Freddie Jerome Hargrave v. The State of Texas--Appeal from 8th District Court of Franklin County

In The

Court of Appeals

Sixth Appellate District of Texas at Texarkana

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No. 06-03-00090-CR

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FREDDIE JEROME HARGRAVE, Appellant

V.

THE STATE OF TEXAS, Appellee

On Appeal from the 8th Judicial District Court

Franklin County, Texas

Trial Court No. 7,531

Before Morriss, C.J., Ross and Carter, JJ.

Opinion by Justice Ross

O P I N I O N

Freddie Jerome Hargrave pled guilty to forgery without a plea agreement. // The trial court accepted the plea of guilty, finding it was freely and voluntarily made. Following the filing of a presentence investigation (PSI) report and testimony from Hargrave, punishment was assessed by the trial court at two years' confinement and restitution in the amount of $514.14. The trial court granted the State's motion to cumulate and ordered Hargrave's sentence for forgery be served consecutively with a term he was then serving for burglary of a habitation. //

Hargrave contends on appeal that (1) his guilty plea was not made voluntarily with a full understanding of its consequences; (2) he did not properly waive his right to a trial by jury; (3) the State did not introduce evidence showing his guilt as required by the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure; and (4) his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to call rebuttal witnesses during his punishment hearing.

Voluntariness of Guilty Plea

Hargrave first contends his guilty plea was not made voluntarily with full knowledge of its consequences. // He contends this is evidenced by his many assertions of being confused at both the plea hearing and the subsequent punishment hearing.

No plea of guilty or nolo contendere shall be accepted by a trial court unless it appears the defendant is mentally competent and the plea is free and voluntary. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 26.13(b) (Vernon Supp. 2004). When reviewing the voluntariness of a guilty plea, the record is viewed as a whole. See Williams v. State, 522 S.W.2d 483, 485 (Tex. Crim. App. 1975). Voluntariness of a plea is determined by the totality of the circumstances. See Griffin v. State, 703 S.W.2d 193, 196 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986).

A finding that a defendant was duly admonished creates a prima facie showing that a guilty plea was entered knowingly and voluntarily. Ex parte Gibauitch, 688 S.W.2d 868, 871 (Tex. Crim. App. 1985). Further, when a defendant indicates at the plea hearing he or she understands the nature of the proceeding and is pleading guilty because the allegations in the indictment are true, not because of any outside pressure or influence, the defendant has a heavy burden to prove on appeal that his or her plea was involuntary. Crawford v. State, 890 S.W.2d 941, 944 (Tex. App. San Antonio 1994, no pet.).

Article 26.13(a) requires the trial court to admonish a defendant, before accepting his or her plea, of (1) the punishment range, (2) the fact that the state's sentencing recommendation is not binding on the court, (3) the limited right to appeal in cases where the court follows a plea agreement, (4) the possibility of deportation, and (5) the fact the defendant would have to register as a sex offender if the conviction was for a sex offense. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 26.13(a) (Vernon Supp. 2004).

The purpose of the admonishments is to ensure the defendant enters his or her plea with full knowledge of the consequences. See Carranza v. State, 980 S.W.2d 653, 656 (Tex. Crim. App. 1998). The admonishments under Article 26.13(a) are not constitutionally required, and their purpose and function is to assist the trial court in making the determination that a guilty plea is knowingly and voluntarily entered. See Aguirre-Mata v. State, 992 S.W.2d 495, 498 99 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999); Alvarez v. State, 63 S.W.3d 578, 581 (Tex. App. Fort Worth 2001, no pet.).

At the plea hearing, the trial court properly admonished Hargrave concerning all the relevant and direct consequences of his guilty plea. The trial court properly admonished Hargrave that the punishment range for the offense charged was confinement for 180 days to two years. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 26.13(a)(1). In addition, although not required to do so, the court admonished Hargrave that the court had discretion in his case to make the sentence run consecutively instead of concurrently. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 42.08 (Vernon Supp. 2004); Simmons v. State, 457 S.W.2d 281, 283 (Tex. Crim. App. 1970). The court also admonished Hargrave on "up front" time he might be required to serve in the event he was placed on community supervision. Hargrave stated he understood all of the admonishments.

The trial court did not explicitly admonish Hargrave of the fact that the State's sentencing recommendation was not binding on the court, of the limited right to appeal in cases where the court follows a plea agreement, of the possibility of deportation, or of the fact he would have to register as a sex offender if the conviction was for a sex offense. None of these admonishments, however, were relevant to Hargrave and could not have factored in his decision to enter a plea of guilty. // The court substantially complied with Article 26.13(a), and Hargrave had full knowledge of the relevant consequences of his guilty plea.

The trial court also inquired into Hargrave's competency. Hargrave stated that he knew what was going on in the courtroom, that he knew the date, and that he was able to talk with his attorney and understand the advice he was given. Hargrave also stated that he was pleading guilty because he was guilty and for no other reason, that he was pleading guilty freely and voluntarily, and that no one had coerced him into entering a guilty plea.

Hargrave contends his guilty plea was not made voluntarily with full knowledge of its consequences and asserts this is evidenced by the confusion he displayed at the pretrial hearing. Hargrave made several assertions he was confused and did not understand the proceedings. Each time, however, his questions were answered and the nature of the proceedings explained to him. // At the end of the plea hearing, Hargrave stated he understood the proceedings and was entering his guilty plea freely and voluntarily. Hargrave is not specific as to what he was confused about and fails to state the specific consequences of which he was not made aware. The record contains no evidence tending to indicate that Hargrave was misled into making his guilty plea or harmed thereby. Based on the totality of the circumstances and the proceedings as a whole, Hargrave has not shown that his plea was involuntary.

Waiver of Right to Jury Trial

Hargrave next contends he did not waive his right to trial by jury in writing, in open court, and therefore the judgment and sentence against him must be reversed.

The Code of Criminal Procedure requires that, to waive the right to a trial by jury, a defendant must make such waiver in person and in writing, in open court, with the consent and approval of the court and the attorney representing the state. Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 1.13(a) (Vernon Supp. 2004). In this case, the State concedes there was no written waiver of a jury trial. We therefore find there was error and consider now whether such error was harmful.

The failure to have a written waiver of the right to a jury trial is subject to harm analysis. Cain v. State, 947 S.W.2d 262, 264 (Tex. Crim. App. 1997); Salinas v. State, 987 S.W.2d 922, 923 (Tex. App. Corpus Christi 1999, no pet.). This is a statutory error, not a constitutional error. Ex parte Sadberry, 864 S.W.2d 541, 543 (Tex. Crim. App. 1993). Therefore, where no waiver of jury trial has been secured, the reviewing court must determine whether the defendant's substantial rights have been affected. Salinas, 987 S.W.2d at 923. If no substantial rights have been affected, the error must be disregarded. Tex. R. App. P. 44.2(b).
A number of our sister courts have chosen to adopt the federal jury waiver test in cases where no written waiver appears in the record. Lopez v. State, 71 S.W.3d 511 (Tex. App. Fort Worth 2002, no pet.); Whitmire v. State, 33 S.W.3d 330 (Tex. App. Eastland 2000, no pet.); Loveless v. State, 21 S.W.3d 582 (Tex. App. Dallas 2000, pet. ref'd). The federal jury waiver test provides that a defendant's substantial rights are affected unless the record clearly reflects that the defendant personally gave express consent in open court, intelligently and knowingly. Lopez, 71 S.W.3d 511. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has recently rejected this test, finding that the ordinary harm analysis standard under Tex. R. App. P. 44.2(b) should be applied, without the presumption of harmfulness which the federal test imparts. See Johnson v. State, 72 S.W.3d 346, 348 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002); Garza v. State, 77 S.W.3d 292, 292 (Tex. Crim. App. 2002); see also Jackson v. State, 76 S.W.3d 798, 801 (Tex. App. Corpus Christi 2002, no pet.). In Johnson, 72 S.W.3d at 348 49, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals held that the lack of a written jury waiver is not harmful when the record reflects the defendant was aware of his or her right to a jury trial and waived that right.

The trial court informed Hargrave he was entitled to a jury trial. Therefore, Hargrave was aware of his right to a jury trial. The trial court then inquired whether Hargrave wanted a jury trial. Hargrave stated he wanted a trial before the court four different times. This desire and request for a trial before the court was never denied, repudiated, withdrawn, or complained of by Hargrave before, during, or after the proceedings. Even on appeal, Hargrave does not complain that he did not know of his right to a jury trial or that he was deprived of his right to trial by jury. He also does not claim on appeal that he wanted a jury trial or that he did not intend to waive a jury trial. Accordingly, the record reflects that Hargrave was aware of his right to a jury trial and that he waived that right, and we cannot say he was harmed by the failure to file a written waiver. See id.

Plea Substantiation

Hargrave further contends there was no evidence offered to substantiate his guilty plea and the judgment entered. He contends no judicial confession or stipulation of evidence was offered or admitted, and asks this Court to reverse the trial court's judgment and sentence imposed in this case.

When a defendant waives his or her right to a jury and pleads guilty to a felony, the Code of Criminal Procedure requires the state to introduce evidence into the record showing the defendant's guilt to serve as the basis for the trial court's judgment. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 1.15 (Vernon Supp. 2004); McDougal v. State, 105 S.W.3d 119, 120 (Tex. App. Fort Worth 2003, pet. ref'd). A judicial confession, standing alone, provides sufficient evidence to support the trial court's judgment and satisfies Article 1.15. Lord v. State, 63 S.W.3d 87, 92 (Tex. App. Corpus Christi 2001, no pet.) (citing Dinnery v. State, 592 S.W.2d 343, 353 (Tex. Crim. App. [Panel Op.] 1979) (op. on reh'g); Williams v. State, 483 S.W.2d 460, 461 (Tex. Crim. App. 1972)). An oral confession may constitute sufficient evidence to support the judgment and to satisfy Article 1.15. See Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Ann. art. 1.15; Dinnery, 592 S.W.2d at 353; Lord, 63 S.W.3d at 92 (holding oral exchange with court at time plea accepted constituted judicial confession sufficient to support judgment and satisfy Article 1.15); McFarland v. State, 644 S.W.2d 17, 18 (Tex. App. Dallas 1982, no pet.) (defendant's oral judicial confession he is pleading guilty just as he is charged in indictment sufficient evidence to support plea).

While the judicial confession in this case is not exemplary, // Hargrave did state at the plea hearing and at the punishment hearing he committed the forgery offense. He specifically stated during a conversation on the nature of the guilt/innocence phase of trial that, "I said I committed it. I admit I committed the forgery." After the indictment was read to Hargrave, he pled guilty and stated he was pleading guilty because he was guilty and for no other reason. See Dinnery, 592 S.W.2d at 353; Cooper v. State, 573 S.W.2d 533, 535 (Tex. Crim. App. [Panel Op.] 1978); Williams, 483 S.W.2d at 461; Lord, 63 S.W.3d at 92. During the punishment hearing, the PSI report was admitted into evidence. That report detailed how Hargrave admitted using his parents' checks without their permission to buy drugs, liquor, and the services of prostitutes. Hargrave took the stand and admitted the report was true and correct, save for a few irrelevant exceptions. // See Lopez v. State, 852 S.W.2d 695, 697 (Tex. App. Corpus Christi 1993, no pet.) (evidence introduced during contested penalty hearing that shows defendant's guilt for offense will substantiate guilty plea). For those reasons, we hold that Hargrave's oral admissions in open court satisfy Article 1.15.

Ineffective Assistance of Counsel

Hargrave also contends his trial counsel provided ineffective assistance. Hargrave points to defense counsel's questioning of him during the sentencing hearing, which he contends did not elicit any extenuating or mitigating evidence to the findings and conclusions contained in the PSI report. Hargrave also points to defense counsel's failure to call Hargrave's family members, who were present at the punishment hearing, to testify regarding the relationship Hargrave had with his terminally ill father and to offer evidence in rebuttal to the State's motion to cumulate.

The standard of testing claims of ineffective assistance of counsel is set out in Strickland v. Washington, 466 U.S. 668 (1984), and adopted for Texas constitutional claims in Hernandez v. State, 726 S.W.2d 53, 57 (Tex. Crim. App. 1986). The adequacy of counsel's performance during the punishment phase of trial is also reviewed under the Strickland standard. See Hernandez v. State, 988 S.W.2d 770, 772 73 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). To prevail on this claim, an appellant must prove by a preponderance of the evidence (1) that counsel's representation fell below an objective standard of reasonableness, and (2) that the deficient performance prejudiced his or her defense. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 686; Rosales v. State, 4 S.W.3d 228, 231 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999). To meet this burden, an appellant must prove that the attorney's representation fell below the standard of prevailing professional norms and that there is a reasonable probability that, but for the attorney's deficiency, the result of the trial would have been different. Tong v. State, 25 S.W.3d 707, 712 (Tex. Crim. App. 2000). Under this standard, a claimant must prove that counsel's representation so undermined the proper functioning of the adversarial process that the trial cannot be relied on as having produced a just result. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 686.

Under the Strickland test, an appellant bears the burden of proving ineffective assistance by a preponderance of the evidence. Jackson v. State, 877 S.W.2d 768, 771 (Tex. Crim. App. 1994). Allegations of ineffectiveness of counsel must be firmly founded in the record. Hawkins v. State, 660 S.W.2d 65, 75 (Tex. Crim. App. 1983). Judicial scrutiny of counsel's performance must be highly deferential, and we must indulge a strong presumption that counsel's conduct falls within the wide range of reasonable professional assistance; in other words, the defendant must overcome the presumption of sound trial strategy. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 689; see also Thompson v. State, 9 S.W.3d 808, 813 (Tex. Crim. App. 1999); Cochran v. State, 78 S.W.3d 20, 23 (Tex. App. Tyler 2002, no pet.). Further, a "professionally unreasonable" error by trial counsel does not require a reversal if the error had no effect on the judgment. Strickland, 466 U.S. at 691. The constitutional right to counsel, whether counsel is appointed or retained, does not mean errorless counsel or counsel whose competency or adequacy is to be judged by hindsight. Mercado v. State, 615 S.W.2d 225 (Tex. Crim. App. [Panel Op.] 1981); Ex parte Prior, 540 S.W.2d 723, 726 (Tex. Crim. App. 1976); Duran v. State, 505 S.W.2d 863, 866 (Tex. Crim. App. 1974). An appellant challenging trial counsel's performance faces a difficult burden and a substantial risk of failure. See Thompson, 9 S.W.3d at 813. In the absence of a record demonstrating the basis for trial counsel's action or inaction, a defendant will rarely be able to rebut the presumption that counsel's action or inaction constituted reasonable trial strategy. See id. at 814.

At the punishment hearing, the trial court noted the presence of Hargrave's sister and her husband in the courtroom and thanked them for being there. They were not called by the defense to testify. Hargrave claims his family members would have testified regarding his relationship to his ill father and provided rebuttal testimony to the State's motion to cumulate. The record, however, does not support his claim. There is nothing in the record to indicate what testimony Hargrave's family members would have given, or whether their testimony would have benefited him. Therefore, we reject Hargrave's claim of ineffective assistance of counsel based on the failure to secure their testimony. See King v. State, 649 S.W.2d 42, 44 (Tex. Crim. App. 1983) (counsel's failure to call witnesses at guilt/innocence and punishment stages irrelevant absent showing such witnesses were available and appellant would benefit from testimony); Hunnicutt v. State, 531 S.W.2d 618, 625 (Tex. Crim. App. 1976) (defendant may base ineffective assistance claim on attorney's failure to present witnesses only if defendant can show witnesses available and testimony would have benefited defendant). In addition, the record is silent as to the reasons why defense counsel chose not to place them on the stand, and we cannot speculate as to why counsel acted as he did. See Jackson, 877 S.W.2d at 771. An allegation of ineffectiveness must be firmly founded in the record, and the record must affirmatively demonstrate the alleged ineffectiveness. McFarland v. State, 928 S.W.2d 482, 500 (Tex. Crim. App. 1996). When confronted with a silent record, we are neither required to speculate on the reasons for counsel's actions, nor can we presume inaction on counsel's part.

Hargrave also points to defense counsel's questioning of him at the punishment hearing as ineffective assistance of counsel. At the punishment hearing, defense counsel questioned Hargrave concerning the PSI report and whether it contained any false allegations. Hargrave contended that some of the allegations were false, but that the remaining portions of the report were true and correct. There is no evidence in the record that any additional extenuating or mitigating circumstances existed which were not in the report, or the reasons for defense counsel questioning Hargrave as he did. Because there is nothing to explain whether counsel's actions were of strategic design or the result of negligent conduct, we conclude the record is insufficient to support Hargrave's complaint on appeal. See Thompson, 9 S.W.3d at 813 (any allegation of ineffectiveness must be firmly founded in record, and record must affirmatively demonstrate alleged ineffectiveness); Jackson, 877 S.W.2d at 771 (appellate court not required to speculate on counsel's decision-making processes or to imagine reasons why counsel acted or failed to act in particular manner). Even assuming these actions showed trial counsel's performance was deficient, Hargrave cannot show that, but for these deficiencies, there is a reasonable probability the result of the proceeding would have been different. We overrule Hargrave's last point of error.

Conclusion

We affirm the judgment of the trial court.

Donald R. Ross

Justice

Date Submitted: June 17, 2004

Date Decided: July 13, 2004

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