State v. Heck Van Tran ( 2010 )

IN THE COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS OF TENNESSEE
AT JACKSON FILED
FEBRUARY 1999 SESSION April 1, 1999
Cecil Crowson, Jr.
Appellate C ourt Clerk
HECK VAN TRAN, )
) NO. 02C01-9803-CR-00078
Appellant, )
) SHELBY COUNTY
VS. )
) HON. WILLIAM H. WILLIAMS,
STATE OF TENNESSEE, ) JUDGE BY DESIGNATION
)
Appellee. ) (Post-Conviction: Death Penalty)
FOR THE APPELLANT: FOR THE APPELLEE:
BROCK MEHLER JOHN KNOX WALKUP
751 Roycroft Place Attorney General and Reporter
Nashville, TN 37203
MICHAEL E. MOORE
WILLIAM D. MASSEY Solicitor General
3074 East Street
Memphis, TN 38128 JENNIFER L. SMITH (On Appeal)
GLENN R. PRUDE (At Hearing)
Assistant Attorneys General
Cordell Hull Building, 2nd Floor
425 Fifth Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37243-0493
WILLIAM L. GIBBONS
District Attorney General
JOHN W. CAMPBELL
Assistant District Attorney General
Criminal Justice Complex
Suite 301
201 Poplar Avenue
Memphis, TN 38103-1947
OPINION FILED:
AFFIRMED
JOE G. RILEY,
JUDGE
OPINION
Petitioner, Heck Van Tran, appeals from the dismissal of his petition for post-
conviction relief by the Criminal Court of Shelby County. He was previously
convicted on three counts of felony murder and sentenced to death on each count.
Although all three convictions were affirmed on direct appeal, only one death
sentence was affirmed. Petitioner now contends the trial court erred in dismissing
his petition for post-conviction relief and presents the following issues for review:
1. whether the original trial court erred in failing to inquire
into petitioner’s competency to stand trial;
2. whether the original trial court erred in defining
“reasonable doubt” in jury instructions during both the
guilt and sentencing phases of the trial;
3. whether petitioner’s death sentence is disproportionate
punishment in light of his present mental condition;
4. whether the post-conviction court erred in refusing
funding for expert services for an investigation of the
jury’s composition;
5. whether the post-conviction court erred in denying
petitioner’s request for inspection of the prosecution file
to seek exculpatory evidence;
6. whether petitioner’s execution is prohibited because he
is mentally retarded; and
7. whether petitioner was deprived of effective assistance
of counsel at his original trial.
After a careful review of the record, we find no reversible error and AFFIRM the
judgment of the trial court.
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
In June 1989, a Shelby County jury found petitioner guilty of three counts of
felony murder and sentenced him to death on all three counts. The three
convictions were affirmed on appeal; however, only one death sentence was
2
affirmed. State v. Van Tran, 864 S.W.2d 465 (Tenn. 1993). The other two death
sentences were set aside and remanded for resentencing. Id. at 490. The United
States Supreme Court denied the petition for writ of certiorari. Van Tran v.
Tennessee, 511 U.S. 1046, 114 S.Ct. 1577, 128 L.Ed.2d 220 (1994). Upon remand
of the two successfully challenged sentences, petitioner received two concurrent life
sentences.
Petitioner filed his petition for post-conviction relief on March 7, 1995. An
evidentiary hearing was conducted in October 1997. The petition was dismissed
by order entered February 13, 1998, and petitioner timely appealed to this Court.
Oral arguments were heard February 10, 1999.1
FACTS
We incorporate the following material facts as set forth by the Supreme Court
of Tennessee on direct appeal:
On the afternoon of October 20, 1987, Arthur Lee, Amy Lee,
and Kai Yin Chuey were found dead in the Jade East Restaurant in
Memphis. The restaurant had not yet opened for business that day,
and the victims had apparently been inside making preparations for
the evening. Jewelry with a wholesale value of $25,000 had been
taken from the restaurant. The State’s critical proof included: a
statement taken from the Defendant in which he admitted his
involvement in the crimes; Defendant’s fingerprint on one of the
jewelry cases taken during the robbery; and the eyewitness
identification of the Defendant by a survivor of the robbery.
...
The Defendant, Heck Van Tran, was born on November 8,
1966. His mother was Vietnamese; and his father, an American
serviceman, died in Vietnam in 1968. The Defendant started school
when he was six years old but stopped when Saigon fell. In 1983 a
Catholic relief agency resettled the Defendant and his mother in
Memphis. The Defendant briefly attended school before dropping out
in 1984.
After his arrest by the Houston, Texas, police, Defendant gave
a statement in which he acknowledged his role in the robbery and
1
Oral arguments were heard in Dyersburg, Tennessee. Students of the Lake County,
Dyer County and Dyersburg school systems attended at the invitation of this Court in an effort
to educate them about our judicial system.
3
murders. He stated that he had worked briefly at the Jade East
Restaurant a month or two before the crimes and that Mr. Lee had
fired him because “he didn’t like me” and “said I cooked too many egg
rolls.” The Defendant implicated Hung Van Chung, Kong Chung
Bounnam and Duc Phuoc Doan in the robbery. He stated that the
four men entered the back door of the restaurant and he talked to
Arthur Lee “for about ten minutes before there was any shooting.”
The Defendant had a .22 revolver, Bounnam a .44, Chung a .22 and
Doan a .25.
The Defendant described what happened after the group
pulled out their guns:
Mr. Lee grabbed Nam’s [Bounnam’s] hand with
the gun and elbowed him in the chest. Nam fell back
and hit the old lady. The old lady fell on me and when
she hit me it caused the gun to go off. I don’t know
what I hit that time. Mr. Lee then kicked Hung [Chung].
I heard Hung Chung shoot one or two times and then
Mr. Lee tried to grab the gun and Hung Chung shoot
him. While Mr. Lee was trying to get Hung [Chung’s]
gun, I told him not to or I would have to hurt him. He
turned and tried to get my gun and I shot him. He fell
and was moving around and I shot him in the face
somewhere. Then I walked thr[ough] the door where
they kept the money and gold. I looked up and saw the
old lady roll over. I thought she had something in her
hand. I shot her in the back of the head.
While the Defendant was in the office collecting the jewelry, he
heard more shots. He stated that he did not know “who was shooting
or what” or who had shot “the young girl,” Amy Lee. Upon leaving the
office, the Defendant saw Bounnam holding Ging Sam Lee. The
Defendant told Bounnam not to hurt her. Bounnam hit Mrs. Lee on
the back of the head, and all the assailants left.
Outside the restaurant, the Defendant discovered that
Bounnam had been shot in the left leg near the groin. Bounnam
claimed the Defendant had shot him. The group fled in Bounnam’s
Camaro to an acquaintance’s apartment. From there, the Defendant,
Bounnam and Chung drove Chung’s car to Washington, D.C.
Bounnam’s Camaro was left in Memphis. Doan remained in
Tennessee.
From Washington, the trio drove to Houston, Texas. Once in
Houston, the Defendant went to the Saigon Pool Hall and talked with
a Vietnamese man about selling some gold. The man took the gold
and returned in about ten minutes with $4,000.00. The Defendant
paid the man $200 and divided the rest three ways. Later, Bounnam
flew to North Carolina and Chung went to Dallas with a friend.
On April 28, 1988, almost six months after the robbery, the
Defendant was arrested in Houston. . . .
State v. Van Tran, 864 S.W.2d at 468-69.
4
STANDARD OF REVIEW
The petition for post-conviction relief was filed on March 7, 1995; therefore,
the prior Post-Conviction Procedure Act, Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-101 et seq.,
applies and not the Post-Conviction Procedure Act of 1995, Tenn. Code Ann. §40-
30-201 et seq. The new Act only applies to petitions filed after May 10, 1995.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-201 Compiler’s Notes.
Petitioner has the burden of proving his claims by a preponderance of the
evidence under the prior Act. Tidwell v. State, 922 S.W.2d 497, 500 (Tenn. 1996).
Findings of fact made by the trial court are conclusive on appeal unless the
evidence preponderates against the judgment. Cooper v. State, 849 S.W.2d 744,
746 (Tenn. 1993). Accordingly, we are bound to affirm the judgment unless the
evidence in the record preponderates against the findings of the trial court. Black
v. State, 794 S.W.2d 752, 755 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1990). The burden of establishing
that the evidence preponderates against the trial court’s findings is on the petitioner.
Henley v. State, 960 S.W.2d 572, 579 (Tenn. 1997).
After the evidentiary hearing, Honorable William H. Williams entered a
comprehensive 30-page Memorandum of Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law.
This excellent, extensive memorandum addressed each ground raised by petitioner
as required by Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-118(b).
TRIAL COURT’S FAILURE TO INQUIRE INTO COMPETENCY
Petitioner contends that the original trial court erred in failing to inquire into
his competency and trying him when he was not competent, thus violating his due
process rights. Petitioner failed to raise this issue on direct appeal; therefore, it is
“waived” and is not an appropriate ground for post-conviction relief. See Tenn.
Code Ann. § 40-30-112(b)(1); House v. State, 911 S.W.2d 705, 714 (Tenn. 1995).
Furthermore, for reasons hereinafter stated, petitioner has not made an appropriate
5
showing that the trial court had any reasonable basis to order a mental evaluation
and/or declare petitioner incompetent sua sponte.2
This issue is without merit.
REASONABLE DOUBT JURY INSTRUCTION
Petitioner contends the trial court’s definition of “reasonable doubt” was
constitutionally deficient in requiring proof to a “moral certainty” and excluding
“possible doubt” from the definition. This issue is “waived” since it was not raised
on direct appeal. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-112(b)(1). Furthermore, the trial court’s
“reasonable doubt” jury instruction has been held constitutional. See Carter v.
State, 958 S.W.2d 620, 626 (Tenn. 1997).
This issue is without merit.
DISPROPORTIONATE SENTENCE
Petitioner contends his death sentence is disproportionate and excessive
punishment in light of his present mental condition. Specifically, he contends he is
presently insane.
The Supreme Court of Tennessee conducted a proportionality analysis in the
direct appeal and concluded that the death penalty was “neither excessive nor
disproportionate.” State v. Van Tran, 864 S.W.2d at 482. Therefore, the issue of
proportionality has been “previously determined” and is not a proper ground for
post-conviction relief. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-112(a).
The Eighth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits the state
from inflicting the death penalty upon a prisoner who is insane. Ford v. Wainwright,
2
The failure of trial counsel to raise the issue of petitioner’s competence is discussed
under petitioner’s ineffective assistance of counsel claim.
6
477 U.S. 399, 410, 106 S.Ct. 2595, 91 L.Ed.2d 335 (1986); see also Jordan v.
State, 124 Tenn. 81, 87, 135 S.W. 327, 329 (1911)(discussing common law rule
that one cannot be tried, sentenced or punished while insane). However, this is not
a proportionality issue.
In spite of the constitutional prohibition against the execution of an insane
person, Tennessee has no specific statutory procedure by which to address this
issue post-trial. Many states have statutes explicitly requiring the suspension of the
execution of a prisoner who meets the legal test for incompetence. See Ford v.
Wainwright, 477 U.S. at 408, n.2. The Tennessee legislature should give
consideration to this issue.
Post-conviction relief is a statutory creation. Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-30-101et seq. (now § 40-30-201 et seq.). Neither these statutes nor any other statutes
make provisions to address such an issue. As an intermediate appellate court, we
are reluctant to create and vest jurisdiction in the trial court and establish a
procedural basis to address this issue.
Petitioner is unquestionably entitled to be heard in some forum on this issue.
In the event he is not accorded a state hearing, he can certainly seek federal relief.
Ford v. Wainwright, 477 U.S. at 410.
Accordingly, we leave this matter to the determination of the Tennessee
legislature and/or the Supreme Court of Tennessee.
EXPERT SERVICES
Petitioner contends the post-conviction court erred in failing to fund his
request for expert services to investigate the jury composition at his original trial.
Specifically, he contends the jury selection procedures utilized in Shelby County
violated the “fair cross-section” requirement of the Sixth Amendment to the United
States Constitution. See Duren v. Missouri, 439 U.S. 357, 99 S.Ct. 664, 58 L.Ed.2d
579 (1979). He contends expert assistance would establish that college students
7
and certain professionals constituted a “distinctive group” and were
unconstitutionally excluded by statutory exemptions.
The post-conviction court correctly noted the Tennessee Supreme Court’s
conclusion on direct appeal that petitioner failed to establish a prima facie violation
based upon statutory exemptions for college students and certain professionals.
The post-conviction court concluded this was a question of law which did not require
statistical analysis.
In order to receive state funding for expert services in a post-conviction
proceeding, a petitioner must demonstrate by specific factual proof that the services
of an expert are necessary, and the petitioner is unable to establish that ground for
post-conviction relief by other available evidence. Owens v. State, 908 S.W.2d 923,
928 (Tenn. 1995). The determination of the need for expert services is entrusted
to the sound discretion of the trial court. State v. Cazes, 875 S.W.2d 253, 261
(Tenn. 1994).
The post-conviction court correctly concluded that this was an issue of law
decided in the direct appeal. Thus, expert services would not be of assistance to
the petitioner. The trial court did not abuse its discretion in refusing state funds for
such expert services.
This issue is without merit.
INSPECTION OF PROSECUTION FILE
Petitioner contends the post-conviction court erred in refusing his request to
inspect the prosecution file under the Tennessee Public Records Act, Tenn. Code
Ann. § 10-7-503. The state contends Tenn. Code Ann. § 10-7-503 is inapplicable
since the state had a pending prosecution against one of petitioner’s co-defendants,
Kong Chung Bounnam.
Records relevant to a pending criminal action need not be disclosed under
the Tennessee Public Records Act. Appman v. Worthington, 746 S.W.2d 165, 166
8
(Tenn. 1987), Knoxville News-Sentinel v. Huskey, 982 S.W.2d 359, 361 (Tenn.
Crim. App. 1998). Since criminal action was pending against petitioner’s co-
defendant, petitioner was not entitled to the prosecution file under the Tennessee
Public Records Act.3
Petitioner contends that since he has been unable to inspect the prosecution
file, his claim of the prosecution withholding exculpatory evidence should not be
categorically rejected. See Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 83 S.Ct. 1194, 10
L.Ed.2d 215 (1963). As the post-conviction court correctly noted, petitioner has
made no showing that exculpatory evidence has been withheld. A trial court does
not abuse its discretion in refusing to examine the state’s entire file to seek
exculpatory evidence, absent more specific information. State v. Caughron, 855
S.W.2d 526, 541 (Tenn. 1993). Furthermore, there was no request that any files
or documents be placed under seal for appellate review. Thus, we are precluded
from considering the issue. See State v. Gibson, 973 S.W.2d 231, 244 (Tenn.
Crim. App. 1997); State v. Roberts, 755 S.W.2d 833, 836 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1988).
This issue is without merit.
MENTAL RETARDATION
Petitioner contends that he is “mentally retarded,” such that his execution is
prohibited by Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-203. The state contends Tenn. Code Ann.
§ 39-13-203 is inapplicable since it was not in effect on the date of the homicide;
and that, in any event, petitioner has failed to establish mental retardation.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-203(b) provides that “no defendant with mental
retardation at the time of committing first degree murder shall be sentenced to
death.” The statute also provides:
3
Although the case of co-defendant Bounnam was pending at the time of the post-
conviction hearing, petitioner alleges in his reply brief that the case has now concluded. Even
if true, this does not affect the correctness of the post-conviction court’s ruling. Petitioner is
not precluded from seeking future relief if it is appropriate under the statute.
9
(a) As used in this section, “mental retardation” means:
(1) Significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning as
evidenced by a functional intelligence quotient (I.Q.) of seventy (70)
or below;
(2) Deficits in adaptive behavior; and
(3) The mental retardation must have been manifested during the
developmental period, or by eighteen (18) years of age.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-13-203 (effective July 1, 1990). See 1990 Public Acts,
Chapter 1038, § 6. The homicide was committed in October 1987.
At the post-conviction hearing, petitioner presented the testimony of Dr.
Andrew Adler, a psychologist who administered psychological tests to the petitioner.
Dr. Adler testified that petitioner’s I.Q. was 67. However, the post-conviction court
found Dr. Adler misread the manual relating to I.Q. calculation. Dr. Lynn Zager, a
psychologist who testified for the state, related that the proper calculation was 72,
not 67.
As stated, the post-conviction court found Dr. Adler’s calculation of 67 to be
erroneous and Dr. Zager’s calculation of 72 to be correct. The evidence does not
preponderate against this finding. The post-conviction court’s findings are
conclusive on appeal unless the evidence preponderates otherwise. Butler v. State,
789 S.W.2d 898, 899 (Tenn. 1990); Adkins v. State, 911 S.W.2d 334, 341 (Tenn.
Crim. App. 1995). Therefore, we need not reach the issue as to whether Tenn.
Code Ann. § 39-13-203 is applicable to those who commit first degree murder prior
to its effective date.
This issue is without merit.
INEFFECTIVE ASSISTANCE OF COUNSEL
Petitioner contends he was deprived of effective assistance of counsel at his
trial. Specifically, he contends trial counsel were ineffective in the following
respects:
10
(1) failing to raise the issue of petitioner’s
competence to stand trial;
(2) failing to seek suppression of petitioner’s
confession based upon the denial of right
to counsel and petitioner’s inadequate
language comprehension;
(3) failing to request support services;
(4) failing to adequately voir dire the jury;
(5) failing to investigate and present
mitigating evidence;
(6) failing to properly address the issue of
disproportionality of petitioner’s death
penalty on appeal;
(7) failing to object to various errors in the
trial court; and
(8) failing to raise numerous other issues on
appeal.
Further, petitioner argues the cumulative effect of these various deficiencies
rendered his trial fundamentally unfair.
A. Appropriate Standards for Effective Assistance
This Court reviews a claim of ineffective assistance of counsel under the
standards of Baxter v. Rose, 523 S.W.2d 930 (Tenn. 1975), and Strickland v.
Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 104 S.Ct. 2052, 80 L.Ed.2d 674 (1984). The petitioner
has the burden to prove that the attorney’s performance was deficient, and the
deficient performance resulted in prejudice to the defendant so as to deprive him
of a fair trial. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. at 687, 104 S.Ct. at 2064; Goad
v. State, 938 S.W.2d 363, 369 (Tenn. 1996); Overton v. State, 874 S.W.2d 6, 11
(Tenn. 1994); Butler v. State, 789 S.W.2d at 899.
The test in Tennessee to determine whether counsel provided effective
assistance is whether his performance was within the range of competence
demanded of attorneys in criminal cases. Baxter v. Rose, 523 S.W.2d at 936. The
petitioner must overcome the presumption that counsel’s conduct falls within the
wide range of acceptable professional assistance. Strickland v. Washington, 466
U.S. at 689, 104 S.Ct. at 2065; Alley v. State, 958 S.W.2d 138, 149 (Tenn. Crim.
11
App. 1997); State v. Williams, 929 S.W.2d 385, 389 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1996).
Thus, in order to prove a deficiency, a petitioner must show that counsel’s acts or
omissions were so serious as to fall below an objective standard of reasonableness
based upon prevailing professional norms. Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. at
688, 104 S.Ct. at 2065; Henley v. State, 960 S.W.2d at 579; Goad v. State, 938
S.W.2d at 369.
In reviewing counsel's conduct, a "fair assessment . . . requires that every
effort be made to eliminate the distorting effects of hindsight, to reconstruct the
circumstances of counsel's challenged conduct, and to evaluate the conduct from
counsel's perspective at the time." Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. at 689, 104
S.Ct. at 2065. The fact that a particular strategy or tactic failed or hurt the defense,
does not, standing alone, establish unreasonable representation. However,
deference to matters of strategy and tactical choices applies only if those choices
are informed ones and based upon adequate preparation. Goad v. State, 938
S.W.2d at 369; Hellard v. State, 629 S.W.2d 4, 9 (Tenn. 1982); Alley v. State, 958
S.W.2d at 149; Cooper v. State, 847 S.W.2d 521, 528 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1992).
B. Testimony at Post-Conviction Hearing
The following testimony was elicited at the post-conviction hearing. Arthur
Quinn and Manuel Scarmoutsos were appointed by the trial court to represent
petitioner. Both were experienced criminal defense attorneys. Quinn had prior trial
experience in a case where the state sought the death penalty, the defendant
received a life sentence, and the Supreme Court of Tennessee reversed and found
defendant not guilty by reason of insanity. See State v. Clayton, 656 S.W.2d 344(Tenn. 1983). Scarmoutsos also had capital case experience under a previous
death penalty statute.
Scarmoutsos filed a motion to suppress petitioner’s confession. He did
extensive investigation in Texas where the confession was given, and argued
12
petitioner did not intelligently waive his Miranda rights due to his limited
comprehension of the English language. This argument was rejected at trial and
on appeal. See State v. Van Tran, 864 S.W.2d at 471-73.
Because of the devastating proof against petitioner, including fingerprint
evidence, eyewitness testimony and the confession, defense counsel endeavored
to negotiate a guilty plea. Although petitioner initially agreed to testify for the state
during the trial of a co-defendant, petitioner changed his mind on the day of trial.
Thereafter, petitioner rejected an offer of three consecutive life sentences.
Early in the attorney-client relationship, counsel had difficulty communicating
with petitioner due to the language barrier. However, once an interpreter was
secured, petitioner was able to understand. Based on their extensive dealings with
petitioner, neither counsel felt competency was an issue.
Prior to trial, counsel retained the services of Dr. J. L. Khanna, a clinical
psychologist. Based upon an examination, Dr. Khanna found petitioner to be below
the average intelligence level, depressed with suicidal ideations, and under a great
deal of stress. Counsel did not believe the findings of depression and stress to be
unusual, especially for a person facing a capital murder trial. There was no
indication from Dr. Khanna that petitioner was incompetent.
Dr. William D. Kenner, a forensic psychiatrist, testified on behalf of the
petitioner at the post-conviction hearing. Dr. Kenner was appointed by the Probate
Court in Davidson County in 1992 to determine whether the petitioner was
competent to make decisions about his medical care. He determined that petitioner
was not. Dr. Kenner was also retained by counsel in this post-conviction case and
performed an evaluation in April 1997. At the time of the post-conviction hearing,
Dr. Kenner believed the petitioner was suffering from chronic, severe paranoid
schizophrenia.
Dr. Kenner testified that the onset of this illness is preceded by a prodromal
phase that slowly develops over a number of months, sometimes years. Dr.
Kenner, having read Dr. Khanna’s report of April 1989, stated there was evidence
13
of this prodromal phase in the petitioner during his trial in June 1989. Dr. Kenner
also testified that the petitioner showed more progressive signs of this prodromal
phase during his initial processing by the Department of Correction in September
1989.
When asked whether he believed the petitioner was competent to stand trial,
Dr. Kenner testified:
I think there are some indicators that would raise that question.
And the indicators are that the way he handled himself is suicidal
ideation, that he is having periods of confusion that he attributes to a
headache. . . . So that those I think raise significant questions.
The other issue that I think makes it very difficult in this case
is that of language and culture. That it -- these issues are much
easier to pick up, to understand, in someone from the same culture
who is trained to examine someone and look at it. It becomes much
more difficult when you’re looking at someone from a different culture
with a different mother [tongue].
Dr. Kenner further testified that in his mind these indicators would have raised a
need for further inquiry into the petitioner’s mental state.
Dr. Murray Smith, a specialist in addictive medicine, evaluated the petitioner
for purposes of the post-conviction hearing. Dr. Smith determined that at the time
of the offense the petitioner was chemically dependent on drugs and alcohol dating
back to when he was eleven or twelve years old. Dr. Smith also concluded that the
petitioner had a sleep disorder and reactive hyperthyroidism and was in a
“hypervigilant, hyperactive state” at the time of the offense.
Dr. Andrew Adler, a counseling psychologist, was qualified as an expert in
measuring language intelligence and comprehension, and mental retardation.
Based upon his psychological evaluation of the petitioner in February 1997, Dr.
Adler concluded that the petitioner suffered from paranoid schizophrenia, post-
traumatic stress disorder, and mild mental retardation. He calculated petitioner’s
I.Q. at 67 but was cross-examined as to the accuracy of this calculation.
According to Dr. Adler, the petitioner’s vocabulary and language skills at the
time of the evaluation were comparable to a first or second grader’s. Dr. Adler
further testified that he did not think the petitioner could have understood sufficiently
14
to knowingly and voluntarily waive his Miranda rights. According to Dr. Adler,
people from Southeast Asia stereotypically answer in the affirmative because they
are taught to respect authority and not to offend others.
The state’s witness, Dr. Lynn Zager, Clinical Director of Midtown Mental
Health Center in Memphis, testified as an expert in psychology. Given the number
scores Dr. Adler obtained from the petitioner’s I.Q. test, Dr. Zager testified that the
petitioner’s I.Q. was 72, not 67. It appears from Dr. Zager’s testimony that Dr. Adler
simply miscalculated the result based upon petitioner’s number scores.
C. Competency
Petitioner contends trial counsel were ineffective in failing to raise the issue
of petitioner’s competence to stand trial. The state contends petitioner was
competent and there was no reason for trial counsel to raise this issue.
A summary of pertinent findings and conclusions by the post-conviction judge
as set forth in his memorandum is as follows:
(1) petitioner had experienced trial counsel familiar with the
issue of incompetency;
(2) petitioner was able to confer with his counsel in a
“reasonably intelligent manner;”
(3) Dr. Khanna, an experienced clinical psychologist who
evaluated petitioner prior to trial, did not indicate that
petitioner was incompetent;
(4) neither petitioner’s mother, his sponsor from Catholic
Charities, his friends nor any other person raised any
questions concerning the petitioner’s mental status at
the time of trial;
(5) trial counsel “had no reasonable basis to inquire into the
mental capacity of the Petitioner at that time to stand
trial;”
(6) Dr. Kenner’s testimony indicates petitioner would have
been in the prodromal stages of schizophrenia at the
time of trial;
(7) Dr. Kenner testified only that there were “possible
indicators” raising the issue of competency;
(8) no expert testimony indicates that petitioner was
incompetent at the time of trial;
15
(9) “[t]he record does not show a scintilla of substantive
proof that Petitioner was incompetent to stand trial;”
(10) petitioner was competent to stand trial;
(11) petitioner was not insane at the time of the commission
of the murders; and
(12) petitioner’s I.Q. is 72, not 67.
Based upon these findings, the post-conviction court concluded that neither
prong of Strickland had been met. Specifically, the court found that trial counsel’s
performance was not deficient. Furthermore, the post-conviction court found
petitioner was not prejudiced by trial counsel’s performance since petitioner was,
in fact, competent to stand trial.
After a careful review of the record, we conclude the evidence does not
preponderate against these findings by the post-conviction court. Petitioner has,
therefore, failed to establish that trial counsel’s performance was in any way
deficient, or that he was prejudiced by their performance. See Strickland v.
Washington, 466 U.S. at 687, 104 S.Ct. at 2064; Goad v. State, 938 S.W.2d at 369.
This issue is without merit.
D. Suppression of Confession
Petitioner contends trial counsel were deficient in their handling of the motion
to suppress his confession. Specifically, he contends they were deficient in failing
to offer expert proof concerning his lack of language comprehension and in failing
to challenge the confession based upon the Sixth Amendment right to counsel.
The post-conviction court found no deficiencies by trial counsel.
Furthermore, the court found no prejudice since a Sixth Amendment argument
would have been unsuccessful.
Counsel pursued a motion to suppress the confession at the trial level and
on appeal. On appeal, the Tennessee Supreme Court specifically noted petitioner’s
language difficulties, yet found the petitioner to have voluntarily, knowingly and
intelligently waived his Miranda rights. State v. Van Tran, 864 S.W.2d at 471-73.
Petitioner has not shown that failing to retain the services of a language
16
comprehension expert was below the range of competence demanded of attorneys
practicing criminal law. Furthermore, he has not shown a reasonable probability
that the utilization of such an expert would have led to suppression of the
confession. See Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. at 687, 104 S.Ct. at 2064;
Baxter v. Rose, 523 S.W.2d at 936.
Additionally, petitioner has failed to establish prejudice due to the failure of
trial counsel to argue a Sixth Amendment right to counsel violation. The Tennessee
Supreme Court concluded the petitioner properly waived his Miranda rights. State
v. Van Tran, 864 S.W.2d at 473. Petitioner has made no showing that the result
would have been any different had counsel added a Sixth Amendment argument
and/or Article I, § 9 Tennessee Constitution argument.
This issue is without merit.
E. Support Services
Petitioner contends trial counsel were ineffective in failing to seek necessary
expert services to challenge the composition of the jury pool. Specifically, petitioner
contends the statutory exemptions for college students and certain professionals
deprived him of a fair cross-section of the community. This issue is discussed
previously under the section EXPERT SERVICES. A statistical analysis would not
have benefited petitioner. For the same reasons that the post-conviction court did
not err in refusing such expert services, trial counsel were not deficient in failing to
request such services.
This issue is without merit.
F. Voir Dire
Petitioner contends trial counsel were ineffective in the voir dire of the jury.
Specifically, he contends trial counsel were ineffective in failing to: (1) sufficiently
inquire into the content of publicity to which prospective jurors had been exposed;
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(2) sufficiently question if jurors would automatically impose the death penalty upon
a first degree murder conviction; (3) sufficiently question if jurors could consider
mitigating evidence; and (4) challenge certain prospective jurors for cause. The
post-conviction court found no deficiency on the part of trial counsel.
Like the post-conviction court, we are unable to conclude that trial counsels’
performance in this regard was below the range of competence demanded of
attorneys in criminal cases. See Baxter v. Rose, 523 S.W.2d at 936. Furthermore,
petitioner has not shown that there is a reasonable probability that the result of the
proceeding would have been different had counsel conducted voir dire differently.
See Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. at 694, 104 S.Ct. at 2068; Henley v. State,
960 S.W.2d at 579.
This issue is without merit.
G. Failure to Present Mitigation Evidence
Petitioner contends trial counsel were deficient in failing to investigate and
present additional mitigating evidence. Specifically, petitioner contends trial counsel
should have presented additional evidence relating to his: (1) Amerasian status; (2)
dysfunctional relationship with his mother; (3) being fatherless in a patriarchal
society; (4) status as a refugee in Vietnam; and (5) medical condition in explanation
of his commission of the crimes.
The post-conviction court found that trial counsel conducted a proper
investigation and were not deficient in presenting mitigating evidence at the penalty
phase of trial. Trial counsel were aware of petitioner’s cultural background and
social history as a result of their investigation. They presented proof from several
witnesses in the penalty phase, including an FBI agent who testified to petitioner’s
cooperation in locating the co-defendants; two employers who testified that
petitioner was a good employee; petitioner’s Catholic Charities sponsor with whom
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petitioner had lived; Dr. Khanna who testified about petitioner’s life in Vietnam and
remorse for the crimes; and petitioner’s mother.
Furthermore, in conducting its proportionality review, the Tennessee
Supreme Court specifically noted petitioner’s cooperation with the FBI, good
employment history, lack of prior criminal involvement, remorse for the homicides,
personal history as a child of a Vietnamese mother and an American father, difficult
childhood and educational problems. State v. Van Tran, 864 S.W.2d at 482.
Despite these findings, the court found the death penalty was not disproportionate.
First, we conclude the evidence does not preponderate against the post-
conviction court’s finding that trial counsel’s performance was not deficient.
Second, we conclude petitioner has failed to establish prejudice. In reaching the
latter determination we must: (1) analyze the nature and extent of the mitigating
evidence not presented; (2) consider whether substantially similar mitigating
evidence was presented; and (3) consider whether there was such strong evidence
of aggravating factors that the mitigating evidence would not have affected the jury’s
determination. Goad v. State, 938 S.W.2d at 371.
The suggested mitigating evidence related to petitioner’s cultural and social
background and his medical condition. Much of this evidence is similar to that
which was presented to the jury. Furthermore, considering the nature and
circumstances of the offense, and the applicability of the two aggravating
circumstances of mass murder and depravity of mind, we conclude petitioner has
not established a reasonable probability that the jury’s determination would have
been different had this evidence been presented.
This issue is without merit.
H. Proportionality of Death Sentence
Petitioner contends trial counsel were deficient in failing to properly present
the issue of proportionality on direct appeal. The post-conviction court found
counsel were not deficient in their appellate representation.
We conclude petitioner has failed to establish prejudice with regard to this
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issue. The Tennessee Supreme Court addressed the issue of proportionality and
found the death penalty to be neither excessive nor disproportionate. State v. Van
Tran, 864 S.W.2d at 482. Petitioner has not shown a reasonable probability that
the result would have been different had other matters been argued on appeal.
This issue is without merit.
I. Failure to Object
Petitioner contends counsel were ineffective in failing to object to various
errors in the trial court and failing to raise those issues on appeal. Specifically, he
complains of counsels’ failure: (1) to insure an accurate record of voir dire; (2) to
object to the lack of jury admonitions given by the trial court under Tenn. R. Crim.
P. 24(f); (3) to object to the prosecutor’s sympathy argument; (4) to object to the
prosecutor’s argument minimizing the jury’s sentencing responsibilities; (5) to object
to the prosecutor’s arguing outside the record; and (6) to object to the prosecutor’s
characterization of defendant’s mitigating evidence as “excuses.”
The post-conviction court found that counsels’ appellate performance did not
fall below the range of competency of attorneys who practice criminal law.
We conclude that petitioner has not established a reasonable probability that
the result would have been different if trial counsel had preserved and argued these
issues. Petitioner’s failure to establish the prejudice prong alleviates the necessity
of addressing the deficiency prong. See Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. at 697,
104 S.Ct. at 2069; Goad v. State, 938 S.W.2d at 370.
This issue is without merit.
J. Unconstitutionality of the Death Penalty
Petitioner contends trial counsel were ineffective in failing to preserve and
appeal various issues relating to the unconstitutionality of the death penalty.
Specifically, petitioner cites thirteen constitutional deficiencies in the statutes and
procedures relating to the death penalty. He contends counsel were ineffective in
failing to preserve and appeal these issues. He acknowledges that prior decisions
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in this state have considered and rejected most of the grounds but raises them to
preserve them for federal review.
On direct appeal the Tennessee Supreme Court found two aggravating
circumstances were properly applied. State v. Van Tran, 864 S.W.2d at 478-80.
The court further performed a proportionality review and found the death sentence
to be appropriate. Id. at 482. The court also considered the constitutionality of the
death penalty and death penalty statute and found no constitutional infirmity. Id. at
481-82. Furthermore, the constitutionality of the death penalty and death penalty
statutes has consistently been upheld. See State v. Hines, 919 S.W.2d 573, 581-
82 (Tenn. 1995); State v. Brimmer, 876 S.W.2d 75, 83-88 (Tenn. 1994); State v.
Cazes, 875 S.W.2d at 268-70.
Petitioner has failed to establish that counsel were deficient, or that petitioner
was prejudiced in any manner by the failure to raise these constitutional issues.
This issue is without merit.
K. Cumulative Errors
Finally, petitioner argues that the cumulative effect of counsels’ deficiencies
rendered his trial fundamentally unfair. We have reviewed each allegation of
ineffective assistance of counsel and found each to be without merit. We further
conclude petitioner’s trial was not fundamentally unfair due to counsels’
performance.
This issue is without merit.
CONCLUSION
After a careful examination of the record, we conclude that there is no
reversible error; therefore, the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
The sentence of death shall be carried out as provided by law on August 2,
1999, unless otherwise ordered by an appropriate court.
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_____________________________
JOE G. RILEY, JUDGE
CONCUR:
____________________________________
JOHN H. PEAY, JUDGE
____________________________________
JAMES C. BEASLEY, SR., SPECIAL JUDGE
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