James Jesse Hubbard v. State ( 2015 )

ACCEPTED
01-15-00342-CR
FIRST COURT OF APPEALS
HOUSTON, TEXAS
12/7/2015 12:00:00 AM
CHRISTOPHER PRINE
CLERK
NO. 01-15-00342-CR
_____________________________________________________________
FILED IN -
IN THE 1st COURT OF--APPEALS
- ----
HOUSTON, -
--- TEXAS
- - ----ID K ------
12/6/2015
- 11:54:31
- -- AM
---- VO ------
COURT OF APPEALS CHRISTOPHER -- A. PRINE
----
---- Clerk
FOR THE
FIRST SUPREME JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF TEXAS
FILED IN
1st COURT OF APPEALS
HOUSTON, TEXAS HOUSTON, TEXAS
12/7/2015 10:15:00 AM
_____________________________________________________________
CHRISTOPHER A. PRINE
Clerk
JAMES JESSE HUBBARD, Appellant
V.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee
_____________________________________________________________
On Appeal from the District Court
of Galveston County, Texas
405th Judicial District
Cause No. 14CR0848
_____________________________________________________________
BRIEF FOR APPELLANT
_____________________________________________________________
Greg Russell
711 59th Street
Galveston, Texas 77551
(409) 497-4743
(409) 497-4721
SBN: 17411550
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
NO. 01-15-00342-CR
_____________________________________________________________
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE
FIRST SUPREME JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF TEXAS
HOUSTON, TEXAS
_____________________________________________________________
JAMES JESSE HUBBARD, Appellant
V.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee
_____________________________________________________________
On Appeal from the District Court
of Galveston County, Texas
405th Judicial District
Cause No. 14CR0848
_____________________________________________________________
BRIEF FOR APPELLANT
_____________________________________________________________
Greg Russell
711 59th Street
Galveston, Texas 77551
(409) 497-4743
(409) 497-4721
SBN: 17411550
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT
IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL
Parties and counsel in this case are as follows:
1. James Jesse Hubbard, Appellant, represented at trial by Adam Brown,
300 Main Street, Suite 200, Houston, Tx. 77573; represented on appeal by
Greg Russell, 711 59th Street, Galveston, Tx. 77551.
2. The State of Texas, Appellee, represented at trial by Chris Henderson
and Matt Shawhan, Assistant District Attorneys and on appeal by Jack Roady,
Criminal District Attorney for Galveston County, 600 59th Street, Galveston, Tx.
77551.
CITATION TO THE RECORD
Clerk’s Record …………………………………… CR (page)
Clerk’s Supplemental Record …………………….. CR Supp. (page)
Reporter’s Record …………………………………. RR (volume & page)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Index of Authorities ................................................................. i - ii
Statement of the Case .................................................……… 1
Issue Presented ........................................................………… 1
Summary of Facts ......................................................……… .. 2-5
Summary of Argument ………………………... ………......…… 5-6
Argument in Support of Appellant’s Issue… ………................. 6 - 19
Conclusion and Prayer ................................................……….. 20
Certificate of Service ................................................................. 21
Certificate of Compliance………………………………………… 21
i
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
CASES PAGE
Alejandro v. State, 493 S.W.2d 230 (Tex.Crim.App. 1973)………….. 17
Brown v. State, 475 S.W.2d 761 (Tex.Crim.App. 1972)……………… 17
Brown v. State, 866 S.W.2d 675, 678 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.]
1993, pet. ref’d) ………………………………………............................... 7
Almanza v. State, 686 S.W.2d 157 (Tex.Crim.App.1984)………………. 10
Campbell v. State, 610 S.W.2d 754, 756 (Tex.Crim.App. 1980)……... 12
Cuyler v. Sullivan, 446 U.S. 335, 100 S. Ct. 1708, 64 L. Ed. 333 (1980)... 6
Ex Parte Cruz, 739 S.W.2d at 58 (Tex.Crim.App. 1987)……………… 7
Ex Parte Duffy, 607 S.W.2d 507 (Tex.Crim.App. 1980)…………………. 6
Ex Parte Walker, 777 S.W.2d 427 (Tex.Crim.App. 1989)………………. 7
Ex Parte Walker, 794 S.W.2d 36 (Tex.Crim.App. 1990)………………. 7
Ex Parte Welborn, 785 S.W.2d 391, 395 (Tex.Crim.App. 1990)……….. 11
Garrett v. State, 632 S.W.2d 350, 353-54 (Tex.Crim.App.
[Panel Op.] 1982)………………………………………………………….. 12-13
Guidry v. State, 9 S.W.3d 133, 154 (Tex.Crim.App. 1999)……………. 12
Hernandez v. State, 726 S.W.2d 53 (Tex.Crim.App. 1986)…………….. 7
Hill v. State, 666 S.W.2d 663, 668 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1984),
aff’d 686 S.W.2d 184 (Tex.Crim.App. 1985)……………………………… 7
Hodge v. State, 488 S.W.2d 779 (Tex.Crim.App. 1972)………………. 17
Martinez v. State, 17 S.W.3d 677, 692 (Tex.Crim.App. 2000)……….. 18
Mathews v. State, 635 S.W.2d 532, 539 (Tex.Crim.App [Panel Op.]
1982)………………………………………………………………………… 12
Mercado v. State, 615 S.W.2d 225 (Tex.Crim.App. 1981)…………….. 7
ii
Mosley v. State, 983 S.W.2d 249, 259 (Tex.Crim.App. 1998)……….. 18
Myer v. State, 416 S.W.2d 415 (Tex.Crim.App. 1967)………………… 17-18
Porter v. State, 623 S.W.2d 374, 385 (Tex.Crim.App. 1981)…………… 11
Simms v. State, 848 S.W.2d 754, 757 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.]
1993, pet. ref’d)……………………………………………………………… 7
Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80
L. Ed. 2d 674(1984)………………………………………………………..... 7
STATUTES PAGE
Tex. Code Crim.Proc. §36.19…………………………………………… 10
Tex. Rule App. Proc. 44.2…….…………………………………………. 10
Tex.R.App.P. 81(b)(2)…………………………………………………… 13
CONSTITUTIONS PAGE
United States Constitution, Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments… ….. 6
Texas Constitution, Article I, Section 10………………………………… 6
iii
NO. 01-15-00342-CR
_____________________________________________________________
IN THE
COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE
FIRST SUPREME JUDICIAL DISTRICT OF TEXAS
HOUSTON, TEXAS
_____________________________________________________________
JAMES JESSE HUBBARD, Appellant
V.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee
_____________________________________________________________
On Appeal from the District Court
of Galveston County, Texas
405th Judicial District
Cause No. 14CR0848
BRIEF FOR APPELLANT
_____________________________________________________________
TO THE HONORABLE COURT OF APPEALS:
Now Comes JAMES JESSE HUBBARD and files this Brief for Appellant.
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
Appellant was charged by indictment with Robbery. (CR, 6) The case
was tried in the 405th District Court of Galveston County, Texas, the Honorable
C.G. Dibrell, III, presiding. (RR, 1, 1)
The jury found appellant guilty and appellant pled true to the two
enhancements and the trial court assessed punishment at forty (40) years in
the Institutional Division of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. (RR 5,
24) Appellant timely filed Notice of Appeal. (CR Supp., 7)
ISSUE PRESENTED
Appellant received ineffective assistance of counsel at the guilt-innocence
phase of trial in two ways:
1) by trial attorney not objecting to prejudicial statement by the
detective that she “knew” appellant and was “familiar” with
appellant.
2) by trial attorney not objecting to prosecutor’s prejudicial statements
that appellant had a “drug habit” and was “on drugs” despite
nothing in the record to support such statements.
1
SUMMARY OF FACTS
On February 27, 2015, the complainant, Robert Robinson, attended
Mardi-Gras in Galveston, Texas. (RR 3, 21) Mr. Robinson went to the Crow’s
Bar on the Strand where he met appellant who was sitting at the bar eating.
(RR 3, 24) Mr. Robinson testified that he bought appellant a beer and they
talked for about an hour. (RR 3, 25 – 26) Mr. Robinson testified that he had
about two beers with appellant at the bar. (RR 3, 26) After spending about
one to two hours with appellant inside the bar, they both go outside to the patio
and smoke cigarettes. (RR 3, 28) Mr. Robinson further testified that he and
appellant both drank some more beer on the patio and at this point had
consumed approximately five beers. (RR 3, 28) Mr. Robinson testified that he
opened his wallet in front of appellant when he purchased the beers. (RR 3,
30) They left the bar and began walking along the Strand and appellant
borrows Mr. Robinson’s cell phone to call his girlfriend. (RR 3, 30 – 31)
Approximately forty-five minutes to an hour after they left Crow’s bar, they then
go into a convenience store called Bob’s Grocery where Mr. Robinson buys
two packs of cigarettes. (RR 3, 31 - 32) Mr. Robinson testified that after
leaving Bob’s Grocery they proceed to walk down the street and about a block
2
later appellant “coldcocks” him. (RR 3, 32) Mr. Robinson further testified that
he ran away, tripped over a curb and appellant came up to him and starting
beating on him. (RR 3, 34) Mr. Robinson testified that appellant grabbed his
wallet and made a “beeline for it” and ran behind a church. (RR 3, 34) Mr.
Robinson then crawled across the street and hid behind a wall where he called
his dad to pick him up and went to the hospital the next morning. (RR 3, 35 -
36)
Mr. Robinson’s father, Fred Robinson testified that his son called to pick
him up and the next day they called the police. (RR 3, 100 – 101)
Appellant’s wife, Lisa Gutierrez, testified that appellant called her on
February 27, 2014 and said that he was helping someone find his truck. (RR
3, 107 – 108) Ms. Gutierrez testified that appellant arrived home at
approximately 4:00 a.m. (RR 3, 110)
Officer Christopher McNeil of the Galveston Police Department testified
that he was dispatched to University of Texas Medical Branch Emergency
Room and met with Mr. Robinson who gave a description of his attacker. (RR
4, 16) Officer McNeil then went to the Crow’s Bar to talk with the employees
who said the description that was given by Mr. Robinson matched the
description of appellant. (RR 4, 16)
Detective Michelle Sollenberger met with Mr. Robinson who gave her a
3
description of the person who robbed him. (RR 4, 36). Detective Sollenberger
testified that she “knew” and was “familiar” appellant. (RR 4, 37, 39) Mr.
Robinson then showed the detective a phone number that was dialed from his
phone by appellant. (RR 4, 38 – 39; State’s Exhibit # 7) Detective
Sollenberger researched the phone number in State’s Exhibit # 7 and it came
back belonging to Lisa Gutierrez who was appellant’s girlfriend. (RR 4, 39)
Detective Sollenberger created a photo array that contained appellant’s photo.
(RR 4, 45 – 46; State’s Exhibit # 9) Detective Sollenberger testified that Mr.
Robinson picked appellant out of the photo array and that he was “absolutely
confident” in his selection. (RR 4, 45; State’s Exhibit # 9)
The Charge of the Court was read to the jury. (RR 4, 69) During the
state’s closing argument, the prosecutor referred to appellant as having a “drug
habit” and was on “drugs.” (RR 4, 78, 90 & 94)
On February 24, 2015, the jury found appellant guilty of Robbery. (RR
4, 95) Appellant elected for the trial court to assess and requested that a Pre-
Sentence Investigation be prepared. (RR 4, 96)
On March 27, 2015, the punishment trial was had before the court where
appellant pled true to the two enhancement paragraphs. (RR 5, 6) At
punishment, the State introduced into evidence four prior felony judgments and
two prior misdemeanor judgments. (State’s Exhibits 1 – 4; 6 – 7)
4
The trial court assessed punishment at forty (40) years, Institutional
Division of the Texas Department of Corrections. (RR 5, 24)
SUMMARY OF ARGUMENT
APPELLANT RECEIVED INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL AT
THE GUILT-INNOCENCE PHASE OF TRIAL IN TWO WAYS:
1) BY TRIAL ATTORNEY NOT OBJECTING TO PREJUDICIAL
STATEMENTS BY THE DETECTIVE THAT SHE “KNEW” APPELLANT
AND WAS “FAMILIAR” WITH APPELLANT.
2) BY TRIAL ATTORNEY NOT OBJECTING TO PROSECUTOR’S
PREJUDICIAL STATEMENTS THAT APPELLANT HAD A “DRUG
HABIT” AND WAS “ON DRUGS” DESPITE NOTHING IN THE
RECORD TO SUPPORT SUCH STATEMENTS.
Appellant was found guilty of Robbery. On direct-examination, Detective
Michelle Sollenberger, testified that she “knew” appellant and was “familiar”
with appellant. (RR 4, 37, 39) This testimony was prejudicial and irrelevant to
any issue at trial. This testimony was prejudicial because it implied that
appellant was a criminal and that Detective Sollenberger was familiar with
appellant due to his criminal activity. Appellant’s trial counsel did not object to
this prejudicial testimony. (entire record) By trial counsel not objecting to this
5
testimony by Detective Sollenberger, appellant received ineffective assistance.
Additionally, during closing arguments in the guilt-innocence phase of
trial, the prosecutor, stated, without objection, that appellant had a drug habit
and was on drugs despite there not being any evidence in the record to support
such statements.
ARGUMENT IN SUPPORT OF APPELLANT'S ISSUE
Under the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution as made
applicable to the states by the Fourteenth Amendment, Cuyler v. Sullivan, 446
U.S. 335, 100 S. Ct. 1708, 64 L. Ed. 333 (1980), and by the “Right to be heard”
provision of Article I, Section 10 of the Bill of Rights of the Texas Constitution,
Ex Parte Duffy, 607 S.W.2d 507 (Tex.Crim.App. 1980), defendants are entitled
to effective assistance of counsel in criminal cases whether counsel is retained
or appointed.
With regard to whether the defendant received effective assistance of
counsel at the guilt-innocence phase of trial and at the punishment phase of
capital cases, Texas follows the two prong test set out by the United States
Supreme Court in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 80
L. Ed. 2d 674 (1984); Hernandez v. State, 726 S.W.2d 53 (Tex.Crim.App.
6
1986).; Ex Parte Walker, 777 S.W.2d 427 (Tex.Crim.App. 1989). That test is
(1) whether counsel’s performance fell below an objective standard of
reasonableness under prevailing professional norms; and, (2) whether there is
a reasonable probability that but for counsel’s deficient performance, the result
of the proceeding would have been different.
In reviewing an attorney’s assistance, a court must examine the totality
of the representation. Ex Parte Walker, 794 S.W.2d 36 (Tex.Crim.App.
1990); Ex Parte Cruz, 739 S.W.2d at 58 (Tex.Crim.App. 1987). Counsel
need not be errorless and should not be judged by hindsight but must be
reasonably likely to render effective assistance. Mercado v. State, 615
S.W.2d 225 (Tex.Crim.App. 1981).
“Matters of trial strategy will be reviewed only if an attorney’s actions are
without any plausible basis.” Brown v. State, 866 S.W.2d at 678, citing Hill v.
State, 666 S.W.2d 663, 668 (Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1984), aff’d 686
S.W.2d 184 (Tex.Crim.App. 1985) and Simms v. State, 848 S.W.2d 754, 757
(Tex. App.-Houston [1st Dist.] 1993, pet. ref’d).
1. Detective Sollenberger’s statements that she knew and was familiar
with appellant:
7
On direct-examination, the prosecutor elicited the following testimony
from Detective Michelle Sollenberger:
Q. And who did you believe the suspect to be?
A. James Hubbard.
Q. Do you see that person in the courtroom today?
A. I do.
Q. Can you point to him and identify an article of clothing?
A. He's the gentleman sitting at the defense table with a beard and a white
shirt.
MR. HENDERSON: Your Honor, will the record reflect that the witness
has identified the defendant.
THE COURT: All right.
Q. (By Mr. Henderson) And so at that point why did you think the defendant
was the person who robbed Mr. Robinson?
A. I knew the defendant. (RR 4, 37)
Appellant’s attorney failed to make an objection to the prosecutor’s
prejudicial and improper questioning of Detective Michelle Sollenberger
regarding the detective knowing appellant. Consequently, trial counsel failed
to move for a mistrial. (entire record)
8
Additionally, on direct-examination the prosecutor elicited the following
the testimony from Detective Sollenberger:
Q. And was that phone number associated with anyone in particular?
A. It was.
Q. Who was it associated with?
A. Lisa Gutierrez.
Q. And did you know Lisa Gutierrez?
A. I did.
Q. And were you familiar with anyone who Lisa Gutierrez was dating or with?
A. I was.
Q. And who was that person?
A. James Hubbard. (RR 4, 39)
This testimony from Detective Sollenberger was prejudicial and
irrelevant to any issue at trial. This testimony was prejudicial because it implied
that appellant was a criminal and that Detective Sollenberger was familiar with
appellant due to his criminal activity
To not object to these prejudicial statements was ineffective assistance
of counsel, which was harmful to appellant and it surely cannot be construed
as any trial strategy. What possible strategy could be involved in the jury
9
hearing, during guilt-innocence, that the detective investigating this robbery
knew appellant.
TRAP, Article 44.2, states in relevant part:
(a) Constitutional Error: If the appellate record in a criminal case
reveals constitutional error that is subject to harmless error review, the court of
appeals must reverse a judgment of conviction or punishment unless the court
determines beyond a reasonable doubt that the error did not contribute to the
conviction or punishment.
(b) Other Errors: Any other error, defect, irregularity, or variance that
does not affect substantial rights must be disregarded.
In order for an appellant to win a reversal without an objection being
made at the trial level, the appellant must show egregious harm. Almanza v.
State, 686 S.W.2d 157 (Tex.Crim.App.1984). Even if this Court determines
that this error should be analyzed and controlled by Tex. Code. Crim. Proc.,
Art. 36.19 and Almanza, supra 171, this error was so egregious to appellant
and created such harm as to deny the appellant a fair and impartial trial.
It is well settled in Texas that an accused shall not be tried for some
collateral crime or for being a criminal generally. Porter v. State, 623 S.W.2d
374, 385 (Tex.Crim.App. 1981), cert. denied, 456 U.S. 965, 102 S. Ct. 2046,
10
72 L. Ed. 2d 491 (1982). Because our concern that an accused not be tried for
some collateral crime or for being a criminal generally, testimony concerning
an extraneous offense is admissible only in limited circumstances. Ex Parte
Welborn, 785 S.W.2d 391, 395 (Tex.Crim.App. 1990).
Appellant’s trial counsel did not object or even try to keep out these two
statements by Detective Sollenberger. Appellant’s attorney failing to object to
these statements during the guilt/innocence phase of the trial was ineffective
assistance that did contribute to his conviction.
2. Prosecutor’s Closing Argument that appellant had a drug habit and was
on drugs:
During closing arguments in guilt-innocence, the prosecutor argued
outside the record and evidence without any objection from trial counsel. This
argument established a motive for appellant to commit this crime of robbery.
The purpose of closing argument is to facilitate the jury in properly
analyzing the evidence presented at trial so that it may arrive at a just and
reasonable conclusion based on the evidence alone and not on any fact not
admitted into evidence. Campbell v. State, 610 S.W.2d 754, 756
(Tex.Crim.App. 1980)
11
The four permissible areas of jury argument are (1) summation of the
evidence; (2) reasonable deductions from the evidence; (3) answer to the
argument of opposing counsel; and (4) plea for law enforcement. Guidry v.
State, 9 S.W.3d 133, 154 (Tex.Crim.App. 1999). Appellant contends the
prosecutor's argument fell outside the permissible areas of jury argument.
When an argument exceeds the permissible bounds of the above
areas, such will not constitute reversible error unless, in light of the record
as a whole, the argument is extreme or manifestly improper, is violative of a
mandatory statute, or injects new facts harmful to the accused into the trial
proceedings. Mathews v. State, 635 S.W.2d 532, 539 (Tex.Crim.App [Panel
Op.] 1982).
The test to determine whether improper jury argument is harmless
error is not whether a conviction could have been had without the improper
argument, but whether there is a reasonable possibility that the argument
complained of might have contributed to the conviction or the punishment
assessed. Garrett v. State, 632 S.W.2d 350, 353-54 (Tex.Crim.App. [Panel
Op.] 1982); Tex.R.App.P. 81(b)(2). In making this determination, the
appellate court must review the evidence at the guilt-innocence stage as well
as that adduced at the punishment phase of the trial. Garrett v. State, 632
S.W.2d at 353-54
12
The prosecutor, in his closing statement stated:
“Now, defense counsel wants to make this case about alcohol, but
ladies and gentlemen of the jury, this case not about alcohol. It's about
drugs. It's about the defendant's habit. It's about his wife's habit and it's
about the need to feed that habit and it's really about easy targets.” (RR 4,
77)
Additionally, the prosecutor, further stated in his closing argument:
“He forgot about the cell phone. He forgot about Laura and Frank, and
when you're on drugs, you tend to do these things. You tend to not think
about the consequence of your actions. You don't think about, oh, I'm scared
of getting caught from this criminal episode. You're thinking about your next
score.” (RR 4, 93)
Again, the prosecutor re-emphasized in his closing argument:
“Members of jury, he wasn't getting paid money for a drug habit. He
was getting paid in food; and the little money that he did pick up here and
there, he used for drugs for not only Lisa but himself.” (RR 4, 94)
The trial court, in the Courts Charge, instructed the jury regarding
extraneous offenses as follows:
“You are instructed that if there is any testimony before you in this case
13
regarding the defendant's having committed offenses other than the offense
alleged against him in the indictment in this case, you cannot consider said
testimony for any other purpose unless you find and believe beyond a
reasonable doubt that the defendant committed such other offenses, if any
were committed; and even then, you may only consider the same in
determining his intent or plan in connection with the offense, if any, alleged
against him in the indictment in this case and for no other purpose.” (RR 4,
72)
Despite there being no evidence regarding appellant using drugs, the
prosecutor apparently wanted the jury to believe that appellant was a drug
addict, to attempt to show a motive, intent or plan.
Lisa Gutierrez testified on direct-examination for the state:
A. I was very strung out on drugs, sir.
Q. When James came home that day, did he ask you for anything?
A. No, he just asked me to use my phone.
Q. So he asked you for your cell phone. Why did he want your cell phone?
A. Well, I suppose to take care of my habit.
Q. To take care of your habit?
A. Yes, sir, he took care of me very well.
Q. So you said, "your habit." How was he going to take care of your habit?
A. He had a job.
Q. How was he going to take care of your habit that night?
14
A. I don't know, sir. I don't take care of him. I don't ask him any questions. I
just know he gets me what I need.
Q. What were you needing that night?
A. I was sick that night, sir, very sick. I told you I had been sick all day so he
brought me food.
Q. Well, let's talk about -- what did you mean when you said, "to take care of
your habit"?
A. Well, I mean, if I needed drugs, he would make sure that he worked to get
it for me.
Q. What kind of drugs are you referring to?
A. I was very strung out on crack cocaine.
Q. Did James use crack cocaine during that time?
A. No, sir, not that I know of. (RR 3, 109 – 110)
Lisa Gutierrez further testified on direct examination as follows:
Q. And you stated that James worked at Crow's bar?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. About how long did he work there, not exact dates but about how long?
A. Well, I would say about three weeks to a month prior, I guess.
Q. So a very short period of time?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. And when we say, "work there," James doesn't clock in and clock out like
a normal employee that has a W-2, correct?
A. I don't know, sir.
Q. And when James brings you food home from this bar, does he pay for
15
that food, to your knowledge?
A. I don't know, sir.
Q. You just know that he brings food home when he comes home from work?
A. Whenever I say, "Daddy, I'm hungry," he gets me food.
Q. And you know that James 09:40:06 gets that food free from Crow's bar,
correct?
A. I don't know if it's free. I don't know how he pays for it. I figured that since
he worked there that, yeah, he probably got a percentage off or something.
I don't know, sir.
Q. In fact, you know that's how James gets paid. He gets paid with food and
drinks, correct?
A. No, sir. You're not allowed to drink at the club for one thing if you're
working. I would imagine that. And no, no, he wouldn't work for food and
drinks.
Q. Well, did you guys pay rent any place?
A. No, sir.
Q. So can you explain to the jury what your expenses were during that time?
A. I was a dope addict, sir.
Q. Were you doing these drugs by yourself?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. You want this jury to believe that you were -- you had a habit and you
were the only person doing drugs around you?
A. Sir, I can just tell you what I know is true, that I do the dope. James –
MR. HENDERSON: I'll pass the witness, your Honor.
MR. BROWN: Was she finished answering the question?
16
RECROSS-EXAMINATION BY MR. BROWN:
Q. You want to finish answering that question?
A. I just want to say, sir, that I never seen James smoke crack or meth or
anything like that. I am the dope addict in our family.
MR. BROWN: I don't have any further questions, Judge.
(RR 3, 122 – 123)
It is the duty of counsel to confine their arguments to the record;
reference to facts that are neither in evidence nor inferable from the evidence
is therefore improper. Alejandro v. State, 493 S.W.2d 230 (Tex.Crim.App.
1973)
One of the most important factors in determining whether the argument
creates reversible error is in the effect it has on the jury. Hodge v. State, 488
S.W.2d 779 (Tex.Crim.App. 1972); Brown v. State, 475 S.W.2d 761
(Tex.Crim.App. 1972); Myer v. State, 416 S.W.2d 415 (Tex.Crim.App. 1967).
Moreover, even if we were to assume that the argument constituted
error, such error would be harmless. The alleged error here does not rise to
the level of constitutional error. Martinez v. State, 17 S.W.3d 677, 692
(Tex.Crim.App. 2000). In such cases, determining harm requires a balancing
17
of the following factors: (1) severity of the misconduct (the magnitude of the
prejudicial effect caused by the State's improper jury argument), (2) curative
measures (the effectiveness of any cautionary instruction given by the trial
court), and (3) certainty of conviction absent the misconduct (the strength of
the evidence supporting the conviction). Mosley v. State, 983 S.W.2d 249,
259 (Tex.Crim.App. 1998).
Trial counsel was ineffective for not objecting to the prosecutor’s closing
argument and this, surely, could not be construed as trial strategy. It is difficult
to imagine what possible “plausible basis” trial counsel would have for failing
to object to the prosecutor’s closing argument that appellant had a “drug habit”
and was “on drugs.”
The prosecutor's argument was extreme and injected new facts into
the case that were harmful to appellant.
There was absolutely no evidence that appellant used drugs. In fact, the
only evidence that was produced regarding drug use was the exact opposite:
that he didn’t use drugs.
The prosecutor committed reversible error in arguing to the jury that it
should rely upon his expertise in setting the punishment in this case, as said
argument injected harmful, unsworn testimony before the jury and the
personal opinion and knowledge of the prosecutor, and was not based upon
18
the evidence in the case.
Allowing the prosecutor to state that appellant had a “drug habit” and
was “on drugs” provided the prosecutor with a clear motive to commit this
robbery and was extremely prejudicial to appellant.
In the case at bar, the appellant’s attorney failed to even make an
objection to the prosecutor’s prejudicial and improper questioning of
witnesses regarding extraneous offenses. Consequently, trial counsel failed
to move for a mistrial. (entire record)
Appellant received ineffective assistance of counsel by trial counsel not
objecting to the prosecutor’s closing argument that appellant had a drug habit
and by not objecting to the statements made by Detective Sollenberger that
she was “familiar” with appellant.
CONCLUSION AND PRAYER
WHEREFORE PREMISES CONSIDERED, appellant prays that the
judgment of the trial court be reversed and judgment of acquittal be entered or
in the alternative that appellant will be granted a new trial or that appellant’s
sentence will be set aside and for such other and further relief to which
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appellant may be justly entitled.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED,
/s/ Greg Russell
Greg Russell
Attorney for Appellant
711 59th Street
Galveston, Texas 77551
(409) 497-4743
(409) 497-4721 Fax
SBN: 17411550
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
As Attorney of Record for Appellant, I do hereby Certify that a true and
correct copy of the above and foregoing document was this date provided to
the Attorney for Appellee, by email/e-file service to Mr. Jack Roady, District
Attorney of Galveston County at the offices of the District Attorney of Galveston
County, Texas, 600 59th Street, Galveston, Tx. 77551, on the 4th day of
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December 2015.
/s/ Greg Russell
Attorney for Appellant
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
I do hereby certify that this brief is in compliance with rule 9.4(i) of the
Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure because it is computer generated, and
its relevant portions contain 4573 words.
/s/ Greg Russell
Attorney for Appellant
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