Jesus Gonzalez v. State

Opinion issued December 18, 2014
In The
Court of Appeals
For The
First District of Texas
————————————
NO. 01-12-01115-CR
———————————
JESUS GONZALEZ, Appellant
V.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee
On Appeal from the 177th District Court
Harris County, Texas
Trial Court Case No. 1307888
MEMORANDUM OPINION
A jury found appellant, Jesus Gonzalez, guilty of the offense of murder1 and
assessed his punishment at confinement for fifty years. In his sole issue, appellant
1
See TEX. PENAL CODE ANN. § 19.02(b)(1) (Vernon 2011).
contends that he received ineffective assistance of counsel during the punishment
phase of trial.
We affirm.
Background
Houston Police Department (“HPD”) Officer N. Tovar testified that on May
26, 2011, he was dispatched to a “cutting in progress” at a residence. When Tovar
arrived at the scene, appellant “came out from the side driveway . . . with his hands
up” and appeared to have blood on his shirt. Tovar’s partner took appellant into
custody. Family members told Tovar that appellant and Alicia Gonzalez, his wife
and the complainant, “were having a dispute and . . . the grandmother tried to
intervene but couldn’t. . . . [T]hey were just arguing and [appellant] pulled a knife
and . . . stabbed [the complainant] a few times.”
HPD Officer R. de la Cruz testified that on May 26, 2011, he was also
dispatched to the “cutting in progress” and arrived shortly after Officer Tovar. He
proceeded into the house, where he saw “an older lady, the mother of the
[complainant],” and three children with “blood on them.” He also saw “an open
door leading to a bedroom and . . . [the complainant] laying next to a bed with her
throat cut.”
2
HPD Homicide Officer E. Castaneda testified that upon arriving at the
Gonzalez residence, he observed “blood on the tile” and the complainant in the
back bedroom, deceased. Castaneda explained,
[y]ou could tell that there was a struggle there in the bedroom. The
victim was . . . sitting on the floor with her back up against the bed.
There was just a large amount of blood on the floor, a large amount of
blood on the bed. You could tell there was a lot of blood splatter
against the wall, against the back wall. It was a very violent scene.
Two knives were located in a dresser drawer; one of which had blood on it.
HPD Homicide Officer J. Sosa testified that he interviewed the
complainant’s mother following the incident. According to Sosa,
[s]he was very upset. She practically witnessed the incident. . . . [S]he
heard her daughter crying or yelling for help . . . [and] she
immediately [got] out of her bedroom and r[an] towards . . . [the
complainant and appellant’s] bedroom, and she [saw appellant]
attacking [the complainant]. She jump[ed] on his back to pull him off
of [the complainant] and that’s when [appellant] sliced or trie[d] to
slice one of her arms.
The complainant’s mother saw appellant stab the complainant multiple times.
When he dropped the knives, the complainant’s mother put them in the dresser
drawer. Sosa also interviewed appellant, who admitted to having stabbed the
complainant with kitchen knives.
Harris County Assistant Medical Examiner Darshan R. Phatak testified that
he performed an autopsy on the complainant’s body and “[t]he cause of death was
multiple sharp force injuries, and the manner of death is a homicide.”
3
During the punishment phase of trial, two of the complainant and appellant’s
children, who were present during the stabbing, and the complainant’s brother,
Lauro Saldana, testified for the State. Appellant’s counsel did not cross-examine
the children and only asked Saldana whether he had a Texas driver’s license,
which the State objected to as irrelevant. No witnesses testified for the defense.
After the trial court entered its judgment, appellant filed a motion for new
trial, requesting a new punishment hearing. He argued that he received ineffective
assistance of counsel during the punishment phase of trial because his trial counsel
had failed to interview and call available mitigation witnesses in his defense. The
trial court held an evidentiary hearing and received testimony from appellant’s
father, Enrique Gonzalez Cortez, appellant’s sister-in-law, Nancy Barron,
appellant’s brother, Fernando Gonzalez (“Fernando”), and appellant’s trial counsel,
Paul Decuir. The trial court also admitted into evidence the affidavits of Barron
and Fernando as well as nine other individuals.
At the hearing, Cortez testified that although he was present at trial and was
willing to testify, no one spoke to him about testifying. He did not speak to Decuir
prior to or during trial, and he was not aware of “whether or not [appellant had]
told [his] attorney to call [him] as a witness.” Cortez also testified as to appellant’s
childhood, education, and character.
4
Barron testified that she was present at trial, prepared to testify, and
surprised that she did not testify. According to Barron, she was supposed to testify
during the guilt phase of trial. She had hired Decuir for appellant and met with
him three times to prepare to testify. And he had discussed the case with her.
Although Barron had discussed with Decuir the complainant and appellant’s
relationship, “who [appellant] was as a person,” and his background, she did not
speak to appellant about his wishes as to whether or not she would testify. Barron
explained that appellant had treated her family well; would give advice to her
children; was happy, generous, and had good credit; and would help people by
working on their cars.
Fernando testified that he helped hire Decuir and met with him “to find out
about the case” a total of “[a]bout ten” times, including “[t]wo or three” meetings
“[i]n-person.” Decuir did not interview Fernando “to find out what information
[he] might have about [appellant] or the case,” and he did not discuss testifying
with Fernando. Fernando explained that he was present at trial and willing to
testify. Although Decuir spoke to the family after the jury had returned its verdict
of guilty, Fernando could only understand little of what was said due to a language
barrier. Fernando stated that appellant was a mechanic; would help people using
his skills and lend them cars; was generous, charitable, and non-violent growing
up; and continued to pay his bills while incarcerated. He also explained that a
5
conflict existed between the complainant and appellant, the complainant would
always contradict appellant and act contrary to his wishes, and appellant was
frustrated and displeased with the complainant’s behavior.
Finally, Decuir testified that appellant’s family contacted him to represent
appellant, he spoke and met with the family members “[s]everal times,” and he had
had the most contact with Fernando and Barron. Decuir explained that he did his
own investigative work in the case and “conduct[ed] an independent investigation
based on [the] information [he had] available.”
In preparation for the trial, Decuir “went out to the scene” and “visited with
[appellant] on several occasions . . . to get the names of witnesses.” Although he
“wanted to subpoena someone who would support [appellant’s] position that he
was a good worker . . . [and] provider,” appellant “wouldn’t give” him such
information because “[h]e didn’t want . . . to call witnesses.” Even though
appellant would not provide him with “the names of any witnesses for either the
guilt/innocence or punishment stage,” Decuir did not “cease investigat[ing].” As a
preliminary matter, he looked into appellant’s background and education and
interviewed “several people,” including “four or five family members,” about
appellant, but Decuir could not recall their names. “They gave [him] some
information about [the marriage], where [the complainant and appellant] had lived,
[and] the children . . . .” Through his investigation, Decuir became aware of
6
appellant’s educational background, and the information he received from family
members indicated that appellant did not have any problems while growing up.
Although he did not ask appellant specifically about his childhood during his
investigation, Decuir did not find any evidence of physical or sexual abuse, a
learning disability, below-average intelligence, addiction, or substance-abuse.
Appellant had a “stable home environment” and “the support of both of his parents
as he was growing up.” Appellant did not live in poverty or lack basic necessities,
such as food, shelter, or clothing. Decuir did not find any mitigation witnesses that
would have been beneficial in the punishment phase of the trial.
Decuir noted that he specifically spoke with Barron and Fernando about
testifying as mitigation witnesses during the punishment phase, especially about
appellant’s good qualities. Barron agreed to testify, and Decuir believed that her
testimony would not have been harmful, except that she would have to tell the truth
about the “stormy relationship” between appellant and the complainant. Decuir
noted that Barron and Fernando were “the only witness[es] that . . . came forward,”
and appellant “would not give [Decuir] the names of any witnesses, period.”
Decuir did ask Barron whether she knew appellant’s boss or other potential
witnesses. He also spoke to Saldana, the complainant’s brother, but believed that
his testimony would have actually been harmful to appellant. And, although
Decuir spoke with Cortez, appellant’s father, he did not interview him to determine
7
if he should testify during the punishment phase. Decuir knew Cortez was at the
trial, but he did not speak with him about testifying after the guilt verdict because
appellant “told [Decuir] he didn’t want to call any witnesses.” Decuir noted, thus,
that he did not “anticipate having to call punishment witnesses . . . other than Ms.
Barron.”
In his testimony, Decuir repeatedly emphasized that appellant did not want
him to call any witnesses “to support his position.” And appellant refused to give
him “information and the names of witnesses to help [him] mount a defense” or
“put witnesses on” to mitigate punishment. Decuir explained that he “had several
conversations with [appellant] with regard to calling witnesses, just to talk to his
good character, his work ethics, the support that he provided his family.”
However, appellant told him “[n]o witnesses” and that he “didn’t want to have any
witnesses.” Appellant specifically “instructed” Decuir not to call witnesses and
that he did not want his family members to testify. And appellant “would not let”
Decuir call Barron to testify during the punishment phase of trial and told him,
“No.” Decuir spoke to appellant “extensively” about “the importance of the
punishment phase” and discussed “the benefit [Barron] or [Fernando] could
provide if they testified [during] punishment,” to which appellant responded “no
witnesses.” After the guilt phase of trial, appellant’s main concern was to see
whether the State’s previous offer of confinement for fifty years was still available.
8
After the prosecutor said that it was not, Decuir “conferenced with [appellant] and
said, ‘Listen, we need to get some witnesses to come up here,’” to which appellant
responded, “No witnesses.” And appellant also did not want to testify during the
punishment phase of trial.
Following the evidentiary hearing, the trial court denied appellant’s motion
for new trial.
Standard of Review
To prove a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel, appellant must show
that (1) his trial counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of
reasonableness and (2) there is a reasonable probability that, but for counsel’s
unprofessional errors, the result of the proceeding would have been different.
Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687–88, 694, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 2064, 2068
(1984); Lopez v. State, 343 S.W.3d 137, 142 (Tex. Crim. App. 2011). “A
reasonable probability is a probability sufficient to undermine confidence in the
outcome.” Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694, 104 S. Ct. at 2068. In reviewing counsel’s
performance, we look to the totality of the representation to determine the
effectiveness of counsel, indulging a strong presumption that counsel’s
performance falls within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance or
trial strategy. See Robertson v. State, 187 S.W.3d 475, 482–83 (Tex. Crim. App.
2006). Appellant has the burden of establishing both Strickland prongs by a
9
preponderance of the evidence. Jackson v. State, 973 S.W.2d 954, 956 (Tex. Crim.
App. 1998). “An appellant’s failure to satisfy one prong of the Strickland test
negates a court’s need to consider the other prong.” Williams v. State, 301 S.W.3d
675, 687 (Tex. Crim. App. 2009).
Appellant presented his ineffective-assistance claim to the trial court in a
motion for new trial and received a hearing on his motion. We, therefore, analyze
his issue under an abuse of discretion standard as a challenge to the denial of his
motion. Biagas v. State, 177 S.W.3d 161, 170 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.]
2005, pet. ref’d). We view the evidence in the light most favorable to the trial
court’s ruling and uphold the trial court’s ruling if it is within the zone of
reasonable disagreement. Wead v. State, 129 S.W.3d 126, 129 (Tex. Crim. App.
2004). We do not substitute our judgment for that of the trial court, but rather
decide whether the trial court’s decision was arbitrary or unreasonable. Webb v.
State, 232 S.W.3d 109, 112 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007); Biagas, 177 S.W.3d at 170.
If there are two permissible views of the evidence, the trial court’s choice between
them cannot be held to be clearly erroneous. Riley v. State, 378 S.W.3d 453, 457
(Tex. Crim. App. 2012). A trial court abuses its discretion in denying a motion for
new trial only when no reasonable view of the record could support the trial court’s
ruling. Webb, 232 S.W.3d at 112.
10
We note that trial courts are in the best position to “evaluate the credibility”
of witnesses and resolve conflicts in evidence. See Kober v. State, 988 S.W.2d
230, 233 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). And a trial court may choose to believe or
disbelieve all or any part of the witnesses’ testimony. See id. at 234.
When, as here, the trial court makes no findings of fact regarding the denial
of a motion for new trial, we should “impute implicit factual findings that support
the trial judge’s ultimate ruling on that motion when such implicit factual findings
are both reasonable and supported in the record.” Johnson v. State, 169 S.W.3d
223, 239 (Tex. Crim. App. 2005); Escobar v. State, 227 S.W.3d 123, 127 (Tex.
App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2006, pet. ref’d).
Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
In his sole issue, appellant argues that the trial court erred in denying his
motion for new trial because Decuir “failed to conduct an adequate investigation
and present mitigating evidence from witnesses who were available and willing to
testify” during the punishment phase of his trial.
A criminal defense lawyer must have a firm command of the facts of a case
to render reasonable effective assistance of counsel. Ex parte Ybarra, 629 S.W.2d
943, 946 (Tex. Crim. App. 1982); Ex parte Duffy, 607 S.W.2d 507, 516 (Tex.
Crim. App. 1980). Thus, counsel has the responsibility to make an independent
11
investigation of the facts of the case and seek out and interview potential
witnesses. Ex parte Duffy, 607 S.W.2d at 517.
In considering whether trial counsel conducted an adequate investigation for
potential mitigating evidence, we focus on whether the investigation supporting
counsel’s decision not to introduce mitigating evidence was reasonable. Wiggins v.
Smith, 539 U.S. 510, 522–23, 123 S. Ct. 2527, 2536 (2003); Goody v. State, 433
S.W.3d 74, 80 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2014, pet. ref’d). “While
‘Strickland does not require counsel to investigate every conceivable line of
mitigating evidence,’ ‘counsel can . . . make a reasonable decision to forego
presentation of mitigating evidence [only] after evaluating available testimony and
determining that it would not be helpful.’” Goody, 433 S.W.3d at 80–81
(alterations in original) (quoting Wiggins, 539 U.S. at 533, 123 S. Ct. at 2541;
Milburn v. State, 15 S.W.3d 267, 270–71 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2000,
pet. ref’d)). An attorney’s decision not to investigate or to limit the scope of the
investigation is given a “heavy measure of deference” and assessed in light of all
circumstances to determine whether reasonable professional judgment would
support the decision. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 691, 104 S. Ct. at 2066. However, a
failure to uncover and present mitigating evidence cannot be justified when
counsel has not conducted a thorough investigation of the defendant’s background.
12
Shanklin v. State, 190 S.W.3d 154, 164 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2005, pet.
dism’d).
In addition to establishing a deficiency in counsel’s performance, the
defendant must show that a reasonable probability exists that the jury’s assessment
of punishment would have been less severe in the absence of counsel’s deficient
performance. Bazan v. State, 403 S.W.3d 8, 13 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.]
2012, pet. ref’d). Our prejudice analysis turns on whether counsel’s deficiency
“made any difference to the outcome of the case.” Riley, 378 S.W.3d at 458. It is
not enough to show that trial counsel’s errors had some “conceivable” effect on the
outcome of the punishment assessed; the likelihood of a different result must be
“substantial.” Harrington v. Richter, 562 U.S. 86, ---, 131 S. Ct. 770, 787, 792
(2011). An appellate court will not reverse a conviction for ineffective assistance
of counsel during the punishment phase of trial unless the defendant shows
prejudice as a result of deficient attorney performance. Rivera v. State, 123
S.W.3d 21, 32 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2003, pet. ref’d). In reviewing
whether a defendant has satisfied this showing, we accord “almost total deference
to a trial court’s findings of historical fact as well as mixed questions of law and
fact that turn on an evaluation of credibility and demeanor.” Riley, 378 S.W.3d at
458.
13
Appellant argues that his trial counsel’s failure to conduct an investigation
and present mitigation evidence during the punishment phase of trial prejudiced
him because “[t]here [w]as [a]mple [e]vidence of [his] [g]ood [c]haracter [f]rom
[a]vailable [w]itnesses.” He asserts that “[t]he members of [his] family who
testified at the Motion for New Trial hearing described many good characteristics
of . . . [a]ppellant and gave information regarding his background.” And “[t]he
affidavits that were submitted by other family and friends . . . likewise provided
ample potentially mitigating evidence describing [his] positive qualities.”
According to appellant, “[i]t is reasonable to presume that had some quantum of
mitigation evidence been produced by the defense, the jury would have returned
a[] . . . lower number.”
During the punishment phase of trial, the sixteen-year-old son of the
complainant and appellant recounted the events of the stabbing. He explained that
when his grandmother came into his room and told him what was happening, she
was “scared” and “in shock,” which caused him to become “really nervous” and
“start[] to panic almost.” He felt “like, [his] mom, . . . can’t be dead.” When he
went into the bedroom, he saw the complainant on the floor in a puddle of blood.
He told appellant to go outside and wait for the police because he did not want
appellant around his brothers and grandmother, as he thought that appellant might
“hurt” them. He noted that appellant did not try to resuscitate the complainant or
14
stop her bleeding. Instead, his youngest brother tried to stop the bleeding with
napkins. He then asked the jury not to be “merciful” on appellant, but instead “[t]o
do justice.”
Next, the fifteen-year old son of the complainant and appellant testified
about the stabbing. When he ran into the complainant and appellant’s room, he
saw the complainant on the floor and appellant standing over her. Although he
tried to help his youngest brother stop the complainant’s bleeding, appellant did
not try to resuscitate her or stop her bleeding. Appellant then told him and his
brothers that it was their “fault . . . that he [had] killed [the complainant].” He also
requested that the jury not show “mercy” on appellant, but instead “do justice.”
Saldana, the complainant’s brother, testified that he is taking care of the
three sons of the complainant and appellant. He noted that when he saw his
nephews and their grandmother on the night of the stabbing “[t]hey were crying
and they were scared.” Although the children have “tried to be strong since then,”
“[t]hey miss their mother.”
In support of appellant’s motion for new trial, appellant’s father, Cortez,
appellant’s sister-in-law, Barron, and appellant’s brother, Fernando, testified at the
evidentiary hearing on his behalf.
Cortez testified that the family’s economic situation, during appellant’s
childhood, was “[a] little critical.” Appellant attended school through highschool
15
and received technical training. He was not violent growing up or as an adult, was
a good father, and had a good relationship with his family and the complainant.
Cortez did not speak to an attorney or investigator prior to or during trial, but he
was present in the courtroom during appellant’s trial and willing to testify.
Barron testified that appellant always treated her family well, gave “advice”
to her children, and was a “good uncle.” He was “happy,” “generous,” had “good
credit,” and was a good person. Appellant planned to assist Barron and her
husband, Fernando, with purchasing a home, and he helped people by working on
their cars. She had no direct knowledge of a conflict in the complainant and
appellant’s relationship. Barron acknowledged that she was aware of the
complainant’s injuries, the children were present in the home at the time of the
stabbing, and appellant “blamed the murder on his children.” She could not
explain appellant’s behavior, but she believed it was “out of character.” Barron
noted that she was prepared to testify at trial and believed she was to testify during
the guilt phase.2
Fernando testified that appellant was a mechanic, who would use his skills
“to help people.” Appellant planned to assist Barron and Fernando with
purchasing a home, was a “generous person,” and would make contributions to
“Children International.” Appellant was non-violent growing up, made a “good
2
At the hearing, the trial court admitted into evidence Barron’s affidavit in which
she did not provide any additional information beyond her live testimony.
16
living,” and continued to pay his bills while imprisoned, including his son’s car
insurance premiums and the taxes due on the house where his children live.
Fernando also stated that there was a “conflict” between the complainant and
appellant, and he noted that the complainant would “always” contradict appellant
and “act[] contrary to his wishes.” Appellant had “express[ed] frustration” with
the complainant’s behavior, and he was “displeased that she would not follow his
wishes.” Although Fernando and appellant discussed this conflict “[s]everal” or
“many” times, Fernando did not “personally observe” the conflict. He also noted
that he was not interviewed by an attorney, but he was prepared and willing to
testify at trial.3
The trial court also admitted into evidence at the hearing the affidavits of
nine other individuals. Jose Hernandez testified that appellant, his son’s godfather,
is a “hard worker, very calm, and peaceful.” Hernandez “never saw him fight, or
get mad at other people.” He noted that appellant “is a person who fought to bring
his family ahead and surpass. He always wanted his children to surpass in their
studies and that his family and his wife would always be happy. . . . [H]e has
always been respectful with everyone.” Hernandez noted that he was not contacted
3
The trial court also admitted into evidence Fernando’s affidavit in which he further
explained the on-going conflict between the complainant and appellant.
17
by an attorney or investigator to testify on appellant’s behalf, but would have done
so.
Ismael A. Toledo Barron (“Ismael”) testified that his wife is appellant’s
sister. He explained that appellant “is a peaceful person, well organized and [a]
hard worker. He is a person that doesn’t like problems and always wants the best
for his children. He was always attentive to them and . . . his wife.” Ismael “never
saw [appellant] fight or have a problem with anyone” and has “never known him
of doing drugs, or being drunk.” However, on “several occasions” he saw
appellant “scold his children,” and the complainant “did not like for him to scold
them.” Ismael noted that he was not contacted by an attorney or investigator about
testifying at trial, but “[i]f there is another trial, [he is] willing to testify if
necessary.”
Jose Luis Sanchez Vazquez testified that he has known appellant since
“adolescen[ce],” however, they “did not spend a lot of time together because
[appellant] was a very busy person. He had a full time job and during his days off,
he would . . . do[] mechanic work . . . to give his family a good future.” Vazquez
did not know appellant to be “a violent man or a drunk,” and he noted that
appellant was dedicated to his family. One time, appellant told Vazquez “that he
was going to be a foster parent for Children’s International, and that he had had
problems with this wife because of that. And she wanted him to end that, but he
18
stood firm, and he had to do this behind her back, so there would be no more
problems.” Vazquez noted that no one contacted him to inquire about appellant.
Gabriel Diaz testified that he saw the complainant and appellant three days
before the stabbing, and he “did not see anything that seemed wrong.” On other
occasions, Diaz “never saw anything bad happening.” He explained that appellant
“would educate his children,” “was never disrespectful,” did not “miss treat[] [sic]”
the complainant, and would give Diaz “good advice.” Diaz noted that he was not
contacted by an attorney, but would have testified on appellant’s behalf.
Alejandra Gonzalez (“Alejandra”), appellant’s sister, testified that appellant
“is a very responsible person,” would “never scream[]” at his siblings, and was
“well groomed.” She explained that appellant “wanted the children to be
responsible” and “would put them to do [chores] around the house,” but the
complainant would not agree. She noted that appellant is a good brother, father,
son, husband, and friend. She stated, however, that he was distant with many of
his friends because the complainant “didn’t want anyone to come over to the
house.” Alejandra “never saw [appellant] try[] to pick a fight with anyone,” and he
did not have problems with other people or law enforcement authorities. Alejandra
noted that she was not contacted by an attorney, but was ready to testify for
appellant.
19
Juan Pablo Hernandez testified that he has known appellant for nineteen
years and he is a “family man,” a “hard worker,” and a “good prideful person.”
“He was not a problematic person, [but] a very passive person and a good person.”
Hernandez noted that he was not contacted by an attorney or investigator, but
would have testified on appellant’s behalf.
Carolina Gonzalez (“Carolina”), appellant’s cousin, testified that appellant is
“a very peaceful, calm person,” who “did not drink or have bad vices.” He was “a
lovable father to his children,” “attentive to them,” and “a good person.” Carolina
never saw appellant drink or fight with the complainant. And she explained that
appellant “loved” his wife “very much” and did not have problems with law
enforcement authorities. According to Gonzalez, the children “said lies.” She
noted that she was present at trial and would have testified for appellant, but she
was not asked to do so.
Finally, Marie Diaz Sanchez and Ana Berta Gonzalez Diaz, appellant’s
mother and sister, testified that appellant “since an early age[,] always
demonstrated good conduct.” He “obtain[ed] good grades” and did not have “any
problems” with his friends or teachers. They noted that appellant was “dedicated
to” the complainant and “attentive” to her and their children, and he gave “good
advice to his siblings and parents.” Sanchez and Diaz noted that they would be
“willing to answer any interrogations . . . or testify on the case if necessary.”
20
As it relates to appellant, the majority of mitigation evidence introduced by
appellant during the hearing on his motion for new trial centered on the opinions of
family and friends that he was a happy, generous, non-violent, and peaceful
person. They all considered him to be a good person, husband, father, and friend.
And the majority of the witnesses described appellant’s relationship with the
complainant as conflict-free. We note, however, that much of this testimony
contradicts appellant’s own statement to law enforcement authorities, which was
presented to and considered by the jury during the punishment phase of trial.
In his statement to Officer Sosa, appellant admitted that he and the
complainant “ha[d] been having problems” and, on the night of the stabbing, they
had talked about their “problems.” They “began talking and . . . became upset,”
and the complainant “blame[d] [him] for everything,” noted that “everything was
[his] fault,” and told him that he “was wrong.” Appellant explained that she was
always “on” him, constantly contradicted him, and accused him of being
“unfaithful” his “whole life.” He noted that the complainant “was wrong,” he was
considering a divorce, and he “was going to leave his wife and get a house.”
When asked about what had happened in the bedroom during the night of the
stabbing, appellant responded that he “stabbed her,” while she was “laying down,”
with knives that he had taken from the kitchen. According to appellant, “We
argued, we got mad, and it happened. I stabbed her.” He believed he stabbed her
21
in her throat. Although the complainant “tr[ied] to defend herself,” he “hit her
with the knife. The devil got in [him].” Appellant could not explain why he
stabbed her, just that “[i]t happened in that moment of anger.” He also noted that
he had previously “hit” the complainant when she would “challenge” him.
We note that when presented with contradictory evidence, trial courts are in
the best position to “evaluate the credibility” of witnesses and resolve conflicts in
the evidence. See Kober, 988 S.W.2d at 233. A trial court may choose to believe
or disbelieve all or any part of the testimony of mitigation witnesses, especially
testimony presented in affidavits and unsupported by live testimony. Riley, 378
S.W.3d at 457; Kober, 988 S.W.2d at 234. Further, a trial court is free to reject the
credibility of new-trial evidence if it conflicts with evidence presented during trial.
See Goody, 433 S.W.3d at 81 (holding defendant failed to show prejudice where
trial court rejected credibility of evidence that conflicted with other evidence
presented at punishment hearing).
Here, much of the evidence presented by appellant at the hearing on his
motion for new trial directly contradicts appellant’s own admissions. And the trial
court, in denying appellant’s motion for new trial, evidently rejected the credibility
of this new-trial evidence. We are cognizant that in analyzing the prejudice under
Strickland, we must accord “almost total deference to a trial court’s findings of
22
historical fact as well as mixed questions of law and fact that turn on an evaluation
of credibility and demeanor.” Riley, 378 S.W.3d at 458.
Additionally, we note that some of appellant’s mitigation evidence may not
have benefitted him to the degree that he presumes, but instead actually highlights
the conflict that existed between him and the complainant that he discussed in his
statement to Officer Sosa. For instance, Fernando revealed in his testimony that he
knew of a “conflict” between the complainant and appellant, and he noted that
appellant was frustrated with the complainant’s behavior and “displeased that she
would not follow his wishes.” Additionally, other witnesses discussed the
complainant and appellant’s disagreements and problems, which occurred prior to
the stabbing. Such evidence, could have actually harmed appellant rather than
mitigate his punishment. See Ex parte McFarland, 163 S.W.3d 743, 758 (Tex.
Crim. App. 2005) (holding defendant did not establish prejudice where he failed to
show witness testimony would have benefitted him); Bone v. State, 77 S.W.3d 828,
834–35 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002) (explaining potential benefit of additional
testimony outweighed by risk of unfavorable counter-testimony); Dillon v. State,
No. 12-06-00135-CR, 2007 WL 4216253, at *7 (Tex. App.—Tyler Nov. 30, 2007,
pet. ref’d) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (holding defendant failed to
show reasonable probability of different result where “any benefits to be gained
23
from the use of character witnesses . . . would be offset if not supplanted by cross
examination of those witnesses”).
Further, as to the witnesses who did not mention any conflict between the
complainant and appellant, but instead testified that the complainant and appellant
had a good relationship and appellant had a peaceful, non-violent nature, the jury
could have easily discredited such testimony given appellant’s own admissions of
his on-going marital problems and that he had previously “hit” the complainant.
We also note that appellant did not demonstrate at the motion for new trial
hearing that all of his mitigation witnesses were available to testify at his trial. See
King v. State, 649 S.W.2d 42, 44 (Tex. Crim. App. 1983) (“Counsel’s failure to
call witnesses at the guilt-innocence and punishment stages is irrelevant absent a
showing that such witnesses were available and appellant would benefit from their
testimony.”). Specifically, four of appellant’s witnesses did not state that they
were available to testify at his trial, and appellant presented no other evidence of
their availability. We, therefore, do not consider their testimony in determining
prejudice. See Ex parte McFarland, 163 S.W.3d at 758 (holding defendant did not
show prejudice where he failed to show witnesses available to testify); cf. Milburn,
15 S.W.3d at 269–71 (holding counsel’s failure to investigate and present
mitigating evidence during punishment prejudiced defendant where parties
stipulated twenty witnesses would have testified as to their availability).
24
We further note that in regard to the testimony that appellant was organized,
responsible, and a hard-worker, who “fought to bring his family ahead” and give
them “a good future,” it is also not likely that such evidence would have affected
the punishment assessed, given the strength of the testimony of appellant’s
children and appellant’s statement. Cf. Alfaro v. State, No. 01-13-0073-CR, 2014
WL 3606751, at *6–7 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] July 22, 2014, no pet.)
(mem. op., not designated for publication) (concluding testimony defendant
responsible and worked unlikely to affect punishment assessed in light of
testimony of wife and children about extensive abuse); Alvarado v. State, No. 04-
03-00289-CR, 2006 WL 332536, at *9–10 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Feb. 15,
2006, pet. ref’d) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (denying defendant’s
ineffective-assistance claim where uncalled witnesses would have testified
defendant responsible and hard worker); Dotson v. State, Nos. 14-98-00590-CR,
14-98-00591-CR, 1999 WL 1123037, at *4 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] Dec.
9, 1999, pet. ref’d) (not designated for publication) (holding second prong of
Strickland not satisfied where uncalled witnesses would have testified defendant
hard worker with steady job).
Given the foregoing, we are not persuaded that a reasonable jury would have
imposed a less severe punishment had it been presented with appellant’s mitigation
evidence. Bazan, 403 S.W.3d at 13.
25
Finally, we note that appellant’s reliance on our sister court’s decision in
Milburn is misplaced. In Milburn, the jury sentenced Milburn to confinement for
forty years for possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. 15 S.W.3d
at 268. At the hearing on the motion for new trial, the parties stipulated to the
testimony of twenty of Milburn’s mitigation witnesses that “they had known
[Milburn] for a long period of time, they were never contacted to testify by any
member of [Milburn’s] defense team, they would have testified had they been
requested to, and they would have asked the jury to consider the minimum
punishment.” Id. at 269. And Milburn’s counsel testified that he had failed to
interview and call any witnesses during the punishment phase of trial. Id. at 270.
Thus, because Milburn’s trial counsel readily admitted that he neither investigated
nor evaluated available punishment evidence, the appellate court held his
performance deficient. Id.
In evaluating the second prong of the Strickland analysis, the appellate court
noted that “[a]fter the State concluded its presentation of testimony and evidence to
the jury showing [Milburn’s] bad character, [Milburn’s] trial counsel responded,
‘We’re not going to put anything on.’” Id. The jury then “returned a sentence in
excess of that requested by the State.” Id. The court concluded that Milburn had
demonstrated prejudice in the case because his “trial counsel performed no
investigation into any possible mitigating facts and failed to contact even a single
26
family member or friend, despite the availability of such mitigation
evidence. . . . [And] [t]his evidence would have provided some counterweight to
evidence of bad character . . . received by the jury.” Id. at 270–71 (internal
citations omitted).
Appellant argues that “[a] similar result to Milburn is warranted in the
present case” because “[t]here [is] ample evidence concerning . . . [a]ppellant’s
good character that Decuir could have uncovered had he interviewed or contacted
even a handful of the affiants.” Contrary to appellant’s assertion, however,
Milburn is markedly dissimilar to the present case.
First, Milburn’s trial counsel openly admitted that he did not investigate or
interview any mitigation witnesses. Id. at 270. Here, however, appellant’s trial
counsel testified at the hearing on appellant’s motion for new trial that he
“conduct[ed] an independent investigation”; he looked into appellant’s background
and education; and he interviewed several family members about appellant’s
marriage, where the complainant and appellant had lived, and their children.
Decuir specifically spoke to Barron and Fernando about testifying as mitigation
witnesses, especially about appellant’s good qualities. He also spoke with Saldana
and tried to obtain the name of appellant’s boss. Although Decuir’s testimony was
not completely uncontroverted, we are not presented with a situation, as in
27
Milburn, where appellant’s trial counsel readily admitted on the record at the new
trial hearing that he did nothing to investigate the case.
Second, the court in Milburn emphasized the fact that the jury, when not
presented with any mitigation evidence, imposed a sentence greater than the one
requested by the State. Id. at 270. In contrast, here, although the State, in its
closing argument, requested that the jury “sentence [appellant] to life,” the jury,
instead, assessed appellant’s punishment at confinement for fifty years.
Finally, here, unlike in Milburn, there is uncontroverted evidence that
appellant specifically instructed his trial counsel not to present any witnesses to
testify on his behalf during both the guilt and punishment phases of trial, including
Barron, who counsel had prepared to testify. During the hearing on appellant’s
motion for new trial, Decuir testified that he wanted to call someone to testify that
appellant was a good worker and provider, but appellant would not give him
information and did not want him to call any witnesses. Further, appellant would
not provide him with the “names of any witnesses for either the guilt/innocence or
punishment stage.” Although Decuir had “several conversations with [appellant]
with regard to calling witnesses, just to talk to his good character, his work ethics,
the support he provided for his family,” appellant responded, “[n]o witnesses,” and
that he “didn’t want to have any witnesses.”
28
We have previously held that a defendant failed to establish prejudice under
Strickland when he instructed his counsel to not present mitigation testimony, even
when witnesses were present and available, and the defendant did not present any
evidence at the new trial hearing “that, despite his earlier desire that trial counsel
refrain from presenting additional mitigation evidence, he nonetheless
would . . . not have interfered with the mitigation testimony revealed at the new
trial hearing.” Bazan, 403 S.W.3d at 13–15; see also Schriro v. Landrigan, 550
U.S. 465, 475–77, 127 S. Ct. 1933, 1940–42 (2007) (“If [defendant] issued such an
instruction [not to offer any mitigating evidence], counsel’s failure to investigate
further could not have been prejudicial under Strickland.”); Ex parte Olvera, No.
05-11-01349-CR, 2013 WL 4052467, at *6 (Tex. App.—Dallas Aug. 12, 2013,
pet. ref’d) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (“[W]hen a defendant
instructs his attorney not to interview certain witnesses, the defendant may not later
claim his attorney’s investigation was ineffective.”); Oseguera-Garcia v. State, No.
04-11-00896-CR, 2013 WL 2368258, at *5 (Tex. App.—San Antonio May 29,
2013, pet. ref’d) (mem. op.. not designated for publication) (concluding trial
counsel not ineffective for not investigating or presenting mitigation testimony
where defendant “failed to provide any contact information or have the witnesses
call [counsel]”); Malek v. State, Nos. 03-10-00534-CR, 03-10-00535-CR, 2012
WL 370551, at *4–5 (Tex. App.—Austin Feb. 1, 2012, pet. ref’d) (mem. op., not
29
designated for publication) (overruling defendant’s ineffective-assistance claim for
failing to call mitigating character witnesses where “record reflect[ed] that [he] did
not want his friends or family members involved in the trial”); Taylor v. State, No.
01-06-00971-CR, 2008 WL 597271, at *4 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] Mar. 6,
2008, pet. ref’d) (mem. op., not designated for publication) (holding trial court did
not abuse its discretion in concluding defendant did not meet his burden to
establish ineffective assistance where defendant told counsel not to contact family
members); Hills v. State, No. 14-02-00379-CR, 2003 WL 21402606, at *2 (Tex.
App.—Houston [14th Dist.] June 19, 2003, pet. ref’d) (mem. op., not designated
for publication) (overruling defendant’s ineffective-assistance claim for failure to
investigate and call mitigation witnesses where defendant “had not wanted anyone
to participate in his trial and . . . refused to give his counsel the names of any
witnesses who might assist him”).
In order to establish prejudice, appellant must show that a reasonable
probability exists that the jury’s assessment of punishment would have been less
severe in the absence of counsel’s deficient performance. Bazan, 403 S.W.3d at
13. Even if we presume that trial counsel’s representation was deficient in this
case, appellant has not shown a substantial likelihood of a different result.
Harrington, 562 U.S. at ---, 131 S. Ct. at 787, 792. Accordingly, we hold that the
trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying appellant’s motion for new trial.
30
We overrule appellant’s sole issue.4
Conclusion
We affirm the judgment of the trial court.
Terry Jennings
Justice
Panel consists of Chief Justice Radack and Justices Jennings and Keyes.
Do not publish. TEX. R. APP. P. 47.2(b).
4
We note that although not presented as an issue separate from his ineffective-
assistance claim, appellant asserts that the trial court erred in denying his request
for Decuir to turn over to him his client file. He invites the Court, if it “believes
that . . . [a]ppellant has not met his burden under Strickland . . . as [the record]
currently stands, but believes that the failure of the trial court to order Decuir to
turn the file over constitutes error which must be rectified,” to abate the appeal for
a supplemental hearing on his motion for new trial. We decline to do so.
31