family,
would have been the cashier that day. Just imagine that. Think about what
if this was not Laura Cook or this was you working at the Wal-Mart or your
son or daughter working at the Wal-Mart.
* * *
What would you have done if you would have been Ms. Cook in that
situation?
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* * *
Imagine you or someone you know was the cashier who was assaulted that
day. Imagine that.
Assuming without deciding that these statements were objectionable, we cannot
conclude counsel was deficient for failing to object. The record is silent as to why
counsel failed to object, and appellant has failed to rebut the presumption that counsel’s
conduct was ―reasonably based in sound trial strategy.‖ See Mata v. State, 226 S.W.3d
425, 431 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007). This presumption ―compels [us] to consider ways in
which trial counsel’s actions were within the bounds of professional norms.‖ Id.. Not
objecting to patently improper argument may be a strategic decision; a plausible trial
strategy is to refrain from directing the jury’s attention to the argument. See Richards v.
State, 912 S.W.2d 374, 381 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 1995, pet. ref’d); see also
Bryant v. State, 282 S.W.3d 156, 173 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2009, pet. ref’d); Brennan
v. State, 334 S.W.3d 64, 76–77 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2009, no pet.). Appellant has failed
to show deficient performance.
Appellant’s first and second issues are overruled.
CONCLUSION
Having overruled all of appellant’s issues, we affirm the trial court’s judgment.
/s/ William J. Boyce
Justice
Panel consists of Justices Seymore and Boyce and Senior Justice Mirabal.*
Do Not Publish — Tex. R. App. P. 47.2(b).
*
Senior Justice Margaret Garner Mirabal sitting by assignment. See Tex. Gov’t Code Ann. § 74.003(h)
(Vernon 2005).
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