Wyre, Stevie ( 2015 )

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Opinion issued August 29, 2014
In The
Court of gppeal*
For The
jfit&t JBfetrtct of flfoca*
NO. 01-13-00414-CR
STEVIE WYRE, Appellant
V.
THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee
On Appeal from the 179th District Court
Harris County, Texas
Trial Court Case No. 1364440
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Stevie Wyre pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault of a child younger
than fourteen years of age without an agreed recommendation on punishment.
After a hearing on the presentence investigation (PSI), the trial court found
appellant guilty and assessed his punishment at twenty-five years in prison.
In three points of error, appellant contends that (1) he received ineffective
assistance of counsel during the PSI hearing, (2) the trial court erred in accepting
letters prior to sentencing containing unsworn victim impact statements requesting
that appellant be given a life sentence, and (3) appellant's twenty-five year
sentence is disproportionately severe and violates the Eighth Amendment's
prohibition against the infliction of cruel and unusual punishment. We affirm.
Background
Appellant pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting A.C., his thirteen-year-old
stepdaughter.1 The caseworker with the Texas Department of Family and
Protective Services (DFPS) testified at the PSI hearing that all three girls had "a lot
of fear in them" and were having a "really hard time disclosing and talking about
the abuse." A.C., for example, did not want to celebrate her recent birthday
because appellant had sexually assaulted her on her birthday. The caseworker
informed all three girls that they "had the opportunity to come [to] court and
express their desire" or write out a statement for the court that she would deliver
for them. At the conclusion of the caseworker's testimony, the State
acknowledged that it had provided copies of the girls' letters to the court and
i
Originally charged with one count of Aggravated Sexual Assault of a Child under
14 (A.C., the complainant), one count of Sexual Assault of a Child 14-17 (M.C.)
and Prohibited Sexual Conduct (M.G.), the disposition of the charges regarding
the two other sisters is not apparent from the record.
defense counsel. Asked by the court if defense counsel objected to "these being
admitted to the PSI report," he replied, "No, Your Honor, I have no objection."
Appellant also testified at the PSI hearing and proved that he was eligible for
community supervision (e.g., he had never been convicted in any state of a felony
offense, or placed on felony adult probation). He testified that, were the court to
place him on community supervision, he would follow the court's rules and work
to support his ten dependents. Appellant further testified that he had an eleven-
month-old and a five-year-old who needed him, and he asked the court for a
second chance so that he could be there for his kids and "be a better father." He
acknowledged, however, that if placed on community supervision, he would be
prohibited from having any contact with those children and would be under orders
to pay child support.
On cross-examination, appellant admitted that he had sexually assaulted his
three stepdaughters and had beaten M.G. after she told a school counselor about
the ongoing abuse. Nevertheless, appellant testified that he wanted to change his
life and that he deserved a second chance because he knew he was a "good father"
to his children. Despite his admissions of having sexually assaulted A.C. on two
previous occasions, appellant considered himself a good father because he helped
her with her homework and cared for her when she was sick.
Both the State and the defense made closing arguments. In closing, the State
asked the court to "look at the letters from the children" and to consider all of the
evidence in the PSI report. The PSI report was entered into evidence, along with
the attached letters. After confirming that the PSI report had been offered and
admitted into evidence, the trial court found appellant guilty and assessed his
punishment at twenty-five years' incarceration. Appellant did not object to the
assessed punishment during the hearing or challenge his assessed punishment in a
motion for new trial.
Disproportionate-Sentence Claim
Appellant's second point of error contends that the trial court erred when it
assessed his punishment at twenty-five years' incarceration because the imposition
of such a disproportionately severe punishment in this case violates the Eighth
Amendment's prohibition against the infliction of cruel and unusual punishment.
See U.S. Const, amend. VIII.
Appellant concedes that he has not preserved this issue for appellate review.
See Tex. R. App. P. 33.1(a) ("As a prerequisite to presenting a complaint for
appellate review, the record must show that: (1) the complaint was made to the trial
court by a timely request, objection, or motion . . . ."); see also Landers v. State,
402 S.W.3d 252, 254 (Tex. Crim. App. 2013). He nevertheless contends that we
should reach the merits of his argument because the trial court's imposition of such
a disproportionately severe punishment amounts to fundamental error.
Contrary to appellant's position, the right to be free from cruel and unusual
punishment pursuant to the Eighth Amendment is a waiveable constitutional right,
and, thus, disproportionate-sentence claims must be preserved for appellate review.
See Nolandv. State, 264 S.W.3d 144, 151 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist] 2007,
pet. refd) ("[I]n order to preserve for appellate review a complaint that a sentence
is grossly disproportionate, constituting cruel and unusual punishment, a defendant
must present to the trial court a timely request, objection, or motion stating the
specific grounds for the ruling desired."); see also Rhoades v. State, 934 S.W.2d
113, 120 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996) (noting that constitutional rights, including right
to be free from cruel and unusual punishment, may be waived). Here, it is
undisputed that appellant did not assert his disproportionate-sentence claim during
the punishment hearing nor did he file a motion for new trial or otherwise present
his objection to the imposed sentence. As such, appellant has not preserved this
issue for our review. See Tex. R. App. P. 33.1(a)(1); Clark v. State, 365 S.W.3d
333, 339 (Tex. Crim. App. 2012); see also Noland, 264 S.W.3d at 151-52.
Even were appellant to have preserved this complaint for our review, he
would still not be entitled to relief. Appellate courts rarely consider a punishment
that is within the statutory range for the offense established by the Legislature to be
excessive or unconstitutionally cruel or unusual under either the Texas
Constitution or the United States Constitution. See Ajisebutu v. State, 236 S.W.3d
309, 314 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist] 2007, pet. ref d); see also Kirk v. State,
949 S.W.2d 769, 772 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1997, pet. ref d). Indeed, the trial
court's discretion to impose any punishment within the prescribed range has been
described by the Court of Criminal Appeals as being "essentially unfettered." Ex
parte Chavez, 213 S.W.3d 320, 323 (Tex. Crim. App. 2006). Aggravated sexual
assault of a child is a first-degree felony, carrying a punishment range of five to
ninety-nine years or life imprisonment in TDCJ. Tex. Penal Code Ann.
§ 12.32(a); see also Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 22.021(e). Thus, appellant's twenty-
five year sentence falls within the statutory range for his offense, and as such, is
presumptively neither cruel nor unusual.
An assessed punishment that is within the statutory range, however, must
still be proportionate to the underlying offense. See Ex parte Chavez, 213 S.W.3d
at 323; Ajisebutu, 236 S.W.3d at 314. We analyze Eighth Amendment challenges
by reviewing the proportionality of the sentence compared to the crime. See
Graham v. Florida, 560 U.S. 48, 60, 130 S. Ct. 2011, 2022 (2010); Solem v. Helm,
463 U.S. 277, 292, 103 S. Ct. 3001, 3011 (1983). Our objective analysis is guided
by (1) the gravity of the offense and the harshness of the penalty; (2) the sentences
imposed on other criminals in the same jurisdiction; and (3) the sentences imposed
for the commission of the crime in other jurisdictions. Id.; Culton v. State, 95
S.W.3d 401, 403 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist] 2002, pet. refd). Only if we
find that the sentence is grossly disproportionate to the offense under the first
factor will we then consider the next two factors to determine whether the sentence
is unconstitutionally excessive. Graham, 560 U.S. at 60, 130 S. Ct. at 2022.
Appellant argues that a twenty-five year sentence is grossly disproportionate
to the crime in light of the fact that he was eligible for community supervision (i.e.,
he has no prior felony convictions and has never been granted adult probation).
That appellant was eligible for community supervision, however, is irrelevant to a
comparison of the gravity of appellant's offense and the harshness of his sentence.
See Jacoby v. State, 227 S.W.3d 128, 131 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2006,
pet. refd) (citing Solem, 463 U.S. at 292, 103 S. Ct. at 3011). With regard to the
second and third prongs, appellant makes a blanket assertion—that "there is
evidence in the record . . . reflecting sentences imposed on similar offenses in
Texas or other jurisdictions." But no citation to the appellate record is given, and
the record contains no such evidence. Indeed, nothing in the record shows that
appellant's punishment is grossly disproportionate to the charged crime of sexual
assault ofa child less than fourteen years ofage.2
We further note that our sister courts have upheld more severe punishments for
similarly charged offenses. See, e.g., Arriaga v. State, 335 S.W.3d 331; 335 (Tex.
App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2010, pet. refd) (holding life sentence for aggravated
We overrule appellant's second point of error.
Unsworn Victim Impact Statements Included in PSI
Appellant's third point of error contends that the trial court erred by
"accepting letters from the state containing unsworn victim impact statements."
The letters were from the complainant and her sisters, M.G. and M.C., all of whom
appellant testified to having sexually assaulted. In these letters, appellant's three
stepdaughters expressed their opinion that appellant should be imprisoned for the
charged offense. In fact, two of the girls, including the complainant, stated that
appellant should be assessed the maximum punishment in this case of life
imprisonment.
Here, again, appellant concedes that he did not object to the trial court's
consideration of the letters on any ground and has not preserved this issue for our
review. See Tex. R. App. P. 33.1(a) ("As a prerequisite to presenting a complaint
for appellate review, the record must show that: (1) the complaint was made to the
trial court by a timely request, objection, or motion . . . ."); see also Landers, 402
S.W.3d at 254. He nevertheless contends that we should reach the merits of his
argument because the trial court's consideration of the letters prior to sentencing in
sexual assault of child less than fourteen years of age was not grossly
disproportionate to offense and, therefore, constitutionally permissible);
Williamson v. State, 175 S.W.3d 522, 525 (Tex. App.—Texarkana 2005, no pet.)
(holding three consecutive life sentences for three counts of aggravated sexual
assault of child less than fourteen years of age not grossly disproportionate to
offense and, therefore, constitutionallypermissible).
violation of Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Article 42.03 amounts to
fundamental error.
First, article 42.03, which permits a "victim . . . to appear in person to
present to the court and to the defendant a statement of the person's views about
the offense, the defendant, and the effect of the offense on the victim," does not
apply to victim statements included in PSI reports that are admitted into evidence
before the pronouncement of sentencing. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art.
42.03 (West 2006 & Supp. 2013) (emphasis added); Fryer v. State, 68 S.W.3d 628,
632 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002) (holding that article 42.03 does not prohibit trial
courts from considering victim's punishment recommendations in PSI report and,
indeed, article 42.03 has "nothing to do with a PSI at all."). Second, any
objections to the admission of a PSI report, including its contents, must be
preserved for appellate review. See Brand v. State, 414 S.W.3d 854 (Tex. App.—
Houston [1st Dist.] 2013, pet. refd). That was not done here. See Moody v. State,
827 S.W.2d 875, 889 (Tex. Crim. App. 1992); Dean v. State, 749 S.W.2d 80, 83
(Tex. Crim. App. 1988).
Even had appellant preserved this issue, however, his position is untenable.
When assessing punishment, a trial court may consider any evidence relevant to
sentencing, including the contents of a PSI report. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. art.
42.12, § 9; see Jagaroo v. State, 180 S.W.3d 793, 799 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th
Dist.] 2005, pet. refd) ("The trial court was authorized by statute to consider the
PSI report and testimony [of the victim and the victim's relatives] prior to
pronouncing punishment."). The Court of Criminal Appeals has recognized that a
PSI report may contain evidence that, in the punishment stage of a trial, would
have been inadmissible due to its subject matter, and held that a trial court has
authority to consider a victim's punishment recommendation when it is contained
within a PSI report. Fryer, 68 S.W.3d at 632.
We overrule appellant's second point of error.
Ineffective Assistance of Counsel
Appellant's third point of error contends that he received ineffective
assistance of counsel during the PSI hearing based on his trial counsel's failure to
object to (1) unsworn victim impact statements that were entered into evidence
before his punishment was assessed, and (2) the assessed punishment on the
ground that it was cruel and unusual because it was grossly disproportionate to the
underlying offense.
A. Standard of Review and Applicable Law
To prevail on an ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claim, the defendant must
demonstrate, by a preponderance of the evidence, that (1) his trial counsel's
performance was deficient and (2) a reasonable probability exists that, but for the
deficiency, the result of the proceeding would have been different. Strickland v.
10
Washington, 466 U.S. 668, 687, 694, 104 S. Ct. 2052, 2064, 2068 (1984); see also
Hernandez v. State, 988 S.W.2d 770, 770-74 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999) (holding
Strickland standard applies to ineffective-assistance-of-counsel claims regarding
noncapital sentencing proceedings). Under the first prong of Strickland, the
defendant must show that his counsel's performance fell below an objective
standard of reasonableness. Robertson v. State, 187 S.W.3d 475, 483 (Tex. Crim.
App. 2006); Thompson v. State, 9 S.W.3d 808, 812 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). The
second prong of Strickland requires the defendant to demonstrate prejudice—a
reasonable probability that, but for his counsel's unprofessional errors, the result of
the proceeding would have been different. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694, 104 S. Ct.
at 2068; Thompson, 9 S.W.3d at 812. "A reasonable probability is a probability
sufficient to undermine confidence in the outcome." Strickland, 466 U.S. at 694,
104 S. Q. at 2068.
We indulge a strong presumption that counsel's conduct fell within the wide
range of reasonable professional assistance, and therefore the defendant must
overcome the presumption that the challenged action constitutes "sound trial
strategy." Id. at 689, 104 S. Ct. at 2065; Williams v. State, 301 S.W.3d 675, 687
(Tex. Crim. App. 2009). Our review is highly deferential to counsel, and we do
not speculate regarding counsel's trial strategy. Bone v. State, 77 S.W.3d 828, 833
(Tex. Crim. App. 2002). If the record is silent regarding the reasons for counsel's
11
conduct—as it usually is on direct appeal—then the record is insufficient to
overcome the presumption that counsel followed a legitimate trial strategy. Tong
v. State, 25 S.W.3d 707, 713-14 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000) (holding counsel's failure
to object to "arguably objectionable" victim impact testimony and evidence was
not ineffective assistance of counsel when record was silent as to counsel's
strategy); see also Mata v. State, 226 S.W.3d 425, 431 (Tex. Crim. App. 2007)
(rejecting court of appeals's conclusion that there was "no conceivable reason" for
trial counsel's actions and stating that because record was silent on this point,
defendant "failed to rebut the presumption that trial counsel's decision was in some
way—be it conceivable or not—reasonable").
B. Analysis
The record is silent regarding why counsel did not object to the admission of
the girls' letters as part of the PSI report or to the punishment assessed. Without
trial counsel's explanation, the record is insufficient to evaluate whether counsel's
assistance fell below an objective standard of reasonableness. See Tong, 25
S.W.3d at 713-14 (holding counsel's failure to object to "arguably objectionable"
victim impact testimony and evidence was not ineffective assistance of counsel
when trial record was silent as to counsel's strategy); see also Thompson, 9 S.W.3d
at 813 (holding that record must affirmatively demonstrate alleged
ineffectiveness). As such, appellant has failed to overcome the strong presumption
12
that his counsel's conduct was based on a legitimate trial strategy. See Strickland,
466 U.S. at 689, 104 S. Ct. at 2065; Williams, 301 S.W.3d at 687.
Additionally, before we may conclude that counsel was ineffective for
failing to make an objection, appellant must show that the trial judge would have
erred in overruling the objection. Vaughn v. State, 931 S.W.2d 564, 566 (Tex.
Crim. App. 1996). It is not ineffective assistance for trial counsel to forego making
frivolous arguments and objections. See Edmond v. State, 116 S.W.3d 110, 115
(Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2002, pet. refd). As previously discussed, the
trial court would not have erred in overruling either objection. Accordingly,
appellant has failed to meet the first prong of the Strickland test.
Appellant's argument that his counsel's failure to object to his punishment
on Eighth Amendment grounds is equivalent to the denial of counsel altogether,
and that, therefore, prejudice can be legally presumed, is equally unavailing. The
Strickland analysis does not apply when prejudice is "presumed." See United
States v. Cronic, 466 U.S. 648, 659, 104 S. Ct. 2039, 2047 (1984). If a defendant
can demonstrate that his counsel "entirely fail[ed] to subject the prosecution's case
to meaningful adversarial testing," such that there was a constructive denial of the
assistance ofcounsel altogether, then prejudice is legally presumed. See Cannon v.
State, 252 S.W.3d 342, 349-50 (Tex. Crim. App. 2008) (citing Cronic, 466 U.S. at
658-59, 104 S. Ct. 2039, 2046^17); see also Bell v. Cone, 535 U.S. 685, 696-97,
13
< 1 • i
122 S. Ct. 1843, 1851 (2002) (noting that, under Cronic, defense counsel's failure
to test prosecution's case must be "complete" before prejudice is presumed).
Here, appellant's counsel participated in all aspects of the punishment
hearing, including making objections, cross-examining the State's witness,
eliciting testimony from appellant, and making a closing statement. As such, the
record does not reflect that appellant's counsel failed to subject the State's case to
"meaningful adversarial testing." Compare Cannon, 252 S.W.3d at 350-52
(holding defendant was constructively denied his right to effective assistance of
counsel when his counsel refused to participate in jury selection, enter plea for his
client, make opening or closing statement, cross-examine any of State's witnesses,
make any objections, offer any defense, request any special jury instructions, or
\
offer any evidence or argument with respect to punishment).
We overrule appellant's first point of error.
Conclusion
We affirm the trial court's judgment.
Jim Sharp
Justice
Panel consists of Justices Keyes, Sharp, and Huddle.
Do not publish. Tex. R. App. P. 47.2(b).
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